🚀 go-pugleaf

Steve,
     Thanks for your description of your exit procedure.  It's a new one on
me.  I'm accustomed to static-line systems, wherein a nylon rope is attached
in such a way that it opens your pack and extracts your canopy as you fall
away from the plane.  But as long as the system works, that's all that counts.

> 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. 

     Now you have first-hand experience of what a "snivel" is.  Have you
been reading the notes in this group about snivels?  Sounds like your reaction
was right on queue.  But remember, you can't spend too much time thinking
about it, because you'll be falling faster once you start doing longer free
falls.

> 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 :)

     You didn't say what kind of canopy you were using, and the landing
procedure is different for round vs. square canopies.  Since you said that
you "flare", I'll assume you are using a square canopy (you don't need to
flare a round).  The first thing to consider is canopy size.  For your
weight, you should be jumping a canopy with a minimum of 250 sq. ft.; more
would be better while you are on student status.  The next thing to consider
is speed.  If you are coming in with your brakes on, you CAN'T flare.  The 
canopy must have alot of airspeed to flare properly.  If you are coming in
with partial brakes, let up on them for a few seconds to build up airspeed
before flaring.  Another possibility is that you are misjudging your height 
above the ground -- it is very difficult to judge until you've had more
experience.  If possible, have a jumpmaster, or other experienced jumper that
you trust, stand near your landing area and yell at you when to flare.  I know
it sounds crazy, but very often when I'm standing on the ground, I can tell
when a person should begin their flare more accurately than they can.  Take
note of your height when the person yells, and try to duplicate it on the 
next jump.  To save your knees, do what I did:  go to the local sporting
goods store and buy a set of kneepads.  Wear them until you have mastered
the art of landing, then you can get rid of them.  Happy landings!

             *
            / \
       |---/---\---|            Ken Scofield    C-9355
       |   Gone    |            Hewlett-Packard PCD
       |  Jumpin'  |            Corvallis, OR
       |-----------|
			{ucbvax!hplabs, harpo, ogcvax}!hp-pcd!kas