richardd 0 #1 August 25, 2003 Well into my RAPS training had a great day yesterday. Jump 15 was from 8k in the big boys plane and did turns. Jump 16 was from 14k and did an unstable exit....awesome. Im now quite close to cat-8. But.... Under canopy everything was ok intially. However the wind had picked up to 25+ from very little(4-5). I approached as usual, faced into wind above the crowd of people(@500FT) with a view to desending slowly towards the target. I ended up being taken backwards rather than forwards and drifted over numerous hazards (hangars, cars etc). I landed in a PLF backwards and was dragged a short distance stopping near a hedge right next to the road entrance to the airfield....im fine though. Got some stick by a bloke that picked me up who didnt seem interested in my reasoning although my JM said conditions changed and nearly caught him out. He said that at my experience i wasnt to know and did everyting as usual. I was also told that i wouldnt hve normally jumped in those conditions. So i feel it was a close one and i messed up but can justify my actions but have learned a lot. I didnt do any low turns or anything silly. Anyone experienced anything similar. Im annoyed with myself over this one as it took the edge off a great day.. Feedback gratefully received. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymick 0 #2 August 25, 2003 I wouldnt worry about it, conditions can change without notice and your JM wouldnt of put you up if he thought the conditions were too harsh for you. I had the same thing happen to me on an AFF 5 jump ages ago. Conditions were just below student limits but sometime after we exited the winds must of picked up cause I found myself going backwards as soon as I dumped. Problem was the spot was shit as I opened right over the target. I ended up staying in the wind doing some sashays to loose height but ended up landing right in the corner of a field with factories on one side of me and a highway on the otherside. I was a bit harsh on myself after it happened but in those circumstances I was told I did the right things. The only thing that sounds you might of doen wrong is allow yourself to go too far downwind of the target but I doubt there would be anyone on here who hasnt done that at least once or twice Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites phonics1981 0 #3 August 25, 2003 A similar thing happened to me on my AFF. The winds changed and the forward speed of the big PD280 student canopy didnt have enough forward speed to stop me going backwards. ------------------------------------------------------ "Ive given up on sigs cos I make a mess of them!" ------------------------------------------------------ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites dterrick 0 #4 August 25, 2003 Hi Richard! Don't be annoyed, rather consider yourself as 'having gotten away with one' even if it wasn;t so pretty. Indeed I have been there ...once as a student at about jump #15 or so. Similar numbers - a storm front 'just blew in' ... and believe me in the fall at Gimli this can happen. I was still on radio (always, until off student status) and the DZO had the console. He directed me very professionally including a phrase something like 'Dave the wind conditions have changed a LOT and you need to do EXACTLY as I tell you even if it sounds wrong'. "Strange" was essentially holding until about 600 ft then running and into a toggle 180 right over the target, which I hit - my 'Beer' hook turn as it were. The JM agreed with the DZO that 'we all got away with one'. Without radio direction I'd have been in exactly your position. It sounds like you did very well. Quote So i feel it was a close one and i messed up but can justify my actions but have learned a lot. I didnt do any low turns or anything silly. Anyone experienced anything similar. Im annoyed with myself over this one as it took the edge off a great day.. -Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites richardd 0 #5 August 25, 2003 Thanks. Looking forward to the next jump to put that one behind me. Dive exits and backloops next!! and a good landing! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites FreeDiver 0 #6 August 25, 2003 I would make a 180 turn and approach the DZ flying backwards nothing is broken - that's good Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites richardd 0 #7 August 25, 2003 I think the lesson here is in recognising the wind strength. There was very little wind when going up. In normal conditions i would have landed spot on. Yeah in hindsight turn 180 earlier and land backwards. I hope i dont overcompensate for this experience by landing in the mddle of the airfield every time!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites pilotdave 0 #8 August 25, 2003 I've landed backing up and been dragged more times than I would have liked, but it happens. Even when the winds are steady, it can be tough to judge how you'll land compared to everyone else since most people will be jumping much faster canopies. I actually ran into the opposite problem yesterday. I planned my approach for relatively strong winds but they died way down while I was in the air. I lined up on final over the edge of the landing area (so I wouldn't cross a treeline on final) expecting to come down nearly vertically. Instead I got plenty of forward progress and had to S-turn to avoid landing long. I think faster canopies have less dependence on wind speed. You won't have to worry as much about backing up when you buy your own gear. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites richardd 0 #9 August 25, 2003 I think you are right. I have a big 280 canopy and i think i was more of a passenger than a pilot in those strong winds. I was looking at the others on the load(pros) for an indicator of a good run in direction which was probably not beneficial as they just cut through the wind and i drifted off to see what fate had in store It was surreal. I flared into a PLF going backwards and was being dragged across some grass at a reasonable rate. Whilst quickly pulling through my brake line to collapse it a nearby grazing horse went crackers at the sight of this big red canopy and ran off making a racket. "apologies to the owner who came out to ask if i was ok". I dont smoke but it was one of those 'castella cigar' moments for those that have seen the adverts. On my next visit to the DZ i will be wearing a wig and comedy glasses to disguise myself as it was a bit embarassing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. 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phonics1981 0 #3 August 25, 2003 A similar thing happened to me on my AFF. The winds changed and the forward speed of the big PD280 student canopy didnt have enough forward speed to stop me going backwards. ------------------------------------------------------ "Ive given up on sigs cos I make a mess of them!" ------------------------------------------------------ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dterrick 0 #4 August 25, 2003 Hi Richard! Don't be annoyed, rather consider yourself as 'having gotten away with one' even if it wasn;t so pretty. Indeed I have been there ...once as a student at about jump #15 or so. Similar numbers - a storm front 'just blew in' ... and believe me in the fall at Gimli this can happen. I was still on radio (always, until off student status) and the DZO had the console. He directed me very professionally including a phrase something like 'Dave the wind conditions have changed a LOT and you need to do EXACTLY as I tell you even if it sounds wrong'. "Strange" was essentially holding until about 600 ft then running and into a toggle 180 right over the target, which I hit - my 'Beer' hook turn as it were. The JM agreed with the DZO that 'we all got away with one'. Without radio direction I'd have been in exactly your position. It sounds like you did very well. Quote So i feel it was a close one and i messed up but can justify my actions but have learned a lot. I didnt do any low turns or anything silly. Anyone experienced anything similar. Im annoyed with myself over this one as it took the edge off a great day.. -Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richardd 0 #5 August 25, 2003 Thanks. Looking forward to the next jump to put that one behind me. Dive exits and backloops next!! and a good landing! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FreeDiver 0 #6 August 25, 2003 I would make a 180 turn and approach the DZ flying backwards nothing is broken - that's good Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richardd 0 #7 August 25, 2003 I think the lesson here is in recognising the wind strength. There was very little wind when going up. In normal conditions i would have landed spot on. Yeah in hindsight turn 180 earlier and land backwards. I hope i dont overcompensate for this experience by landing in the mddle of the airfield every time!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #8 August 25, 2003 I've landed backing up and been dragged more times than I would have liked, but it happens. Even when the winds are steady, it can be tough to judge how you'll land compared to everyone else since most people will be jumping much faster canopies. I actually ran into the opposite problem yesterday. I planned my approach for relatively strong winds but they died way down while I was in the air. I lined up on final over the edge of the landing area (so I wouldn't cross a treeline on final) expecting to come down nearly vertically. Instead I got plenty of forward progress and had to S-turn to avoid landing long. I think faster canopies have less dependence on wind speed. You won't have to worry as much about backing up when you buy your own gear. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richardd 0 #9 August 25, 2003 I think you are right. I have a big 280 canopy and i think i was more of a passenger than a pilot in those strong winds. I was looking at the others on the load(pros) for an indicator of a good run in direction which was probably not beneficial as they just cut through the wind and i drifted off to see what fate had in store It was surreal. I flared into a PLF going backwards and was being dragged across some grass at a reasonable rate. Whilst quickly pulling through my brake line to collapse it a nearby grazing horse went crackers at the sight of this big red canopy and ran off making a racket. "apologies to the owner who came out to ask if i was ok". I dont smoke but it was one of those 'castella cigar' moments for those that have seen the adverts. On my next visit to the DZ i will be wearing a wig and comedy glasses to disguise myself as it was a bit embarassing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
