gabrigger

Jason, First of all, I hope you enjoyed your jump (even the rough landing). I saw your tension knot as I was walking to the airplane from the south landing area. You were headed toward the north landing area. I saw it as you were directly overhead. When I saw it, it was definitely too low to cut away, so landing it was the safest option. I spoke to the radio instructor about this. She said that when she realized what you had, you were too low to cut away and use the reserve, so she elected to guide you in to a safe landing under your main. As far as the remedial instruction, I have spoken to all the instructors about this incident and am satisfied with their competency and knowledge. I wasn't able to come talk to you because I was swamped on that day and because you had instructors working with you. As I said, all I saw was your descent when you were overhead (and it was just luck that I happened to look up and see you). I verified that you landed safely before my load took off from the ground, so I was satisfied with safe completion of your jump. I don't remember seeing you in the hangar and probably wouldn't have felt the need to say anything to you, unless prompted, since I wasn't one of the Instructors working with you that day, and didn't know what they had talked with you about. If you didn't get an answer, or were not satisfied with the answer you got, you should have asked me. If you had asked me, I would have made sure I got you an answer. I can't read your mind to know what your questions are or what you're thinking. What do you mean by given a pass? If the aerial portion of the jump went well, why wouldn't you be passed to the next level? Canopy control is a continual learning process throughout your skydiving career. You made a mistake and learned from it, so build on the knowledge and be safer next time. Another mistake is going to these online forums for answers, when a simple question or phone call could have resolved all of this without the public flogging. These forums can be a feeding frenzy at times (as I'm sure you experienced). Make sure you look me up when you come back for your second jump and I will answer any questions you have and will explain tension knots to you, if you would like. If I'm busy and can't talk to you, you can get my cell number from manifest to call me at a later time. Blue Skies P.S. I'm a Killian's fan Greg Bailey D-19203 S/L I/E, IAD I/E, AFF I/E, TDM I/E, Coach E Master Rigger S&TA Skydive Warren County

I don't usually post, but felt the need to reply to this thread. I saw your descent from your first jump and am also the Instructor who taught the AFF portion of your first jump course. A couple of things-you most certainly were taught that 2500' is your decision height for a good canopy. I know you heard it because I reviewed it in the AFF portion of class (after you were taught it in the basic skydiving class earlier in the day). I also know that you were tasked with reporting the altitude on the ride up (remember 1000', 2500', 5500', 6000'?) The radio operator (also an Instructor) may not have been able to see exactly what was going on until you were below your decision height. Regardless, it is YOUR responsibility to decide if you have a good canopy and whether it is safe to land. The radios actually are 2 way, but we don't have you use them so that your hands can always stay on the controls of the parachute. I can assure you that you were not told to do a practice flare at 400 ft. That is always done first thing as part of the controllability check right after opening. I take huge exception to the statement that the Instructor on the radio didn't know what she was doing. I personally know that she does because she earned her I rating from me. I also take exception to the statement that the staff doesn't have their sh*t together, since I am the Chief Instructor, as well as the S&TA. The reason they pulled the parachute out of rotation was because we were busy and I didn't have time to inspect it. Since I saw your descent, I will tell you what you had. You had a tension knot. When I saw you go toward the landing area, I said "why is that student flying a canopy with a tension knot?" You have suggested that the staff doesn't know what they are doing-you are dead wrong. Both of your aerial Instructors and your radio Instructor are highly skilled. I'm glad you enjoyed your jump and hope you come back, however you and I WILL have a discussion regarding this incident and any remedial training that I deem necessary before you will be able to get back on any of our airplanes. Greg Bailey D-19203 S/L I/E, IAD I/E, AFF I/E, TDM I/E, Coach E Master Rigger S&TA Skydive Warren County

I live in East Central Indiana and could probably take care of it for you, if you would like. Greg Bailey D-19203 S/L I/E, IAD I/E, AFF I/E, TDM I/E, Coach E Master Rigger S&TA Skydive Warren County

Once the police determine that it is an accident, they are pretty much waiting for the coroner. When I investigated a fatality a few years ago, the Sheriff's office wanted to get their pictures and then they waited on the coroner. Once the coroner arrived, I explained who I was and he said "You're gonna have to tell me what I'm looking at because I don't have clue about this stuff". After he was done with his pictures, etc. he had me take the gear off the deceased and go back to the DZ where I, and another rigger, inspected the gear with him (after spending 3-4 hours in a cornfield). He took it for evidence and sent it to the FAA a few days after. You just have to watch the attitudes of who responds and see how much help they want. Greg Bailey D-19203 S/L I/E, IAD I/E, AFF I/E, TDM I/E, Coach E Master Rigger S&TA Skydive Warren County

That rig would have never left my shop with a loop in that condition. Unfortunately, I see loops like this too often. A thorough inspection of grommets and using correct rigging techniques prevents this. I just replaced the loop on the last rig I packed because it looked similar to that. The loop in that condition is completely unacceptable and should be replaced by the rigger who packed it free of charge. Greg Bailey D-19203 S/L I/E, IAD I/E, AFF I/E, TDM I/E, Coach E Master Rigger S&TA Skydive Warren County

The only place I have seen it online is at parachuteriggers.com, where it can be purchased. I have the instructions and will be glad to copy it and send it to you, if you can't find your copy. Greg Bailey D-19203 S/L I/E, IAD I/E, AFF I/E, TDM I/E, Coach E Master Rigger S&TA Skydive Warren County