Practice, practice, practice

[frazeebd 0]

Well theoretically this could go in the Canopy skills forum, but since I'm pretty new and this is very much a safety related question about training related activities, I will post it here.

I found a great deal on a starting rig, and its in a UPS container somewhere, to be here early next week. I've been jumping a Navigator 240 at about a 0.77 WL, and this one is a PISA 230 (A hornet I believe).
I thought about getting a 210, but to be honest... even with a big canopy like this, I feel like it can do WAY more than I know how to make it do in the air, at this point, especially regarding things like riser turns, dives, and flat turns and all...
That brings me to the point, which is landings and wind. I've landed with no wind a few times, and I reliably land into the wind when its there.... but I am also still on an A license and landing out in BFE instead of joining the pattern/chaos in the nice grassy knoll 15 paces from the packing area. I've heard all the people in the plane talking about who will be down first setting the pattern, and how if the pattern is set wrong to just go with it anyways.... and it makes me think about wind and emergent/unplanned landings.
Is it a good idea to practice cross and downwind landings? I mean especially since I'm landing out in the middle of nowhere, where dreams go to die and all... Perhaps there's a bit of a good routine for trying this? I AM on a relatively large canopy so I know that the wind will take me for a ride if I try it, but for some reason it seems to make sense that if I at least practice it some out in the field, then perhaps someday when Public Works installs power lines right under me during the flight, I will be better equipped to handle landing wherever I can...
Suggestions?

[UDSkyJunkie 0]

Definately do some cross-wind landings and eventually downwind landings!

Some larger DZ's (such as Eloy) with a lot of traffic require that all traffic land parallel (i.e. ONLY east-west the main area or north-south in the alternate... you're not allowed to land at an angle to the landing area). This means that on any given jump you may have to land as much as 45 degrees cross-wind. Or possibly even 90 degrees if you can't make it back to the optimal landing area.

A few no-brainer considerations:

- since crosswind (and even more so downwind) means you're likley NOT following the pattern, you'll need to be extra careful of traffic and/or landing away from others or on a separate pass.

- make sure you've got lots of room, as your surfs could get long even with a big canopy.

- you need to be comfortable with PLF's and falling down as you will inevitably do so in such practice.

- start on lighter wind days & slight crosswind, work up to moderate wind and 90 deg crosswind. Much past 10 mph and it's probably best not to go to extreme angles and obviously anything much over 2-3 mph it's best not to downwind it.

- turbulence may have larger effects, and push your canopy to one side or the other, remember "wings level"

- you should also work on the "flare turn" (turning in mid-flare), which can help you to turn an unintentional cross-wind or downwind in unfavorable conditions into a more manageable landing. You may not be able to turn very far with a large canopy, but aim for at least 45 deg.

"Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

[Fast 0]

I think there is a benifit to experiencing a crosswind landing and maybe even downwind landings in an area you are comfortable with. It will give you some experience and knowledge for dealing with them should you be forced to do so if you are landing off the airport. It might also help you to know that you can do it rather than try and make a low turn into the wind.

With that said, don't just go out there and try these types of landings. Work with one of your local instructors so that you can be sure you have all the other requisit skills first. Get advice from a local instructor who you trust on how and when to do these things and minimize the chances of you getting hurt.

Have fun, stay safe, blue skies!

~D
Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me.
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