🚀 go-pugleaf

>     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
>

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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"