BIG DZ AND BIG PLANES

[MexPilot 0]

Hey Yall,
I am currently a newbie to skydiving. I got my A license a couple of weeks ago. I currently have 31 jumps. I recieved my training through the old static line methods out of a 182. The max passenger load I have seen is a big 4 . So this weekend I am thinking of going to Eloy renting some equipment and having fun. Are there any suggestions and tips when jumping at a Big DZ and Big Planes. Any info would help.

Thanx
Diego

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." Leonardo da Vinci

[kai2k1 0]

I'm not an instructor and my advice should be taken with a grain of salt! But here's two that i thought of.



When you're under canopy, be aware of others and keep your head on a swivel

Also I would make sure that you have adequate separation between you and the group the has left before you.

There's no truer sense of flying than sky diving," Scott Cowan

[weegegirl 2]

have fun! and don't forget to bring your beer!







oh, and uhh... make sure you get briefed by an instructor or staff member. it wouldn't hurt to make a jump with a coach when you first get there to become more familiar with the aircraft, lz, etc. and i totally totally totally agree about heads on swivel!!

[AndyMan 7]

The big things to remember about Eloy are simple:

1) Keep your head on a swivel.
2) Landing off in the desert is perfectly acceptable, and nothing you need to avoid. You do not need to "make" the official landing area on every jump.

Eloy is really good about briefing you on the standard ops when you sign the waiver. Pay attention.


_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[dreamsville 0]

If it is still warm when you go to Eloy, watch for dust devils as the place heats up. Most times they aren't there, but you should check conditions and ask about them.
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I don't drink during the day, so I don't know what it is about this airline. I keep falling out the door of the plane.

Harry, FB #4143

[skyyhi 0]

Heck, just going from Elsinore to Perris for me was a big change. . .twice as many people in the air at the same time. . .

After talking to a friend who had only jumped a 182 dz. . .he said the biggest things for him were having all those canopies in the air at one time and the turbulence with the warmer desert air. Be very heads up under canopy and know the landing pattern. . .in fact, do a flight plan so that you have it ingrained in your memory when you jump.

Most important though. . .have fun and stay safe. . .

________________________________________
Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ
FGF #6
Darcy

[Tailgate 0]

Notice my low jump numbers

I have done almost all my jumps out of an Otter or a Casa. My first AFF was out of a Casa. I didn't get the opportunity to jump a small plane till I started going to jump during the week. When I did my first 182 jump it was kind of nice.
Not having all the others in the Air/pattern to watch for was noce. I did notice how cozy it is getting to altitude with 3 other jumpers in a 182.


I will second what the folks here are advising. With all the jumpers in the air, most of whom will be on smaller faster canopies, keep your head and eyes moving. You will probably be pulling higher than most so you will have an opportunity to see the pattern the others are using. Also if there are tandems on the load they will probably be the ones that will be above you.

At one DZ I jump , if there are a lot of tandems on the load, the DZO prefers the fun jumpers to not aim for the peas, just to stay out of the way of the tandems but it is a big landing area.


But, considering my jump numbers, take this with a grain of salt.

_________________________________________________
Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss

[flyhi 24]

Don't get on the first load of the day, or the first one that goes after you get there. See the jump, be the jump.

Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

[mattjw916 2]

You will probably want to avoid the main (north) landing area when you jump at Eloy and head towards the south/student landing area... there is usually far less canopy traffic there and it is less stressful and much easier to fly a normal pattern and land upwind vs the main landing area. See ya there!

NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

[MexPilot 0]

Thanx for all the help you guys, I cant wait.

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." Leonardo da Vinci

[dreamsville 0]

Yes. The main landing area is east-to-west or west-to-east by edict, according to my experience.
|

I don't drink during the day, so I don't know what it is about this airline. I keep falling out the door of the plane.

