chuckakers

"only" 3 inches may or may not be a good choice of words. Making even small changes in slider dimensions could have disastrous results depending on variables we know nothing about. Some canopy types may be very accepting of changes while others may not. My go-to is always to call the manufacturer. They designed and built the canopy and they know what parameters are safe to change and which are not. Call PD and explain what the problem is. Chances are they will have several ideas for you. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Use the super secret trick the experienced jumpers use. What we do is inhale and then....exhale. Relax. You can breath in freefall. Think less, fly more. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Something worth mentioning - when it's time to break off, just break the hell off and GO...quickly! Every second a jumper spends not turning and burning is a second on the other end of the track - when horizontal speed is greatest - that separation is not being gained. I see jumpers do everything from sit in position and watch others leave or stare at their altimeters to look around and wave their arms signalling the break off to others. Those precious seconds are lost and the hundreds of feet those seconds could buy in the final seconds of a solid track are lost as well. I teach young jumpers that regardless of what triggers their recognition that the break off altitude has arrived, the best thing they can do is simply turn and go. Turn and go like they're already late. Turn and go with the sense of urgency in deserves. Don't wave goodbye, don't wait to see others leave. Just go. Often the jumper who achieves the greatest separation is the one who leaves first. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Some people insist on fixing things until they break. If it's flying leave it that way. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Point of information. The holder of a C license has met all the requirements of the A, B, and C licenses, which includes passing written exams for each, even if the person chooses not to apply for the lower licenses. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I'll throw TK a bone here and say there isn't much he doesn't pick up on. I assume this guy started jumping there so my guess is TK would recognize him as a newbie. I also bet the regulars there would notice and pass the word. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I didn't criticize your canopy piloting skills. You did when you said "I myself am a horrible canopy pilot, and land off all the time...". I simply agreed and offered some sage advice that you obviously didn't accept. Megamalfunction, do yourself a favor. Change your attitude before you get hurt, or worse yet before you hurt someone else. Skydiving is not the place for snowflakes. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

To answer your question, this thread took a turn for me when I read "I myself am a horrible canopy pilot, and land off all the time". It's much like when someone asks for performance opinions on a canopy they plan to buy but are not qualified to fly. The conversation quickly turns from opinions on the canopy to the OP's lack of qualifications to fly it at all. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Seems like the above issue should be solved with some effort and education before relying on technology. The app sounds cool, but knowing how to read the winds, spot for your pattern and fly your canopy is much cooler. I eluded to the same thing in my reply to him here - http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4844201#4844201, and received two replies as follows.... "You know what Chuck Akers, people do land off. Take Rex Williams a student at your home dropzone, Skydive Spaceland. When he burned in, someone had to call your dropzone to tell them where his body was. So this obviously isn't a problem at Skydive Spaceland." and "And furthermore, you know how may bones I've broken skydiving? ZERO. So that means I'm a pretty good canopy pilot. So if you have anything to say about my app that's relevant, I'd love to hear it. But commenting on my perceived level of skydiving skill, has nothing to do with this thread." Apparently megamalfunction is more interested in hearing what people have to say about his gadget ideas than he is about improving his skills. I am truly sorry that he (she?) took offense to a crusty old fucker trying to help. It's possible that my mistake was not writing my reply in snowflake mode. To megamalfuntion - I'm sure countzero and me are not the only people who read your post that thought the real problem is a skill issue. Our replies were not intended to insult you. They were intended to help you. Unless you jump at a backwards ass DZ I'm pretty sure there are people who can help you - that is if you will change your attitude and accept the expertise that is likely all around you. And one more thing. Your definition of acceptable skill - "you know how may bones I've broken skydiving? ZERO. So that means I'm a pretty good canopy pilot" - should serve as a warning to everyone else on every load you are on. 5 left and cut... Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Something is wrong there. If you have more than a handful of jumps and can't reliably make the DZ when others do, you need more or better training. Seriously, someone needs to objectively evaluate your skills and get you up to speed. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

