Safety + Training - Canopy Incidents

[Pattybeeny 0]

I wanted to start a thread to give some credit to those that have been actively attempting to battle the string of canopy related incidents. At our local drop zone a basic canopy course was developed by Rich Winstock and has been offered continuously over the last few weeks. The goal is to get everyone that actively jumps as well as all new students to take the course. I have taken several courses by the big dogs out there and would compare this to any or all of them. It was all inclusive and included aerodynamics, patterns, sight picture, canopy construction, materials, all inputs, sight picture, collision avoidance,,,,etc. The course was followed by 5 videoed and debriefed hop and pops.

I think all drop zones should take a similar proactive approach. The ironic thing is there may not be a way to track the positive impact that this might have, because you will never know if a fatality or serious injury was avoided because of it.

I know Rich is a National Director with USPA and also gave some insight to what is being done from an organizational perspective. As a seasoned jumper I am impressed to say the least. I hope some of the proposed changes get some much needed attention.

Are instructors at your dz doing anything similar?

[skyharley 0]

Agreed. I heard "Swoop" was doing an amazing job in teaching these classes. I'm so glad he came up with the idea -- more DZ's should follow suit! Keep up the good work Swoop!!!

[obelixtim 150]

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I wanted to start a thread to give some credit to those that have been actively attempting to battle the string of canopy related incidents. At our local drop zone a basic canopy course was developed by Rich Winstock and has been offered continuously over the last few weeks. The goal is to get everyone that actively jumps as well as all new students to take the course. I have taken several courses by the big dogs out there and would compare this to any or all of them. It was all inclusive and included aerodynamics, patterns, sight picture, canopy construction, materials, all inputs, picture, collision avoidance,,,,etc. The course was followed by 5 videoed and debriefed hop and pops.

Excellent...good stuff.

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The ironic thing is there may not be a way to track the positive impact that this might have, because you will never know if a fatality or serious injury was avoided because of it.

Doesn't really matter as much as going in the right
direction......got to be a plus.....

My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

[skybytch 273]

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Are instructors at your dz doing anything similar?

My s/o and I have been teaching courses based on the outline in the SIM for the past three years.

[bnunyabiz 0]

Hey there -- I'm glad to see many other DZ's are also offering the course. Swoop did our classes at SDLI and my landings have been amazing ever since. It's a shame because the people who SHOULD be taking the classes are the ones who don't. I think it should be mandatory right off of AFF. I said that to someone once and they said "It will never happen because USPA just ensures you know how to fly" -- and my responce was "then it should be a DZ mandatory rule - because we can all fly eventually - but under canopy - we can be playing Russian Roulette with some jumpers -- and just because some have their A license, doesn't mean they know how to pilot a canopy" Canopy collissions are happening more and more and the more we can educate and teach people how to pilot - the better the sport will be for ALL involved. Just my two cents... Keep up the good work for those DZ's that are offering the classes - and Swoop - I owe you buddy - job well done!!