Feeblemind

piisfish

the way I saw the video, it seems that both jumpers are at fault.
One for not respecting the planned landing direction
The other one for overtaking by his last turn. Lower canopy has right of way doesn't it ? And doing very little to avoid the possible collision just to prove that he is right.
Both jumpers don't seem to have heads on a swivel.

Piss read above, I had 3 seconds what should I have done?? and that's with a ,4 on the lens so lets say more like 2 by the time my vision picked it up. I am all ears...

billvon

>Sometimes being a "Douche" is the only way to get you point across

Or it can guarantee that the person doesn't hear you.

Consider if you made a similar mistake. Would you listen more to a screaming douchebag or someone who told you in a more rational manner about why they were concerned about what you did? Many people have filters that filter out douches (I do.)

Bill,

I was kind the first time and the DZO also talked to them, that would be the second time. I swear does anyone at all read all the posts before they chime in? at what time is it appropriate to get annoyed with someone is unsafe? I guess I won't say shit anymore, or get angry when it is the 3rd time they are told. I will turn a blind eye like everyone else and then when someone gets killed I will be part of the problem not the solution.

Also, watch the movement of the camera, there were only 5 people in the sky as the first group of tandems got out at 9. You can see the canopy pass below me (below 400' on what appears to be final as he is close to the ground) you can see the white canopy landing in the peas, that leaves me and the tandem above me, thus EVERYONE accounted for. I did a 90 on final, hardly a high performance landing.

Also, there is about 20-25 acres to land in and one small section of peas for the tandems.

If I ever decide to post here again I will make sure it is a minimum 500 word document with witness statements to make sure it is clear as crystal. Until recently this forum was a learning place, now it's more like a dart board. I was very tired when I posted the video which was my bad for not giving a clear explanation of the events pre-ceeding this incident and the number of the jumpers in the air, the location and size of the landing area, number of jumpers already on the ground, those left in the sky, winds aloft at 12k, 9k, 6k, 3k and on the ground as well as the color of jump suits used and color canopies of everyone on the load. Next time will that cover it?? if not please feel free to ask rather than assume, it will produce a much greater learning environment.

PixieUK

***I have already turned onto final and I am less than 3o feet of the ground at 35 MPH with tandem masters and students to my left

Serious question from a complete newbie - why would you aim to land so close to the tandems and students when you had that whole big field to land in? I'm guessing that students and tandem passengers might also not be very aware of their surroundings so I would have thought it would be safer to give them a lot of space too to avoid the potential of one of them walking in front of you as you land.


I was doing a Tandem video and that is where the tandems land.

rnicks

I get that you were hopped up on adrenaline after just almost having a serious accident, but screaming and swearing is probably not the best way to handle it.

I had just talked to this crew the jump prior about the exact same thing as had the DZO after I did, I was more than a little pissed this guy put me in danger. If I was on my smaller canopy this would have ended quite differently. you may be the calm mellow type, I am not. I expect in this sport for folks to take safety seriously, and when a regular and the DZO just told you on the last jump that we do not land to the west, advised him to get another airport briefing from manifest and then he does it again, yea I was a little pissed off. I didn't really relish the though of laying on my back broken with no means to support my family!

Sometimes being a "Douche" is the only way to get you point across, I guess rnicks and demoknite after the second incident in 2 jumps would calmly ask them why they insist on not following the pattern and being unsafe, especially after the almost had a collision. It amazes me how folks will armchair quarterback the reaction and ignore the incident. I'll go mute the audio and maybe someone will learn something.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvVzIs3KfZM

At what point do you think I saw him? at 20 sec on the video he looked like he was landing south, when he comes into frame on a .4 lens I have already turned onto final and I am less than 3o feet of the ground at 35 MPH with tandem masters and students to my left and him moving from my left to my right, where the fuck did you want me to go? After I make my turn to final he comes into frame at 32 seconds of this video and I am on the ground at 35 seconds. It takes 3/4 of a second for the human body to see something and react which left me 2 1/4 seconds at 15 feet off the ground at 35 MPH where in the hell should I have went? did you want me to toggle whip it into the ground? I am all ears....

This is what happens when people are ignorant to the standard landing pattern at a DZ.

http://youtu.be/w_UY9tPi8l4

NorrinRadd

It occurs to me that there just may be some fire-fighters in this group. I myself am planning to take a pre-service fire-fighting course this fall at my local community college. It is a government endorsed program.
I would like to know if any of you fire-fighters can offer me any words of advice on nailing a job (once I have finished the course). I am very fit, aside from a well-healing lower back issue. I am also 44 years old.

