MotherGoose

That's exactly what had happened to me. I chewed the eyelet back over the knot with my teeth. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

You have an impeccable talent for manipulating the words of others. You really should take the time to ACTUALLY READ people's posts and not just focus on gassing up your flame-thrower as soon someone types something. He used an analog altimeter to verify the accuracy of his digital altimeter. At no point in time does he mention a comparison between the two. At no point in time does he say that analog altimeters are no good. He is simply adding his experience that digital altimeters are a great alternative to the analog altimeters. Once again old man, I got your back. I'll be here for your translating needs. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

That's enough out of you, ya big ol' fart. We're done, we moved on and we're talking about altimeters and GPS's again. Catch up, we'll wait for you. Digital wrist altimeters work great and are just as reliable as analog altimeters. GPS functions are useful for post-jump analysis and sometimes for spotting. There, you're all caught up now dad. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I am happy to engage in a thoughtful discussion about the use of GPS in skydiving. From my experience, I don't know anyone using GPS during a skydive - seems asinine. If you are open under your canopy and you glance over at your fancy alti-watch that ALSO has an arrow pointing to a pre-set waypoint (dz), then I can see how that can be a bonus feature. Perhaps in the plane on jump run for the cessna dropzones without pilot GPS, this can also be a useful tool. ANYONE STARING AT THEIR WRIST FOR MORE THAN 3 SECONDS DURING ANY PART OF A SKYDIVE NEEDS TO GET KICKED IN THE ASS. I think we can all agree on that one. SIDENOTE : This weekend I was asked to verify someone's analog altimeter because it was "acting up". I jumped it with my Suunto Vector and there was in fact about 400 feet lag by the time we got to altitude. Verified by all altimeters on board. My first analog altimeter also stopped working one day without explanation. Personally, I'll stick with a Vector any day, either that or a VISO. They both work great for freefall. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

And here is a special gift from me to you. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Exactly what did your diatribe contribute to "Suunto Ambit for Skydiving"? Go start a thread in bonfire called "waa waa waa nobody ever listens to me even though I invented skydiving". In that thread, you have every right to hop onto your pulpit and lament the future of skydiving in the ungrateful hands of thankless pukes like me. In this thread you are doing nothing but embarrassing yourself by changing the subject completely. In all actuality, you sir are the one putting down others with your snarky sarcasm and cynical response. I don't even know the OP and I sure as hell don't jump a GPS, but I was interested enough in the topic to read and learn. I didn't come on here and flame a guy for his choice in technology while skydiving. That's rude my friend, deal with it. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

"Back in my day.... blah blah blah, we jumped with umbrellas, these fancy parachutes you kids use are for wussies... blah blah blah". Obviously the GPS option is more for in-plane and under canopy use. Why do you dinosaurs feel the need to come out of extinction to wag your finger at others. Stay in your cave T-Rex, simmer down. It's a discussion forum. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

On the contrary, my experience has always been the old-school lifers are the ones that like to suck it low especially on larger dives. Also, if everyone were to carefully select people they jumped with - skydiving in large groups wouldn't exist. If you don't want to pull lower then ask for a higher break-off. If you're in a large group and break-off is established at 4500 ft, then it doesn't make much sense to be locked in at a pull altitude of 3500 ft. Taking into account a decent track separation then a flare to reduce forward speed, its no wonder some people are opening in traffic at 3500 ft. Back to the topic.... I would like to add my insignificant vote to the "no barrel roll" group. Strong track, look left, look right, huge wave off and pull. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

N/A

Just realized this one question was not addressed. There was no change in descent from my perspective. Something like that would have alarmed me. I honestly shrugged it off as a line trim issue or even an uneven harness issue. I will be more diligent in the future if I have a built in turn. Can't say that I will be able to see a torn topskin but at least now I know that it can be the culprit. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

What is "taking paying guests up for a tandem jump?" I'm not sure what you are talking about, is this some sort of new discipline? You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

The toggle loop itself was also partially caught up in the "kink" which increased the pressure for sure. I would like to add, for everyone's information, that I have had 3 tandem chops (albeit a couple years ago now). There were mumblings and grumblings that perhaps I was not taking the time to assess a problem before chopping it away. First of all, those people can kiss my ass, second of all I am not implying that now I have some sort of bravado issue with chopping so I take additional risks. All three of those chops were tension knots that could not be cleared and with Sigma elliptical canopies you find yourself spinning on your back with a tandem within seconds of opening. When you have your first tandem mal, you react FAST no doubt. By the second one, I took the time to really look at the tension knot and pump it a few times. The third one unfortunately was extremely fast and the most violent so I also got rid of that one fast. Anyhow, just wanted to highlight that its hardly my "first rodeo" and I'm amazed at how much more this crazy sport has for us to learn all the time. I hope this post provides others with some knowledge or info as well. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I wish I had the opportunity to make that call... Unfortunately I could not SEE the tear from underneath. I could only detect a problem, but I did not identify the problem until I got on the ground and people rushed up to me and said, "NICE TORN CANOPY". I had to fly it with my right hand just less than half way into a full flare to keep it straight and without seeing a major problem, I decided to keep it. We all make decisions and we have to live with them, not saying that I made the right one, but I stick by my assessment and decision. Regarding the tear, Peter summed it up nicely, I think the only other question was about the line type and it was Dacron. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I hear that, I'm currently working out of C182's myself and they are narrow-body !! I find the worst wear and tear on my body is getting up on my knees in the plane from the seated position. The day before I also had a student shift on exit and my knee smashed right off the step, got a bruise the size of a cantaloupe just above my knee now. This shit is not for the faint hearted. I'm 6ft 220lbs and when I get a passenger similar to my size we need to tie an anvil to the video guys leg just to keep up. My protrack has clocked some of my tandems at 145 mph. Good times. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.