Are PLFs necessary anymore?

[d123 3]

Thanks!

Lock, Dock and Two Smoking Barrelrolls!

[377 22]

In the late 60s I was a college student and couldn't afford good commercial gear. I did over a hundred round jumps on a worn out porous surplus C9 canopy. I HAD to do good PLFs every time or I would have broken some bones for sure. I made a lot of PLF landings backing up in the gusty afternoon winds.

I think PLFs are important and should be learned but I question the ability of anyone but a gymnast to do a good PLF at high forward speeds, like what you'd get in a downwind landing under a ram air canopy.

I guess anything is better than a high speed face plant, but PLFs at high forward speeds are probably beyond the ability of most jumpers in my opinion.

377

2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

[phoenixlpr 0]

Quote

In the late 60s I was a college student and couldn't afford good commercial gear. I did over a hundred round jumps on a worn out porous surplus C9 canopy. I HAD to do good PLFs every time or I would have broken some bones for sure. I made a lot of PLF landings backing up in the gusty afternoon winds.

I think PLFs are important and should be learned but I question the ability of anyone but a gymnast to do a good PLF at high forward speeds, like what you'd get in a downwind landing under a ram air canopy.

I guess anything is better than a high speed face plant, but PLFs at high forward speeds are probably beyond the ability of most jumpers in my opinion.

377

After seeing 2 students flaring 3-5m high....Yes, it is.