z987k
Well-Known Member
for a min jump altitude or emergency in the plane?
Skydiving plane down North of Buffalo, NY
- Thread starter dr650
- Start date
for a min jump altitude or emergency in the plane?
moxiepilot
Well-Known Member
Our min emerg. jump altitude is about 1500' also. I'd prefer them to stay seated until higher though while dealing with the situation....but, if they're gonna jump there's nothing I can do about it.
Last week a jumper had a riser problem and couldn't get the reserve to deploy until about 1000'. Shook her up real bad.
Last week a jumper had a riser problem and couldn't get the reserve to deploy until about 1000'. Shook her up real bad.
jrh
Well-Known Member
Like most situations in flying, "It depends."
When I'm flying jumpers, I don't know if I'd want them shifting the CG around and adding the drag of an open door to the mix after an engine failure at 1000 or 1500 feet--especially considering that the terrain immediately in the vicinity of our airport is very forgiving. Nothing but wide open fields in every direction. In other words, the chances of safely and smoothly putting it in to a field are quite high, whereas the risk of jumping clear at 1000 feet and getting a good canopy open are questionable.
When I'm jumping, it depends on how bad the emergency is (say, engine fire versus engine failure). I also consider how much I trust the pilot. Seriously. Some pilots at our dropzone are considerably better and more experienced than others. I'd be more likely to stay with the plane if a good pilot is flying. I'd also consider how quickly I could get to the door. By the time I unbuckle and get through the contortions of crawling from the back of a 182 to the front, we'd probably be at 700 AGL, which is really, really pushing it for a deployment altitude. But if I'm sitting in front, it would be a simple, quick, "pop the door open and out I go" sort of move.
More factors to consider than most people realize. It's impossible to set hard rules.
When I'm flying jumpers, I don't know if I'd want them shifting the CG around and adding the drag of an open door to the mix after an engine failure at 1000 or 1500 feet--especially considering that the terrain immediately in the vicinity of our airport is very forgiving. Nothing but wide open fields in every direction. In other words, the chances of safely and smoothly putting it in to a field are quite high, whereas the risk of jumping clear at 1000 feet and getting a good canopy open are questionable.
When I'm jumping, it depends on how bad the emergency is (say, engine fire versus engine failure). I also consider how much I trust the pilot. Seriously. Some pilots at our dropzone are considerably better and more experienced than others. I'd be more likely to stay with the plane if a good pilot is flying. I'd also consider how quickly I could get to the door. By the time I unbuckle and get through the contortions of crawling from the back of a 182 to the front, we'd probably be at 700 AGL, which is really, really pushing it for a deployment altitude. But if I'm sitting in front, it would be a simple, quick, "pop the door open and out I go" sort of move.
More factors to consider than most people realize. It's impossible to set hard rules.
darthpanda
New Member
Jumpers use their reserve in an emergency exit because it's packed to open very quickly. USPA recommendation is 1600 feet AGL if I remember correctly. Reserves could supposedly open in 700 feet but I never had to try it.
I hope everyone recovers. Sad news.
I hope everyone recovers. Sad news.
z987k
Well-Known Member
Any parachute can open considerably quicker than that if packed for it. Problem is, if you plan on being terminal you do not want it opening that quick. Ouch.
darthpanda
New Member
Yeah we had some guys that liked to pop low just for the thrill. Those same guys were usually the ones swooping, wearing wing suits, free flying, etc. Pushing the boundaries well beyond the typical "relative work" classical style. They always had theirs packed for a quick, but rough, opening. I can imagine you can get them coming out pretty quick if you pack it so.
