skydreamerxxx 0 #1 February 22, 2004 I am new to the sport & have 21 jumps, 47 years old, I love this sport, the people, and what its done for me, it has added so much to my life, & this is my first post, the problem I am having is landing, or rather crashing, I am starting to feel beat up, I continuosly flare early or late, the timing of the flare seems to be a split second sensitive thing, I have read and talked about it and all I keep hearing is that it takes practice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tearseyes 0 #2 February 22, 2004 Good luck and yeah they are probably right about the practice thing...I am new only did my first tandem today so I can't really help you out on that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LilSal 0 #3 February 22, 2004 Hey Im only new to the sport aswell, but i found that taking off my goggles before i land helps to get a better idea of where you are. With the goggles on its harder to tell. Keep trying and you will get it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #4 February 22, 2004 Welcome. . . I have 18 jumps and just started standing my landings. . .don't look at the ground directly beneath you. . .pick a spot on the horizon and use the 2-stage flare. . .that way if you start the flare too high you can hold till you get closer to the ground then you full-brake and stop. . .should help some. . . Course I am a newbie and DEFINITELY not an expert. . .talk with some instructors on your DZ. . .ask them to watch your landings and give you pointers. . .________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swoosh 0 #5 February 22, 2004 Hey Dude, need just a little more information to help you out. What kind of main are you flying, are you on student radio still?? Perhaps you need a ground instructor to help you out. Sounds like your confidence is taking a beating. Will check back and try to help. The Sky is NOT the Limit, the Dirt Is!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifics 0 #6 February 22, 2004 I have my fare share of nasty landings too, so try not to get frustrated and keep working on it! You WILL get it eventually, keep you're head up and you're ass out the door! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites scottjaco 0 #7 February 22, 2004 feet and knees together! Every landing flare is different depending on wind and air density. Practice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites damion75 0 #8 February 22, 2004 Skydiving threatening to take over your life too heh? As for the landings... I'm no coach but if you are flying an F1-11 canopy (porous) then try flaring more smoothly instead of rushing it. If you have a ZP canopy then definitely two stage flare and don't rush the second stage! I came in quite fast in Eloy this new year, surfed a little and then flared hard - went straight back up! ended up dropping about 5 feet and looking a little foolish... not a drama - but definitely better the stand up...*************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Raefordite 0 #9 February 22, 2004 Yes it takes practice and you don't have much experience. So turn to those that do and a good video camera. Get someone on the ground to start videoing every landing you have. Also talk to your previous instructors, S&TA, DZO for coaching. However - pick one or two personal that you feel comfortable with. If you listen to 5 different instructors, you will get 5 different techniques. http://www.performancedesigns.com/education.asp Performance Designs one of the largest manufacturers of skydiving canopies has a wonderful site to many articles about canopy and canopy control. USPA at www.uspa.org Section 6 of the SIMS manual is another source. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydreamerxxx 0 #10 February 22, 2004 I am still using a student rig, Jav 200 F-111 1.0-1, and have not been on the radio since getting off AFF, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skymama 37 #11 February 22, 2004 Welcome to the forums! You might want to post your question in the Safety and Training Forum where more people will see it. Make sure you post that you are flying a F-111, it makes a big difference in the advice that you need.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Reginald 0 #12 February 22, 2004 What is your wingloading? In addition to all the advice above maybe you should consider a bigger canopy too? Just a thought."We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things." CP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites firstime 0 #13 February 22, 2004 I am in the same boat (55) jumps also 47 yrs old. Landing issues?? Yup. Scott made a good post "feet and knees together" We are not too old to skydive but it sucks to learn at 47 as we dont bounce back as quick after a crash & burn. Good luck brother ***don't pet the swetty things Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Blue-Skies92629 0 #14 February 22, 2004 It's kind'a the same learning curve as most sports, scuba diving, snow skiing... after a while something "clicks" and you think "oh, that is what they were talking about" a while later you are telling other people "don't worry, practice a lot and it will work" "Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana" -Groucho Marx- "Tom flies like a rock" -Tom Carson- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites pccoder 0 #15 February 22, 2004 Sorry to hear about your landings. From what I have heard, take the Canopy course. It's going to help you more than anything else. Take your time on landings, sounds like you have taken to some hard landings so many times you are expecting it, which is probably helping to cause it. In the air practice your flares, pull down on the toggles just to where you feel that you are planning out and not dropping or rising. Just keep trying this high up, then when you get down to the ground do