freefalldl

Go to The Farm..... Skydiving and the reasons people do it are as complex as the sport itself.I think skydiving is a noble endeavor worthy of what we go through to be a part of it.

THE RULES OF THE SKY: A GUIDE FOR SAFETY DURING LARGE FORMATION SKYDIVES A compilation of basic large formation safety rules and guidelines edited by Kate Cooper-Jensen for use by all Big Way Organizers. Safety should be the number one priority for any event. If the following procedures are put into place and rigorously enforced then it sends a message to all participants that the organizing team is serious about this goal. Here are some guidelines for making any skydiving event, small or large, as safe as possible. These rules have been developed by a group of large formation organizers and have been used on local, state, national and world record events in multiple locations. This is not meant to be a complete or all encompassing list for safety on large formations. Please feel free to share, adapt or modify this article in any way to make YOUR event safer. AIRCRAFT SAFETY: About 5 minutes before exit (below 12,000 feet if going to high altitudes), CHECK YOUR GEAR! Get and give pin checks. Check all handles and stow riser covers than may have come loose. Tuck pilot chutes in as needed. Check your teammates’ gear if they request it; their safety is yours as well. In the plane remain in your seat and keep still. If your bench needs to be raised prior to exit do this with minimum movement and stay as still as possible. Do not stand if you can sit or kneel. If going to high altitudes do not talk after the oxygen has been turned on. Use hand signals if needed. On jump run only the plane captain, the pilot, and any designated person(s) may talk. Keep on oxygen as long as possible even while walking to the door. If oxygen is provided, it’s use is required. IF THE PLANE IS AT ALTITUDE BE QUIET! When the plane is at altitude, (or near to it), in formation and heading to the DZ then be ready to skydive and prepare for exit regardless of any non-emergency related signal from the pilot. Do not depend solely on signals from the pilot. Remember that exit may come at lower altitudes than planned, so be ready to skydive at any time. FREEFALL SAFETY: Break off procedures will be rehearsed and opening altitudes may be assigned to participants. You must follow these procedures. Use an audible altimeter and set it accordingly. Make sure you understand if the assigned altitudes are "deployment" (i.e. opening) or "in the saddle" altitudes as these can vary from area to area and follow them accordingly. If you choose to bring a canopy to an event that keeps you from following these procedures then notify the organizer and know that you are putting yourself AND your teammates at risk BRING THE RIGHT CANOPY. Open at the safe and correct assigned altitude. A warning may be issued as needed, and then LOW AND HIGH PULLERS MAY BE GROUNDED. TRACK LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT! Use a flat track and be aware of the people around you and in front of you—your tracking team counts on you to be safe. No steep or "diving tracks will be allowed. If you go low and are unable to dock prior to breakoff then you will become part of the first tracking team; know their track and deployment altitudes and follow them. CANOPY SAFETY: After canopy opening DO NOT REMOVE BOOTIES or any part of your equipment. Know where people are when you deploy and have your hands on or near your rear risers to be prepared for an avoidance maneuver. Sliders may be collapsed and stowed AFTER you have cleared your airspace. Keep your head on a swivel at all times until back in the packing area. After landing turn around and face oncoming traffic while you gather your canopy. If you choose to land in a congested area then move quickly to the nearest side after landing while watching for landing traffic. A wing loading between 1.25 and 1.75 (min and max) is a common recommendation so that all canopies will be flying at roughly the same speed. Some events may recommend higher or lower wing loadings. KNOW YOUR WING LOADING (with weights if applicable). If your loading is outside this range then please notify the organizers and exercise additional caution. LANDING SAFETY: NO SWOOPS, HOOK TURNS, or HIGH OTHER PERFORMANCE LANDINGS OF ANY KIND should be allowed on large formation skydives for the safety of all participants. This INCLUDES camera personnel, organizers, and DZ staff. No maneuvers (such as spirals, S-turns on final approach, deep brakes on final approach, or turns over 90 degrees in the pattern) should be allowed. Many dropzones prefer either a left or right handed pattern for canopy flight. Know the rules at the drop zone where you are jumping, be careful not to cross other traffic, and initiate your final turn 300-500 feet above ground to set up a predictable final leg. One method of setting up a predictable and safe landing pattern follows: On each jump all jumpers should enter into the pattern into the wind at 1,000 feet over the target. They can then turn to the left until 800 feet, turn left again (downwind leg) until 500 feet. And finally INITIATE THEIR FINAL TURN AT 300 - 500 FEET. Another method would be to allow people to choose the pattern they desire, but then state that no high performance landings or turns of greater than 90 degrees will be tolerated on final. Set a plan that best benefits the dropzone you are jumping at, make sure all participants know the plan, and then follow the plan. Designated mandatory landing directions are often assigned on large formation dives. Know the areas and inspect a map of the landing zones prior to jumping if needed. If the spot is long or if the winds do not allow a normal approach to the target then make your best effort to get to your assigned landing area but do not cross other areas and patterns to do so. Always know where you will land by 1,000 feet. On any and all out landings (outside your designated landing area) initiate your final at 500 feet. This is an absolute rule. Most dropzones require that you land IN THE SAME DIRECTION as the first person down REGARDLESS of wind direction. It is better to have a large group land down or cross wind AS A GROUP than to have individuals choosing their own landing pattern. Again—if you are jumping a canopy that will not allow you to choose a slight down or cross wind landing then you are putting yourself AND YOUR TEAMMATES in danger. It is common that in the case of an off dropzone landing that all participants will be required to check in after landing. In the event of an off-landing, gather together in groups, do not remain alone, and walk to the nearest road. Trucks or other transportation should be there shortly. These rules are meant to be used on dives of any size, from 20-ways to 400-ways, and at dropzones and major boogies utilizing anything from a single aircraft to multiple aircraft routinely being used. If you start personally incorporating these guidelines into every large formation jump you make then you will be taking the steps to not only make yourself a safe and competent big-way flier but you will be showing others how to be safe as well. Enjoy your next skydive, and remember to follow the RULES OF THE SKY! Skydiving and the reasons people do it are as complex as the sport itself.I think skydiving is a noble endeavor worthy of what we go through to be a part of it.

I would think no more than 3 jumps. If it does not fly on the first attempt; and tweeks to the 2nd don't bear fruit or at least promising results then it is what it is... On the last record, We beat the standing 12 way on jump one, built to a 20-way on jump two ( it was so easy it was criminal) did not make the second point, so what! Over. Job done, gusto completion, bragging rights secured, picture taken.. Resume with the festivities...... Skydiving and the reasons people do it are as complex as the sport itself.I think skydiving is a noble endeavor worthy of what we go through to be a part of it.

Currently the official record stands at 20. We are looking to best that number either a little (One Otter) or alot (One Otter and a crop duster). Whatever.. We are looking for your flying skills, talent and organizing skills! Come help Make it Happen! If you'd like to confirm you'll be there to bless the Herd or would like to help organize, Just post a reply with your POPS number and e-mail address and the day or days you are most likely to be available ( and lucid or not!). If you are 40 or older and need a POPS number, You can go to the POPS website (below) and sign up or fill out an application the day of the jump with check in hand for $20.00. http://www.thepops.org/usa/index.php For more info contact Doug Lewis at: freefalldl@comcast.net or see posting on skyfreaks.com http://skyfreaks.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=66&t=101 [email] Skydiving and the reasons people do it are as complex as the sport itself.I think skydiving is a noble endeavor worthy of what we go through to be a part of it.

I'll be there: Doug Lewis, D-15686, 800+J's,Pops 8563 Skydiving and the reasons people do it are as complex as the sport itself.I think skydiving is a noble endeavor worthy of what we go through to be a part of it.

This is the latest E-mail from Scott: Good Morning All: Please email me and confirm (Y/N) that you will be participating in the GA POPS Record Attempt on June 24 and 25 at Atlanta Skydiving Center (ASC). We still need a few more people, so please enlist your friends. They can email me for information. All participants must be a current POPS member or fill out an application prior to the jump. Thanks Scott Gray Skydiving and the reasons people do it are as complex as the sport itself.I think skydiving is a noble endeavor worthy of what we go through to be a part of it.

Good question: The WT 06 site shows 4 Larrys' from U.S.A. Larry Henderson Larry Moore Larry Clapp Larry Elmore Skydiving and the reasons people do it are as complex as the sport itself.I think skydiving is a noble endeavor worthy of what we go through to be a part of it.

How many potential participants do we have so far? Skydiving and the reasons people do it are as complex as the sport itself.I think skydiving is a noble endeavor worthy of what we go through to be a part of it.