Hop n' Pops

[flyinghonu 0]

I love em' Also, think they are a great learning tool for a variety of skills and reasons. Was somewhat surprised about how many newer and less experienced jumpers actually don't like them and/or haven't done them since the A license requirement. So how about you?

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix

[Jackpunx 0]

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I love em' Also, think they are a great learning tool for a variety of skills and reasons. Was somewhat surprised about how many newer and less experienced jumpers actually don't like them and/or haven't done them since the A license requirement. So how about you?

other then having the landing area to yourself... its the same difference as a full jump. Isnt it?

[NWFlyer 2]

Like 'em, and living in the Northwest, sometimes that's all you're gonna get, anwyay, and if you want to keep jumping and stay current, it's what you do.

When I first started, they weren't my favorite, but that's because I had a *lot* of trouble with exit stability on my first jumps off the dope rope. Part of my affinity for them is probably that I was a static line student; getting out low doesn't make me uncomfortable because I'd done it so many times before I got off student status, unlike AFF grads who may have only done the one or two required for the A card.

It's nice sometimes to just get out all by yourself and fly your canopy and not worry about dirt diving or points or funneling the exit.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[AFFI 0]

I call em da "Hop & Hook"

[NWFlyer 2]

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other then having the landing area to yourself... its the same difference as a full jump. Isnt it?

I'm not sure I understand the question ...

It's the same as a full jump except for the lack of freefall time. And the cost. And if everyone on the load is doing hop & pops, you certainly don't have the landing area to yourself.

[flyinghonu 0]

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I love em' Also, think they are a great learning tool for a variety of skills and reasons. Was somewhat surprised about how many newer and less experienced jumpers actually don't like them and/or haven't done them since the A license requirement. So how about you?

other then having the landing area to yourself... its the same difference as a full jump. Isnt it?

Not for me. I concentrate mainly on my canopy skills. I don't have a huge dive plan to remember, what altitude are we breaking off at, who's tracking which way, etc. Other than getting stable out the door and pulling, my mind is on my canopy skills. And at my DZ, rarely do you have the landing area to yourself on a hop n' pop.

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix

[kelpdiver 2]

I like em if they provide more than just 3500ft of height so I can do some real canopy work. But not typically available around here, outside of a sunset full height on a weekend.

Haven't done a 3500 since the A - I'm sure I'd be fine, but I'd probably be a little nervous beforehand, after my last silly exit at 13k went funny.

[Silverchic 0]

I do h&p's usually from around 4 or 5 grand - mainly to practice something new with my canopy. It gives you the chance to completely concentrate on your canopy work rather than having to add in freefall rw as well...

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

[monkycndo 0]

My DZ doesn't have a discount for a HnP other than the standard Cessna price. Rather go to full altitude. I do them when a student needs it signed off for their A license. Covers my slot that way.

50 donations so far. Give it a try.

You know you want to spank it
Jump an Infinity

[davelepka 4]

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other then having the landing area to yourself... its the same difference as a full jump. Isnt it?

Jumpsuit - forget it
Goggles - optional
Dirt dive - nada
Long plane ride (more than 5 min) - nope
Trafficy LZ - zippo
High ticket price - no sir
Freefall performance anxiety - not gonna happen
Feezing at 13K - not so freezing at 4k

Did I miss anything?

[Jackpunx 0]

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I love em' Also, think they are a great learning tool for a variety of skills and reasons. Was somewhat surprised about how many newer and less experienced jumpers actually don't like them and/or haven't done them since the A license requirement. So how about you?

other then having the landing area to yourself... its the same difference as a full jump. Isnt it?

Not for me. I concentrate mainly on my canopy skills. I don't have a huge dive plan to remember, what altitude are we breaking off at, who's tracking which way, etc. Other than getting stable out the door and pulling, my mind is on my canopy skills. And at my DZ, rarely do you have the landing area to yourself on a hop n' pop.

I’m not knocking them.. I just love to free fall with other people and thinking about exits and break offs and dirt dives.. I like the canopy ride too.. but I'll make it quick to get back in the air..
Our H/P's are 15 vs 22.
I got a new canopy recently and did a few high pulls... 6k just to get some time on the canopy.. I love it..
I would do a hop and pop any day of the week if we had low clouds and that was my only choice.. but.. with out those conditions.. I'll take it to 12,500

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[wmw999 2,445]

I used to do them all the time; following students out, or just because of weather.

Now, well, the airplane doesn't fly when it's hop'n'pop weather, and students don't jump out on static lines any more.

I can generally find something more interesting to do if I'm going on the Otter anyway. But they're fun.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[davelepka 4]

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I just love to free fall with other people and thinking about exits and break offs and dirt dives.. I like the canopy ride too.. but I'll make it quick to get back in the air..

This is where the point has just shot right over your head. If you can get stable, and deploy safely, your freefall skills are adequate.

Having adequate canopy skills is a little more involved, mostly due to the fact that you WILL run into the ground one way or another on EVERY canopy ride. Think about it.