the same thing. I think if you practice it enough up high you'll get more confident and get a better feel for how the canopy flies with your inputs. Be safe. PcCoder.net Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydreamerxxx 0 #16 February 22, 2004 my loading is approx 1.0 to 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites GravityGirl 0 #17 February 23, 2004 Quotemy loading is approx 1.0 to 1 Geeezuuss. So you are jumping a student rig that has a 200 sq ft. F111 parachute? Any idea how many jumps are on the canopy? Most student canopies that are F111 are 260 - 288 sq. ft. If the canopy has a good number of jumps on it, then the flare is compromised. Note: I am not suggesting that it is old. Just asking the question. With little flare on a 1:1 wing loading on F111. Your landings are going to suck. May I offer to hook you up with a demo? PM me. I would like to talk to you and your instructors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skychic68 0 #18 February 23, 2004 I can certainly commiserate with you. Landings can beat the hell out of ya. I hope you are finding some of the advice helpful. Have you also considered getting a bit more radio help? It may be useful to you to have an instuctor set you up or flare you for a few times until you have a better idea. I know it may not be the "coolest" thing to do after having been off student status, but if you are really having that much difficulty, it is a suggestion. In the long run, better to be in one peice than to be "cool". Good luck.Que sera sera Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ZoneRat 0 #19 February 23, 2004 Don't lose faith. You'll get the hang of it sooner or later. Everybody does. ... and you will too. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EdC 0 #20 February 23, 2004 I would do a search on the Safety and Training forum and see what you can find. There have been a few threads on this very topic and I'm sure you'll be able to find something that might help you out. Big Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites lostNspace 0 #21 February 24, 2004 Quote I am starting to feel beat up You are probably more athletic than I am, but I've found in my first year of "rolling with it" that staying relaxed and paying attention are key. Every landing is different because there are so many variables. What has helped me the most is serious ground prep before jumping, and a good debrief after with a coach who watched my canopy flight and landing. Also, I started wearing leg weights routinely every day (except when I'm jumping) to strengthen my legs and ankles.The horizon is a circle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydreamerxxx 0 #22 February 24, 2004 Thank you, I found other helpful info there, I did not post yet but I think I will. It is nice to be getting feedback. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydreamerxxx 0 #23 February 24, 2004 QuoteDon't lose faith. You'll get the hang of it sooner or later. Everybody does. ... and you will too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Croc 0 #24 February 25, 2004 Get the video "Fly Like a Pro" and study the section on landing large, F-111 mains--if that is what you're using. They do Not fly like zp's, and flaring them just takes practice. Also, yours may be worn out, making matters worse. Stick with it--you'll get there!"Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites smit705 0 #25 February 25, 2004 Welcome, I will be 47 next month and have 53 jumps. I still have very interesting landings, especially with no wind conditions. I refuse to allow myself to get discouraged. Hang in there and Good luck. Dave Smith In Christ Dave Smith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. 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scottjaco 0 #7 February 22, 2004 feet and knees together! Every landing flare is different depending on wind and air density. Practice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damion75 0 #8 February 22, 2004 Skydiving threatening to take over your life too heh? As for the landings... I'm no coach but if you are flying an F1-11 canopy (porous) then try flaring more smoothly instead of rushing it. If you have a ZP canopy then definitely two stage flare and don't rush the second stage! I came in quite fast in Eloy this new year, surfed a little and then flared hard - went straight back up! ended up dropping about 5 feet and looking a little foolish... not a drama - but definitely better the stand up...*************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raefordite 0 #9 February 22, 2004 Yes it takes practice and you don't have much experience. So turn to those that do and a good video camera. Get someone on the ground to start videoing every landing you have. Also talk to your previous instructors, S&TA, DZO for coaching. However - pick one or two personal that you feel comfortable with. If you listen to 5 different instructors, you will get 5 different techniques. http://www.performancedesigns.com/education.asp Performance Designs one of the largest manufacturers of skydiving canopies has a wonderful site to many articles about canopy and canopy control. USPA at www.uspa.org Section 6 of the SIMS manual is another source. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydreamerxxx 0 #10 February 22, 2004 I am still using a student rig, Jav 200 F-111 1.0-1, and have not been on the radio since getting off AFF, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #11 February 22, 2004 Welcome to the forums! You might want to post your question in the Safety and Training Forum where more people will see it. Make sure you post that you are flying a F-111, it makes a big difference in the advice that you need.