HALO School

[taz9420 0]

I wonder how skydivers (freeflyers/RW's) do in the High Altitude Low Opening Course?

[LouDiamond 1]

I had 88 skydives when I went to HALO school. Most people have never skydived before they go to HALO school . So take JOE RW/FF back when he was a no jump chump and throw him out in the breeze with only 1 instructor shadowing.That would be a fair comparrison.

Going there as a skydiver I had fun while it was still slick jumping. Throw the equipment on and then the O2 at night and it's a completely different ball game. I had an advantage since I was already used to flying my body, I just had to compensate for the equipment. Others had to deal with remembering what they were taught on flying their body AND dealing with any issues the equipment might be giving them. Having skydived before would be a help but you are back to square 1 when you strap the rucksacka nd equipment on as it can take you for a ride. Thats why there is skying and HALO jumping, they are similar but different. HALO is just another method of infiltration to get to the fight.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[MWGemini 0]

Quote

HALO is just another method of infiltration to get to the fight

And as a former soldier stationed at Ft. Bragg, and friends with a lot of operators such as yourself, Lou, I know some of what you guys do and go through, and I highly respect you for it. I don't think most people realize what it means to have that kind of commitment and dedication.

Mike

[pajarito 0]

I went in 92 when it was still at Ft. Bragg. I was already a skydiver and had over 500 jumps (more than my instructor). I challenged the course and did the 2 week deal. If you challenge the course, you don't get any second chances. You mess anything up, even if it's your first time, and you get to go home. Anyway, it was the easiest school I'd ever been to in the Army b/c of my skydiving skills. I don't know if that's the case with everyone but it was for me. It rained A LOT and was really windy while I was there. I graduated HALO School with only 9 jumps.

[mjrod 0]

I went to HALO course in 89 after having about 50 static line jumps. One instructor, two students, one day at Wright Pat wind tunnel. I was scared when the clam shell opened and I saw the earth...started taking baby steps to the ramp with Deloach behind us. But the O2 and CE at night was a different animal, but eventually I learned to ride the beach ball.

Now, this skydive thing, this is fun, but again, I have to learn how to fly my bod and the smaller canopys and keep air separation....its all good/

<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>

[ZegeunerLeben 0]

>>I think it's the LO part of HALO that skydivers would have a hard time with. Taz how have you been? I haven't seen or heard from you since I ran into you at Lodi a while back. You're up to 700 now huh? I remember when you were scaring the hell out of every AFFI at Byron ha ha!
Hope you're well brother

[taz9420 0]

oh yea! I think you had just landed in a field of grape vines
Plan to be out at Lodi this Friday, and possibly Sunday. Hope to see you there. Hopefully I can get Kim out that way, and she could pack for the both of us.

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

I had over 500 skydives when I challenged the course in '88 and had no problem whatsoever with it, but I know at least three people who attended the regular, long course with over 1000 jumps and failed because they could not fly a rucksack. Actually, I can think of at least one person with 3000 jumps who failed it. I won't mention his name, but will tell you he regularly jumped a black and gold parachute that said "army" on the bottom.

Ultimately, flying a rucksack is simple; certainly on harder than doing tandems. You just have to be entirely confident in what ability you have. Guys with under 15 jumps get rucks hung on them in the MFF course and they pass.

[pajarito 0]

It's surprising to me that one could have that many jumps and that kind of experience and not have the confidence needed to fly a rucksack, O2, and weapon. I know it happens but it still surprises me. Several thousand jumps is a lot.

Mind over matter...baby!

[billvon 2,989]

>Several thousand jumps is a lot.

There are a lot of people in this sport who make several thousand jumps, but they essentially make their hundredth jump over and over again. Someone who has never done anything but freefly may be less prepared for flying a rucksack and O2 than a tandem master who has made high altitude jumps, wingsuit jumps and camera jumps - even if the freeflyer has more jumps total.

[pajarito 0]

Quote

>Several thousand jumps is a lot.

There are a lot of people in this sport who make several thousand jumps, but they essentially make their hundredth jump over and over again. Someone who has never done anything but freefly may be less prepared for flying a rucksack and O2 than a tandem master who has made high altitude jumps, wingsuit jumps and camera jumps - even if the freeflyer has more jumps total.

Oh...I agree that jump numbers don't necessarily = all around experience but chuck mentioned that the person/s were Golden Knights. I would think they'd be doing some belly flying there and a lot of it. I know what you're saying, though. It still surprises me.

[mjrod 0]

Flying the beach-ball is simple, it's this RW that kills me!! I saw the film the other evening, and it is well made. The tumbling with the ruck on the back of the legs brought back memories. I went through when they had one instructor to two students and was amazed how they could keep up with both of us,,,,,or did they? Anyway, transitioning to sport jumping is more difficult due to the new skills that need to be aquired, like rate control. The only thing I needed to control was falling in a group and clearing my ears and goggles,,,,,and make sure I don't suck up all my O2 at night,,heh heh.
I did get spoken to after exiting a bit too soon after a formation group, not used to waiting to exit. I still remember and love those team exits with CEO2 at night. It really makes you feel alive.

Take care

<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>