Dear Roy
I am on a team with people who have much more experience than me. I only have 100 jumps and they all have around 1,000. Our flying ability is pretty similar because I learned a lot in the tunnel as I used to work there. When we do our tunnel sessions I feel I fly really well and I feel good.
But when we do a jumping weekend I find it very difficult. Firstly, I am not allowed to wear a full-face helmet like in the tunnel (I jump in England) and the Pro-tec at the DZ is smelly, uncomfortable and noisy in freefall so I find it hard to concentrate.
Secondly, my canopy control is not as good as everyone else and I fly a Spectre 150 and they are on sub 100 cross-braced whizzy things. We started to do back-to-backs, no-one (other than me) thought it might be a problem but it was. I couldn’t always land near enough to make it back in time. Then the aircraft was waiting, and DZ control were shouting and it was all a big drama, so we had a team chat and ended up deciding to do every other lift instead.
Sounds great? I thought so but it’s actually worse. At least before we were all rushing. Now they land together and get a cup of tea & something to eat, while I’m legging it through the cornfields with 2 weight belts! I get back all hot and sticky, we barely have time to prep and then we’re off again. All I’m thinking about in the aircraft is how to land closer so I don’t get so tired, so my freefall performance is suffering. I just feel like I’m rushing as much as I can to always be late. It’s not fun any more. But I don’t want to make a scene, as I feel so lucky to have this opportunity.
Hope you can help
Jayne
PS I forgot to say but they laugh at my silly helmet, that doesn’t help!
Hi Jayne
Don’t worry if some people laugh when you wear a Pro-tec, they probably all had to do the same when they started jumping
As you already mentioned there is a difference between flying in the tunnel and flying in the sky. Flying in a tunnel is much easier because here you don’t have to deal with exits and sub-terminal moves, you always have reference points around you and there is no distraction like bad weather or altitude. Most of us also train in the tunnel without our rig. Flying with a rig is always more intense. With a rig we don’t have the same freedom of movement and it will add about 10 kilo extra to our flying weight. Because of these extra kilos we must give more input to start a move and use more energy to stop our momentum. Timing wise we need to learn to adapt to it as well. In your case it is just a matter of jumping more, to be able to deal better with the differences between tunnel and skydiving.
I must say that I am surprised that you are not allowed to use a full-face helmet during jumping. I don’t know the UK policy and the reasons behind it why they don’t allow you to jump it. Anyway, if these are the rules (even if they seem to be old fashioned) you have to deal with it. Don’t worry if some people laugh when you wear a Pro-tec, they probably all had to do the same when they started jumping, so your time will come as well 😉
Regarding your landing ‘problem’ there are a few things that can help. First of all I would suggest you to do a canopy control course, or try to get advice from experienced jumpers of how to land more accurately. The more you jump, the better you will become in controlling your canopy and the less you need to run back to hanger.
If your teammates can help you out in any way, they should do it, so you can get a breather. I don’t know the practical situation on the DZ, so it is difficult for me to see where (if) they can help you.
If you feel so much in a hurry every jump, where you lose focus on the jumps and you are not having fun any more, I suggest to see if you can change the manifest plan. Each other load is not enough time for you at the moment. Maybe an extra load inbetween can help you (for example load 1, 4, 7, 10, etc), or after every shutdown and fuel. I am sure it will help the performance significantly and you will feel much more relaxed. The most important thing is that you are having FUN! Yes, you will do a few jumps less a day but you get a lot in return for it. Your teammates have to understand that you are still in your early stages of your skydiving career and the plan must be good for everyone. Once you learn to land your parachute better, you can adjust the manifest plan again.
Wishing you lots of luck with your canopy control!
Roy
