Season starting, some canopy flight things to consider

[jdfreefly 1]

The 2004 season is starting and I just wanted to list some things that people should try to remember:

1. You are probably not as current as you should be. After a long and bitter winter, many of us are blowing the dust off our rigs. No need to go big just yet. Ease yourself into the season until you get your swoop legs back!

2. You might weigh more now than you did last time you jumped. People often underestimate this factor. If you were highly loading your canopy last season, you may be loading it more know. An extra 10-15 pounds on 2.x loaded canopy will make a difference.

3. You aren't the only one his uncurrent. Keep your eyes open under canopy. The only canopy collision we had last year occurred at the start of the season.

Overall, if you have been dormant for a while...TAKE IT EASY. Start the season off with a couple hop and pops and run through some canopy survival exercises. The summer will be a lot less fun watching it from a wheelchair.

Methane Freefly - got stink?

[cadmium 0]

Well said! I might add to that by saying don't try anything new first jump back either. For example last month first jump back after 4-5 months I witnessed a person jump a camera for the first time first jump back and he had gain 15ish pounds over the winter. Not smart He ignored advise from the S&TA and jumped anyway. Luck was on his side this time and all went well, but that isn't always the case. Use caution until you are back in your groove. Be safe!

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On the Journey of Life! Want a Ride?

[Praetorian 1]

Quote

He ignored advise from the S&TA and jumped anyway.

Shouldn't this get him some talking to, maybe warned that ignoring the S&TA is not allowed, at least not without some discussion, if you really disagree with the S&TA maybe a quick word with the DZO should be standard before just ignoring him, and maybe a grounding should be standard if you try something new and potentially extra dangerous without talking with/getting the aproval of (or an overruleing by DZO) the S&TA

Good Judgment comes from experience...a lot of experience comes from bad
judgment.

[Designer 0]

Good Post.I jumped this winter and spring very carefully.Still have yet to do a swoop landing because the conditions for it have not been there yet!I don't hook turn either!So,something else to remember.TY

[Unstable 9]

The first good weekend in March is always a good one for watching interesting landings. Have some video of some pretty hairy ones from last month..

=========Shaun ==========