bigdad510

SARLDO, I had the same problem. The best advice that seems to work at my DZ is to jump with an experianced jumper in 2 ways, nothing bigger. As far as docking, it depends. I had to modify my flying to get forward movement. Sticking legs out didn't get me there. Had to put my hands back about 50 percent to a track to get forward. Another thing that helps everyone, is get someone to video it. Its amazing how much you learn in a very very short time with video. If you ever come to MS, check out Gold Coast, everyone there will help you out! Brad

If you read the whole post, I corrected myself, we were at 3000 feet. Brad

Just from the information you gave, it sounds like you may have been spotting for the a/c. In that case, with the amount of jumps and conditions, it may not have been a good idea for you to be spotting. Don't get me wrong. Jumpers with numbers spot very well depending on the individual. Usually jump pilots have a decent amount of experience. When you look at your wind board before the first jump, go ahead and ask the pilot where they think the exit point should be. It will help you with spotting. As far as the exit. There are threads on here for days about spotting an exit. Green light doesn’t always mean this is the spot you exit. Sometimes you have to wait a little. Don’t let people rush you when you’re spotting. Like said above, pull higher if you think you won’t make it. Your canopy glides farther than you do. Good to hear you landed safely very well depending on the individual. Brad

I've read a couple a things from people on in-flight emergencies and what would happen and all that. The jumper without the rig put his seatbelt back on, while the reserve (which wasn't open, just the pc and bridle) was contained. Someone said about bail out. Well the pilot and the "co-pilot" aren't bailing out. The rig-less skydiver is seat belted in. I guess what I don't understand is everyone’s concern about getting out, and terminated the flight. There isn't a need to terminate the flight if everyone "jumping" has a rig, and everyone "not jumping" is seat belted in. The flight can continue as normal. If there is an emergency, jumpers would bail and on-jumper ride it in. It would be the sane as if there is an in-flight emergency below 1g and "everyone" has to ride it down. I guess you would have to have been there. But safety was a concern and all the right people made the right decisions based off of "that" scenario. I agree with sparky and other about safety concerns, but all concerns are always "situational dependent". Some situational dependents" are also considered inherent risks, and a lot of times they go hand-in-hand. Brad

It was the first jump of the day. Exit strategy was changed after that and there wasn't another case of it. That was the first time its ever happened to me. Brad

Do they check to see if the bridle is routed correctly, if the PC is in the pocket correctly and any number of other things that should be checked in what is called a “pin check? Yes we do. That's how we've caught misrouted iems before and PC coming out of the BOC Brad

At least you had the sense to ride the plane down. A lot of jumpers would have went anyway. Good job on a great judgment call. The key is to always remember to make good judgment calls. Like in a lot of sports, this one for sure, the tendency is the more experience you have the more unnecessary risk you take. If you look at "extreme" sport fatalities, a lot of them are from experienced people. Once again, good job! Brad

There wasn't an issue with continuing the flight. the reserve was open, the rig was taken to the fron of the aircraft and was secured. I don't think it was necessary to take the plane back down if everything was fine after that. Sparky, I agree about the pin check. Most of the jumpers at our dz ask the other skydivers they jump with all the time for a pin check, and not strangers. The jumpers we skydive with also make it a hbit to not only check the pins, but to say what color they see. I think that adds a little reassurance that the pin is actually being check. I have seen on other aircraft/dz where people check the pin and say " your good". "Your good" for what, I want to know what the jumper sees. We have caught a couple pin slides on reserves and mains. We also make is a habit to look at everyones chest strap and actually point when looking to ensure everyone is routed correctly Brad

What about door procedures? For us, we have to have seat belts on and door closed for takeoff. When we reach 1000ft we can take seatbelts off and open the door until we hit 6000, then we close it again. We don't open it again until altitude. If it's really hot past 6000, we may crack the door about 6 inches. Brad

Sorry All, it was 3000 feet. forgot a zero (I know, it;s a very big difference) Our DZ policy is the door is closed on takeoff until we reach 1000 feet. Then we can open it again. We usually close it again at 6g until altitude To answer the gear question. The camera flyer has well over 6 thousand jumps and was told what type of main and reserve were in the rig before he accepted the rig. Just so happens he had a ton of jumps on that type of canopy. Brad

Yes it is, is it posted somewhere else? Brad

Last weekend we had a camera guy, who was sitting by an open door at 300 feet, have his reserve pin come loose and the spring loaded pilot chute released. Luckily two jumpers responded immediately. One closed the door while another grabbed the jumpers pack tray and reserve to contain it. A jumper on the plane gave up there rig and rode the plane down, so the he could still shoot video and stills for a tandem. Needless to say, everyone did reserve and main pin checks. Sadly though, I don't think enough skydivers do gear checks in the plane before exiting. The Ol'timers here should probably stress it a little more. Great job all around! Blue Skies Brad

