Jumping through Clouds

[quade 4]

Quote

Be aware out there folks, you don't want to jump through a cloud that you think has a bottom at 5 and find out it has moved to 2.

That would be a highly unusual weather situation, but obviously, it can happen. My guess is that if the bases of the clouds lowered that rapidly, then a fast moving front was moving into your area and it might have been a good idea to have already been on the ground.

Generally speaking and in normal "fair weather", the bases of the clouds remain at the level in which you'd first encounter them while climbing. However, it is very common for additional clouds to build much higher in the time it takes to climb.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[jbrasher 1]

Lake Erie and about 16 or 17 people died.
3 stayed in the plane.
One of the fatalities was a congressman's daughter which brought a lot of publicity.

Red, White and Blue Skies,

John T. Brasher D-5166

[howardwhite 6]

I don't think the Lake Erie incident, a one-shot, constitutes a "cloud waiver."

The airplane in question was a B-25. It subsequently ended up at Turners Falls, MA, where the FAA wouldn't let it be used as a jump plane. It deteriorated there for several years and was sold. The ferry pilot, who hadn't flown anything bigger than a C150 since Korea, took it to nearby Orange, MA for touch and goes, got behind the power curve, flipped over and buried the nose 10 feet in the dirt.

Sad end to sad story.

HW

[howardwhite 6]

"The USPA would beable to answer this one better then me since I don't follow the laws."

Err... does this mean you don't keep up with them or don't obey them?
Or both?


HW

[PhreeZone 20]

I don't keep up to the day to day changes of them. I obey the FAR's.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[vidiot 0]

After relying on GPS for for spotting, using GPS for the canopy ride will be next step...

... Two times I wished I had one of those little handheld units with me


TD-Master to Pax: ' Relax, I know exactly were we are...

My Logbook

[DJL 235]

Yeah, also that could probably be 10 off field landings onto who knows what.

Doug

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[christoofar 0]

You guys, this is a good thread. There's some unexplored territory in here (canopy flight in clouds) that probably needs to be standardized and covered in training.

I've leared different things from what was recommended here. Because we are told "don't jump through clouds" we don't hear much what we're supposed to do if we happen to wind up in them anyway.

I would consider any flight through a cloud as an "emergency" similar to a line twist. It is a situation which requires your immediate attention because it can become dangerous. You should be following some sort of procedures until you have "cleared" the problem.

____________________________________________________________
I'm RICK JAMES! Fo shizzle.

[wallygator 0]

I agree, this is a good thread. I am quite new to the sport with a fledgling 95 jumps. Where I jump, in Canada,we (I), always get a good talking after landing.

--------------------------------------------------
who Jah bless Let no man curse.

[akjmpplt 0]

A "cloud waiver" wasn't need for the B-25 jump...at that time is was not prohibited to jump through clouds. This incident was a prime mover in a change in the regs prohibiting jumps through clouds.

SmugMug

[riddler 0]

Quote

certian areas of the US places have filed for cloud waivers

What is a cloud waiver? Is that something filed with the FAA? Or is it more like a dropzone wind-limit waiver?

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[JKT 0]

FWIW, as a jumper in the UK where some cloud coverage is inevitable a lot of the time*, it is good practice to a) know what the general location of the sun is with respect to the jump run and b) know what the cloud base is. Knowing the location of the sun relative to the jump run helps you find the landing area if you can't immediately see it upon opening (e.g. if you have pulled high for whatever reason and a cloud or clouds obscures your view of the DZ). As a student it also helps (even on a no cloud day) if you have a long spot and/or you are unfamiliar with the ground below you due to lack of experience - you will know to e.g. face in the opposite direction to the sun and the DZ will then be somewhere in front of you. I personally find it doubly good practice as it also makes me ask what direction the jump run is on every lift.

* I'm not saying that this means you will be jumping intentionally through thick cloud - I'm talking about the kind of cloud cover you get in this shot.

-----

Official 100 jump wonder

[piisfish 140]

Quote

Quote

Be aware out there folks, you don't want to jump through a cloud that you think has a bottom at 5 and find out it has moved to 2.

That would be a highly unusual weather situation, but obviously, it can happen. My guess is that if the bases of the clouds lowered that rapidly, then a fast moving front was moving into your area and it might have been a good idea to have already been on the ground.

Generally speaking and in normal "fair weather", the bases of the clouds remain at the level in which you'd first encounter them while climbing. However, it is very common for additional clouds to build much higher in the time it takes to climb.

happened to me, going up base was around 2500ft, going down was only 1000ft (300m actually)!!

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM