w4p2

Six weeks on, six off

I am looking more for readability in 1000 feet to 300 feet range than extreme accuracy. For newbie like me, the 10 degree needle movement that covers the mentioned range in standard altimeters just is not comfortable. In due time the eye will develop an ability to judge the altitudes but until then, and in order to assist the eye, I intend to use digital altimeter unless I find a better solution. Cheers: w4p2

Using the word legend, was by no means intended to be disrespectful. Nor was it intended to question the reality of any of the events under discussion, just the opposite. In my native language legend is considered as adjective with positive qualities, and that was it's intended use in my posting. Never the less the thread achieved it's purpose and brought into light something that at least for us green horns, was fading into the twilight. Respectfully: w4p2

Tib versus fib One thing I am rather sure of is that it is the left foot., LOL To set the record straight, it is the smaller one of the bones and healing just fine. Cheers: w4p2

Thank you for the guidance. This same matter was discussed on safety and training and combined input is: not available. So I go 4 digital. Cheers: w4p2

More than extreme accuracy I am looking 4 easy reading and I would only rely on units functioning on barometric principle. For me, 15 degrees of arc for last 1000 feet just does not cut it. With regard to anything functioning based to (D)GPS info, thank you, but no thank you. I play with these gadgets 12 hr / day six weeks at the time and while they are great in assisting you, they are one of the main problems in modern day navigation. How would you like to depend on one, the moment US starts bombing s... out of some of the wall ajatollah. Flaring with one?? LOL, I still have one good foot. Cheers: w4p2

Thank you for the information. Once I was ashore, I called a couple of mountaineering shops, but got nowhere through them. So for me, the matter is closed and I will go for a digital one. Thanks for all of your contributions. I will be limping along, and diving in five weeks. cheers: w4p2

The legend lives on Thank You for everyone, who has contributed to this thread. It is amusing how the time flies and 30 years is apparently enough to turn history into history with question marks. I am sure, there are a lot of rookies like myself who have wondered about the stories... weather to believe or not to. Well..... no more questions on that one. My special regards and respects to Mr.Bill Cole. It has been a honor to have your own comments on the matter. Blue skies: w4p2

I have heard, but haven't been able to locate. They were used by some precession jumpers. The accuracy is a added value, but the point is readability. 360 degrees for last 1000 feet is easier to observe than the current 15 degrees. Digital meter could do the trick but analog is easier to observe. Cheers: w4p2

Years ago I heard a story of someone jumping out of plane without rig. According to the story a second jumper then followed, passed a rig for the first one and both of them landed ok. This has supposedly happened in US roughly 25 years ago. Is it a urban legend or does someone know details?

Do you have info of any manufacturers that would make altimeters with two rotating pointers, one that would show x 100f and other x 1000 f, on other words with a face similar to ones used in aircrafts.

Thanks I am limping along and flying in five weeks but I would still like to find information regarding alternative landing positions ( not meaning on your ass, nose or running, but serious alternatives for heavier lads, if any) as well as info of analog altimeters that would use same face configuration that is used in aircrafts giving aprox one full rotation of the pointer for each 1000 feet and having a second pointer for x 1000. Cheers w4p2

You are correct, my spelling mistake, the fractured bone was tibia.

280 f2 manta with total exit wait, including gear, 110 kg. Only reason for the incident that I can think of is just bad luck and unsuitable position of the feet. cheers: w4p2

Agree in what you say, however reading 1000 feet ond 360 degree dial is still better than reading the same over 15 dedgee arc. The type of altimeter that I am looking for was, at least in the past used in precession jumping. cheers w4p2

I agree, but my foot does not. There was no drama in landing, PLF went ok, but the foot did not agree with that either. So the next time my feet will point directly ahead. cheers w4p2

