luckysideburns

The answer Martin is because instructors involved in tandem free fall incidents are still saying: "I couldn't find the handle" as the root cause of their incidents. Despite your claim that floating handles are a thing of the past, there continues to be a number or low pulls, AAD activations, and two-out tandem incidents where the tandem instructor either could not find their main handle, even after thousands of tandems, or worse, could not find their reserve handle, even after thousands of jumps. It still happens, more often then you think. As for HandCams, that adds an even greater risk, as multiple times we have heard: I could see the handle, but I couldn't get my hand in there with the hand cam. So despite your (accurate assessment) that post deployment handles checks are also important and instructors should be doing that too, the free fall handles checks remain a high speed critical step in the process so that at the bottom end of your tandem jump, where every second counts, your not fumbling around looking for a main handle (some model tandems they can still dislodge) or struggling to either find or pull your reserve handle because you have never reached back in free fall to see if you could touch it. I have been told that there are actually drop zones out there that tell their instructors to actually NOT do handles checks with hand cam video, because it messes up the video. This BSR will ensure that there is a mechanism of consequence now for ignoring such a critical safety check. Ted Strong once told me (paraphrased) regarding Tandem SOPs: "When your asked to do something procedurally that you don't necessarily understand, it's because it's not for a reason you can think of, its for a reason you haven't thought of yet, but for a reason someone else already learned from." I'm going to sit with Tom on this one, for sure. I've vehemently pushed handle checks at my current DZ for years for several reasons. The main one is that it is extremely important to make sure that your handles are where they should be (and that YOU know where they are) during droguefall. They are in a different spot than they are while on the ground, and a different spot than they are while under canopy. Should there be a mis-rigged drogue attachment (that presumably wasn't caught on the preflight inspection) or other high-speed issue, the last thing you want to do is spend precious time fumbling for the appropriate handles. That goes for the secondary drogue release as well. Most instructors use the same primary handle (either the instructor or student release) for every jump. If you go hundreds or thousands of jumps pulling the same handle each time, then are forced to go for the second due to an issue.. that muscle memory counts and can save valuable time. You may "know" where they are.. but how quickly can you seamlessly snap to the secondary release when a student with an oversized t-shirt or hoodie has their attire cover your primary release? It should be fluid, and automatic. The only way to ensure that is making sure that the muscle memory is there. And the only way to do THAT, is through handle checks. There are examiners out there who will pull ratings if they see videos of instructors sans handle checks. While I feel this is a bit extreme for a single infraction, the addition of a BSR gives a clear focus that both the USPA and manufacturers take this issue seriously. There is really no case to be made AGAINST them... and since it can only increase safety, I can't see why any current instructor wouldn't want to do them. Tan-I, AFF-I, S&TA, Freefall Photographer, Skydive University Coach

If you fly directly below MY tandem, on purpose, you will either promise never to do it again, or you won't be near my tandem again. We can still be friends, but you won't do my video anymore. Your feeling about how likely it is that you will have a preemie is completely irrelevant. You might, and there is no good reason for you to be there. It's unprofessional, so why do it? ***It definetly does add some risk On a tandem all reasonable measures should be taken to reduce the risk as close to zero as possible. That is professionalism. Often people will try to confuse the issue with observations like "what about this or that" Handcam has it's own issues, but so what? You are merely changing the subject away from your need to have your fun. The main point is that it's simply not about you. Beautifully put! I absolutely love this response and agree with every part of it! Kudos, sir. The skydive is about the experience of the tandem. Get the shot but keep it as safe as possible in all aspects. If you want to horse around, save it for the fun jumps with your buddies. Don't put the unsuspecting noobs at risk. Be professional Act professional Create a professional product. And don't kill anyone. Tan-I, AFF-I, S&TA, Freefall Photographer, Skydive University Coach

