Junkers87

Me and a few of my buddies are visiting Florida this coming easter. Last summer I did a static-line (with a 5 second drouge delay) jump with a non-steerable round in Estonia. From 1200 feet. It scared the shit out of me, but it was really fun, nontheless. I jumped wearing sneakers, but the PLF saved my life! Coming to Florida in a few months, I would really like to try jumping the paracommander/papillon or something similar. Does anyone here know someone who can help me accomplish this? (Yes - I know some people think I must be crazy - I am, and I don't care! )

I started jumping my Sabre 2 190 (loaded @ 1.09) after around forty jumps. This canopy has an excellent flare, and is VERY forgiving. I've jumped some thirty-times now, and I always have landed on my feet not falling . On my jump no. 3 with the Sabre 2 I landed in gusty crosswing. Landing was no problem, and it was my first stand-up crosswind-landing.

Do you roll in the nose when you pack? If you do, don't! I roll my nose, and my Sabre 2 190 usually snivels for 800-1000 ft. (Loaded @ 1,1). Leaving the nose hanging should reduce the snivel.

I've never jumped a round, but recently I ended up betting with the chairman of my local club about the Para-commander's "flare". I've read several places about jumpers making "chin-ups" with the rear-risers just prior to landing. I've also read that someone used the toggles, and did indeed make stand-up landings. Having just seen "The Gypsy Moths" (and "The making of...") I'm quite convinced that a "chin-up" cannot be done fast enough to have any effect. Hence, pulling the toggles/backriser must have the effect of flaring the PC (or any other high performance round). If you can stall a PC, then you must also be able to flare it? The blueprints of the PC found at www.parachutehistory.com/round/pc.html I feel confirms my impression. Anyway, I would really appriciate the opinion of you vets out there! Maybe you can save me from paying the 100 bucks I betted!