Returning to sport and landing issues - advice?

[terminalrush40 0]

Hi all:

I'm Stacy, and I'm returning to the sport after a long break.

A little history - roughly 8 years in the sport, almost 800 jumps. Mostly 16, 20 ways, a few big ways. Pretty competent belly flyer (I think?), but landing was never my strong suite. I jump a PD 150. During the newbie years I had some accuracy issues, which I eventually overcame, meaning that I can pick a general area and land there. But I've never been one of those people that can hit dead center any time, any jump. Also, the dozen or so jumps before quitting, I seemed to have lost my flare point. Sometimes too early, mostly too late. It might have been currency issues, or maybe just the canopy getting old, or a combo of both...not sure.

I left the sport in '99 due to a herniated disc. Had surgery in 2000, and did one jump in June of 2001. For various reasons, haven't jumped since then. However, after working for a year and a half with a chiropractor, I'm now good to get back in the air!

Of course, I'm excited, and a little nervous, and the main worry is landing. Since it wasn't an area in which I felt completely competent to begin with, it's even more of challenge after being out of practice for so long, and being mindful now of the metal in my neck.

The only thing I've been doing to prepare is going over the basics in my head, and watching "Fly Like a Pro". Not sure if there is anything else to do. However, I'd appreciate any advice, input, thoughts, support any of you would like to offer.

A well meaning person suggested using a zero P canopy right away to get a better landing. Since I've never jumped a zero p, I'm not sure that's such a hot idea. Plus the whole "borrowed gear" factor on the first jump back makes me a little edgy.

Thanks in advance.
Blue Skies,
Stacy

P.S. I remember seeing a computer canopy flight simulator - I think in skydiving magazine. Any one know where I can use/rent one in the So Cal area? I checked the Elsinore & Perris website, and nothing about that.

[skybytch 273]

Take a canopy control course as soon as possible. You'll be amazed at how much you didn't know and how much better you'll be at accuracy and landing once you learn it.

I'd also suggest replacing your PD150 with something zp, maybe not right away but in the near future. The flare is much better and the openings are generally softer. Demo a few different ones before you buy - I'd recommend checking out the Spectre, Sabre2, Pilot and Safire.

[terminalrush40 0]

Canopy control course!! Excellent idea. I had no idea that even existed.

I appreciate the input Lisa. Eventually I will try zero p...once I'm comfortably "back in the saddle" again.

I'm thinking for the first couple of jumps waiting for a little wind to pick up would be a good idea..just to play it safe and get a feel for my canopy again.

Any other thoughts out there?

[Guest 1010]

I'd call your rig manufacturer with s/n in hand and ask if there are any mods suggested/required by them for your rig. And similarly if/before you begin freeflying with an older rig, any mods to make it FF safe.

(newbie .02)
welcome back! have fun!
blue skies

You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two.

[ScottMcC 0]

Quote

Canopy control course!! Excellent idea. I had no idea that even existed.

I appreciate the input Lisa. Eventually I will try zero p...once I'm comfortably "back in the saddle" again.

I'm thinking for the first couple of jumps waiting for a little wind to pick up would be a good idea..just to play it safe and get a feel for my canopy again.

Any other thoughts out there?

Elsinore should have a good canopy control course for you...and if not Perris definitely will.

You might even consider going to a bigger canopy (170ish) but zp. But really, the most important thing is to get hooked up with a good canopy coach and getting your skills back/learning new skills. They'll be able to offer you good recommendations for the right canopy for your skill level and preferences.

[wmw999 2,449]

Even if you stick with a PD non-ZP, you might want to upsize the canopy. A 170 or a 190 would still give you a lot more room for timing errors in your flare.

I jumped a 220 sq. ft. F111 canopy for the last 600 jumps of my first skydiving life, and did a downsize day when I bought a new rig about a year after I started jumping again. A 190 ZP was absolutely no harder to jump (although it did have harder toggle pressure). It was still well under 1.1-1, but made for a decent downsize.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[jmpwme 0]

Hi Stacy -

Canopy control course for sure. Jonathan Tagle is at Elsinore. Even if a course is not scheduled, you can still likely get one-on-one coaching. Hit the Elsinore Web site for more info.

Regarding canopies, can't say enough about the Spectre. I've known several people with landing issues similar to yours and they love it. When you start back, I agree with the other comments that you might want to upsize canopies until you find one that is right for you.

[terminalrush40 0]

Great input - thanks all! Not sure if a bigger PD will fit in my container - it was made for a PD 150. So I think probably moving to zp will be the viable option.

Thanks Steve for the name, and I'll probably see you at the dz. I think I've jumped with you on Fielding loads? :)

[AndyMan 7]

If I remember correctly, Elsinore has excellent modern student gear available.

After a long break, I always recomend people jump canopies a few sizes bigger than what they were jumping before the break.

Elsinore student canopies will all be ZP, which is a good thing. The industry largely has gotten away from non-ZP canopies for sport mains, and this is pretty much generally accepted as a "good thing", simply because they age better.

I think renting bigger and newer gear is especially important since you suspect that your old main may be getting a bit too worn out.

Start with student gear, then buy your own new (zp) main.

Student gear aint what it used t be.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[scottswoops 0]

Hey Stacy,
Most of the advice Im reading for you seems good. Especially the canopy control course! As for the PD 150 and your hesitation to move to ZP......hmmm...... I think you might want to look at other options. The term "higher performance" isn't something you should be afraid of. Think of it as, "better performance." Things have changed over the past several years. Some would even go as far to say the sport has evolved. Although the newer canopies have the POTENTIAL to slam you into the ground, it is no longer an inherent flight characteristic (generally speaking of course). Most of the newer canopies actually offer LIFT, which is something you want. I'm guessing that your PD 150 might have had something to do with your problematic landings. It's an element of the equation you have the ability to change right out of the gate. I would find a qualified coach that you trust and talk to him/her. Explain your concerns, ask questions, and ask if they feel your best choice is the PD-150. I'm anticipating the answer will be no to the 150. A few canopies you may want to consider would be PDs Silhouett, Sabre2, or maybe the Spectre. You might want to think about contacting Performance Designs and speaking to the Demo department. They have an awsome program and everybody there is very helpful. With some decent coaching and a decent canopy, I think you'll see some radical improvement in your landings. Good Luck!

"Try not! Do, or do not.... there is no try."
--Yoda

[terminalrush40 0]

Thanks Scott. Yep, after reading all the advice, and talking with a few other jumper friends, I think my plan of action is going to be:

Jump the PD150 at first, get some canopy control coaching/class right away, and then when I'm feeling comfortable, start checking out the ZP canopies.

Thanks again all for the input.

[rmarshall234 14]

Stacy,
We are offering an Essential Skills canopy course at Elsinore on the 24th of this month. Call for the price. As was mentioned in one of the other post, you'd be amazed at what you haven't learned about flying and landing your canopy. Check out the canopy course on the Elsinore website if your interested.
Robert

I edited your ad. Please refrain from advertising in the forum. Instead, post a link to your own site if you want people to know the particulars. -Chuck