Why students need to use their own judgment at times

[peek 21]

Why do students need to use their own judgment at times? To keep things from happening like in the picture.

Afterwards the student said, "I was just following directions." And this FJC training definitely includes telling them that they may need to take matters into their own hands when it comes to avoiding obstacles when landing (because they have a better view than the person on the radio.)

Just a reminder that no matter what we tell them that there is still a chance that things can go wrong.

(Sure, it would have been better if the person on the radio had been standing out in the landing area, but that's not the purpose of the posting.)

[BillyVance 34]

Did he mistake it for the pea gravel pit???

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

Ouch. I bet that is going to cost a few $$$s.

Hate to laugh... but...

[BillyVance 34]

Quote

Ouch. I bet that is going to cost a few $$$s.

Hate to laugh... but...

I know...

I'm reminded of the other thread some time ago about a student that had a wide open field to land on, and he runs into the only tree in the field!

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

Quote

I'm reminded of the other thread some time ago about a student that had a wide open field to land on, and he runs into the only tree in the field!

I'm convinced that you could have 1000 cleared acres of landing area, a single solitary windsock smack-dab in the middle of it and sooner or later someone would hit it on landing... probably on a sunny, clear blue sky, no wind day.

[denete 3]

Hmmm...does the USPA insurance cover something like this?

This might actually be a serious question, and not my usual sarcastic questioning.

- David

SCR #14809

"our attitude is the thing most capable of keeping us safe"
(look, grab, look, grab, peel, punch, punch, arch)

[phastasphuk 0]

People in general and especially students land where they look. With a huge grassfield with a single object you can stare at on really focus on, rest assured that someone will land exactly there.
Same as when you are riding your bike. Dont stare at that stone or you will hit it!

chris

[diverdriver 5]

Was that an ASOS station he snagged on?

Chris Schindler
www.diverdriver.com
ATP/D-19012
FB #4125

[billvon 2,989]

When I teach the FJC, I always mention a few times " . . . but I'm not up there with you, so if you think that XXX, then you have to make that decision. It's your life." (Applies mainly to ambiguous malfunctions like a slider stuck halfway up.) I want to point out that instructors are not always able to "save" the student, and that they have to make good decisions too.

[VideoFly 0]

Obstacles can be like landing magnets. Inexperienced jumpers sometimes become fixated upon what they don’t want to land on and inadvertently fly themselves right into the obstacle. Sometimes, with several students under canopy, directions may become confusing and one jumper might accidentally follow another jumper’s directions.
Also, concerning difficult radio calls on windy days, limited visibility, or confused traffic, I think it is helpful when during training, instructors emphasize what a student should do in response to no-com situations or questionable directions.

[popsjumper 2]

Quote

...I think it is helpful when during training, instructors emphasize what a student should do in response to no-com situations or questionable directions.

Which is why I train them as though the radio doesn't work and emphasize that it is only a back-up device.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[Jon26 0]

Poor guy, i bet he feels quite bad about that one.

But, in the guy's defense...

has anyone else noticed the windsock and the huge cumulus in the background?

What were the conditions like that day?

Did the guy land on the station or did he snag it after being dragged by the wind?

[VideoFly 0]

"I think it is helpful when during training, instructors emphasize what a student should do in response to no-com situations or questionable directions." was a statement of fact, not a recommendation. I have a deep respect for all instructors and that is why I added that line to my post. I simply wanted to point out to students reading the thread that when during training, instructors emphasize what a student should do in response to no-com situations or questionable directions, students need to pay close attention. The AFF course has been developed to dispense all critical information and every statement and demonstration is extremely important. If all students followed all of their instructor’s directions, mishaps would occur far less often. We all need to revere and appreciate our instructors.

[Ether 0]

Quote

I'm reminded of the other thread some time ago about a student that had a wide open field to land on, and he runs into the only tree in the field!

Looking for newbie rig, all components...

[phastasphuk 0]

So the million dollar question is:

Were you staring at that sign really trying to avoid it? Nice nickname btw

chris

[peek 21]

Update: For a few weeks before the incident the weather station had not been fully working because maintenance personnel had not yet been called on it. When they came out they fixed everything.