hackish 8 #1 August 27, 2007 Usually when things go wrong for me they go horribly wrong. I did 2 really nice dives to complete my 5 and 10 second freefalls in the classic progression. The altimeter functioned correctly on these 2 jumps. On the 3rd jump I ended up on my back out of the plane, then flipped over and began to spin. When I finally got the spin stopped I checked the altimeter. Said 5000. During my spin I had gone a little head down and I knew there wasn't any time to do the assigned 180 turns so I waited a few seconds and checked the altimeter again. Still said 5000. I stared at it for a second and the needle wasn't moving... however the ground was so I whipped out the PC. My coach tracked away - having just caught up to me but he later said I pulled at the assigned altitude. Good luck I guess. Upon landing my altimeter still said 5000 feet. Without thinking about it I tapped it a few times and it fell back to 0. This was a borrowed altimaster and I think I'd like to buy my own altimeter very very soon... Is this common? Seems like some scary equipment failure to me. -Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #2 August 27, 2007 Quote Is this common? Seems like some scary equipment failure to me. Yes. Mechanical and electronic devices can and do fail, usually at the worst possible time. Which is why the best altitude sensing device is and always will be your eyes. Good job pulling on time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #3 August 27, 2007 I have had my neptune reset a few times in freefall when the battery wasn't fitting quite right. When that happens I just fall back to my backup altimeter. (My eyes) If for some reason I couldn't see the ground I would probably wave off and pull.~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkeenan 14 #4 August 27, 2007 Good job realizing that you had a problem and taking action. As has been said, mechanical and electronic stuff can fail. Recognizing the failure is important. As you assemble your personal skydiving gear, an altimeter is something you should get first. If its yours, and you take care of it, you will always know what condition it is in, whether it needs tested, repaired, etc. This is not the case with borrowed gear. Kevin K._____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #5 August 27, 2007 QuoteI checked the altimeter. Said 5000. During my spin I had gone a little head down and I knew there wasn't any time to do the assigned 180 turns so I waited a few seconds and checked the altimeter again. Still said 5000. I stared at it for a second and the needle wasn't moving... however the ground was so I whipped out the PC. My coach tracked away - having just caught up to me but he later said I pulled at the assigned altitude. Good luck I guess. Upon landing my altimeter still said 5000 feet. Without thinking about it I tapped it a few times and it fell back to 0. Did you report the malfunctioning altimeter to your coach so that it could be taken out of service, to prevent someone else from experiencing the same problem? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #6 August 27, 2007 Quote This was a borrowed altimaster and I think I'd like to buy my own altimeter very very soon... Is this common? Seems like some scary equipment failure to me. Very common depending on what you use. I've had Neptunes freeze up on me 4-5 different times. The main thing is to always have 2 methods of detecting your altitude. Maybe it's looking at the ground, maybe it's when your buddy does his pre-planned breakoff, maybe it's your audible, etc. But never rely on just 1 source. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #7 August 27, 2007 Quote....But never rely on just 1 source. ...unless it's your eyes.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hackish 8 #8 August 27, 2007 QuoteDid you report the malfunctioning altimeter to your coach so that it could be taken out of service, to prevent someone else from experiencing the same problem? Yes. I was actually disappointed that I hit it and it returned to 0 because I was going to make a "no time to pull yet" joke. Can anyone recommend for or against that new electronic altitrack? -Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RB_Hammer 0 #9 August 27, 2007 I have only 115 jumps on mine but it has never failed yet, except the last one, a cross country. The altimeter worked fine, but it did not log the jump. I am assuming that is because I pulled after about a 2 second delay and it thought I rode the plane back down."I'm not lost. I don't know where I'm going, but there's no sense in being late." Mathew Quigley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AFFI 0 #10 August 27, 2007 QuoteCan anyone recommend for or against that new electronic altitrack? I have around 3,000 with a digitude on my wrist - been very good to me!Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat… Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piratemike 0 #11 August 27, 2007 QuoteI have only 115 jumps on mine but it has never failed yet, except the last one, a cross country. The altimeter worked fine, but it did not log the jump. I am assuming that is because I pulled after about a 2 second delay and it thought I rode the plane back down. I had that happen once also. I haven't had that happen again, but I have had 5+ second delays on my cross countries since then. I'd highly recomment the alti-track. