jumpinjackflash 0 #1 October 14, 2003 Ok, made a bit of a screw up... Trying to learn how to enter the zone, on my own. Long story short, second jump of the day. I hit the zone at 1000 feet. COOL. Exactly where I want to be. Running paralell to the runway and the tetrahedron. Downwind. Reach the end of the runway, 500 feet, apply left toggle to crosswind. At this point I'm thinking. "I'm pretty short here, I shoulda let out another few yards to drop off altitude)". I SHOULD'VE HELD CROSS WIND AT THAT POINT Before going to my approach.... Anyhow. Hit approach around 200. Obviously to me, I'm going to over shoot my landing area, which, now that were under construction can be interesting to say the least (lotsa dirt, mounds and stuff to the left). But it's not the construction thats got me, it's the ditch and I'm headed right for the mouth of a huge concrete culvert. Now in retrospect, I could of/should of held half breaks to hold position (Will do that next time) I should've done lots of shit to avoid my current position. but... so, around 30 feet up, I apply some left toggle to veer to the left of the concrete monster (can see the thing eating me now!!!) effectively breaking the no turn rule. Now I'm headed for the dirt. Doesn't bother me a damn bit, rather that than the concrete. But, my left wings dropped a bit, I FLAIR, land on ass, little hard.... I HAD TO TURN THE DAMN THING OR EAT CONCRETE. I Agree I shouldn't of, but had to. Any advice? I already know what put me in the position (bad planning on my part), like I said, there were any number of things I could've done to avoid it, and you can bet I will the next time.... It was a good lesson in many ways, especially cuz I didn't break anything! However, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FACED WITH A NASTY COLISSION? WoULD YOU ATTEMPT A LOW TURN? EVEN LIGHTLY??? Needless to say, I made it. No injuries. But that doesn't mean I don't take my teacher seriously. I believe what they are telling me. I just feel I had no choice in the matter... thanks guys/gals for your input jjfIt's a gas, gas, gas... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #2 October 14, 2003 One thing that I can suggest to you is that you talk to your instructors about learning Flat or Braked turns. Low turns can kill, but there is a proper way to turn that you can lose much less altitude. Lots of practice with flat turns up high can help save your life if your near the ground and end up leaving yourself in a situation where you need to turn, be it poor flight plan or getting cut off or whatever. Do talk to your AFFi's or other instructors at your DZ for more information about this stuff.~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #3 October 14, 2003 Since you were already in the predicament of either hitting the wall or taking it into the dirt, it was most likely to your benefit to avoid the wall. A flat turn could have lessened the impact with the ground. Pull down on both toggles about half way, then more to (in this instance) the left. You may have to let up some with the right. As you approach the ground finish the flare with both toggles and prepare for a real PLF. Once you're screwed you have to take what you get. Go talk with some one that can instruct you on proper flat turning techniques. Then practice them up high. At some point you'll be able to practice lower. It's an essential survival skill to learn how to turn flat and flare out of it. If you haven't done PLF practice, you've just given yourself reason to do some. Several upper level AFF students have thanked me later for making them practice PLFs again. (Yes I do my own PLF demonstrations )My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinjackflash 0 #4 October 14, 2003 Groovy Will do Planned to Just listenin to the gang here as well. All input is good. Ok, well, somes downright stupid, but if we run it by the ones we know know, then.... :-) peaceIt's a gas, gas, gas... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinjackflash 0 #5 October 14, 2003 Ok, thanks SO MUCH... Actually I have done a little "Flat Turn" training! I just apparently didn't think at all on this, and use it then!!! Wow, feel real stupid now. Live and learn. I'll keep practicin the flats though. Very good point re plf's as well. I've actually had a few rough landings, and didn't do it that well either. Need to get that right as well. THANKS!!! jjfIt's a gas, gas, gas... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b1jercat 0 #6 October 14, 2003 Hi, one thing that should be mentioned, if you have to make a braked approach low to avoid an obstical,so be it. However I've been told once near the ground in half breaks if you let up on the toggles the canopy will dive as it goes back into full flight. hope this helps. blue skies jerry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #7 October 14, 2003 You are solving the wrong problem. The key to obstacle avoidance isn't what you do at the last second, it's what you do at 1,000ft, 500ft, 200ft. Don't let your brain arrive in the pattern 30 seconds behind the canopy.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinjackflash 0 #8 October 14, 2003 Exactly. And don't you know I was thinking the very same thing while I was looking at that concrete hole... Can bet, like highway driving, I'll be thinking 1,000 feet ahead from here on out. Flat turns was a great point though. If I'd of held half brakes early on in the field, I could've avoided the end run as well. All good stuff. Thanks JackIt's a gas, gas, gas... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifics 0 #9 October 14, 2003 I have landed OFF a couple of times, I tend to call myself WayOff now For some reason I love landing near the plane In 2 cases I have said to myself plane or water, hmmmm?? I did manage to brake turn to the ground in the middle. Landed on my feet in just enough time to look over at the pilot giving me a head shake The next 2 jumps of that day when I landed before the plane I managed to hit my target, something about that Otter that gets my blood pumping I guess Brake turns are a good thing in clutch situations (for me so far at least) But the best way for me so far is getting my pattern down at the proper alti, doing that can save you some heartache... P.S Don't take my advice too seriously because I only have about 16 jumps now and I am on my 5th beer of the night Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
juanesky 0 #10 October 14, 2003 All those were good advices, but you also can do S turns in your landing pattern, if you think you are overshooting, granted, it works best when you check the airspace traffic... Glad you made it and learn from it"According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
