Canopy Collapsing

[adventurechick 0]

In the past few weeks I have heard so many stories from random jumpers about their canopy collapsing about 60 feet.... some have really hurt themselves, other people have died, and others had their canopy reinflate..... my question is, why does this happen? Is this more of a wind issue? turbulence? What can I do to reduce my chances of this happening to me?

PMS #449 TPM #80 Muff Brother #3860
SCR #14705 Dirty Sanchez #233

[billvon 2,997]

>my question is, why does this happen?

Turbulence is basically chaotic air. If you fly in steady winds, you don't notice much difference between that and still air. If the winds are changing second by second (and meter by meter) you will feel turbulence. Some common causes of turbulence:

-Weather. Thunderstorms produce very turbulent air; they can peel the wings off airliners, so avoid jumping anywhere near bad weather.

-Wind+obstacles. When wind flows over an obstacle, like a tree or building, it produces turbulence. Avoid landing downwind of obstacles.

-Thermals/dust devils. These happen when hot air rises in a column. They are sometimes hard to see; other times they pick up dust and grass and can be seen that way. They happen mainly on hot days with low wind.

-Other flying things. Airplanes and other parachutes produce wake turbulence. Avoid flying behind them.

>What can I do to reduce my chances of this happening to me?

Do not jump on turbulent or high wind days, avoid incoming weather, avoid flying behind people, be alert for dust devils, learn to fly in turbulence, and learn to reinflate your canopy if it collapses.

[yeyo 1]

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=619
Thats a good article about collapses and turbulance


edit:look at our license #, beat u by 81

HISPA #93
DS #419.5

[dorbie 0]

Quote

In the past few weeks I have heard so many stories from random jumpers about their canopy collapsing about 60 feet.... some have really hurt themselves, other people have died, and others had their canopy reinflate..... my question is, why does this happen? Is this more of a wind issue? turbulence? What can I do to reduce my chances of this happening to me?

In addition to avoiding turbulance, if you find the wind sock switching on landing then try to bisect the angles between the indicated landing directions.

Your canopy flies slowly, a sudden change in wind direction can induce a stall and collapse. Minimizing this change in relative air speed due to wind shear can make the difference and keep you flying.

[dorbie 0]

P.S. I also believe that ground handling and specifically forward kiting in the right conditions (moderate wind) can give you a powerful sense of pitch/surge control and make you feel a lot more aware of what your canopy is doing in turbulent conditions. You can spend hours on the ground kiting vs minutes flying and you have a solid frame of reference for pitch just by standing there, there are just some things you just pick up like that. I can't say for sure if it's faster, but it's worthwhile trying IMHO and doesn't cost you a jump ticket, just don't get dragged and maybe get soem supervision the first few times. Don't go to some random hill and think it's safe to do a quick sled ride with a parachute, it's a lot more dangerous than most skydivers realize. I'm talking about kiting on the level or on a slight slope, not flying.

[Phillbo 11]

On a hot day in Arizona you can get some turbulance if you fly over a taxi way or other paved area.. Heat rises.