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Armour666 0 #12 August 27, 2007 Change it to SLO, it will catch the jumps then. I found that out too as I did a few hop and pops and it didn't log the jumps. I like it a lot it smooth and accurate It was my fist altimeter and gland I spent the extra cost getting the features of itSO this one time at band camp..... "Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #13 August 28, 2007 QuoteQuoteDid you report the malfunctioning altimeter to your coach so that it could be taken out of service, to prevent someone else from experiencing the same problem? Yes. I was actually disappointed that I hit it and it returned to 0 because I was going to make a "no time to pull yet" joke. Can anyone recommend for or against that new electronic altitrack? It's battery powered with electronics, so it's not fail proof either (anyone pulled the battery at some altitude to confirm what the altitrak will do?) You can't assume normal behavior with a failing altimeter, be it mechanical or electronic. Did you wave off before pulling? Important step. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hackish 8 #14 August 28, 2007 I'm not at the point of waving before a pull yet. I think that's 2 more steps on the classic progression... I'm kinda anxious to go back and repeat my 20 sec delay to see if I can get a stable exit from the aircraft this time. I've been criticized a lot for wearing shorts so I'm going to bring long pants this time :) -Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butters 0 #15 August 28, 2007 QuoteI'm not at the point of waving before a pull yet. If you are jumping with other people, you should be waving before you are pulling. Edit: Warning! I am not an instructor. I am someone who can not think of a reason why someone would not be taught to wave before they pull when jumping with other people."That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #16 August 28, 2007 QuoteQuoteI'm not at the point of waving before a pull yet. If you are jumping with other people, you should be waving before you are pulling. Are you his instructor?Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butters 0 #17 August 28, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuoteI'm not at the point of waving before a pull yet. If you are jumping with other people, you should be waving before you are pulling. Are you his instructor? Nope. Can you tell me why anyone would not be taught to wave before they pull when jumping with other people?"That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #18 August 28, 2007 In a static line program there are several things that are introduced in later skydives that AFF shoves up front.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AFFI 0 #19 August 28, 2007 QuoteCan you tell me why anyone would not be taught to wave before they pull when jumping with other people? Simply because regardless of the method utilized in the training, there is a progression. “Progression”, means that there is an evolution or sequence that skills are taught and learning to wave off is introduced at varying times in the an assortment of methods of instruction. Perhaps this person has not been introduced to this particular skill in the method of progression being utilized in their training. What I may believe “should” be in my understanding may not apply in another method.Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat… Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kittikat 0 #20 August 28, 2007 In the standard progression method, they are not jumping with other people. They are doing solos with increasing delays - the instructor followed him out on the 20 second delay, probably just to watch and give advice since they weren't doing anything else that jump. The students are trained for solos, and if the instructor wants to follow it is completely up to the instructor to deal with separation etc. Until they are actually jumping with other people, waving off is not taught. You should not be giving advice to very new jumpers, especially when you do not understand the training method. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,991 #21 August 28, 2007 >Can you tell me why anyone would not be taught to wave before they >pull when jumping with other people? Early freefalls in the SL program often do not include a waveoff. It could affect their stability during that time, and stability before deployment is a much bigger issue in SL than in AFF (since there's no one there to stabilize you when you pull.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #22 August 28, 2007 Quote Edit: Warning! I am not an instructor. I am someone who can not think of a reason why someone would not be taught to wave before they pull when jumping with other people. Then think it... dont advise people. Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butters 0 #23 August 28, 2007 Thanks to everyone who offered reasons. I thought I was told that people were taught to wave and practice pull during IAD, guess I was wrong. Quote Then think it... dont advise people. Maybe I should have added the disclaimer, "Do not believe anything you read, ask your instructor". (Ok, ok, I actually should have asked why instead of advising too. Sorry, made a mistake.)"That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #24 August 28, 2007 Quote Early freefalls in the SL program often do not include a waveoff. It could affect their stability during that time, and stability before deployment is a much bigger issue in SL than in AFF (since there's no one there to stabilize you when you pull.) It makes sense on the clear and pulls and the short delays, but why not on a 20sec? I think the OP did exactly the right thing in pulling when he identified the malfuctioning altimeter, but post student phase, he should be able to notice before doing so. I presume the instructor's SOP is to never be in the vertical cone then? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #25 August 29, 2007 Quote Maybe I should have added the disclaimer, "Do not believe anything you read, ask your instructor". (Ok, ok, I actually should have asked why instead of advising too. Sorry, made a mistake.) Now your on to something. Discretion > disclaimer!!"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
