Pin checks in the plane

[michaelflying 0]

www.skydivekzn.co.za

[riggerrob 643]

EDITED TO ADD: Every pin check I have ever received (from experienced jumpers and even AFF instructors) has been followed by a forceful hand-pat on top of my main flap. This jolt to my rig is usually the hardest jolt it encounters on the entire plane ride. Think about that a minute.

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Great habit!
We have blamed several cracked pin covers on this ancient habit.
Now at Pitt Meadows, he tap the guy on the shoulder, give him a thumbs up and say "Your pins are good!"
But I want to encourage everyone else to continue knocking the wind out of their fellow jumpers as I charge $50 per hour to replace cracked pin covers.

[dove 0]

I ALWAYS get a pin check. You just never know. You are never too experienced to get a pin check. Even when jumping with real shit-hot skydivers I ask them for a pin check. Who gives a rat's ass what anyone thinks? And if someone says, "do you want me to check your reserve too?" I always say yes because what if I say no thanks and then my reserve deploys on its own?

Better safe than sorry. Only takes a few seconds for a whole lotta piece of mind.

Fall in dove.

[Hazarrd 1]

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I ALWAYS get a pin check. You just never know. You are never too experienced to get a pin check. Even when jumping with real shit-hot skydivers I ask them for a pin check. Who gives a rat's ass what anyone thinks? And if someone says, "do you want me to check your reserve too?" I always say yes because what if I say no thanks and then my reserve deploys on its own?

Better safe than sorry. Only takes a few seconds for a whole lotta piece of mind.

I don't normally get pin checks, but if I remembered to all the time I would. But how about the people who say "well i dont know what the hell the guy is doing to my rig back there...i checked it on the ground, its fine now."

.-.

[vonSanta 0]

The thing with pin checks is that when you need 'em most, they're hardest to do.

I've seen plenty of jumpers on C-182s and C-206's forego the pin check because "it's too much trouble in such a cramped up space". I'd think that because it's very cramped would be a compelling reason to get one.

Admittedly, it can be a wee bit hard on a C-182 and you bump into others doing it (heard this as an argument against doing pin checks in 182s). It's easier when people have turned around but by then there's not a whole lotta time.

In my excitement I've forgotten to get one a couple of times. I jump mostly with my sister nowadays though and sorta like the reassuring slap-on-the-helmet 'you're good' thing she does.

Santa Von GrossenArsch
I only come in one flavour
ohwaitthatcanbemisunderst

[phoenixlpr 0]

Why do you need a pin check in a C182/206? Youve just sat in and going to jump out. You dont even have space to do anything.

[vonSanta 0]

Well, it's a 30 minute ride to altitude. Peoples legs start to fall asleep and there's a lot of shuffling at times. Then when you turn around to face the door you bump into either the plane or others.

I take care to ahve a hand over my pc/flaps but in some spots turning around one handed can be difficult - even if you're not wearing student gear. Add a tandem and it gets really cramped.

Santa Von GrossenArsch
I only come in one flavour
ohwaitthatcanbemisunderst

[sunshine 2]

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Why do you need a pin check in a C182/206? Youve just sat in and going to jump out. You dont even have space to do anything.

In the particular incident that prompted me to start this thread, we were in a 182.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[andybr6 0]

I only have 40 jumps but had one experience which made me very cautious about getting others to give me pin checks. I was doing a solo jump as i was half way through WARP and wanted a relaxed jump to just play around. All through my WARP jumps my coach had been checking my pins and he was familiar with the rig and this gave me more confidence when i was in the door. On this particular jump i turned to a experienced [1000 jumps] skydiver and aske him to do a pin check. He did but did not replace my reserve flap correctly, rather than put the tuck tab under the flap, he put it under the wire leading to the resere pin [i jump a mirage G2] luckily a instructer noticed it didnt look right and stopped me and corrected it. Ever since them i have a strict policy; I always check my own main pin on jump run and only if there is someone i know and trust i will have them do a pin check as well. I am confident that my reserve pin will not move because of the container i jump and the precautions i take in the plane.

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"All men can fly, but sadly, only in one direction"

[freakydiver 0]

Just a question - how do you check your own main pin on jump run, do you feel for the excess pin past the closing loop?

-- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

[phoenixlpr 0]

I had rides with C-172,182,206. Mostly the only thing I do is sit. I still cant see any point to do a pin check. My pin should be where it is/was on the ground.

[freakydiver 0]

It may get knocked, it may shift - many a reason to do a pin check after takeoff and prior to jump run...

-- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

[phoenixlpr 0]

If you have a right size of container your pin is tight enough not to move anywhere. And if its tight and it is in a protected and safe place whats the point to check it? Its better to check the harmness and PC instead.

[freakydiver 0]

Don't know about you - but I think the more checks the better. Alot can happen from the time you have it checked on the ground until the point you leave the aircraft. I know of TWO examples where a pin check would've really helped two individuals out.

Good luck.

Be safe.

-- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

[Aviatrr 0]

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Just a question - how do you check your own main pin on jump run, do you feel for the excess pin past the closing loop?

Exactly. Feel that the pin is in the same orientation it was when you packed it(if not, it's an indication it's been pushed around - get somebody else to take a look at it), and that the closing loop is near the head of the pin. I do this all the time. I have seen people ask for a pin check, and have somebody open the flap, move the bridle out of the way, check the pin, close the flap, and leave bridle sticking out from underneath the flap. That's a premature deployment waiting to happen - especially when freeflying. If it's not somebody I trust immensely(and I am 100% sure they know my model rig and will do it the way I want it done), I'll do it myself.

Mike

[Kris 0]

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If you have a right size of container your pin is tight enough not to move anywhere. And if its tight and it is in a protected and safe place whats the point to check it? Its better to check the harmness and PC instead.

This is the kind of complacency that gets people killed and puts others in danger.

It has been my experience that it is much easier to move/dislodge a pin in a Cessna 182, 205, 206 than in larger turbines.

With most turbines, you have some type of bench to sit on. With a Cessna, you are generally sitting on the floor, leaning back a lot more using your rig for a cushion, and compressing the bottom of your container. More than one time I have seen someone lean forward and their d-bag falls out because of this.

I jump Cessna's a lot so I keep a very tight closing loop. If I don't break a sweat just trying to close the container then it's not tight enough. Also, I always try to sit cross-legged if possible so I am not leaning on the back of my container. It also helps that with my Mirage, I can reach behind me under the main flap and give myself my own pin-check, which I always do before getting up to prepare for exit. If something doesn't feel right back there, I have someone else on the load look it over.

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™