Afternoon NorrinRadd,

I am a captain with a fire department in California. Instead of taking fire science classes take EMT and paramedic classes, the majority of departments now have no use for single role firefighters when they can get paramedics that are dual role for the same price (more bang for their buck). Also, back issues are not good, and may disqualify you. As far as the testing process goes, just be honest, back ground checks are a huge part of the testing process and they will dig up everything that could hurt you, thus why you might as well tell them. If they offer study material for their test buy them, they tests are not universal anymore and may be specific to their materials. If there are not suggested study materials, there are many books available on fire service testing, just google them.

Good Luck!!

USPA Raises Minimum Deployment Altitude
by Ed Scott

One of the actions arising from last week’s meeting of the USPA Board will raise the minimum deployment altitude for C- and D-license holders in the Basic Safety Requirements from the current 2,000 feet to 2,500 feet. The board had discussed this idea at previous meetings, and it has now come to the conclusion that the change will save lives.

Since 2001, there have been nine fatalities—two of them this year—associated with low reserve deployments after automatic activation device activations, most of them at line-stretch. In each case, the AAD activated at the proper altitude. There are a variety of factors that can interfere with a timely reserve deployment, among them a jumper’s body position, a weak pilot chute spring, a low-drag pilot chute, a pilot chute caught in the jumper’s burble, a bridle that briefly snags on something or a tight reserve container that slows extraction. And while it is often impossible to determine whether any of these factors were present in these accidents, what is known is that if there had been only another second or two, we could have asked the jumper what happened. Clearly, an AAD-activation altitude higher than the current 840 feet for one product and 750 feet for another may have provided those precious extra seconds.

But the AAD manufacturers had a dilemma: They couldn’t increase their activation altitudes if the BSR allows a 2,000-foot altitude for initiating deployment. If jumpers deployed at 2,000 feet and waited on main canopy inflation or fought a malfunction while going through 1,000 feet, then low-altitude two-canopy-out scenarios or worse, main-reserve entanglements, would become more likely. Raising the minimum altitude for C- and D-licensees to 2,500 feet provides more time for the main to open or for a jumper to enact emergency procedures before the AAD activates and, hopefully, now at an altitude that helps ensure a fully-inflated reserve canopy.

Yes, most jumpers already deploy higher than 2,500 feet; you almost have to if you are complying with the long-standing Skydiver’s Information Manual recommendation for B through D licensees to enact emergency procedures by 1,800 feet, especially with today’s slow-opening main canopies that are quick to go into a hell-bent spin. But some jumpers still deploy below 2,500 feet, sometimes for good reason. To allow those good reasons, the board motion allows Safety and Training Advisors to waive the BSR on a jump-specific basis. If there is a low ceiling and the airplane can’t get above 2,500 feet for low exits or accuracy jumps or if the same low ceiling threatens a demo or if the big-way attempts need a little more room at the bottom to ensure adequate separation, then the S&TA simply waives those specific jumps from the BSR. There is no required paperwork or time spent waiting on someone else’s approval. However, DZ-wide or season-long waivers are not the intent. Otherwise why enact a rule that could be universally waived?

Finally, USPA isn’t ignoring the tight-rig issue. Back in 2010, USPA formally asked the Parachute Industry Association to research the accidents in which the container design may have infringed on reserve deployment. The PIA committee tasked to do so is also setting up testing protocols to try to identify rig designs and components that have the potential to inhibit reserve deployment. We continue to monitor PIA’s progress and look forward to seeing continued improvement in rig design.

Ed Scott
Executive Director

So if my math is correct and assuming a conservative 2 million jumps per year since 2001 (22,000,000/9 fatalities) your chance of this occurring is .00000041%!! Seems pretty silly to make this BSR.

Nice edit Justin, thanks for doing this i know it takes a lot of time.

Skydance Skydiving is hosting a basic exit and belly skills camp when safety day seminars conclude this Saturday March 9th. If you are new to sport or just want to knock of the winter rust come out and play with us!!
https://www.facebook.com/events/543337219030600/

Yes, the parachute operates seven days a week.

After the in plane interviews were completed a 50-60 Y/O female passenger looked to her TM and said "I don't care what happens when we leave this plane, I just want to get to the ground!" I turned to her and replied "Maam, I personally guarantee that after you exit this airplane you will get to the ground, one way or another!"

Bump, last two days and only leading by 1/2%

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Fire Safety Tip: Don't fry bacon while naked

Yikes we're behind, come on sky family it is FREE!

Bump for the Animals!!

This is a letter I got from my friend Janice, she recently was injured on landing (stepped in a gopher hole) and cannot work. She is putting herself through Vet school at UC Davis and has numerous rescue pets she cares for. So let's help one of our own and cast a vote a day for "the little bird that could!!"

Thanks in advance!!

Janice's letter:

Hello friends. I am asking that you take a moment and vote for the story "A Little Bird That Could." If it wins, Mickaboo will get some much needed funds to help support veterinary care for all of our rescued birds. We solely depend on donations and winning contests like these. Our monthly veterinary expenses range from 20 thousand to 40 thousand dollars. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. You can vote every day until November 11th. Steve, Pico, and I really appreciate it!

http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/contest.faces?siteId=3

edit by Skymama-

Reposted from Dean Ricci, Blue Skies Magazine (I don't know if Dean posts here, he is the author of this article)




It is with incredible sadness that we learned of the passing of Donny Brown on a skydive in Byron, California. If you have jumped in or around Northern California anytime over the last ten years or so, then you have undoubtedly felt the warmth of one of the most amazing smiles in all of skydiving. Donny was a facet at Skydance Skydiving in Davis California, and those of us who were lucky enough to call that place our home Dropzone were also lucky enough to call Donny Brown friend. Donny was an avid and talented Freeflyer and swooper who enjoyed pushing the limits whenever the chance arose, yet he was also the first one willing to take the time to mentor those just joining our world. Outside of skydiving, he was a talented mechanic, and avid race car driver, and one of the most amazing painters around who was always willing to lend a hand whenever he was needed. He gave his time and energy easily, even when he had little to give, and would never meet nor leave even the newest of his friends without an amazing hug, a huge beautiful smile, and the most sincere affection anyone could ever ask for. Donny leaves behind more friends than I could possibly begin to list, but none more important the the true love of his life, Courtenay. No one who ever saw Donny and Courtenay together could ever claim different.

At times like this it can be difficult not to hate the sport that has taken someone so wonderful away from us, but impossible not to love the sport that gave him to us in the first place. Donny, I cannot help but smile when I see your picture, or think of my true luck in having spent time with you. You are loved, and you will be missed.

Blue Skies, Black Death

Donny Brown, 2012

Donny’s Friends:

“we will miss you forever. One of the most accepting, kind, generous, loving people I knew on this planet. My heart aches for Courtney… I know you adored each other…. my heart aches for all who had the privilege to know you… and my heart aches for those that never had that awesome experience. That last big ol’ bear hug will have to last a life time.”

“Damn…what I wouldn’t give for one more of your never ending hugs and scratchy giggling nuzzles. Remember when Jack was struggling with being a teen, girls, growing up, you name it? .. he used to say “”how does Donny B do it? How does he always smile? You would just start giggling and the two of you would crack each other up!! Thanks you so much for that infectious never ending smile.”

“Donny, one of those people you are better for when he comes into your orbit. His passion for life, the sincerity with which he lived, the joy he shared… I will always hold a bit of him close, and miss this man.”

And so many more…

Many of you asked how you can help. We’ve set up a paypal account to accept donations. All money will go directly to Courtenay. If we can mitigate even a little bit of the financial stress, that will give her more time to process this loss and begin healing.

Please send any donations via paypal to [email protected]

If you have any questions, please ask. And thank you in advance! Every little bit helps.

I am not a TI, but I am an AFF-I. I get a little uncomfortable even when doing mock up exits with females (usually holding their pant leg to simulate the harness).

Unfortunately this type of behavior is all to common in the sport, TI's come in contact with numerous individuals and some assume it is okay to test the waters in target rich surroundings. TI's often have ample time to interact with their passengers after the jump, I would think if the passenger had an interest in the TI (Thanks for the skydive here's my number call me) rather than the TI being the aggressor.

As Bytch says though, you hit on or touch my daughter inappropriately on a tandem we're gonna have issues.\ and a lawyer is the least of your concerns.

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Sounds like you need to find some new instructors! I'm surprised they passed you onto level 2 since you didn't really do anything. I know you tried but you didn't pull, do practice pulls or actually check your altitude.

Did you even read his post? Sounds like he was doing everything he was trained to do with the instructors above him yanking him around and his fall rate complicated issues.

But Holy Crist, the turbulence was unbelievable. I was trying to do my count, but my body was being blasted and trying to twist from side to side. It was like someone was trying to flip me over on both sides and shaking the hell out of me. I was trying to keep the body position I was taught, but my arms were flailing uncontrollably and I was shaking so much I couldn't even focus on the sky.

I tried to keep my focus on my count to 4,000 and COA look at my altimeter for the prescribed check, but my arm was still shaking and flailing so much I couldn't see the altimeter to get the reading. I tried to check my heading and the horizon, but I still couldn't focus on the sky or anything else when I looked ahead.

Check for instructorsI decided I would just go to the next item in my maneuvers, which was to check right and left with my instructors. I look to my right to check in with my first instructor. HE WAS NO WHERE IN SIGHT!

Absolutely correctI remembered in training they said if you are separated from your instructors, just pull your chute.

