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 16:
Where can I get
air-to-ground video equipment?
Where can I buy flotation gear?
How many jumps should I
have before I try skysurfing?
Where can I find packing manuals?
Is an FXC AAD safe for high
altitude jumps?
What about jumping with
missing fingers?
Is there any source of
information on blind people & skydiving?
Do any drop zones offer
payment plans?
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 we get air-to-ground video equipment?
Q. Where can we get air-to-ground video equipment?
A. We don't know; our efforts to contact a vendor in Great Britain failed. Tim and Ted Wagner of Arizona have integrated air-to-ground video into their OmniSkore scoring system, but, as Ted explained, "We're not a vendor of wireless video as much as we are a service provider; we rent the equipment and a warm body to operate it." OmniSkore's email is omniskore@pobox.com or fax (703) 940-1123. Another source worth contacting is Aerial Focus; owner Tom Sanders help develop and use the equipment that was used to film the skydive that helped open the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Telephone in California is (805) 962-9911.
Where can I buy flotation gear?
Q. I'm a jumper in Argentina, and I frequently jump at a DZ next to the ocean. I need flotation gear. Where can I get one of those small flotation devices that you can carry on your wrist?
A. You're probably referring to the Aqua Buoy. It consists of a gas-inflated "pillow" that's packaged in a hard plastic container about the size of one's fist. When fired by the wearer, out pops a pillow about the size of a soccer ball; a short string connects the wearer and the pillow. Although it's compact and inexpensive, we've never been very impressed with the Aqua Buoy, feeling it isn't adequate for the job. The pillow is not very durable and it's been known to burst as it inflated. There's no provision for inflating it by mouth. It also requires that the swimmer (sinker?) consciously hold onto it, something that might be tough to do during an emergency water landing. Finally, it might give the jumper a false sense of security, making him think he's safe if a bad spot puts him in the water. We recommend skydivers wear better flotation gear, such as a military-surplus "LPU" (life preserver, underarm) or a life vest similar to those found under the seats of some airliners.
Wearing a flotation device with skydiving gear takes some forethought to insure it doesn't interfere with the function of the rig and to be sure it won't injure the jumper as it inflates (which some devices can do if they're worn under the harness).
How many jumps should I have before trying skysurfing?
Q. I love skydiving, but I want to become involved in skyboarding. I understand I have to have at least a hundred normal jumps before I can start to learn to skyboard. Is that true?
A. Not really, but one does have to be a competent freefaller. Discuss your options with Bob Greiner at Skydive Space Center in Titusville, Fla. He runs a skysurfing school there. If anyone can safely put a newbie on a skyboard, Greiner can. His telephone is (407) 267-0016.
Where can I find packing manuals?
Q. I just started jumping a few months ago in South Africa and just purchased a ZP-170. I'm looking for the manual to pack this type of parachute.
A. Actually, it's best to have to have two manuals, one for the canopy itself and one for whatever rig you're using. The canopy manual focuses on the canopy itself (straightening, folding, putting it in the bag), while the rig's manual covers the important specifics of the rest of the assembly, such as how to stow the toggles and close the container.
Each manual has a lot of essential information for the specific component in question. Both really are must reading for every jumper, but many of us never read them.
The best source of manuals is the manufacturer, of course. Most manufacturers distribute their manuals freely -- they want their gear packed and used correctly.
Both your canopy and rig should have labels bearing the name and address of whatever company made them, so finding the companies should be easy.
Many manufacturers make their manuals available through their Web sites, where they can be viewed and, usually, printed. These sites often contain useful tips, too, such as how to help your canopy open without thwacking you too often.
There are other sources of information on packing, including books and videos. The video "Pack Like a Pro" by Pier Media contains a lot of useful information. It's relatively inexpensive -- only $19.95 -- and widely available.
Is an FXC AAD safe for high altitude jumps?
Q. I'm preparing to make a jump from 25,000 feet. My gear has an FXC Model 12000 automatic opener. Can I safely use this AAD at this altitude?
A. Skydiving called the FXC Corporation and put the question to Rick Velasquez. He said the Model 12000 will function just fine from 25,000 feet.
He added, however, that this particular AAD is suitable only for jumps where the jumper takes off and lands at the same DZ. The Model 12000 is calibrated on the ground before take-off and can't be set for a landing area that has a different altitude.
The California company makes a military version of the Model 12000 that can be calibrated and adjusted for jumps involving different take-off and landing altitudes.
What about jumping with missing fingers?
Q. I just made my first AFF jump and loved it! I intend to continue in the sport, but I have a concern: My left hand was hurt in an industrial accident 20 years ago. Four fingers were lost, and the resulting surgeries left it in the form of a mitt or "paw." Is there anything to be aware of in safety or procedure?
A. Some jumpers with missing or less-than-fully-functional limbs have their gear modified to make it work better for them. Handles can be repositioned or reconfigured, for instance. Others opt for a "single-operation" handle. (Rather than having separate main and reserve handles, the rig is configured with a single handle that first jettisons the main risers before pulling the reserve). If your left hand can't grip a steering toggle very well, the toggle can probably be modified to work with what you've got.
If you think modifying stock gear is the way to go, then contact the component's manufacturer first. Chances are it has already made similar modifications before, and it likely has some clever solutions.
If the manufacturer is unwilling or unable to modify its product, then consult with a master rigger.
Since you've made one jump, you're already familiar with what it takes to use today's parachute gear.
Jumpers come in all shapes and sizes. Most are complete specimens, but a few are not. Others are overweight, near-sighted, or one card short of a full deck. Skydiving is a sport where you run with what you brung, so to speak. Go for it.
Is there any source of information on blind people & skydiving?
Q. Do you know of any sources of information on blind people and skydiving? Do you know of any clubs for blind people who want to skydive?
A. Vision plays a critical -- and we would say essential -- role in skydiving. But tandem jumps are different, because the student can simply "go along for the ride" if that is the plan.
Therefore, it should be relatively easy to arrange a tandem jump for someone who is blind. A few phone calls is all it should take.
Another option would be to visit a vertical wind tunnel, where one can experience the sensation of freefall without having to jump out of an aircraft.
Blind people have successfully learned to skydive solo, relying on a radio for help while landing their canopies.
Do any drop zones offer payment plans?
Q. I've made two tandem jumps and want to become a licensed skydiver. My biggest concern is the cost; my two jumps in Florida were a lot cheaper than the ones here in New Jersey. Do any drop zones offer any sort of payment plan for people like me?
A. We don't know of any DZs that advertise payment plans, but that doesn't mean one wouldn't set one up for you if you asked.
Many DZs, however, offer healthy discounts for students who buy a "block" of jumps. Although this isn't what you have in mind, it is a good way to bring the cost-per-jump down. (Buying a block of jumps will also give you extra incentive to complete your training Another option is to go elsewhere for your initial training, perhaps to another state or region, where prices are lower.
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