What would you have done?

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

Thanks Bill, I was waiting to see how long it would take for someone to recognize that. My understanding is that it takes 60mph+ for a PC to do it's job (damn sure better not be jumping). Many people have that fear of the RSL not being disconnected and waste what could be valuable time to take care of the situation. As for posted winds, at most DZ's I've seen it is a forecast only and not actuals that are continually being updated. I recommend every DZ have a wind meter available for any jumper to walk up and look at it and check the peak gusts over the last X amount of time (only 100-200 USD, very cheap safety insurance)

I find the gust indicator the most important value that those meters will give me on a day I'm unsure of. You can go out in the LZ and feel gustiness, but it's hard to sense the max and wishfulness may get the better of you.

I haven't been as confident in the ability to use the D folks as a gauge. If the winds are high but not particularly gusty (esp at a place like Byron), they're ok in those conditions while my larger canopy is not. OTOH, Monterey can definitely go to hell in the late afternoon.

[Reginald 0]

Quote

My comment above was based on what I gathered/learned afterward while asking others trying to determine what had changed. I.e. trying to learn. If the weather board had said 20, I would have been enjoying a coke and chatting, I trusted manifest and the pilot and did not go get my own weather briefing from FIZDO. However I should not have to get briefing between every jump all day either.

Alright. Fair enough. But the one thing i would suggest is that you check the actual winds on a regular basis throughout the day. Are you comfortable the weather board is updated every 15 minutes or so? Does the weather board post the average or the high gust? How often is it updated? The average wind is a pretty useless number, the high gust is critical. Does your DZ have a wind meter you can go read? How is it set to current or high gust since the last reading? Who tracks the high gusts?

Personally, on a marginal wind day I check the average and gusts as tracked (and loged) every 20 minutes before I get on a plane.

"We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things." CP

[sjc 0]

My 2 cents.

First time I've learned about this issue was not even on a very windy day. I did my first landing without radio support. I was so happy about my stand up landing without a flare command from the radio, that I forgot to put my canopy down. And, of course, I was standing just a few feet away from the paved road behind my back. A gust of wind came and I was in the air, again, but falling on my back. I was lucky to have some gymnastics skills :) I was able to turn to face the coming ground and landed on my palms and balls of my feet. I was worried about the altimeter that I had on my chest (club equipment), so I was dragged in this position for a little. Well, just some skin from my palms :). Now I remember to pay attention to it. And it would not happen if I just turned to face the canopy behind me.

I agree with what was repeated here. Land, turn around and I actually even squad on my ass if the canopy is pulling me, while pulling a single toggle all the way towards me. I am using my heels and ass (and back if needed) to resist dragging on the grass. And I do not have wind blowing into my back if I would be standing. And I agree that if in a question - cut-away.

Regards, Alexander. http://staticlineinteractive.com

[Bill_K 0]

I like that idea, turn, and if need be sit on my butt right off. Next time I won't wait, and I'll chop...
Now I can't jump again until the SDA Boogie. I hope that I can get a ballon and heli jump there though!! That would be neat...

Sorry about the subject drift, just sitting here wishing that I was not working, but somewhere jumping...

[kkeenan 14]

Quote

... turn around and I actually even squad on my ass if the canopy is pulling me, while pulling a single toggle all the way towards me.

That sounds good, but I think you're missing one thing. The only reason that a canopy stays inflated and pulling you is that you are pulling back. If you take just a couple of steps toward the canopy, it will deflate and stop pulling. If the wind is extra strong, you may have to run a few steps, but taking the tension off the lines is the secret to not getting dragged. If you move toward it and step on any part of the canopy and just stand there, I guarantee it will go nowhere.

Kevin

_____________________________________
Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?

[billvon 3,078]

> If the wind is extra strong, you may have to run a few steps, but
>taking the tension off the lines is the secret to not getting dragged.

I would add that if you can run towards the canopy and step on any part of it (including the bridle) you will prevent its re-inflation. Not good for the canopy, but probably better for it than getting dragged 100 feet (and definitely better for you!)

[crewkeith 0]

windy for me means staying on the ground. im a swooper and there is no point going if i cant swoop. just my thought.
bsbd
keith

The skies are no longer safe

I'm back

[kkeenan 14]

Quote

windy for me means staying on the ground. im a swooper and there is no point going if i cant swoop.

Not exactly a constructive contribution to the discussion.
So, you're saying that you're such a good canopy pilot you don't even jump a lot of the time. Sort of sounds like over-specialization.

Kevin K.

_____________________________________
Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

Sort of sounds like over-specialization.

I'm a big fan of learning a lot of disciplines and trying to be really good at one. But, not everyone feels that way and if that's what he thinks is his thing, then it's his money. I wouldn't accuse someone of "over-specialization" unless they were a dick about it.

That said, I doubt the comment helped the original poster in any way, but it wasn't obnoxious, just a drive by note.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[mattaman 0]

You reacted too slow to pulling your toggle in, it has to be real fast, as soon as your feet touch the ground. Running behind the canopy is good for slower winds than those you indicated, as you move back tword your canopy, the canopy will move, and it'l pick up momentum, which is why you got pulled to your face. it will be stronger than you in those winds.
On tandems when I have no catcher, I sit down, and real it in, if you choose to stand and you have a big canopy and high winds, your canopy will win. One time a shagger missed and I tried to stand up, 25mph winds, I got lifted up about five feet, backward about ten, landed on my back on the packed reserve, which dug into my back, then the passenger came down on my chest and the reserve dug into my back harder, I thought I broke my back, pretty stupid huh, learn and live dude

Those stuck in maya, seek to be seen.

[jarrodh 0]

Quote

The sky is always there. No weather lasts longer than it takes to mend a femur.

Thats probably the best advice given in this forum.

2 BITS....4 BITS....6 BITS....A DOLLAR!....ALL FOR THE GATORS....STAND UP AND HOLLER!!!!