Harry, FB #4143

[algboy 0]

"The big things to remember about Eloy are simple:
1) Keep your head on a swivel.
2) Landing off in the desert is perfectly acceptable, and nothing you need to avoid. You do not need to "make" the official landing area on every jump.
Eloy is really good about briefing you on the standard ops when you sign the waiver. Pay attention."

Amen to that. I might also add to that--memorize the DZ layout from the air: know where the alternate landing area is and head for it.

Eloy is a fast-paced DZ with a lot of good, experienced jumpers getting onto the planes, so don't be shy about shouting out your dive plan. You'll generally be assisted with loading and exit order. Stay in communication! Don't be a shy newbie--afraid of looking stupid. I have to resist that urge constantly . . .

“Keep your elbow up!"

[AggieDave 6]

I highly recommend spending some time to get good at some RW skills before you go. Then you'll get more bang for your buck at a larger DZ.

Skills like swooping to a formation, fall rate, docking, tracking, etc. All skills that you can easily learn from a 182 with 1 or two other people.

Then when you go to a larger DZ, you'll have the skills you need to go on larger then 4 people formations. Without those skills, it won't be as fun and I bet you'll find yourself on 4-ways or smaller.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Jethers203 0]

Diego,

So, you got your license? Now you are a certified badass. If you go to Eloy, be careful. It is a whole lot different from El Paso. Ask questions and be aware at all times. There will most likely be 20 or more people in the air at once, so keep your head moving around and you will be fine.

As said before, pay attention to the briefing. They may only want you landing east to west in the main landing area regardless of the tetrahedron. If you aren't comfortable with that, land at the alternate area.

Also, GET A GOOD GEAR CHECK. You aren't going to be familiar with the rental gear so ask someone to check you out before every jump.

Have fun.

Clint Chamales D-24352

[gavmaniac 0]

Last year, a relatively new jumper (20-something jumps) on our medium-sized DZ went to visit a larger DZ one weekend. Unfortunately he did not survive the experience. Why? These simple rules were not followed:

1) LISTEN to what experienced jumpers/instructors tell you.
2) Do as they SAY, not as they DO! They're still jumping because they've successfully managed to avoid the Gung-Ho temptation.
3) You are NOT indestructable!
4) EVERYONE ELSE has the right-of-way under canopy!
5) KNOW your collision avoidance procedure, the landing pattern & the landing area for your skill level.
6) ASK, ASK, ASK! Then thank the instructor with a beer at the end of the day.
7) Use your own common sense. If it seems dangerously stupid, it probably is!
8) Baby steps!
9) Smile, breathe & relax.
10) ....

I could go on & on but I think my point is made. The bottom line is that you're responsible for yourself. Use this great opportunity to learn as much as possible & apply the knowledge to your long skydiving career...

See you in the sky...

[mjosparky 4]

Quote

1) LISTEN to what experienced jumpers/instructors tell you.
2) Do as they SAY, not as they DO! They're still jumping because they've successfully managed to avoid the Gung-Ho temptation.
3) You are NOT indestructable!
4) EVERYONE ELSE has the right-of-way under canopy!
5) KNOW your collision avoidance procedure, the landing pattern & the landing area for your skill level.
6) ASK, ASK, ASK! Then thank the instructor with a beer at the end of the day.
7) Use your own common sense. If it seems dangerously stupid, it probably is!
8) Baby steps!
9) Smile, breathe & relax.
10) ....

Gavin,

This is what myself and some other "dinosaurs" have been trying to convey. But your words say it much better then mine. There is a reason some of us have survived in skydiving for 25 or 30 years or more. When there was something to learn, which was most of the time, we LISTENED. Some of what was being said, and still is, was bull shit. But if you LISTEN, you can take a "little bit" from every one. That "little bit" might be what keeps you alive one day. Keep asking questions and LISTEN. And only offer advise on those things that you understand. Not those things you have learned, but only those you understand.

And try to remember, this is recreation, have fun.

Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals