Skydiving kicks butt!

[vash]

Originally Posted by aigel

i am the only one wondering about being strapped to a guy's front side for that long? I would only go if I'd be strapped to a female instructor. She could be big and strong but definitely female please. I am not homophobic but do not enjoy being that close to a man unless it is a close friend. Females? I'll make an exception.

G

the guy could be a flaming homosexual. we fly out of that plane, he is my BFF.

[fastfredracing]

On our very first jump, an instructor would guide you down via radio. My buddy somehow, lost his radio on his way out the door, . He said he about shat himself, but still made it down o.k. From what I remember, we took basically a whole day course before we did the actual jump, and they gave us fairly good instructions. I was also surprised how easy landing was , although we did jump one day where the wind speed was pretty good, and I pummeled into the ground a little faster than I anticipated. I have often thought about going back, maybe when my kid is a little older....

[Joeaksa]

Fred,

Its not very difficult (I do it! ) and the key points are, look on the ground at the wind-sock and land into the wind. When you get about 20 feet from the ground slowly pull the raiser handles (the brakes) and you will ease onto the ground.

The instructors will teach you this and radio or not, as long as you do this you will be fine.

[Joeaksa]

I have skydiving friends with no legs who jump. The landing is as slow and smooth as you want it.

Course then you have to factor in the winds (higher winds mean a slower landing speed, thus a smoother landing) as well as how heavy you are compared to the parachute. Bigger chute means you come down slower, and again a slower, softer landing. Smaller chute and its a lot more sporty (like a 911 versus a Caddy) but then lands faster... If you are 100 pounds it comes down slower, course if you are 230 pounds your descent rate will be higher!

Your choice... nice and docile or a bit sporty! You can have it either way, just not both at the same time!

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

I have skydiving friends with no legs who jump. The landing is as slow and smooth as you want it.

Course then you have to factor in the winds (higher winds mean a slower landing speed, thus a smoother landing) as well as how heavy you are compared to the parachute. Bigger chute means you come down slower, and again a slower, softer landing. Smaller chute and its a lot more sporty (like a 911 versus a Caddy) but then lands faster... If you are 100 pounds it comes down slower, course if you are 230 pounds your descent rate will be higher!

Your choice... nice and docile or a bit sporty! You can have it either way, just not both at the same time!

+1.

I've been jumping out of perfectly good (and not-so-perfectly good) airplanes off-and-on for 15+ years. If you've got the cash, AFF is probably the quickest path to getting off "student status" and you are going terminal on your first jump. I learned the old fashioned way (static line, XX-second delays), slowly being weaned off the cord and radio. IMO, you may learn/absorb more going that route.

Once you get your license, it's a whole other level of freedom. Then again once you buy your own rig.

Not many other endeavors are as addictive either IMO, and it is not a cheap sport if you are at the DZ every weekend. However, there aren't many things I can think of that are as much of a thrill/fun (with your clothes on). There is something to be said for the (strong) common bond you will develop with your fellow sky-jumpers as well.

The only other advice I would give is that if you are going to go down that road, take your time and do not try and progress past your experience level.

Have fun, and stay safe.

Blue skies!

[Joeaksa]

Glad Eric chimed in here, he is the other guy on the forum that I know of who is silly enough to do this for fun!

And one other thing that I would add is that I would really recommend getting an Automatic Opening Device. Have jumped with a Cypress for years and hope that its not needed but if it is, its there.

Joe A

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypres

[Eric Coffey]

Regarding "soft" landings, it is a function of the wind, density altitude, and wing-loading as Joe mentioned. With a wing load of at/under 1:1, you will generally have enough canopy to give you soft landings and a bigger margin for error (even with high density altitude and/or no-wind days). As your wing loading increases, that error-margin window decreases, and everything happens much faster. I fly a Stiletto 120 and am about 200lbs exit weight (with gear). I can tell you that on hot, no-wind days you definitely need to be on your A-game. Some guys out there are flying tiny canopies the size of postage stamps, and will literally exceed the approach speed of a small GA aircraft!

