Violent Pitching

[dmeyer@ti-csl]

> I've heard of at least one instance of a jumper-induced
> malfunction of a square. I think it happened at the World Cup
> RW meet in Z-hills. The jumper was fooling around up high
> with deep stalls, flying backwards etc. While pitching the
> canopy forward the pilot chute flipped over the leading edge and
> wrapped around some lines. The canopy was distorted enough to
> be unflyable and the result was a cutaway.
>
> I've noticed in backwards flying that my pilot chute dances
> around the leading edge. I still enjoy flying backwards,
> but I'm careful not to pitch the canopy violently just
> in case.
>
> If you have a long pilot chute bridle I would advise avoiding
> violent stall recoveries and flying backward below cutaway
> altitude (for me that's a grand).
>
> I think a good riser spiral or downplane is the best way
> to get pee in your pants :-)
> --
>
> Made in New Zealand --> Brent Callaghan
> AT&T Information Systems, Lincroft, NJ
> {ihnp4|mtuxo|pegasus}!poseidon!brent
>
> (201) 576-3475

Excellent point Brent. That certainly is a potential risk, especially
with long bridals. I admit that I don't do this often -- but it sure
is a great ride.

Actually, I'm relatively conservative in my canopy flying. I don't recommend
doing much of anything besides preparing to land under 1000'.

I haven't ever done a down plane (I've done some CRW -- was in a 9-stack --
but I've elected to avoid CRW these days), but they do appear fun and safe
if done high enough off the deck. However down-planes seem to be a favorite
low-bird stunt -- I wince when they bring 'em down till you can see the whites
in their eyes. Anyway, do you (or anyone) know how much stress & pressure
down-planes put on a canopy? Have you heard of anyone having canopy problems
while in a down-plane? I haven't -- was just wondering ...

=========================================================================

Dane Meyer Texas Instruments

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[Brent P. Callaghan]

Dane Meyer was interested in the strain imposed on a canopy
in a downplane configuration.

Although I haven't got any figures - my impression is that
the canopy loads are much higher than straight and level.
The canopy shudders and the lines moan when you're really
motoring. I'm not at all concerned about a canopy failure
though. After all, it has already been loaded to 5 G's or
so in slowing me from terminal. Also, the load factor is
limited by the strength in your leg grips.

I'm not exactly sure how low I've gone with a downplane
but its probably not under 300 feet. I've always got
enough altitude to turn into wind and land without hooking
it. Also, I don't want to have high airspeed from the
outswing in case there's some turbulence in the landing area.
Breakoff is determined by whoever goes first. It's often
determined by closeness to the landing area.
Don't think of taking a downplane under a grand unless you
you can accurately "eyeball" your altitude. It's important
to have objects on the ground as visual clues. The altimeter
is too distracting and innacurate.