My guess is that T.K. (Z-hills head jumping bean) won't let your husband jump a camera until he meets the recommendations. For guidance on this topic and others, the USPA Skydiver's Information Manual (SIM) is a great start. It was developed almost entirely with input from the field and is updated regularly to reflect best practices. Free SIM download here. Section 6-8 covers camera flying recommendations. Ask your husband to read it. He may find it enlightening. http://www.uspa.org/Portals/0/files/Man_SIM_2016.pdf Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

It's an exact quote. Watch the video at the provided link. It appears that Dause simply worded the statement oddly. http://abc7news.com/news/family-mourns-los-banos-teen-killed-in-skydiving-accident/1461861/ Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I've always had issues with a fogging visor. I have found that cleaning it really well with rubbing alcohol and a soft cotton cloth works like a dream (fogging is typical much worse if the surface has dirt or oils on it - even a little). I know some manufacturers limit what they consider acceptable cleaning products, but whatever. I use what works. Keep some cleaning supplies in your gear bag and re-clean at the first sign of fogging. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Think less, fly more. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I assume your concerns about wing loading by adding weights came from some well-meaning experienced jumper or maybe even an instructor. I believe this is often the opinion of people who have not done the honest math on the issue. The truth is that adding a typical amount of weight does not change wing loading enough to make much difference in the way your canopy will behave or your ability to properly land it. You said you weigh 135 pounds. Add 20 pounds of gear and your exit weight is approximately 155. Adding 10 pounds of weight (which is possibly even more than you will need) will make your total exit weight 165 pounds, an increase of just 6.1% If you are jumping a 190, that would change your loading from .815 to .868, an increase of just .053, a tiny amount in the overall picture, equaling just ½ pound per square foot. On a 170 your loading would increase from .911 to .970, an increase of .059, also a very small difference. In reality, adding 5 or even 10 pounds of weight does not create the dramatic (and perceived dangerous) wing loading increase some people think. Heck, a gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds and a buffet lunch can add 5 pounds to your loading, yet no one worries about hydrating with a healthy intake of water or eating a big lunch before jumping. Slapping on 5 to 10 pounds may seem like a lot when you pick the weight belt up, but the math doesn’t lie. And adding the weight will dramatically change your freefall performance and abilities when jumping with faster groups. I work with a lot of young jumpers and have heard the "not ready for higher wing loading" concerns repeatedly. In every case when a jumper adds weight on my advice they report back that it made no discernible difference in flying and landing their canopy, yet made a big difference in freefall. Dress for success. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Seems I remember hearing about an Aussie system years ago that utilized a pull out pin reserve pilot chute set up with the pud on the left shoulder. Was that real or was I just a noob being fed a line of bonfire bs? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I just had a friend mention this the other day. It was the first I had heard of it, but it sounds like you aren't alone. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

