MWGemini 0 #1 September 20, 2004 Today was my 18th and 19th jumps, landed out on my 18th due to bad spot (far upwind) in 30mph winds. I was floating my way back to the DZ in about 2/3 brakes, but that just wasn't doing it. About 4 or 5 jumpers had already landed in a field near me. I had three options: 1) follow them 2) try for the next field on the wind line, where one other jumper had already landed, but it looked to be much taller grass or corn or something 3) push for the DZ, which I MIGHT have been able to make, but would've probably landed downwind and short. I chose option 1, since there were more jumpers already there, it was a larger field, and I wasn't sure about the ground for field 2 and was almost positive I wouldn't get back to the DZ. Another student, with a lower wing loading than I have (larger canopy) flew right below me and was able to make it back to the DZ, however, but landed crosswind. I landed safely, as did everyone who landed off. Had about a two mile walk back to the road, but that gave me the opportunity to talk to my coach about the jump as well as the other jumpers. This may be better suited for the training forum, but I'm not really worried about my performance on that jump. I think I made the right decision, and would make it again. landing off isn't such a bad thing. I came out a lot better than the jumper with over 1000 jumps who had a hard landing and got carried off in an ambulance (no idea what happened there, but I heard he was turning to get into the wind from the long spot and didn't recover in time, all the more reason I'm glad I didn't push for the DZ). So- does this mean I owe somebody beer or something? How does that work? Thanks, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 September 20, 2004 1st off landing? Hell yeah you owe beer! Glad to hear that you flew safely and landed safely. "Getbackitis" has claimed more then a few lives and have injured many more then a few people.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #3 September 20, 2004 So who do I owe beer to, why, and what is the tradition for that? Seems like any time it's "the first" you owe beer, but since I always leave before dark to do things with my fiancee, I'm never around when (and if) the beer comes out. I don't drink anyways, but eh, tradition is tradition. Mike Edit: Fixed typo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattjw916 2 #4 September 20, 2004 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=75746;search_string=beer%20tradition;#75746NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crzjp20 0 #5 September 20, 2004 dont questiosn just buy! lol glad to hear your ok. Not to sounds like a smart ass, but does that make you think any different about the whole downsizing thing?-------------------------------------------------- Fear is not a confession of weakness, it is an oportunity for courage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #6 September 20, 2004 Hehe, nice. I guess I'd better stop by the store on the way next time...... Seriously though, I don't stay late enough for the beer to come out, so I don't even know if the people at my home DZ drink and party or just wrap it up and go home. I guess I should find out. Speaking of which, does anyone here jump at Carolina Sky Sports in Louisburg, NC? Thanks, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crzjp20 0 #7 September 20, 2004 what kind of question is that! of course they party lol its freaking DZ!!! lol -------------------------------------------------- Fear is not a confession of weakness, it is an oportunity for courage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingJ 0 #8 September 20, 2004 Showing up with that first case or two is a great way to get to know more people too, and for people to get to know you. Obviously people love free beer, but most will ask what your beer offense was and are always looking forward to tossing one back with the new guy.Killing threads since 2004. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #9 September 20, 2004 Quoteand are always looking forward to tossing one back with the new guy. Thats important. Even if you're not a drinker its cool to hang with the DZ folks at the end of the day. Another neat thing is that's when the instructors and other experienced jumpers are done for the day, not busy getting on the next load, etc and their stories, advice and such might come in handy. If anything, getting to know folks is a quick way to set yourself up for some 1 on 1 coaching/jumps that could teach you a LOT.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jkwon 0 #10 September 20, 2004 We had a lot of off landings at CSS today. The winds were ubber choppy too. Luckily being first out every load today I didn't have the problems at the later people in the load were having. But regardless...Good choice. You know I'd jump with you. If you'd stop flying on your belly. :) Oh wait...that rig...umm...yeah stay on your belly :) Cheers, See you next time.