Thats the short story, second jump and fractured tibula. Jippididoo. Here is the longer version. I have a long running interest in skydiving, and finally decided to take a course. I have been involved in number of "risk" sports for long times (35 years in diving, 25 years in offshore racing, 30 years in enduro, serious downhill 37 yrs etc...) and have not had any serious injuries. Personally I consider myself as pro safety to extreme, and I feel that is the reason I have enjoyed my selected sports for such long time. I don't start up easily on a new thing, nor do I quit.... but.... After five days of training I had my theoretical followed by a static line jump from 1000 meters with manta 280 canopy. I loved it. Could not stop smiling for one hour afterwards. I had had a few conserns beforehand. I did not like the altimeters used, because the last 1000 feet on the dial covered only roughly 15 degrees of arc. I thought it was difficult to read. I could not locate a better one before the first jump, so I thought to let it pass. I was also concerned of getting proper jumping shoes, did not have luck in finding ones, so I jumped with my nike runners. I was concerned with the potential line twists common in static jumps, but when it occurred, kicked it out ok. And finally i had serious concern about the position you are supposed to keep your feet upon landing, 45 degrees of the line of flight, beeing a big lad with 110 kg exit weight, I thought that my ankles would not approve, and so I landed my first one with feets pointing directly ahead, and could have stood the first landing. So, with these concerns I went for the second jump, exit was good, arc was ok but has a line twist down to my neck at deployment. I got it kicked out and had good canopy at 800 meters, and I was happy as a clam enjoying the ride down. I started my approach at light wind conditions at 1000 feet, went for side wing at 600 and turned on the final, but apparently too high due to the hard to re4ad meter. On final the radio coach was concerned of a possible overshoot and guided me into S turns and sure enough I went into slight pendulum motion. (This is not to blame the coach. It was my decision to comply and after the incident I felt sorrier for the coach than for myself) I realized that due to the lack of headwind the approach was faster than the first one and because of the slight swing I really tried to prepare for a book landing, placed my feet on 45 degree angle and landed on full breaks from about 10 feet without drama....... except a %&^*""£ multiple fracture on my left foot tibula. If it would have been my 21st jump or the 210th jump so be it. But on the second jump on 6 week vacation that was supposed to be dedicated for taking up the sport. I spent the rest of the vacation hopping at least twice a week on crutches to the dropzone to see the other guys jumping..... I felt like a moron and still do.... I am now back at work and considering if I can afford an other shot at great, but in my case a rather painful sport. Well six weeks to consider before I am on dry land again. So what is the lesson if any? I should have believed my instincts on the angle of my feet. What works for a ballerina does not appear to work on 110 kg hunk of meet. I should have had proper shoes and altimeter I could clearly rely and more than anything I should not have made any turns under 300 feet..... I guess. Any of you been involved in similar sh.. in the bequinning of your careers? Any info where to look for good rotating altimeters (similar dials as in aircraft)? Still don't know what I am going to do. Maybe I should start on numismatics. ***

Ty for the info

Hi I propose that dropzone would have a separate forum/folder/locker, not for discussions or opinions, but for links to or copies of final official investigation reports of serious incidents; that are discussed in incidents forum. The current forum is superb, but it would be nice to have an easy route to final verdict. Best regards: JL _________________________________________________ " In the desert there is no sign that says, Thou shalt not eat stones. " - Sufi proverb

Yap and then I woke up and let the cat go out for a piss JL ***

tx 4 reply Any information of the glide ratio achieved or control probs encountered? Cheers: JL

Thanks for your reply

HI I am just entering the sport, starting on S/L course in a weeks time. Despite of my inexperience, and probably largely due to it, I have a dream that might be impossible. I would like to to dive like a hawk and soar like an eagle. In discussions and opinions that I have followed on this site the apparent consensus is, that skydive is over when you deploy the canopy. ( I sure know that one has to land, but you understand my point).Is this really the case? It is also apparent, that the more experienced the skydiver is, the smaller is the canopy. Does it have to be? I look forward to the freefalls.... in due time, but I would be equally interested of rather high pull outs and long canopy flights....even possibilities of finding uplifts and termiks for gaining, rather than loosing altitude. Is this possible and if so, what would be proper canopy size, type and make for 220 lb lad? What kind of decent ratio would be taking about? What are the potential problems with large canopies when compared to the smaller ones...... and finally....if I do not manage to post this bloody mail with reply possibility, could someone open a new thread for for discussing the above matters. Your experience is highly appreciated. Safe landings: JL ***

Thanks, wiico. JL

Hi everybody You have just got a new active "green horn" to this site. I have been interested of skydiving for long time. Actually I started a course in Finland in mid 80s, but had to pull out due to the request of my kids. Well, the kids are grownups now, and maybe I reach that state someday. While waiting that to happen, and being sill 47 years young, I have booked on S/L course starting as soon as I get back to dry land. I have been a frequent visitor to this site for long time, but now that I am actually starting the sport, I decided to change from the status of passive visitor to active participant. This site has contributed a lot towards the future safety of my skydiving. Familiarity with issues such as dangers of the low turns, situation awareness, up wind / down wind landings etc will assist me in the training and hopefully pave my way in becoming a safe member of the fraternity. I also hope that the mature and responsible line of discussion will continue on these pages. There a lot of us youngsters out there reading this site, learning, wondering and adopting attitudes. Thank you for now......I hope to contribute in the future. Juha Lehtonen Lsv Seaway Condor ***