Just remember that the #1 killer of skydivers is not malfunctions or plane crashes. It is low turns close to the ground (AKA "hook turns"). They probably account for 99.9% of all other non-fatal skydiving injuries as well.

Oh, and another +1 for an AAD once you get your own rig. Relatively cheap insurance, especially when you begin to freefall with others (the risk being: getting knocked unconcious by a "hard dock" or coliding with another jumper in freefall).

Did I mention that skydiving is not for the timid or weak-of-heart? LOL.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

Just remember that the #1 killer of skydivers is not malfunctions or plane crashes. It is low turns close to the ground (AKA "hook turns"). They probably account for 99.9% of all other non-fatal skydiving injuries as well.

Oh, and another +1 for an AAD once you get your own rig. Relatively cheap insurance, especially when you begin to freefall with others (the risk being: getting knocked unconcious by a "hard dock" or coliding with another jumper in freefall).

Did I mention that skydiving is not for the timid or weak-of-heart? LOL.

Yep, hook turns result in usually a broken hip at best or death or being paralyzed at worst. It looks fun, is a rush but not for me. Porsche does not make wheel-chairs yet so not something that I fancy.

What Eric does NOT say is that most skydivers party really hard. If someone is "timid" at the start, they sure will not be after a couple of parties!

[masraum]

I haven't been able to stop thinking about the jump today. I'm sure I'll go back at some point again. I don't know if I'll get licensed or not, but I see at least one more jump in my future.

[fastfredracing]

Funny you mention the partiers. The guys who ran the place, and all the jumpmasters were definatly party animals. All you could drink beer was included in the price of your lessons, and daily jump. Just not allowed to touch a sip until the plane was down for the day, after that , you could stay there till sun up if you wanted. Nut jobs I tell ya!. They were all real good guys though, they made us feel welcome, and safe.

[Joeaksa]

Yep, you described them to a "T!"

We are safe while jumping but then things can get a little crazy!

[masraum]

One of the things that I found interesting about the experience is that when you jump out of the plane you don't get the feeling of your stomach coming up into your throat like you would on many carnival rides or rollercoasters. About the only time that I felt any G-forces was a little bit when the chute opened and some when we were doing maneuvers both in freefall and maybe some after the chute opened.

[Joeaksa]

If the nose of the 'chute is "rolled" it will open slower and easier.

On the other hand, if you are doing BASE jumps and the like leave it open as you want the chute opened as fast as possible.

You can tailor the opening of the parachute to whatever type of jumping you are doing.

[masraum]

Ah, interesting. Hanging in the harness after the chute opened was the only time in the process that anything was uncomfortable. I assume that if you're the person wearing the chute it's more comfortable.

The actual opening of the chute seemed very gradual to me. It felt like it opened in stages which seems to be the case when watching the videos.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I'm ready to go back and do it again.

[varmint]

181 jumps before my backs and knees finally went. though that was more to do with motorcycle than jumping. didn't have the harness properly adjusted the first time. racked my junk hard when the chute opened.

[Shadetree930]

10 years and hundreds of jumps here.

I quit when I stopped being afraid and found myself taking things for granted.

This is not a sport where you want to lose your respect for it.

[stuttgart46]

You can see MSR Houston from there. Or at least I can always see you guys when you jump. That plane must run nonstop on the weekends. I lose count by lunchtime.

[svandamme]

hard failure on my first tandem
2 issues on my first solo

I wish it wasn't so expensive round here , or i'de be going up and down way more often then i do now.

[masraum]

hard failure on my first tandem

2 issues on my first solo



I wish it wasn't so expensive round here , or i'de be going up and down way more often then i do now.

Ouch, that's not a good way to get started, multiple failures. Once you get certified here, the place o go only charges $20 to go up (assuming you own your own gear).

[Joeaksa]

Been jumping for 30+ years...

Knock on wood, never used my reserve... not once... but then am super careful on packing everything.