--joe HISPA #69 The Best Band in the WORLD!!! The new full length album "See What You Can Find" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evelyn 0 #11 September 20, 2004 Off DZ landings don't necessarily have to be a bad thing. I had an off DZ landing when jumping with a coach (totally my fault, I was giving the count and had total brain lock - kept going in out in instead of out in out - finally my coach said just jump). Anyway my coach made it back but I landed out, but had a perfect stand up landing. I had gathered up my chute and was walking down the road when the truck came up with my coach and he said " I was worried about you". I had this big grin and said "I had a perfect landing". He just laughed. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foxyroxtail 0 #12 September 22, 2004 The dude with the back injury will be very excited that people think he has 1000 jumps! The turbulence on the field was worse than what we had in that field. We had the far better choice of landing areas! It's great to land with a group when you are landing off - and we're glad you landed with us AND with your coach! Plus the field is huge, bigger than the other field you were eying, and oriented better into the wind away from turbulence causing obstructions. Now we just need to get the key to that new gate for Rob!! Oh, Corona Lights are always nice. Ill bring the limes... WELCOME ABOARD Pam - "Setting the landing pattern for off-field landings everywhere..." ________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #13 September 22, 2004 Quote1st off landing? Hell yeah you owe beer! Glad to hear that you flew safely and landed safely. "Getbackitis" has claimed more then a few lives and have injured many more then a few people. Shouldn't the spotter for the load cough up some too!? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybill 22 #14 September 22, 2004 Hi Gemi, What the he2xl do you mean like, "Off DZ????????" I was directly over the center of the earth!!! Just remember, when you're doin' RW, the whole world is your dropzone!!!SCR-2034, SCS-680 III%, Deli-out Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cloudi 0 #15 September 22, 2004 ***Shouldn't the spotter for the load cough up some too!? *** Last I heard, you are your own spotter...Look before you leap and any other such cliche' that may apply. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattjw916 2 #16 September 22, 2004 If you don't like the spot, don't get out... no one is forced out of the plane.NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jkwon 0 #17 September 22, 2004 Oh...don't say that at CSS...Especially if you are a far and few between freeflier with 3 4-ways jumping after you. You leave when you're supposed to leave and if you're slow you'll hear about it.--joe HISPA #69 The Best Band in the WORLD!!! The new full length album "See What You Can Find" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattjw916 2 #18 September 22, 2004 I think there are about a dozen threads about why you shouldn't leap before you check the spot...NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #19 September 22, 2004 Quotedue to bad spot (far upwind) in 30mph winds. I don't mean to flame you or anything, but I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this yet. What was a student skydiver (remember you are a student until you are licensed) doing jumping in 30 mph winds? Shit I don't even think I would want to be jumping in 30 mph winds (even though I'm sure I have at some point in time). QuoteI was floating my way back to the DZ in about 2/3 brakes, but that just wasn't doing it. When you get a chance, try to get some canopy coaching. Flying into some strong head winds in 2/3 brakes was not the thing to do. Using the sweat spot trick, the thing to do would have been to (well besides not jumping in the first place) fly in either full flight or to use your front risers to get out of the wind. You may not penetrate with your front risers, but at least it get you down and out of the winds and not risk flying backwards. Anyway ... congrats on your first off DZ landing and more importantly congrats on not killing yourself. But next time try to get a wind check before you jump. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #20 September 22, 2004 Couple things here. One, I am still not a very good spotter, so I leave when I'm told to. I rely on my coach for that one. Two, it was my first CASA jump in a few months, and we did a front-facing exit, so I couldn't even see the spot while we were doing the count. Three, I landed safely, and I feel I made the right decision in choosing to land where I did. I had several other options, I chose the one I felt was safest. Whoever is responsible for the bad spot, be it the pilot, inaccurate data on the windboard, the people who left first (and on their behalf, they did leave quickly and did not try to delay, not their fault), my coach, myself, or just the 30mph+ winds, I am NOT trying to place any blame on any of them. I made the choice to jump in strong winds that day, I landed safely, and that's all that I really care about right now. I don't know the situation the other jumper was in, but I sincerely hope he is doing ok. I probably don't even know him, but regardless of