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reginald 0 #12 February 22, 2004 What is your wingloading? In addition to all the advice above maybe you should consider a bigger canopy too? Just a thought."We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things." CP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstime 0 #13 February 22, 2004 I am in the same boat (55) jumps also 47 yrs old. Landing issues?? Yup. Scott made a good post "feet and knees together" We are not too old to skydive but it sucks to learn at 47 as we dont bounce back as quick after a crash & burn. Good luck brother ***don't pet the swetty things Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blue-Skies92629 0 #14 February 22, 2004 It's kind'a the same learning curve as most sports, scuba diving, snow skiing... after a while something "clicks" and you think "oh, that is what they were talking about" a while later you are telling other people "don't worry, practice a lot and it will work" "Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana" -Groucho Marx- "Tom flies like a rock" -Tom Carson- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pccoder 0 #15 February 22, 2004 Sorry to hear about your landings. From what I have heard, take the Canopy course. It's going to help you more than anything else. Take your time on landings, sounds like you have taken to some hard landings so many times you are expecting it, which is probably helping to cause it. In the air practice your flares, pull down on the toggles just to where you feel that you are planning out and not dropping or rising. Just keep trying this high up, then when you get down to the ground do the same thing. I think if you practice it enough up high you'll get more confident and get a better feel for how the canopy flies with your inputs. Be safe. PcCoder.net Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydreamerxxx 0 #16 February 22, 2004 my loading is approx 1.0 to 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #17 February 23, 2004 Quotemy loading is approx 1.0 to 1 Geeezuuss. So you are jumping a student rig that has a 200 sq ft. F111 parachute? Any idea how many jumps are on the canopy? Most student canopies that are F111 are 260 - 288 sq. ft. If the canopy has a good number of jumps on it, then the flare is compromised. Note: I am not suggesting that it is old. Just asking the question. With little flare on a 1:1 wing loading on F111. Your landings are going to suck. May I offer to hook you up with a demo? PM me. I would like to talk to you and your instructors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skychic68 0 #18 February 23, 2004 I can certainly commiserate with you. Landings can beat the hell out of ya. I hope you are finding some of the advice helpful. Have you also considered getting a bit more radio help? It may be useful to you to have an instuctor set you up or flare you for a few times until you have a better idea. I know it may not be the "coolest" thing to do after having been off student status, but if you are really having that much difficulty, it is a suggestion. In the long run, better to be in one peice than to be "cool". Good luck.Que sera sera Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZoneRat 0 #19 February 23, 2004 Don't lose faith. You'll get the hang of it sooner or later. Everybody does. ... and you will too. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EdC 0 #20 February 23, 2004 I would do a search on the Safety and Training forum and see what you can find. There have been a few threads on this very topic and I'm sure you'll be able to find something that might help you out. Big Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lostNspace 0 #21 February 24, 2004 Quote I am starting to feel beat up You are probably more athletic than I am, but I've found in my first year of "rolling with it" that staying relaxed and paying attention are key. Every landing is different because there are so many variables. What has helped me the most is serious ground prep before jumping, and a good debrief after with a coach who watched my canopy flight and landing. Also, I started wearing leg weights routinely every day (except when I'm jumping) to strengthen my legs and ankles.The horizon is a circle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydreamerxxx 0 #22 February 24, 2004 Thank you, I found other helpful info there, I did not post yet but I think I will. It is nice to be getting feedback. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydreamerxxx 0 #23 February 24, 2004 QuoteDon't lose faith. You'll get the hang of it sooner or later. Everybody does. ... and you will too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Croc 0 #24 February 25, 2004 Get the video "Fly Like a Pro" and study the section on landing large, F-111 mains--if that is what you're using. They do Not fly like zp's, and flaring them just takes practice. Also, yours may be worn out, making matters worse. Stick with it--you'll get there!"Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites smit705 0 #25 February 25, 2004 Welcome, I will be 47 next month and have 53 jumps. I still have very interesting landings, especially with no wind conditions. I refuse to allow myself to get discouraged. Hang in there and Good luck. Dave Smith In Christ Dave Smith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
Croc 0 #24 February 25, 2004 Get the video "Fly Like a Pro" and study the section on landing large, F-111 mains--if that is what you're using. They do Not fly like zp's, and flaring them just takes practice. Also, yours may be worn out, making matters worse. Stick with it--you'll get there!"Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smit705 0 #25 February 25, 2004 Welcome, I will be 47 next month and have 53 jumps. I still have very interesting landings, especially with no wind conditions. I refuse to allow myself to get discouraged. Hang in there and Good luck. Dave Smith In Christ Dave Smith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