Oh! Well then! By all means, please tell us how your 1,000 jumps (over 9 years), which is an average of 110 jumps a year.. (not a huge amount for someone in the air with tandems) qualifies you for putting someone else's life at risk. As mentioned before, this is NOT the forum for voicing your (obviously flawed) views on safety. Tandems are the life of the sport (when it comes to paying for those turbines everyone loves), and everything attached to them is based around safety. Why do you think that the deployment altitude is higher for tandems? Why do you think the parachutes are so much larger and of such a docile planform? Why do you think that the regulations and requirements are that much more stringent? It's because it's NOT JUST ANOTHER SKYDIVE. This is an ongoing issue in the sport, and the reason why incidents are happening which honestly don't need to be happening. As an S&TA, I see too many of these. And the worst thing? Honestly? Is people who think that their skills, experience, and luck are "above" any possible situation that could endanger others. Those people are the ones that are causing situations that DON'T NEED TO HAPPEN. Because nobody drives to the dropzone expecting to create a situation that impacts their (or someone else's) life. I'm with Doug. If you want to kill yourself, go for it. If you intend to take out another experienced jumper, then you're a dick.. but it doesn't even come close to the damage you do if a tandem goes in. All we are saying is that if you are going to take that kind of risk (with no thought about the impact of your actions), then maybe it's best that you do indeed stick to fun jumping. You have no place in the air with tandems if you can't even perceive that it's not the same situation as jumping with your buddies. Your fellow fun jumpers signed up for that kind of risk,. The tandem didn't. And there are plenty of ways of going about flying camera without putting the student's life at risk. I've done over 1400 jumps flying camera for tandems, and never needed to fly beneath them to get "the shot". I'm sure you can find plenty of other camera fliers on this forum who will agree. As I mentioned earlier, I'm not trying to cut down your technique (even if I disagree with it), as you will likely continue. However, it is critical that you realize that you CANNOT PREDICT EVERY SITUATION THAT CAN OCCUR. If you take out your buddy, you have to apologize to his family (and friends). If you take out a tandem, YOU HAVE TO APOLOGIZE TO THE SPORT. Unfortunately, that apology rarely holds any weight. Don't let that kind of arrogance ruin the sport for others. You are no less fallible than anyone else in the sky, or anyone else who is reading this forum. You are human, so are we. Keep those screws tight, sir. Tan-I, AFF-I, S&TA, Freefall Photographer, Skydive University Coach

You overestimate the risk involved. Its no where near to be worried about. I'm probably sharing the view of many on here that (from reading your responses), you really chose the wrong forum to voice your views on the topic of safety. If your profile is correct and you only have 1000 jumps, please understand that there are many more experienced people on here who are voicing concern for an unnecessary risk which we are recognizing. Flying underneath (or nearly underneath) a tandem at any point in the skydive is definitely a safety issue and wholly unnecessary, especially when you are exposing the pin side of the pack to the relative wind (as while back flying). Keep in mind that nobody who has ever had a premature deployment "planned on it"... and many of those rigs HAD been taken care of properly.. but as mentioned by others on here things can happen, packs can get bumped, and often times the pin doesn't actually pop until deep in freefall (and possibly beneath a tandem). The tandem student didn't sign up for that risk and you can shoot a perfectly acceptable (and, if you are skilled.. amazing) video without that technique. Also, I was surprised to see that you made the choice to fly beneath the tandem so close to deployment. I'm fairly certain you have never witnessed (or experienced) a tandem bag lock scenario as many of us have.. and I can assure you that they will plow through your airspace before you know what is happening (especially if the instructor isn't the fastest with his chop). If you study past incident reports, there have been several injuries and/or fatalities that have much to do with camera flyer antics close to tandem deployment. I'm not trying to cut you down (even if I disagree with certain aspects of your technique). Chances are you're going to continue doing what you've been doing regardless of what you read here. However, these forums are for learning and sharing.. and helping each other to be safer and better skydivers. If people bring up issues they notice, or offer advice, it is always advisable to consider that they may be speaking from a much more experienced position and their concern may have some merit. Try not to dismiss their concerns so easily. It just may save your (or someone else's) life. Tan-I, AFF-I, S&TA, Freefall Photographer, Skydive University Coach

Thanks Phil, I hadn't ever noticed that on your setup before (This is Nicky, by the way, in case you couldn't tell from the account name..). I also noticed on the picture that part of the foam mount includes a solid piece blocking the lower part of the microphone (essentially, i assume, creating a bit of a burble in freefall for the microphone). Looks like fiberglass or a composite of some sort. Also, is that pelican case foam a bit softer, or more firm? Tan-I, AFF-I, S&TA, Freefall Photographer, Skydive University Coach

Hey there, I'm jumping a Simon Wade glove with a CX-150 in it. The glove is great, but my only issue is that the front-mounted microphone is exposed to the windstream, and creates a hellaceous amount of wind noise while descending under the canopy. It almost drowns out the student's voice, and that's no bueno for the finished product. I tried slapping a little gaffers tape on, but that drowns out everything BUT the wind noise. So, my question, what has everyone found to be the best solution to eliminate wind noise while keeping enough of the voice present? Videographers who fly with a camera box and other gloves are welcome to add to this as well, and post your experiences. I know that the Waycool gloves and knockoffs (as well as the Vert) all have enclosed neoprene and/or padded fabric coverings, but has anyone modified their gloves and/or boxes for better sound reproduction? I have the option of putting in a strip of neoprene or foam to help, but rather than trial and error it's easier to learn from other's experimentations. Grazie ;). Tan-I, AFF-I, S&TA, Freefall Photographer, Skydive University Coach

