skydivejeff

This is true, BUT Star Trac landings arent always soft and in order to effectively land them without any forward speed, you must transition at 5-10 feet off the ground. I would definately recommend a navigator or a spectre. I think it would be easier and more safe for you to land with a little slide on the butt instead of trying to land with no forward airspeed. Just my $.02

First let me say that I think it is completely awesome that you want to continue in the sport after your terrible accident! 2nd, I am not handicap (and I hate to use that word BTW) BUT I do have a lot of jumps on an accuracy canopy and my 2 cents are that I dont reccommend that you go to one. The accuracy canopy is designed to land by stopping ALL FORWARD SPEED and coming striaght down. Reading your story of your injury, I think you could do some serious damage by trying this. If one does have even a little forwrd speed on landing with an accuracy type parachute, it hurts BAD because of the trim settings...it is just not possible to have a safe landing on accuracy unless your straight down in a transition. I would recommend that you stay with your current setup and simply fly it at 1/4 to half brakes with a long, high final approach. It sounds like you are able to lift your legs from the waist, so you can always slide in on your butt for a safe, soft landing. Whatever you choose, be safe. I truely think you are awesome for continuing the sport even though we have never (or may never) meet! BS!~ Jeff

When you have to PLF to save your butt because you screwed up, YES you might want to concern yourself with standing up and learn what you did wrong to not do it again. However, if you are sliding (not a PLF) safely and intentionally which A LOT of us do when flying a 2.1:1 or greater, than get over it...Again, there is no shame in that. The only ones that will talk crap are the ones that dont know anything about a high performance landing! And frankly, I dont care what they think.

Sounds scary +1 on that...toggle whipping scares the crap putta me!!!

Another reason to jump a Sigma. Also, the skyhook sytem is designed to shoot the reserve off your back without line twists, etc. Riser break is your own fault for not doing a proper gear check...I cant believe that a riser would snap without any visible signs of wear and tear on them that you could see on preflight. Just my $.02 Jefe

Sigma container all the way. I also prefer to fly the sig 370 main and the 360 reserve. I am cypress guy though...turn it on and let her go to work. --If only I could afford the rig! Jefe

Remember that for most, jumping out of an airplane is the pinnacle of one's life...Saying that, nothing compare's to the look on a students face ( whether it be tandem, aff, iad, or s/l) after they have landed! I recommend going for it if you are one to give back and share the knowledge that you have gained! Teaching has not burned me out nor has it taken any fun out of the sport; it has only made me a better skydiver. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Your killin me here! Reading through this thread, I can hardly believe my eyes! We have an A licensed skydiver trying to justify why they pull lower than 1.) the BSR states and 2.)where they are comfortable...I DONT UNDERSTAND!!! It is common sense. When the skydive is over, it is over-you now have to save your life so you can do it again! Have some common sense, listen to the experience here and pull a bit higher! I have had 8 total cutaways-some due to CRW and some were from paid pack jobs ( I have yet to pack myself a chop)...what you may not realize is that everything happens FAST when you have a problem and need to fix it! -Altitiude is your friend; as a matter of fact, it is your best friend! Anyway, I could vent on this all day. The bottom line is this-Bump up your opening altitudes, the skydive is over and what is another 500-1000 feet of canopy flight but enjoyment. We have had too many friends get seriously injured or killed because of ignorance, please dont become part of that statistic! If you still wanna pull low, take up base jumping...

SPEAK BROTHER! +1 on Chuck

Actually, that is Chris Moore, Not Greg Windmiller. No worries

I completely agree that a hook turned stiletto is a scary site, I would recommend a sabre II or katana or similar before switching to something more high performance. As with the short vs long arc, I understand that a person has to initiate the set and turn MUCH lower to the ground than I like to be, but when learning how to do something new in our sport, remember we do it higher. Also, if a jumper finds themself in a dive too low to the ground, a shorter recovery arc will be your friend when trying to dig it out. Again, in my opinion. We could debate this until the beer light gets turned on. I think each jumper will have their own opinion until it is put to the test, and to tell ya the truth,that'll never happen. Thats why these forums are so great, we can debate all day long! Be safe out there! Jefe

This is a GREAT point! Generally, if you use every last little bit of power left above your head, your step off to the ground should be as smooth as getting out of a chair and walking away. Now saying that, it doesnt always happen for whatever the reason (ie:too much riser/toggle input, a harness shift, whatever) and in which case if you are not comfortable with the speed, butt slide it...there is NO SHAME in that! A good rule of thumb when planed out surfing is that when you make an input with a toggle or riser, make the opposite input by raising your knees and legs completely. Bottom line in my eyes is: If your not comfortable with the speed or some other factor of the landing, you need to do one of 2 things...either upsize your canopy to something you can maneuver consistantly OR accept the fact that you will be replacing the butt of your jumpsuit regularly. Good luck and BE SAFE! Jefe

Ron, IMO it is best for a new HPC pilot to start slow and concentrate on the fundamentals of the parachute flight and the dive to set up a high performance landing, regardless of parachute. Small steps are best when learning, so I would have to say a parachute that has a fast recovery arc is best; I would rather see a person plane out HIGH versus LOW! Any parachute you jump though can have a short AND long recovery arc. Think of it this way, completing a 90 versus a 180 (which by the way is a bad idea) or a 270. When you are comfortable performing these turns with a non crossed braced canopy, move on to something a bit more aggressive and do the same progression. Myself and GW have been through advanced HPC coaching with Jay Moledski this past winter, and we are ALWAYS open to share what we have learned. I am at Raeford all the time, please ask if you have questions before attempting something new. Good luck, be safe! Jefe