livetofly

Just thought i would add my 2 cents. Setting up to land an airplane in the pattern is a very stressful time. Being a pilot and a skydiver i would definetally say it is the parachutists resposibility to stay clear of planes. The canopy pilot has a better view and the advantage of hearing whats going. Remember, planes are always keeping watch for traffic but can only see in front and to the sides, they can not comunicate with, expect, or always see a canopy decending above them. To me its like those share the road with bikers signs. They can ride on the same roads as cars, but highways are not built for bikes. The best way to avoid planes i think is to be aware of two important altitudes. 2000ft and 1000ft. (+/- 1or200) Normal pattern altitude is 1000ft when a pilot enters his downwind at uncontrolled airports. When he passes the end of the runway he begins his decent and turns his base and then final (always to the left unless otherwise stated by the airport) My advice would be know wich way airplanes are landing prior to your jump, that way you will know which side of the runway they will be flying on. Be cautious when aproaching 1000 ft. because there could be traffic, and never ever be under 1000 ft. at the aproach end of the runway. It is comon for planes to set up for the pattern by crossing over the middle of the runnway at 2000ft. They then circle/desend back to 1000 ft and enter the downwind 45degrees to the middle of the runway. So again, aproach 2000 ft with caution. Aside from getting back from a bad spot, i always try to get through 2000 as fast as possible, its fun to spiral anyways. Basically, if your over the runway or to the opposite side of traffic pattern and under 2000 ft. you are in a no fly zone for planes. If you are to the side of the traffic pattern and under 1000 ft, you are in a no fly zone to planes. And avoid at all costs being under 1000ft at the aproach end of the runway. Anyways, those are just some things i try to think about, blue skies!

"if you messed up in landing with a 170, or a 190... the crash would be as (sorry my french) fucked up in either one" ... Keep in mind however, its not just the landing that can present problems with a smaller canopy. trying to avoid obstacles close to the ground on a small highly loaded canopy can put you right into the ground, you never know what you might have to avoid to land, especially if the spot is bad and you have to land off the drop zone. My first canopy at about 50 jumps was a 150 stilleto at 1.1. My instructors were confident in my ability to jump it as well. luckily while i was learning on it i never had any reason to turn low. However, just a few weeks ago i was cut off by a student jumper and had to flare turn at landing. Had that happend at 50 jumps, i probably would have gone splat. If you go with the smaller canopy i'd land well away from other jumpers, stay on your DZ, always pull high enough to make sure you can get back to the drop zone and can set up a good base/final, the last thing you want is to find yourself about to land down wind, but on a canopy loaded that high you cant be turning 180s low, be straight in at least at 400 and get good practice up high with flat turns and slow flight. Pretend someone just cut you off and avoid them. then see how much altitude you lost. Anyone correct me if i'm wrong but i think the saber2 is slightly eliptical unlike the saber, so its gonna dive. Know how those rear risers react too. THere gonna be really touchy and steering line can break so you may have to land with them. So just becareful and no low turns. Theres definelly more experienced people here to talk to but coming from somone who went to a smaller canopy too soon and is still learning on every jump, those are some things that i found usefull. Have fun, be safe

I have been continually getting closed endcells on deployment. It is always on the left side and it always happens. I bought my canopy used and dont know if i this is something i can correct with packing or its just a characteristic of eliptical canopies. Any thoughts?

thanks for the input. Those are some good issues to think about

I understand that starting to video tandem jumps with low numbers is dangerous. I'm not saying i know the dangers of it because i dont want anyone jumping down my throat because i said i know something and dont have a 1000 jumps. But what are some of the risks of putting a camera on your head when you jump to start getting the feel of it. I'm looking for real replys and not references to moving to fast and how you can hurt yourself swooping.

I did my first AFF when vacationing in Moab last march. As soon as i got back to salt lake i found a drop zone and never looked back. I was kinda worried about spending the money on it, but a rig, altimeters, helmet, and a jumpsuit later its all worth it. I dont know what your dropzones policy is on packers. But my advice would be to start packing as soon as you can. I pack all day saturday then jump all day sunday with the money i maid. It will pay for itself.