One of the advantages of the tandem FX, however, is NOT the higher speed or the swoop-ability of it. IMHO, it is the almost disgusting amount of low end lift/flare these FX canopies have, by design. They can easily be brought in at 1/2 brakes or deeper, and still have plenty of flare to shut it down. We all know the stall/surge approach a lot of people use to get a decent flare on the old SET canopies. Heck even the Sigma tandem canopies (which I think have a GREAT flare to them) won't have as good a flare/shutdown-ability if put in a low speed/braked approach situation. This is a huge advantage to be able to shut them down with a minimum of forward speed (eliminating the lazy legged student to do the scary heelplant-toe-knee-shoulder roll resulting in embarrassing video footage and a broken student ankle, or worse...). Don't forget, of course, that as a first time student, they are already flipping out over the whole thing. Speeding the damned thing up toward the ground at the very end is only going to scare the hell out of them more, and keep them from performing their job properly. Personally I'd rather have a canopy which can get back from a long spot well, and plop myself and the student down after a nice, smooth shutdown. I think that this is a great project, and while the canopies are not for everyone, they will be perfect and maybe even safer in the right hands. Tan-I, AFF-I, S&TA, Freefall Photographer, Skydive University Coach

Yup that's what we do too.. keep both hands on the rear frame of the door (spacing them out will aid stability), and it should be noted that if you're side mounting then using your left knee to prop your lower body out from the fuselage a bit will give you a much better "in the door" shot.. but also present more surface. As for the position causing tumbling on exit.. hasn't been a problem in the last 500 camera jumps... happy shooting :) Tan-I, AFF-I, S&TA, Freefall Photographer, Skydive University Coach

nice job man, tho i believe this is a "first" were everyone else owes YOU a beer! congrats on keeping the passenger calm and staying cool despite the situation. let us know any developments :) blue ones man, -nicky Tan-I, AFF-I, S&TA, Freefall Photographer, Skydive University Coach

I guess they weren't lying about the "pie rules" thread.... last night i definately got post-pied for all my big number jumps up to this date... 4 whipped cream pies total... and it took roughly 15 q-tips to get all the hershey's syrup out of the ears.. I guess that's payback for the pie compilation video i put together at the end of the season haha blue ones, all

I've had one of those myself! ;-) ... Speaking as a camera flier, i would never expect the TM to land out with me either.. though if we are both hosed, i'd look for an out field suitable for BOTH of us... Speaking as a TI.. we give our camera fliers signals toward the bottom of the dive for short, overhead the spot, and long. That way no surprises when they flip over after filming the opening. If neither of us are going to make it then I'll land off with my camera as long as long as the spot is safe for the student. I agree that the two should work as a team, covering each others ass during different parts of the skydive Tan-I, AFF-I, S&TA, Freefall Photographer, Skydive University Coach

Hey there, I had a similar problem on a Kenko 0.43x lens I use on my PC330 during the hazy new england summer. The problem is that once you open the lens (i.e. unscrew the rings and remove the lens components), you expose the interior to moisture (normal humidity contained in the air). This moisture gets trapped inside the lens.. and in warm or cold weather.. will redepositi itself on the glass surfaces INSIDE the lens assembly. Once this moisture is inside and inbetween the component lenses.. it's nearly impossible to get out. Baking it out is a good idea.. or bring it inside an extremely dry environment (such as next to an air conditioner). Clean all the lens components and dry thoroughly, then reassemble the lens. To test it.. cup the lens in your hands (without touching the glass parts) and hold it there for about a minute. If the interior of the lens fogs.. then you didn't do a good enough job of drying out the interior.. repeat the above steps. If it DOESN'T fog.. then you're good.. Gaffers tape the shit outta all the rings and such.. cover it until nothing is left but the glass components and threads to attach it to the camera. Smile :) Blue Ones.. good luck Tan-I, AFF-I, S&TA, Freefall Photographer, Skydive University Coach

I own the sonic, and have over 100 jumps with it. Very nice helmet, stable in freefall, comfortable, and multi-platform (top, front, and side capable). Only problems i've noticed are it tends to be a bit wide, so side mounting isn't as practical as top (ok because of the size of the top platform), and the ratcheting chin cup is removable.... which opens the potential for leaving it on the ground while you run to catch the plane... haha. Also, the chin-cup system while stable.. is not AS stable as the fuller face designs. The cutaway system is good, though once pulled you lose the hardware (spring loaded, so watch where it flies if testing it). If you're looking for a semi-pro to pro setup.. this will do you good for a bit IMO, but watch what the real pros use. A full-face style like the bonehead optiq might be a better choice depending on how much video you shoot/plan on shooting. Anyone else own the sonic, or have recommendations? Tan-I, AFF-I, S&TA, Freefall Photographer, Skydive University Coach

I normally jump with an AAD.. but it came time for the AAD in the rig I was using to be checked. We removed the AAD and closed the rig (after a repack). I have since jumped with it a few times.. I do keep the idea that there is no AAD in the back of my mind... no second chance.. and I've noticed that I'm more stringent on the type of jumps I do (no freefly, RW, etc) where kicks and bumps are more likely to happen. It's bad to say this.. but I think that we may be inclined to take an extra chance or two while wearing an AAD simply because there is that extra security blanket "just in case" something were to happen... "it'll save me!". I'm not saying it's right.. just that it "is". Anyone else feel similar or different? Tan-I, AFF-I, S&TA, Freefall Photographer, Skydive University Coach