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I'm having trouble visualizing the below scenario -- can someone elaborate? After deploying your main canopy at 2,500 feet, your reserve is accidentally deployed when your hand accidentally snags your reserve ripcord handle. The reserve inflates, and the main and reserve canopies are now flying in a biplane configuration with the main in front. You choose to: (my choice) Pull the cutaway handle and release the main canopy. Attempt to land while descending under both parachutes. *Incorrect* Because the main canopy is in front of the reserve, the main risers snag the reserve slider after you pull the cutaway handle. The main canopy slowly pulls the reserve slider higher and higher, eventually choking off the reserve canopy until it’s barely inflated. The main canopy is also not fully inflated. You land hard under the mostly deflated canopies and do not survive the impact. Thanks, Jeff

Ahhh - I guess freefall alarm is a literal feature! I think I'll avoid confirmation of the 2k alarm :-)

I have this: http://www.dropzone.com/gear/Detailed/562.html L-&-B Solo audible altimeter I have altitudes set for 4k, and 2 others (lower obviously) Before I go up, I turn it on, it cycles through the warning altitudes then the button rests on off (lit up) and I do nothing. It chirps at 1k on the way up and beeps at 4k while I'm waving off...however, it doesn't beep at the other altitudes (3 and 2 I think). Any tips? Maybe I'm not turning it on properly? I have read the instructions leaflet 5x. Jeff

Thanks for the info/perspective I'll call them and see what's up. Jeff

Long Island/NYC Area

After about 30 jumps with the analog it seems to be pacing about 1,000 ft behind other analogs and digitals on the ride up and I need to tap it several times to read correctly. I bought it brand new. Today I jumped and while the analog said 5,000 my L&B Solo chirped at 4,000 so I waved off and opened. Should I expect this trend to continue or what? Anything I can do or should I just get a digital wrist-mount? Perhaps this is normal?? Thanks, Jeff

In the same boat as you but no end-cell closures on opening. Seems to take 5-600ft to open fully from the time my pilot chute is out. New canopy, too. Soft opening each time as well.

my 2 cents - landings are as varied as anything in life. 1) don't forget to flare 2) if you flare too early (within reason), don't let up your toggles 3) if you flare too early and become afraid to flare, think hard about bucking that trend or get ready to buy new pants 4) don't fly over stuff you wouldn't land on in 'high' winds 5) learn flat turns 6) relax on the final leg, deep breath and focus on the best execution you can Not the easiest but a good exercise in learning/confidence. Best of luck.

What is the exit speed of the king air?...I know it feels a hell of a lot faster than anything else I've been in.

I've read through most of the fatality reports over the past 5 years (on this site) and I can't recall one where anyone (experience level aside) died from losing altitude awareness OR having a MAL that originated due to or was enhanced by, a camera. Many were due to CRW wrap issues (latest parachutist mag as well) or swooping related issues...then equipment related mals. IF I also recall, a recent parachutist magazine detailed there being the fewest incidents among A and B licensed jumpers. This seems to suggest either (a) higher number jumpers are more dangerous or (b) the odds of fucking up increase over time, which is really a subset of option A or (c) there are more experienced jumpers to fuck up. But I digress. Where are the recommendations or BSR's around swooping and CRW? Honest question... For all the anecdotes posted here, I'd point to the classic post hoc reasoning error - he pulled low or forgot to pull and had a camera, therefore the camera caused it. It might be true, it might not be true. That's not the issue though. Just because you have more or less jumps doesn't mean you're more or less entitled to control what you or others do...I think people lose sight of that fact and tend to get myopic or think jumping is some sacred practice where licenses and jump numbers are like sacraments and levels of some priesthood lol. If you want to jump with a camera and have

coming from someone half way through their PPL 6-7 months into it, just take a 2 week vacation somewhere and bang it out.

Interesting feedback - seems to confirm what I've heard and short of consulting a meteorological researcher I think I know enough :-)

a tremendous oversight on my part no doubt!

Continental US - I'm in NY though. Perfect weather - moderate winds, low odds of rain, best odds for jump conditions really.

Looking to take a 2 week trip and I'm looking for some feedback. What DZ will give me the best odds of both: 1) skydiving friendly weather 2) tons of loads flying (weekday and weekend) Thanks for the insight! Jeff

I did 6 mins of tunnel (part of Raeford PC's first jump course) followed by Cat A,B which I passed. Then did another 15 minutes in Orlando and breezed through AFF. Looking back on it, the 2nd tunnel experience (after having jumped twice) allowed me the confidence to finish AFF without over-thinking/screwing up (not paying for extra jumps). I'd go for it, my $.02