P A R A C H U T I N G ' S N E W S M A G A Z I N E
Ask the Editor
Contents of Batch 8:
Where Can I Rent a Wind
Tunnel?
What's the Best Response to
Horseshoe Malfunction?
Problems Continuing in
Sport
How Are Rigs Certificated?
Employing Foreign Nationals
at US DZs
What's Better, AFF or PFF?
A Student Wants to Buy Gear
What Types of Gear Should I Buy?
The Cost of Parachute Gear
The following questions were submitted by visitors to our Web site and answered by the editor of Skydiving magazine. .
To ask a question of your own, click here.
Where Can I Rent a Wind Tunnel?
Q. I'm organizing events for my university's Springfest. Are there any companies that would rent a skydiving simulator for the day of our Spring event?
A. Not that we know of. The machines are big, and they aren't really portable. There's a list of wind tunnels posted at http://www.skydivingmagazine.com/windtunl.htm if you'd like to contact the various companies directly.
What's the Best Response to Horseshoe Malfunction?
Q. What's the bottom-line procedure for a horseshoe?
A. There's no single best emergency response to a horseshoe malfunction. It depends on its exact nature.
If, for instance, the horseshoe is a result of a premature opening of a hand-deploy main, it makes sense to quickly try to deploy the pilot chute. Doing so might clear the malfunction or at least make a clean cutaway possible. A hard tug may pull the pilot chute from the pouch, but don't be surprised if it doesn't.
If the cause of the horseshoe isn't obvious, taking time to over-analyze the situation could be fatal--the ground is coming up fast. A quick cutaway followed by an equally quick reserve pull is in order.
Why cutaway? Sometimes doing that will free the main completely. It also will probably turn the horseshoe into a streamer, creating room for the reserve to inflate next to it.
Years ago the U.S. Army Parachute Team ran a series of 40 test drops in which main canopies were deployed into pilot chutes in tow, horseshoes and similar malfunctions. The reserve was a free-bagged ram-air reserve. In every test, the reserve opened successfully. This should be reassuring.
Some malfunctions, like horseshoes, are particularly troublesome because the one response isn't the best for all possibilities, and because you might have to deploy your reserve into your main.
It's important to consider the various scenarios and devise the best response to each on the ground. Having a good plan will help you act quickly and correctly in an emergency.
Horseshoe malfunctions are fairly easy to prevent. Replace worn closing loops and worn Velcro immediately. Replace or repair a Spandex pouch that gets loose. Pack correctly, always insuring the bridle goes straight from the pin to the pilot chute and not under any flaps. Deploy your pilot chute correctly, vigorously throwing it into the wind stream next to you. If you wear a camera, use a clean installation with minimal projections.
Q. I am a student with seven jumps. I was feeling good about my ability to make it to at least the A license level. I am 50 years of age, and was given the first jump as a birthday present by my daughters. I am one of those people that always wanted to try the sport, and they made it happen.
I made it through the static-line practice ripcord pulls and made my first freefall. I left my left arm out causing a turn, so I repeated this jump. But I went into a total head-down position and had to push the pilot chute away after I pulled.
I am now questioning whether I have what it takes. The jumpmaster conveyed extreme concern for my action, and I now wonder what mental attitude I need to achieve to overcome this event.
To take the attitude that you, "have to get back on the horse" just doesn't sit well. I need the confidence of knowing what to do so that this doesn't reoccur.
I am told that I don't relax. I feel like I do! Do you have any advice for the low-time student in this regard?
A. Although it was long ago, I remember my second clear-and-pull: I was so intent on getting the ripcord I didn't arch at all and as a result tumbled from the step of the Cessna 182.
I remember falling on my back and watching the deployment sleeve (I was jumping a round canopy) deploy between my legs. I scared my jumpmaster and I scared myself, but I landed okay.
The jump shook my confidence, too. My jumpmaster, however, had the solution: more training.
Training and practice helps improve performance, and such preparation also helps overcome fear by building confidence.
If you want to become a skydiver, get back on the horse. But be really ready the next time. Pick a weekend when the weather will most likely be good and when you will be able to jump often; that takes money, aircraft and jumpmasters.
Get ready for the weekend by practicing the jumps you'll make, both normal and emergencies. Don't just mentally rehearse them a few times, repeatedly dirt dive them at home. Go to the DZ early Saturday morning and do some more practice, and get in a suspended harness if you can.
Expect to be scared while the aircraft climbs to altitude. But continue mentally rehearsing the dive.
