🚀 go-pugleaf

>As a student jumper I was wondering about the differences in instruction
>methods and techniques used in first jump classes. My first jump was made
>out of a Cessna standing on a footpad using a 'jumping jack' style exit.
>Since then I've moved to Seattle, where the student style is 
>'hang from the wing strut then just let go'.
>Other than the added initial stability the hanging position gives beginners,
>are there significant advantages or disadvantages to using one or the other?
>I've been told to use whichever I prefer.

I think both techniques are OK.  The advantage of the strut-hang
method is that it eliminates the backloop-off-the-step
exit, which is the source of many a malfunction.

I dispatch students from the step.  The strut-hang method
presumes some arm-strength on the part of the student.
A backloop can result of the student's hands slip off the
strut when the feet leave the step.  Also, it takes longer
to set up for a strut hang.  Some students (particularly
large awkward ones) take long enough as it is to get out
on the step.  The jumpmaster has to take this exit time
into account when giving the "cut" to the pilot.
The quicker, the better.
-- 
				
Made in New Zealand -->		Brent Callaghan
				AT&T Information Systems, Lincroft, NJ
				{ihnp4|mtuxo|pegasus}!poseidon!brent
				(201) 576-3475

After teaching many different exits for students, none of the the different
exits mattered much.  Some are a little better in some ways, but worse in 
others.  For example, with the hanging exit, a weak student may fall off
before you want them to.  With the standing exit, a student may just fall
back, never pushing with their feet.

The bottom line is that it doesn't make much difference.

Al Gettier
D 5850

At my DZ (Antioch, CA), we use several different "student exits" at 
different levels of the student program.

For static line students exiting from a Cessna (182 or 205), we have the
the student exit in the following manner:
	1) The student sits facing JM (i.e. student faces aft) next to
	   the open door.
	2) On JM command "get out" (or similar words), the student places
	   his left hand on strut, as far outboard as he can.  His left
	   foot goes onto the step.  His right hand goes (fingers out/thumb
	   in) onto the aft edge of the door.  Finally, the student gets up
	   on his right knee and looks at the wing tip.
	3) At this point, JM takes all slack static line in his hand,
	   and gives the student's equipment a final eyeballing before
	   sending him off.
	4) On JM command "go", student begins to launch by shifting
	   weight forward onto his left foot and pushing with right hand.
	   Left foot provides power for the launching motion.  The left
	   hand remains on the strut to provide a pivot for the student
	   to get facing the relative wind.  As he comes into the wind,
	   he releases his left hand and hits a hard arch.  During this
	   motion, the JM maintains control of the static line, and
	   short-lines the student if there is any exit problem.

This exit may seems complicated at first, but allows the JM to control
the student more positively than other exits we have tried.  Additionally,
the JM has more positive control over the static line than exits that have
the student fully outside of the aircraft.  The point of this is that it
is virtually impossible for the student to foul the static line during the
exit.  If there is an exit problem, the JM's short-lining the student gets
all the important stuff off the student's back and away from him so the
chances of the student causing a malfunction are greatly reduced.  By the
way, we use direct bag systems exclusively for our static line gear.  I am
not certain what would happen with pilot chute assist type systems.

Once the student is off static line equipment, we use the more conventional
exits such as poised on the strut or diving (a little later in the program).

	Comments are welcome
	Paul Fries
	C-17147