https://www.facebook.com/daniel.valentino.9 Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Bill - what about using a ballistic device to launch the reserve pilot chute beyond the burble? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/5118216-151/residents-say-skydivers-are-noisy-neighbors There’s a battle between skydivers and homeowners in Sisters these days, a “not in my backyard” fight that is taking place 10,000 feet above the ground. The residents, who mostly live in neighborhoods around Sisters Eagle Airport, have organized to form Save Our Skies, a citizen group whose goal is to stop a local skydiving outfit, Skydive Awesome! The group’s 120 members, according to its website, believe the increased air traffic and noise that skydiving brings to the area is disrupting their rural ambiance. “I don’t think anybody is opposed to maintaining the airport, but the recent recreational uses will severely impact the neighborhoods and the quality of life that we live here for,” said SOS member Karen Hulbert. “This isn’t the right airport for them.” The co-owners of Skydive Awesome!, Cara and Stephen Rosier, say the citizen group is acting unreasonably. Instead of working out a compromise, the group has resorted to simply trying to shut down their skydiving operation, the Rosiers say. Skydive Awesome! opened last spring and oversaw more than 1,000 tandem and solo jumps between March and November. It’s a classic case of NIMBYism, Cara Rosier said, except for one thing: The backyard includes a privately owned, public-use airport. “It’s a public airport, and the skydivers happen to be the newest commercial entity operating there, but complaints and hatred have surrounded changes at the airport well before we arrived,” she said. “We’re shocked that (SOS) would spend so much time and energy on this.” Indeed, the group’s efforts to derail Skydive Awesome! operations vary. • There are the numerous letters to the editor that concerned citizens have written to The Nugget, Sisters’ weekly newspaper, since last summer. • Public comment during city council meetings and a recent Oregon Department of Aviation hearing have also provided a platform for opposition. • And dozens of calls and written complaints have been received by Sisters and Deschutes County officials. “I’ve never gotten so many emails,” said Sisters’ Interim City Manager Rick Allen, pointing to a message he received from Sisters resident Stephen Poss on Feb. 23. “While we support local airports and flying by responsible pilots,” the letter begins, “the operations of Sisters Eagle Airport have recently expanded and threaten to further expand in ways that in my opinion cause critical harm and diminish the Sisters community and the entire county… .” There’s also “the investigation,” as Hulbert put it, that Save Our Skies is conducting into what legal and administrative obstacles it can use to stop Skydive Awesome!. Hulbert said the group is looking into permitting rules, aviation and skydiving statutes at all levels of government and a 40-year-old deed that spells out permitted land use at airport. “Ideally, (Skydive Awesome!) would not exist,” she said, noting SOS has hired an attorney to help and legal action isn’t out of the question. “I don’t think any options are off the table,” she said. So far, the citizens group hasn’t been able to stop the skydivers even after discovering last summer that Skydive Awesome! doesn’t have the proper permits to allow customers to touch down on their landing zone — private, off-airport property. And time could be running out for the members of Save Our Skies. For one thing, Skydive Awesome! will start the post-winter skydiving season next month, and the company is already advertising. But Stephen Rosier said he isn’t sure if he wants to get the permits that would allow skydivers to touch down on the private land he used last year, or if he wants to have them use the airport, where no permit is required. Also, on Tuesday the Oregon State Aviation board will meet in Salem and decide as part of its monthly meeting, whether or not Sisters Eagle Airport should be listed on “Appendix M” — a list of state-recognized, privately owned, public-use airports. When that happens, the airport’s approved land uses will be transferred to the state’s control. Currently, what happens at the Sisters Eagle Airport is managed by the city of Sisters. And even though skydiving is an approved recreational use in both state and city statutes and ordinances, SOS members worry that the Appendix M designation will hinder their efforts. “As it is now, the city has the ability to limit some uses at the airport, even if they’re approved uses,” Hulbert said, noting the group has written a letter requesting the aviation board delay its vote. “Once Appendix M happens, the city would lose that ability, which is too bad. Local control is always good, every community should strive to keep control of its own facilities.” For her part, Cara Rosier says that Appendix M is a nonissue. Regardless of whether the airport is listed or not, skydiving is an approved recreational use at Sisters Eagle Airport. “There’s no entity of government that can control that,” she said. Mitch Swecker, ODA director, agreed. He said that being listed on Appendix M won’t change anything for the airport, besides codifying its approved uses in state statute. It’s a somewhat obscure listing that most private-public airports in Oregon are already on. “I’ve been with ODA for eight years and this is the first time I’ve had anyone ask to be listed,” he said, noting that he expects the airport will be added to the appendix. “The best and easiest way to get anything changed is to work with the airport and the airport owner. We’re not making anyone or stopping them from conducting these activities.”

To be clear for the sake of our newer jumpers, a cutaway at 100 feet is a bad decision regardless of the status of the RSL. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Historically there are actually very few incidents caused by collapsed canopies at low altitude. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I love hearing stories like this and fortunately these experiences are not rare in our sport! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

As I understand it, USPA's third party liability insurance only covers injury and property damage to people and things NOT involved in jump operations. Hit a spectator and you're covered. Hit a skydiver and you're not. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I had a co-worker that wanted to try it and didn't want to go alone. We went to Parachutes & Associates in Frankfurt, Indiana for tandem jumps. The drogue hadn't been introduced yet so my first jump was a 10-second drogue-less tandem from 7,000 feet. I was scared shitless when my TI (Art Cross) opened the door of the 206, but by the time we reached the ground I knew I had discovered my life's passion. That was June 14, 1985. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX