steve@micomvax.UUCP (Steve Grice) (09/17/85)
> Something you said, however, puzzles me. You said that you and the >jumpmaster passed the pilot chute back and forth. What kind of system were >you using, and what was the deployment method? I'm not familiar with any kind >of system wherein the pilot chute is visible, much less handled, during exit. >Please describe, to appease my curiosity. > Keep us posted on your progress! > > * > / \ > |---/---\---| Ken Scofield C-9355 > | Gone | Hewlett-Packard PCD > | Jumpin' | Corvallis, OR > |-----------| > {ucbvax!hplabs, harpo, ogcvax}!hp-pcd!kas > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is how the exit was performed: The pilot chute was located on the left side of the pack. Just before the door is opened on the plane, the jumpmaster motions for you to turn 90 degrees and he takes the pilot chute in his hand. He motions for you to turn back again so that you are facing him and gives you the pilot chute in your left hand. When the plane reaches the correct altitude (2800') the jumpmaster opens the door. At this point, he grabs the chute, and when he is holding it firmly you let go. The pilot cuts the engine and you make your way onto the end of the strut. You hang there for a second and then are given the thumbs up signal by the jumpmaster. You simply let go of the strut and he throws the pilot chute out of the plane. There is approximately 3 seconds of delay until the chute opens. I hope this clears things up a bit. I've now done 3 jumps and the jump master says I am now ready to pull a dummy ripcord. The procedure will be as above but after I let go of the strut I will be pulling a dummy ripcord, which consists of rolled up newspaper. After performing this for 3 or 4 jumps I will be ready to do it for real. Side Note: I Had a little bit of a scare on my third jump. The chute didn't open until I had counted past seven thou as opposed to the customary 5000. I was thinking of pulling the release on the reserve when the chute opened - what a relief. The opening shock was a bit more than before, but the rest of the flight was fine, except I found the winds rather strong (10 - 12 ground speed). I talked to my jump master afterwards and he told me he was worried when the chute didn't open after 5 seconds but was pleased I had the presense of mind to analyze the situation and prepare myself to pull the reserve. After all this if there is anyone still there I have a question. I've been having a hard time landing, once on my bum and twice landing on my feet and pitching forward onto my knees. I usually flare the chute at approx. 15-20 feet above ground. Is this too low? Also I weigh 200 pounds and was told to grab up on the control lines. I tried this once but it didn't help too much. Any hints on good landing procedures would be much appreciated by me, and my knees :) -- Steve Grice "For all you do ...philabs!micomvax!steve disk bugs for you"