I needed to see about the second instructor first. I look to my left. HE WASN'T THERE EITHER! ---But before I try to pull my chute,Aware of his surroundings, may have prevented a double fatal I saw out of the corner of my eye that The second instructor was still with me, but he was not next to me, but kind of behind and above me. I couldn't pull my parachute then or it would deploy into him.

Since The instructor was still with me and not telling me otherwise I thought maybe I should try to continue with my planned practice touches of the ripcord. The violent shaking had not gotten any better and I still had no idea what my altitude was, but I tried to move my right arm to make the first practice touch. I couldn't get my arm to move past my shoulder for the shaking and twisting I was being thrown around with.

I was thinking this is not good. I had to see what my altitude was...

BOOOOM!

I will not speak ill of instructors here, as an AFF-I I too have made errors in judging a students fall rate, I learned from those jumps, and I am sure the instructors on this jump did as well.

Good luck with your progrssion, I am a large model also, so if I can assist you in your aff with discussion please drop me a PM.

Good coaching, a good mentor and hard work.

We had the same situation at our DZ a few years ago and there was outside video. On the video you can clearly see the dislocation (front few), but from the instructor's point of view it was not as clear. She went to reach once, strike, she reached again strike 2, as the instructor was moving in she fired silver!!

+1 to Leah, missed twice, went to silver, just like she was trained.

I have read many of the posts here, Jumpy McAwesome just doesn't seem to get it (seems every DZ gets one of these once every two or three years) and like someone said, if the aren't listening they would probably not understand a punch in the nose either. I would offer to purchase a large life insurance policy on said individual under the condition I would be the soul beneficiary, they just might understand that!

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I am tired of boom boxes and the joy riders of the sky assaulting my senses. People live in Colorado because of the open space and natural setting, and these dive-bombing nuisances are a huge irritant. It's like trying to find peace and tranquility in a hornets nest! Enough!

I for one, am filled w/respect & arousal for a woman who has the stuff to stand up for what she believes in. It's sexy !! I know this is you, Kimberly. I think you're hot . Most little girls don't have the stones to take a stand. Most lil boys here are threatened by your no-nonsense style.

You ROCK, beautiful

Oh the comments I could make to this, the thought of her being sexy and bending over so I could treat her the way she deserves

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I am tired of boom boxes and the joy riders of the sky assaulting my senses. People live in Colorado because of the open space and natural setting, and these dive-bombing nuisances are a huge irritant. It's like trying to find peace and tranquility in a hornets nest! Enough!

I don't know how long you have lived next to a Federally Funded airport and I truly do not care, but sounds like your best option is to move. The FAA will not ban an aeronautical activity and the city will face a discrimination lawsuit if the terminate the drop zones lease.

By your statement above it appears you need to move about 40 miles out of town so you can have the peace and tranquility you desire, but I fear that would be an inconvenience to you as your local coffee house and salon would be a little further away. Pretty obvious the issue here is you, and what you want you spoiled bitch..... Get over yourself, you live close to an airport you need to expect aircraft noise.

Skydance Skydiving is celebrating their 25th Anniversary with the American Boogie June 21-24, 2012. So plan ahead to book those cheap flights so you can come out and celebrate with US!!

Aircraft
Skyvan
Blackhawk powered SUPER Grand Caravan 850
Pac750XL
Hopefully a Helicopter

Organizers
Relative work -- Roger Ponce DeLeon and Kaleidoscope
Freeflying -- Donny Brown, Jason Cahill, Kurt Issel, and Jason "Jackson" Payne.
Winsuits -- Sean Horton, Sean will be teaching FFC during the event.

Vendors
Phoenix fly
Mirage
United Parachute Technologies
Performance Designs

Thursday -- Kicking off the 25th Anniversary with 25 ways and build from there. Organizers will be on hand to keep the planes turning.
Friday -- Big ways, Organizers will be on hand to keep the planes turning. and night jumps until midnight with well lit landing area.
Saturday -- Nothing better after a long day of jumping than a tri-tip and chicken dinner with all the fixin’s.
Sunday -- Flying with toys out of the Skyvan!

And of course, the best kind of beer every night, FREE!!

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any big dz with good weather will be able to offer you that program.

First 8 level plus 2 solo jumps would take at least 3 days to finish, and rest 15 jumps in 4 days.

Or I guess you can do 17 solo hop and pops to make things easier, and faster, they don't have to be full altitude.
and learning how to pack parachute typically takes anywhere from 3 hour to all day, depending on personality.

Idea of cramming into one week schedule is a poor one for many people.

+1

10 days is more reasonable for the ultra determined.

This time of year:
Eloy
Spaceland
Perris
Elsinore

Just to mention a few with the better weather. Nor-Cal has been having good weather this year also, but hell wait 10 minutes it might change.