I've read all 6 pages from this post (http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=2415956;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25) and I thought it would be a good idea to post different exit procedures at different drop zones from different aircraft. Why? Because I didn't realize how different they are from DZ to DZ. And aircraft to aircraft Maybe we can learn and pass on different ideas to pilots and skydivers. I'll start. At my DZ in MS, we jump an Otter. Red light means open the door. It is the jumper's responsibility to start looking at the spot and to look for clear airspace. On green light the pilot is giving the go ahead to leave, but you are still responsible for your exit and spot. The Pilot is basically letting us know that with the information he has, the airspace is clear. On Red, if there are aircraft approaching, our pilot will "wave the plane” left to right a couple of times to let the jumpers know to keep there eyes open for planes or whatever and it is not clear to exit. We do not go out on red to set up for big ways (and never for the skydive itself) on Red unless the pilot knows. So basically we just have two lights, Red and Green. The spotter (first jumper) is spotting for everyone to be able to make it back to the drop zone. Or pilot as a courtesy tries to communicate with us, any changes in the plan that may effect the skydivers and we do the same for the pilot Be Safe and Blue Skies

My 50th jumo was out of a Casa in NC. They are a lot of fun. We may or may not notice the "dedad air" when you leave. Get the briefing in the morning, and I agree with the above, it's a lot of fun to run the lenght of the aircraft and dive out. It's nice not being restricted like a side exit on most aircraft. Have fun and let us know how it went. Brad

How does my story suggest that we didn't? Because one skydiver endd up over the first exit group? It was the first jump of the day and after that, the rest of the jumps were adjusted due to the uppers and lowers. Are you suggeesting it's not possible to track hard enough to be over another group? It happens all the time in skydiving. Basically because different jumpers have different experience levels and ability. Even with "good seperation" there is always a chance that because of "tracking" and the "winds" you can end up over another group. Exit groups plan ther dive and make the best attempt to dive their plan. But things happen in freefall to change the plan during the skydive. It's always possible, which is why I support be aware while tracking and definitely looking down. Brad

I had an incidient this weekend that validates looking towards the ground when tracking (it possibly saved me). I was in a 4 way belly, second group to exit after another 4 way belly. We gave the goup plenty of seperation time. We exit, do the skydive all goes well. At 5 G's we all track away, I'm tracking hard (shoudlers to ears, arms cupping air swept back, legs and toes out head down. At 3500 I was ready to throw out and notice three seperate jumpers opening below me very close together. Since I saw them, and I was above one of them, I was able to stay in my track for another second or so to get out of the way. I was thankful I was looking down. I was looking all around as I tracked. But somtimes its not as easy to see other skydivers below you. People for whatever reason, don't always pull at the altiture they say they are going to. You always have to be prepared to react. I was taught to look all around and pay special attention to below. Anyway, it saved my butt. Brad

I was hesitant to go to a digi, but I bought a neptune and I love it. I like having the ability to read exactly what altitude I'm at under canopy and closer to the ground. Couldn't really do that with much accuracy. Another thing to point out is no matter which one you get, you have to make sure it's zeroed before each jump. Weather conditions throughout the day effect altimeters. What was "zero" in the morning may be 100 feet by the afternoon due to pressure changes with weather. I would try both and see what you like. I have both and always will, just as backups. Brad

PM sent ref the Heatwave characteristics... Frank. Thanks Frank. Made a couple of jumps on the canopy yesterday. It is a very nice ride. Very soft openings on heading, occasional end cell closure, nothing major. Statrted out with now wind for the first three jumps. Had beautiful landings right where I wanted to be. Ver responsive canopy and great in turbulent winds (on one jump). Brad

I do have a question in general about elipticals. As far as there pack volume and packing procedures. Is there anything more specific to them then squares? Brad

The worst that can happen is I can die. Hell that could happen before I even get to the drop zone (chances are higher any way) No seriously, I see a lot of posts in here that seem like they come from younger people, whcih I am not. I think you guys are a little harsh (but I understand why) sometimes on the newbies. Some of us newbies have military experience, but we don't count it, Pride I guess. I can't speak for everone, just myself. I do see people making poor choices at the dropzone, but I've noticed its because they don't talk to people. If they do, they don't like what they have to say so they don't listen anway. Rest assure, my decisions are thought out. But I really do appreciate your concern. Without skydivers like yourself, there would be a lot more casualties. Thanks! Brad

I asked the question to get different opinions. Yes its in my profile because I'm going to jump it to see if I like it. I've made quite a few jumps on a hornet 150. After talking to a lot of the o'l timers, I asked them about the Heatwave 135 based on my flying characteristics and landing ability. Now after spending countless hours reading threads on here, I already know the reposne that I'll get, but I'll say it anyway. Personal ability differs from person to person. So I try not to judge people based on numbers. I have participated and taught many extreme sports and I have learned that yes, experience comes with time, time=experience. However, people progress at extremely different levels. Even though it may not seem, I am a cautious skydiver, but that is all relative. "Cautious" doesn't really mean too much when "circumstances" have never been experienced. So, be my guest, and talk about the low jump numbers vs. canopies. Too many times in all my extreme sport teachings, I have found that yes there is a norm, but the two don't always equal each other. Blue skies everyone. Oh, and if it scares the shit out of me, I know when to quit. Brad

Can someone tell me about PISA Heatwave 135 characteristics. Thanks Brad

I ordered a Comp Zute Sute and from day one their communication has sucked, A week ago I finally get an email that my suit is being mailed and I still have received it, and I ordered it next day delivery. Does any one know any about this company or had similar problems? Brad