Then, as Nike says, just do it. You can if you get your head in order. Do that by being really prepared.
Don't put artificial limits on yourself and blame your bad jump on your age or your self doubt. Sorry, but you're not too old. And everyone screws up, even your high-and-mighty jumpmaster.
That sleeve was green and black. I can see it to this day.
Q. How does rig certification work? If a rig is "jumpable" in the U.S., does that automatically make it usable in Europe and Asia, too? Or do the certification requirements vary from country to country?
A. Standards for skydiving equipment vary widely from one country to the next.
Some countries, such as France and the U.S., require that rigs perform and be built according to government standards. In other countries, standards are imposed by the national aero clubs which have quasi-governmental power. In other countries, standards are non-existent or their enforcement is lax.
We've heard of very few stories where skydivers with TSOed gear have had trouble jumping in other countries on any continent. The attitude overseas seems to be if it's yours and you want to jump it, then be my guest.
The situation isn't the same in the U.S. Here it's clearly illegal to skydive a rig that wasn't built according to an FAA Technical Standard Order. Some DZs ignore this law when visitors show up with foreign-built and non-TSOed gear. Some larger DZs have received exemptions to the requirement, although certain restrictions still apply. Finally, some foreign-built rigs are TSOed; being manufactured in the U.S. isn't a requirement. Check the rig's label if you're not sure.
Employing Foreign Nationals at US DZs
Q. I'm planning on spending three to 18 months in your sunny country enjoying your amazing DZs. I'm therefore looking for any kind of work on or near a good DZ. What opportunities are available to me?
A. Legally, not very many. The U.S. loves foreign tourists, but its government doesn't want them to engage in gainful employment while they're here. Employing an alien, the logic goes, takes a job away from an American citizen or from a foreign visitor with the legal right to work.
Nonetheless, plenty of foreign nationals work in the U.S. parachute industry, as they do in others. Many work as independent contractors, being paid in cash by their customers rather than drawing a paycheck as an employee of the DZ. They coach, pack, rig, fly and instruct. Others are employed under a false name, often that of a friend who has the right to work here.
Of course, none of this is legal, but it's common nonetheless.
An employer can hire foreign nationals if he's unable to find qualified U.S. citizens. The process takes a few months, however, and wouldn't be practical in your situation.
Q. Would you recommend the AFF program over the Progressive Freefall program with the static line course?
A. Generally, we like Roger Nelson's PFF syllabus more than USPA's AFF syllabus. Here are the main reasons:
PFF better accommodates students who've already made static line and/or tandem jumps.
PFF is more comprehensive and complete than AFF. A student who completes the entire PFF program is better trained than an AFF graduate as far as freefall and canopy skills are concerned. More training is better, period.
PFF has more levels, and each level only a little harder than the previous one. Thus, it's easier for a student to keep working his or her way up the ladder, rather than failing a level and having to repeat it, perhaps several times.
The syllabus of a particular training course is only one factor in the training equation, however. Another important factor is the ability of the instructors and jumpmasters. USPA's certification courses usually produce competent graduates; I'd insist that my jumpmasters and instructors be USPA rated, even if they're teaching PFF (which is a violation of USPA rules). I'd rather learn via AFF with good instructors than by PFF with incompetent instructors.
Good equipment is important, too. That should be obvious in a gear-intensive sport like skydiving.
We aren't implying USPA's AFF syllabus isn't adequate. We're just saying it needs improvement. It requires too much of the student on each jump. It's too freefall oriented; canopy skills are essentially ignored. The goal seems to be to graduate the student as quickly as possible. This might save the student a few bucks, but it really isn't doing him any favors, as he'll find out when he's kicked out of the nest.
Some schools enhance USPA's syllabus with additional training in canopy control and other skills. This is good.
There's nothing wrong with static line training, whether the syllabus is the classic one (five static-line jumps followed by solo freefalls of progressively longer duration) or a newer one (e.g., a few static-line jumps followed by tandem and/or AFF/PFF).
Static-line jumps are cheaper. The don't need high ceilings or two jumpmasters per student. They allow the student to become proficient at exiting, canopy control and landings before learning freefall skills. They're less demanding than AFF. But they're still gut-wrenching skydives that are a lot of fun.
Q. I'm 54 and ready to start skydiving. I'm going with the AFF method. I would like to buy my own equipment and want to know who makes the top-of-the-line equipment. I would think in the sport everyone probably agrees who is the Number 1 maker of gear. I'd also appreciate recommendations on what's the best models for beginners.
A. We don't encourage new students to buy equipment. It's generally better to rent until you're proficient and knowledgeable enough to select gear that's right for you.
Not only do skydivers comes in all shapes and sizes, there's also a lot of variation in personality. Some jumpers like to scare themselves every time they go up, while others are much more conservative. Some people like fast sports cars, others prefer comfortable sedans. You won't really know what you like until you've been jumping a while.
In this sport, almost all students jump gear that's assembled and configured for new jumpers. Student gear usually has features not found on regular gear, including ripcord deployment of the main, breakaway pilot chute pouches, adjustable main lift webs, provisions for radios, and special automatic openers. Some of these features are inappropriate for everyday gear.
This doesn't mean you can't make your first and all subsequent jumps in your own gear. It's just not the best way to go. (If you're still not convinced, then maybe you could get your DZ to buy your new student rig from you when you're ready to step up to regular gear.)
In every category of gear component (mains, reserves, rigs, jumpsuits, etc.), there are several companies that build top-shelf products that offer comparable value and performance. It's like Ford and GM (or Lexus and Mercedes); the products are actually quite comparable, although the manufacturers of course feel otherwise.
Again, you should focus on learning the sport and refrain from buying gear now. It doesn't mean you can't do a lot of shopping so you'll make an informed decision at the right time.
What Types of Gear Should I Buy?
Q. What main, reserve, jumpsuit, etc., would you recommend for the beginner when she is ready to turn in the student gear?
A. Generally, look for a used rig, main and reserve that fits you and were matched to your body weight, confidence level and DZ particulars. (We're big fans of buying used gear at first for the same reason it makes sense for a new driver to buy a used car.)
Hire a rigger to conduct a prepurchase inspection on any major component you're about to buy. Pay him or her $25 and ask for a written list of discrepancies and how much it would cost to fix them.
But get a new jumpsuit so it fits right and you look like you want to look.
Buy a new visual altimeter. New because you're going to keep it for a long time and because you want one that's in good shape. (An audible altimeter is worthwhile, but a visual one is more useful, especially at first.)
Soft hat or hard helmet? Your choice. The manufacturers of today's helmets don't claim they offer any impact protection at all, but experience and common sense say they help prevent some injuries.
Don't even consider a round reserve. It's not that round reserves are unsafe, but ram-air reserves are safer. You already know how to fly one. They cope with winds better. They give you more landing options. They're freebag deployed, which is a safety bonus.
If I were going to jump an automatic opener, I'd buy new rather than used, as used AADs usually aren't that cheap. I'd get an Airtec Cypres, because it has earned an excellent reputation for reliability and hassle-free ownership.
What brands of gear? Almost anything mainstream. You want components that are proven and popular in your area and built by established companies. Only later, when you have more experience and knowledge, consider new technology and products from unheard-of or distant vendors.
Gear from mainstream manufacturers is popular because, generally, the products are good and the companies treat their customers right. If you should ever need factory support, you can be more confident the factory will still be around when you need it.
If possible, try before you buy. Many manufacturers, dealers and DZs have "demo" programs where you can try different rigs, canopies and jumpsuits. Take advantage of such programs, even if it means traveling a bit.
If money is a consideration--and when isn't it?--then spend money on jumps rather than gear. In other words, it's better to buy good but ugly used gear and jump every weekend than to buy new stuff and not be able to afford to jump much. New jumpers need experience more than they need new gear. The safest skydiver is the current one with experience and judgment, not pretty gear.
Q. What does it cost to learn to jump? How much is equipment?
A. SKYDIVING'S Kim Griffin telephoned seven big and small DZs across the U.S. and pulled together these average figures:
Training by the AFF method (first jump through graduation and including three repeat dives): $1,500.
New "top shelf" gear with a state-of-the-art rig, main, reserve, AAD, altimeter, jumpsuit, helmet, goggles (an average from various manufacturers): $4,900.
The budget-minded can get all-new equipment for $3,500 if he or she opts for less expensive components (Dolphin rig, PD 9-cell main, Tempo reserve, Astra AAD, Sapphire altimeter, Flite Suit, Protec helmet and goggles).
After studying our classified ads, Kim calculated that a set of used gear (main, reserve, rig and AAD) costs on the average $2,700. Average cost to rent student gear: $20 per jump.
Then there's the cost of several obligatory cases of beer, placating a seldom-seen spouse, etc.
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