FreeDiver 0 #1 June 1, 2003 Hi, I made my 3rd solo jump today with a 40 lbs lighter camera man and it didn't turn out too well... He transitioned from belly to shute axis all the time to try to keep me up... will this difference in weight give any problems once I start doing RW ?? Especially since my friend who is did AFF with me is 40 lbs lighter too I'm 176 lbs thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #2 June 1, 2003 Weight alone isn't the determining factor. You also need to factor in how much surface area you take up (height & width), how much drag you get from what you're wearing and your overall body position. An average sized man (5'10" tall) weighing in at 176 lbs with an average jumpsuit in a belly-to-earth jump generally isn't going to fall too fast for any camera flyer (or just about anyone else either) to stay down with. On the other hand, if you're 4 feet tall and weigh 176 lbs, then that might start to become an issue, but even at that, there are a number of things you could do to work things out.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sducoach 0 #3 June 2, 2003 But, when you start doing RW I strongly suggest a well fitted jump suit. I just did a Skydive U mini-camp with three big boys and they had to re-learn how to fly in something other than a de-arched position because they had always flown de-arched to stay with us little people. When you fly like that you limit your own "range" in relation to the other flyers. Jump suits are a tool to help us all fly together so get a good one and go have fun!James 4:8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowbird 0 #4 June 3, 2003 beware - add generous grains of salt since I'm still a 100jump wonder Being lighter than about half the other jumpers at my home dz, I'm a notorious floater. I'd pretty much resolved myself to getting a weight vest, but I'm finding that as I get more experience - and made a real jumpsuit - my range has increased drastically. So don't worry too much, time and experience and working with your coaches have a way of fixing that problem. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deleted 0 #5 June 3, 2003 Sounds like the problem may not have been all you. The light weight of the video person and their level of experience might have been a contributing factor. I've done a lot of video jumps and have yet to come across someone I can"t stay with, except for the occasional 100 pound floaty person...and that's why I have wings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #6 June 5, 2003 " buoyancy" while in freefall.... Like aspect ratio, and like wing loading ratios, we could each have a better idea of what our personal freefall profiles might be... Mass, ( measured in pounds or kilos) over (average) surface area in preferred freefall position,,measured in square inches or sq. centimeters.....equals a person's " fall ability - float ability " quotient.... a fallrate with a number...... As quade points out,,, 2 jumpers of 176 pounds,,,WILL fall differently if one is tall and one is short...... I know I know it is hard to calculate surface area,, effectively and accurately,,,,and maybe that is why such a formula does not exist. Yet that measurement ,, if utilized ,could help people, as they decide on gear purchases, jumpsuits,, etc.. . These ratios might also allow load organizers to plan certain skydives more effectively..... based on fallrate needs....... I suppose if you were to lay a jumpsuit which fits you snugly,,,,, on a table and measure and calcuate and added up all the various sq. inches contained in the sleeves and legs, and torso etc, then do the math it takes to add in your hands and feet and Head.......hahaha.. .... good thing for calculators....Then,,,,,you might have a close approximation to surface area... The weight component would be much easier to determine......... and thus the ratio, expressed as a number,,, can be determined...sensible?? or not ??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #7 June 5, 2003 Oh, I've tried to figure out something like that, but humans are just too variable in their construction, body position and fabric choices for me to nail it down in normal freefall. To do it "right", it'd be interesting to put people of different heights, weights and wearing different fabrics in a wind tunnel for some experiments. My guess is that in that sort of controlled environment you could probably come up with something fairly accurate.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
