Freefall vs. Windtunnel, and other newbie questions

[pertierr 0]

Ok, so I attempted AFF5(D2) last weekend. I posted here before, my main problem was that I had a past lower back fusion with rods, so arching is a bit hard for me, but not impossible.

Even though D1 went almost perfect, except for the fact that I couldn't completely stop the left turn, D2 was pretty bad. First of all, I was in a cloud pretty much from leaving to plane to just before opening. I was doing a lot of 'potato chipping' or bufetting.

I decided to drive down to the wind tunnel in Tenesse, and did 15 minutes of tunnel time. I eventually got it, and was able to get as high as I wanted and stay in the center. I didn't have enough time to practice turns.

My main question is, how exactly does this correlate to free fall? I noticed the position is a bit different, more spread out. I didn't experience any buffetting, is this really a good approximation of what happens in free fall, or should I make some changes when I go to jump?

I am also currently looking for my first rig. It's kinda hard to find large canopies/copntainers for my body size, I am 6' 180lbs. How small could I go? I know it is a matter of skills...the smallest canopy i've flown so far is a 200 and i've had all standup landings so far. If I could safely go for a 170 that would really open up a lot more options, specially since most containers like the javelins seem to top out at that size...

Thanks in advance!
Juan

[skybytch 273]

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It's kinda hard to find large canopies/copntainers for my body size, I am 6' 180lbs.

Used, right? Yeah, it is quite a challenge to find used rigs with 170+ sq ft canopies - they are very hot commodities.

You might consider getting a new container and filling it with used canopies and AAD - while it's not easy to find used 170+ canopies it's easier than finding them in complete rigs. The advantages of doing this include the advantages of having a new container - harness being built to your measurements (think comfort), your choice of colors and options - and a bit lower sticker shock than you'll have buying all new. You can easily go one size smaller with the main in the same container when you're ready, so the container will be "good" for you for some time; when you do downsize your main you won't have quite the "loss" (or cost to you per jump) that you would if you'd purchased it new.

Disadvantages include that first scratch and higher price.

I would highly recommend that you wait to buy your rig, at least until you have or are close to your A license. You'll be happiest with what you buy if you have a chance to jump a few different mains and containers before putting your money down.

Talk with your instructors about canopy sizes; if one is recommending something smaller than the others, listen to the others. Don't buy a 170 if most instructors who've seen you land a 200 think you should buy a 190.

Consider your previous injury in your canopy size and type decision. I've got three fused vertebrae myself; they're part of the reason my canopy is loaded at 1.0 (and I have 1000 jumps). What happens to your fusion if you screw up a landing - is it possible that those rods could bend? Will a very hard opening affect it (it could)?

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since most containers like the javelins seem to top out at that size...

You can get a Javelin sized to fit a 260 sq ft main. There just aren't that many used Javelins (or other containers) out there that fit 190+ sq ft canopies.

[billvon 2,990]

>My main question is, how exactly does this correlate to free fall?

You will have to arch more in freefall; the Pigeon Forge tunnel operates at low airspeeds, and you will want the stability of a harder arch in your AFF. However, the basics are the same.