Now think about how most skydiving fatalites and injuries are happenign these days.

Choose your focus carefully.

[darkwing 5]

I put "other" since I really don't get into the canopy flying part of jumping, a H&P is not worth doing. Heck, if the weather socks in and we have to descend in the airplane, I will usually (but not always) ride down rather than make a low one. My hate of packing is greater than the minor pleasure I'd get from a low jump.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[flyinghonu 0]

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I put "other" since I really don't get into the canopy flying part of jumping, a H&P is not worth doing. Heck, if the weather socks in and we have to descend in the airplane, I will usually (but not always) ride down rather than make a low one. My hate of packing is greater than the minor pleasure I'd get from a low jump.

I guess it's those type of feelings that really surprise me. I thought most jumpers loved ALL parts of skydivng - which will ALWAYS include a canopy ride. Funny that not every jump will include a full altitude freefall though. I LOVE flying my canopy and learning more about it, "feeling" it, etc. on each jump. Sometimes, after a crappy full altitude jump, the canopy ride down is the place where I get my pleasure. Learning and safety aside, I guess I'm really surprised by how many jumpers don't dig on the canopy ride.

And if packing is your excuse, don't be so stinkin' lazy - sheesh!

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix

[pincheck 0]

As already said by Nwflyer they maybe all you can get at some dz cloudbase jumps are fun. its always good to know what getting out at 2k looks like.

i look at it that if there is an emergency and we are told to bail wont be so uptight about it and fook up or panic

Billy-Sonic Haggis Flickr-Fun

[Jackpunx 0]

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I just love to free fall with other people and thinking about exits and break offs and dirt dives.. I like the canopy ride too.. but I'll make it quick to get back in the air..

This is where the point has just shot right over your head. If you can get stable, and deploy safely, your freefall skills are adequate.

Having adequate canopy skills is a little more involved, mostly due to the fact that you WILL run into the ground one way or another on EVERY canopy ride. Think about it.

Now think about how most skydiving fatalites and injuries are happenign these days.

Choose your focus carefully.

I don’t think the point went over my head.. I prefer the upper portion of my skydive VS the bottom.. That doesn’t mean I don’t have fun under canopy.. I land my landing on my feet where I want to.. I will take a canopy cntl class as well.. I never want to stop learning.. But there is nothing I cant do after Free fall that it takes a H/P to do.. I still pull at 3500 regardless.

[JohnRich 4]

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I used to do them all the time; following students out, or just because of weather.

Now, well, the airplane doesn't fly when it's hop'n'pop weather, and students don't jump out on static lines any more.

That's a shame, and it's the result of the big aircraft and fast turnarounds the DZ owners want. Hop 'n Pops slow 'em down, and cost 'em money that they could have made on a full-altitude jumper. And the attitude of a lot of jumpers is that if they can't get 60 seconds of freefall, then anything less is a waste of their time.

At Skydive Houston, they offer a 5k Hop 'n Pop jump for $12. It's a climbing pass whereby the plane doesn't level off or throttle back. But the more speed the better, for me. And 5k gives enough time for some short freefall fun, as well as clear sky for an accuracy approach without worrying about a whole plane-load of zoomies buzzing all around you.

The remainder of the load doesn't mind, as that makes more room in the plane for them to get comfortable for the rest of the ride.

[JohnRich 4]

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if the weather socks in and we have to descend in the airplane, I will usually (but not always) ride down rather than make a low one. My hate of packing is greater than the minor pleasure I'd get from a low jump.

If you're going to be sitting on the ground anyway due to bad weather, wouldn't you have rather gotten in a jump, even if a low one?

[CanuckInUSA 0]

Why I like hop n' pops

1) They are fun.
2) You get your own air space (for the most part).
3) You get time to play with your canopy (high altitude hop n' pops are even better).
4) You can be packed by the time the rest of the load lands.
4) Your cloud ceiling limit is lower than free fallers.
6) They are cheaper.
7) You can get to a beer faster on sunset loads than free fallers do.

I like my hop n' pops!!! Please don't take them away from me.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[flyinghonu 0]

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It's a climbing pass whereby the plane doesn't level off or throttle back. .

Those exits are CRAZY (I like em' too ) but hey, in an emergency situation I seriously doubt there would be an leveling off or throttling back.

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix

[CSpenceFLY 1]

I love them.I really like standing on the step of the Cessna and being low enough to tell who is looking up at you.

.

[flyinghonu 0]

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4) You can be packed by the time the rest of the load lands.

Hey! Not ALL of us can

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix

[justinb138 0]

I've done about 45 5k hop n pops so far

[JohnRich 4]

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It's a climbing pass whereby the plane doesn't level off or throttle back.

Those exits are CRAZY (I like em' too )

It just means that you don't have to spend your first few seconds in mushy air waiting for gravity to speed you up. You have high speed air immediately, and you can start using it immediately. It's almost like instant terminal velocity!

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