Icon134 0 #1 August 12, 2004 I think it might be partly due to a somewhat lack of relaxation last weekend but I was I completed 4 Hop and Pops over the weekend and was having difficult being stable imediately outside the door. (Twin Otter) I effectively tried 4 different exits 1. Rear Floater (difficulty w/this one was that the aircraft was still climbing and moving faster then I was expecting and had some trouble.) I crabbed my legs and rolled over (i.e. barrel roll) before stablizing w/my bridal wrapped around my body... (I made the mistake of tossing unstable...) I did a few barrel rolls and re-tossed the PC w/o further incident and didn't make this mistake again. 2. I tried to exit head up and after rolling over a few times was belly down for toss out (7-10 seconds out the door) was told my legs weren't out and should have had more arch. 3. dive out towards wingtips (i.e. superman exit?) Stable w/in 7-10 seconds... but didn't watch the plane leave like I sometimes am able to on high altitude exits 4. Bomber exit. rolled over a few times and wasn't stable until terminal (10 seconds) Now Aircraft speed was higher then typically on 14k jump run... (one of my former aff instructors explained that part of the reason was that the aircraft was still climbing...) and I also got lots of advice (to include a simple RELAX and arch... which might be sufficent to correct the problem) I also have some instructors offering to jump w/me (which I intend to do...) in order to help me w/the problem... but thoughts on how to get out a fast moving twin otter (and I'm told king air's are faster and be stable out the door...) are welcome... Long post... sorry. But Thanks, Scott p.s. I was lucky to have some extra altitude for my H&P's because I was taking a canopy control seminar and we were requesting getting 5-6k ft. (i think I exited at 6.5k on my first jump) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
migliore 0 #2 August 12, 2004 Absolutely get with an instructor or a coach soon and practice the standard floater exit that you should have been proficient with from AFF. In the event of an aircraft emergency at lower altitudes, you don't want to spend 7-10 seconds getting stable before pulling. Good luck! Shane Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masher 1 #3 August 12, 2004 QuoteNow Aircraft speed was higher then typically on 14k jump run... (one of my former aff instructors explained that part of the reason was that the aircraft was still climbing...) and I also got lots of advice (to include a simple RELAX and arch... which might be sufficent to correct the problem) Be careful. A jumper over here was killed by a tail strike because he did a poised/float type exit from a caravan while it was still climbing. Read tail low, head high, head said hello to tail. I'll see if I can find the incident report. You may have to wait a few days, it's at home...-- Arching is overrated - Marlies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattjw916 2 #4 August 12, 2004 I just did my pre-second H&P from a fast moving Otter at 4500 last Sat... it was not pretty... but... I did a poised exit, I rushed myself a bit and pushed off too hard from the aircraft I believe causing myself to get unstable momentarily. I was on my back for what seemed like too long but really was more like less than a second before I barrel rolled and oriented myself towards the DZ. While it seemed like the longest time I ever took to get stable, I was just passing ~3900 when I glanced momentarily at my altimeter prior to dumping. Lesson: RELAX, breathe, step off, look at aircraft, arch, etc... I know my next one will be a LOT smoother since I won't be needlessly tense. Good luck! NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #5 August 12, 2004 QuoteAbsolutely get with an instructor or a coach soon and practice the standard floater exit that you should have been proficient with from AFF. In the event of an aircraft emergency at lower altitudes, you don't want to spend 7-10 seconds getting stable before pulling. Good luck! But in an emergency you won't get the time to do a poised exit! It's my turn tomorrow, hopefully a cakewalk! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D22369 0 #6 August 12, 2004 Hmmmm, take this with a grain of salt because I wasnt there to see what you did, but it sounds like your arch is weak........ if you are flat with no arch, then with a less than perfect presentation to the relative wind you can be spun around......over and under.....etc....... obviously you regained stability, but you should be able to leave the plane completely stable while on the hill.......... Talk to one of your instructors....see what he says, also, you might see if you can get one of the local videots to accompany you on your H&P, --try bribing him with beer......lots of beer ...if that doesnt work, try a lift ticket...... video is WELL worth it. >>>>>>>>>>>RELAX<<<<<<<<<<<<< your probably overamped........ try focusing on your arch and presentation to the wind. and finally........dont worry, you will get it. RoyThey say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #7 August 12, 2004 Instability is a common problem with early hop-and-pops. Junior jumpers fixate on hurling themselves out of the airplane. They devote so much muscle to flinging themselves out of the airplane that they impart a lot of extra energy and rotational momentum. Then they forget to arch. Hee! Hee! Hee! The solution is to gently step sideways out of the airplane and thrust your hips into the relative wind. Remember that an arch starts with the pelvis and radiates outward. To put it in the vernacular: "fuck the propeller." Sounds like you are trying too hard dude. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #8 August 12, 2004 A lot like RiggerRob said, don't worry so much about how to jump out, just make sure you present the front of your body to the relative wind and arch. Try just standing low in the door, facing forward , and step out to the side, head high and arch. Don't over amp. Also, we give hop and pops a cut on the Otter at our DZ. Shouldn't they do that for you, too? The tail strike thng is not too likely on an Otter with it's high tail, but can and does happen on Caravans, King Airs, Twin Beeches. The factors are high power settings, low mounted horizontal stabilizer, door close to tail, nose up pitch (climb attitude), and an aggressive, jump up exit and arch that catches a lot of air. People have been injured and killed by the tail strikes. When in doubt, dive low and tuck up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #9 August 12, 2004 QuoteTo put it in the vernacular: ... My version is "hump the wind". I think that sounds kinda nature-loving, if I do say so myself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reginald 0 #10 August 13, 2004 I used to have the same problem. I recently started doing a lot of h n p's to correct the issue. I don't do floating exits. I keep it to diving or "side step" exits. i find that diving exits where I turn 90 up the hill upon exit work best for me. i can do this, pitch and have a good main in about 600 feet. The key for me was to relax going out the door and take my time. There is no need to pitch 1 second out the door. Plan on taking 3 or 4 , it takes the pressure off andlets you concentrate on being stable."We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things." CP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