what happens, getting hurt sucks, and I hope he is jumping again soon. In response to crzjp20, no, I still plan on downsizing. When my skills make it safe for me to do so. I'm not ready yet, and won't downsize until I am. We already been covered that. In response to foxyroxtail, The fact that several of you had already chosen that field to land in helped me to make my decision. I was pretty sure I could've made the second one, but was less sure about the ground obstructions. Seeing you guys already there and walking around proved that it was at least reasonably flat and safe. I'll be bringing a few cases this Saturday, and your request has been noted. Any other CSS regulars are welcome to add their request here In response to CanuckInUSA, I was not heading into the wind, I had the wind at my back, and I had a flatter glide ratio in brakes than in full flight and on front risers (yes, I checked). Once I turned back into the wind onto final, I did get on my fronts pretty heavily to avoid being pushed back too far, down to about 500 feet or so. The decision to jump in those winds was my call. For the record, the 30+ was uppers, not grounds, although the grounds were in mid 20s according to the board. Discussed it with my instructors, we both agreed I could handle it. Whether that was a bad call or not is anyone's opinion, but doesn't change the past. Also, I plan on going to DeLand for a Scott Miller course shortly after I get my A, then again either in late December, or after I purchase my first rig, more than likely both, if I can afford it. Safety is my number one concern. I appreciate all the help that I have received from everyone who I've talked to. If anyone is in the area of CSS on Saturday, ask around for me, I'll be there all day, and I will be bringing beer. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobsled92 0 #21 September 22, 2004 Glad you're safe and sound=on the ground again. Speed meet/World cup, my face shield fogged up and I did a hi-speed track about 1 mile off and found an opening at a Retirement Community in the woods._______________________________ If I could be a Super Hero, I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year. http://www.hangout.no/speednews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
captainbb7 0 #22 September 22, 2004 I was on that load too and landed in the same field (There was poop in them there hills!). The winds were not at 30mph, they were at 15. Also, the reason the "spot was bad" for the people in the back of the plane was because the 8way took much longer than the 6 second exit separation on that load... most of the load landed on the DZ. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #23 September 22, 2004 QuoteI was not heading into the wind, I had the wind at my back There was just some confusion as to exactly where you were in relation to the winds. But since the wind was at your back, 2/3 brakes (or rear risers) was a good option. Anyway congrats on your 1st (yes you should owe beer) off DZ landing and good job for not having the "get-back-itis" syndrome. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiles 0 #24 September 22, 2004 All I know is years of dealing with landing out I followed the same routine....make a choice and stick with it (re: decide where I was going to land that looked safest) and follow through with my choice. Then awhile back I got lazy and started thinking--geez I don't want to climb that fence, or cross that ditch, or land that far away from the road......or walk that far to the d.z.................instead of making a choice and following through- I kept changing my mind until I realized I was tits and had to land now- next to a barn where there was tons of pig shit................eeehhhhhhh my god.....a wake up call for sure. SMiles Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #25 September 22, 2004 I really wish (now) that I'd paid more attention to who the other people who landed out with me were. I only remember 2 for sure. At the time, the winds really did not feel to be 30, I'm just going off what the windboard said. Again- not trying to place any blame for the bad spot. May not have even been a bad spot at all. For whatever reason, I landed out, but no harm done. Learned something new that day (besides the fact that Rob needs a set of bolt cutters ;P) CanuckInUSA- sorry for the confusion. I didn't mean to say that I was going upwind into a headwind, but rather that I was upwind of the target, being pushed downwind, towards it. I do have a question for those who were there that day, though. Was the board inaccurate that day, or was the data on it the max gust, and not sustained? I know that I'm still very new and still learning to judge the wind speed, but they really didn't feel that strong to me for the most part (except at higher altitudes). I do know that at 600 feet flying into the wind, I was backing up until I got on the front risers, which allowed me to penetrate better. Once I got a little lower, I was able to let off the front risers and still move forward, into the wind. Thanks, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
