AlRedler

Headcorn, UK. One hand on each handle, cut away, then reserve. 4 steps: "look, locate, cut, away." Al

60 Brits arrived in Slovakia for a UK organised helicopter boogie on private land. On the first jumping day the staff from this DZ turned up requiring to be paid for their services, even though they were not required and it was not on their dz. They told us they had instructed their friend the helicopter pilot not to fly until they had agreed terms with us. In the end we were to be allowed to jump it at their dz, without our trip organiser, with them getting the jump money and we also had to pay them £1,000 for their efforts. These were terms that all 60 of us heard, standing in the field waiting for our non existent ride. Most were from Headcorn and can verify this. We told them where to go and went to the excellent Slovakia Boogie dz the next day instead. Don't risk the same happening to you, don't give them your money. See my review of Slovakia Boogie for the better alternative. To answer the CCI's question to us - you are monkeys swinging in the trees!

A group of 60 of us from England turned up here at one days notice after being stitched up by another dz over our planned helicopter boogie. We got lucky after all. This is the best run dz I have been to. The place is immaculate with extensive covered outside seating, excellent quality and value bar/restaurant and plenty of inside and outside packing area. The staff are very professional and competent, and the language barrier did not harm that. Manifest is super efficient and clear with a regular countdown for all loads. The main aircraft is a spotless Let 410 that goes to 13,000 ft. They also have a Brigadyr and an AN2 biplane. The big thrill for most of us was jumping the gliders, climbing out on the wing before jumping off. Highly recommended! With a little more notice they would have had a hot air balloon too. I averaged one jump an hour over 2 days, it was that well run. Give yourself a treat and try this dz out. Budget flights go Bratislava on Sky Europe and Ryannair.

It may be your battery. A similar thing happened to me after I had replaced my old battery with one a friend had bought off the internet. I was using the Neptune as a helmet audible and it never sounded. As my analogue wrist altimeter also broke on the same jump and I was backflying it made for a rather low opening! I think the Neptune is sensitive to a bad battery. Mine is now worn on my wrist with a Solo in my helmet.

Impressed with the reception I have had here. Before 2nd visit I called to check no problems for the weekend and mentioned I may want coaching for FF1. On arrival 4 people said they remembered I wanted coaching and I qualified FF1 on the 2nd jump. The enthusiasm is infectious. Like the best bits of the army, a very organised but friendly fun place. Would benefit from a bigger core of experienced jumpers, which they are bound to develop.

Ben, I agree. My earlier posts may have looked like I would take greater risks as a result of having a skyhook. I agree with others that such an attitude is foolish. However, if I open high and fly safely but get hit at 700' and my canopy collapses I will may choose to cut away and trust the skyhook than ride the mess down if I believe I am going to get hurt. It is about having more options when the problem happens. However, we do need to have knowledge of how the equipment works. I feel better if I know what height the skyhook can be expected to still work so I can try to have a programmed response if I do end up in that situation. Cutting away too low is something I never want to do! Al

Fair enough. So is 1000' the lowest safe cutaway height or is 500' a fair chance? In Texas, both jumpers decided that a cutaway was their best chance and one was right. The reports seemed to think the skyhook saved at around 500'. As an ex military jumper 1000' doesn't seem that low to me, and not low enough to cause me panic. I wouldn't trust my slow opening Spectre to open in time from there but the reserve will be quicker. On the other hand cutting away too low to be any good is obviously pointless. In addition, a spinning malfunction will be likely to get a faster deployment anyway from a skyhook. My query comes from seeking the best response to something like a collision where two wrapped canopies, or even 2 people under a partially closed single main, are going to get badly hurt, and getting off high enough is a fair risk to take.

Is that right though? Being wrapped at 500' and dropping will kill. Cutting away with a skyhook that opens in 100' or so does seem to give a chance rathe rthan just waiting for the impact.

Thanks, that is really helpful. Seeing it in terms of the drag on the reserve makes perfect sense.

In which case going for both handles fast covers all safe options. If skyhook is that fast then having it seems like the most sensible thing to do.

This raises a point I have been wondering about. With the skyhook, the main deploys the reserve, but if the reserve handle is pulled fast enough, then the reserve pilot chue deploys the reserve, disconnecting the rsl. In a collision like at Texas, especially if you are the one under the collapsed canopy but the other jumper has a full or mostly full canopy that you are tangled with, are you better off letting the skyhook do the deployment, and not immediately pull the silver handle? That way you have the benefit of a huge pilot chute (the other person's) instead of a small one. I can see a situation where that would get the reserve out quicker than relying on a normal pilot chute deployment if I deploy fast enough to beat the skyhook. It would have to be a very fast decision but at 500' should I trust my skyhook over the pilot chute? I also ask because I have just changed my Javelin order to add a skyhook and the main reason for wanting one is the ability to have a fast opening at low altitude, especially in a collision. I have had no problem at higher altitudes getting my reserve deployed calmly when required,. Al

I really like my Mamba, comfortable and light. However I do have problems keeping the visor clear. Any recomendations for cleaning? Whatever I use makes the visor sticky and opaque!

This kind of debate is necessary. In the UK, I haven't seen gear snobbery be an issue, perhaps because it expensive compared with the average skydiver's income. Clichey behaviour is always a risk when small groups form for the weekend. We just have to make an effort to be inclusive. The biggest conflict seems to me to be the balance between the commercial tandem operation and the fun jumpers. On the one hand the tandems help pay for the club, and justify a big plane. On the other, only getting 3 jumps on a sunny day because the plane is full of one time jumpers is frustrating. Tandems are seen as a fairground ride, AFF takes a big initial commitment and static line jumpers are lucky to get 2 jumps a day. We do need to promote the sport element of skydiving and the fun the new disciplines now give us. Perhaps this is more of a problem with unpredictable British weather unlike you lucky guys who live in the sun!

Spectre 170, but Safire II 149 on order, can't wait!

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I have had two problem openings on my Spectre 170 (wing load 1.1). One was a seriously hard opening. My Neptune said that the first 50mph deceleration was instant! My neck hurt for weeks. The second was a mal, the lines on one side were knotted, holding the slider back. When I released the brakes to try and clear it, it accelerated the spin and I cut away. I reckon both the result of sloppy packing by me. I now make sure the lines stay tight when packing and the slider is properly set. Every jump since, for several months has had sweet typical Spectre openings. Sometimes these things are a reminder to take care! Al

This is one loud alarm, especially the continuous sound on the last alarm. No chance of missing it!

This is a very friendly and professional DZ. The staff were all very helpful and Marcus and Cathy made us feel welcome a soon as we arrived. Thanks to Marcus for organising it for my 3 teenage daughters to tandem, and all on the same lift. Two went back for a 2nd go they were so relaxed with Marcus, Stefan and Pablo. Few experienced jumpers there when I went but had some excellent jumps with less experienced skydivers. Lillo itself is very small with little to do. Friendy though. We stayed in the converted convent which was lovely. others who stayed in the apartments owned by the Club spoke well of them. We had an easy 3.5 hour drive from near Alicante, and when the new motorway to Toledo is finished shortly it will be even easier. Definitely worth a drive up from the coast.