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Newsgroups: rec.skydiving,news.answers,rec.answers Path: bloom-beacon.mit.edu!nic.hookup.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!noc.near.net!das-news.harvard.edu!cantaloupe.srv.cs.cmu.edu!localhost!belboz From: belboz@frc2.frc.ri.cmu.edu (Barry Brumitt) Subject: rec.skydiving FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Message-ID: <BELBOZ.93Dec29134549@hoe.frc.ri.cmu.edu> Followup-To: rec.skydiving Summary: This posting contains a list of Frequently Asked Questions (and their answers) about skydiving, learning to skydive, and the newsgroup rec.skydiving. It should be read by anyone interested in the sport of skydiving and prior to posting on rec.skydiving. Sender: news@cs.cmu.edu (Usenet News System) Nntp-Posting-Host: hoe.frc.ri.cmu.edu Reply-To: belboz@ri.cmu.edu Organization: Field Robotics Center, CMU Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1993 18:45:49 GMT Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu Lines: 589 Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu rec.skydiving:6778 news.answers:13437 rec.answers:3493 Archive-name: skydiving-faq Last-modified: 12/17/93 [Sorry it's late, been out of town! -- Barry, belboz@ri.cmu.edu] Rec.Skydiving F.A.Q. Sheet =-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-= PARACHUTE : An aerodynamic deceleration device. (Federal Aviation Administration) This posting constitutes a dynamic compilation of Frequently Asked Questions concerning the sport of skydiving, related activities, and the news group rec.skydiving. It is posted on or about the second and fourth Mondays of every month. Additions, corrections, or suggestions can be posted or emailed to the current maintainer, Barry Brumitt, belboz@frc2.frc.ri.cmu.edu. The original version was written by jerrys@umiacs.umd.edu, who is currently too busy to maintain it. First, the news group rec.skydiving is an unmoderated group for the discussion of issues relating to sport skydiving. It obviously is not limited to skydiving as there are many sports that share technology, history, common interests, and avid proponents; but these tend to be minor distractions for the hard core jumper :-). News or events to be held, or post-event reviews are commonly posted, as are questions about equipment, skills, regulations, theory, etc. And plain ol' reminiscing over "the good ol' days" by the old timers, and long exuberant descriptions of newcomer's first jumps are posted here as well. Skydiving is not just a sport, it's a lifestyle (not to be confused with bungee jumping which is just a sport :-). It seems there are a great many new readers every year of rec.skydiving, many of which stumbled across it and found it interesting but have never jumped. After a time, they seem to always ask the same questions. So in an effort to promote the sport, minimize redundant postings, and in general continue the camaraderie of fellow free spirits here is now the "Rec.Skydiving F.A.Q. Sheet". If your question is not answered in this document, please feel free to post it to the net. If we get tired of answering it (:-), we'll append it to the FAQ sheet. The information disseminated in this FAQ sheet is generally related to the sport within the United States. However, much of the information is applicable world-wide as well. If you need specifics for a given geographical area, post it. Someone from that region can then reply. The questions are not ordered in their "asking frequency". Instead, I have tried to order them so as to provide the information in a more easily understood manor. The Most Frequently Asked Questions are: -. How does one learn to skydive? -. What are the physical requirements? -. What does the training consist of? -. How do I tell a good Drop Zone from poor one? -. What if my parachute doesn't open? -. How hard is the landing? -. How much does it cost? -. Where can I try Skysurfing? -. "How do you breathe in freefall?" and other Whuffo questions. Other Information provided in this file are: -. Movie Myths -. Appendix of abbreviations -. List of Magazines and Skydiving Periodicals -. Information about rec.skydiving FTP/archive/gopher/WWW site. -. Information about the PIA BBS -. Disclaimer -. How does one learn to skydive? ------------------------------ One looks in the telephone directory (Yellow Pages) under "Parachuting" or "Skydiving and Parachute Jumping Instructions" to find a local parachuting operation - normally referred to as a "drop zone" (DZ). A phone call will generally provide you with enough information to make arrangements to attend the First Jump Course and/or how to reach the DZ. You can also call the United States Parachute Association (USPA, 1440 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314) at (703)-836-3495 to get the name of an affiliated drop zone in your area. A friend or acquaintance who has jumped previously may also be able to give you a recommendation. Most DZs will offer the First Jump Course (FJC) at least once each weekend. Some will offer it during the week or several times during the weekend. You will need to contact your local DZ to determine their scheduling. The FJC consists of about 4-6 hours of ground school followed by your jump - weather permitting. There are several different types of training you can take: Static Line, Accelerated Freefall, or Tandem. They are described below in greater detail. However, not all drop zones offer all these options, so you should ask the DZ which type(s) of training they provide. Some drop zones have promotional videos they will sell you (~$10) that describe the training and show you what it is all about. Almost every DZ these days uses videos for training aids and will be glad to let you view them (for free!) if you stop by. They will mail you a brochure and other detailed information upon request as well. It is *your* safety at stake and *your* responsibility to look after it. If you have reservations about making your first jump, make the effort to visit the DZ, check it out, meet the people and staff. They will be glad to see you, and you will be *much* more confident and comfortable having done so, and consequently have a much better time! -. What are the physical requirements? ----------------------------------- In general, the prospective student should be in reasonably good physical shape, this *is* a sport after all. You will be required wear 35 lbs of equipment, endure opening shock, maneuver the canopy, land, and possibly trudge great distances on foot. You will experience 30 degree swings in temperature, atmospheric pressure changes, 4 hours of lecture, and lots of beer. It's grueling (:-). But seriously, problems may arise where a prospect is too heavy (over ~250lbs/ 110kg) or if they have medical conditions which may impair them during the activity. Someone who experiences fainting spells, blackouts, or has a weak heart should not be jumping. Someone with respiratory illness *may* have a problem due to atmospheric changes at altitude. The better your physical condition, the more you will enjoy the experience. This being said, very few people have medical or physical conditions which actually preclude jumping. Most dropzones will try to work with you. If you have a question, ask them, and as always, ask your doctor. You may be surprised at the relatively few physical constraints involved. -. What does the training consist of? ---------------------------------- The FJC teaches the student every thing they need to know to safely make their first jump. There are several different programs available for first jumpers, the one you choose will depend on your personal preferences and circumstances. The differences of each is summarized below: Static Line (S/L) This method has evolved over the last ~30 years from its military origins into a successful method for training sport parachutists. The student gets 4-5 hours of ground training and is then taken to an altitude of about 3000 feet for the jump. The jump itself consists of a simple "poised" exit from the strut of a small single engine Cessna aircraft. As the student falls away from the plane, the main canopy is deployed by a "static line" attached to the aircraft. The student will experience about two to three seconds of falling as the parachute opens. Subsequent S/L jumps require about 15 minutes of preparation. After 2 good static line jumps, the student will be trained to pull their ripcord for themselves. The student then does 3 more static line jumps where they demonstrate this ability by pulling a dummy ripcord as they leave the plane (the static line is still initiating the deployment). The student is then cleared to do their first actual freefall. The first freefall is a "clear & pull", where the student initiates the pull sequence immediately upon leaving the aircraft. Next is a 5 second delay jump. Subsequent jumps go to progressively higher altitudes with longer delays. After 20 freefalls, and meeting certain other basic requirements, the student receives their A license and is cleared off student status. Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) The AFF program was instituted in 1982 as an "accelerated" learning process as compared to the traditional static line progression. The AFF program will give you a true taste of modern sport skydiving. The ground training is a bit more extensive than S/L (~5 hours) because the student will be doing a 50 second freefall (that's right!) on his/her very first jump. The student will exit the aircraft at 10,000-12,000 feet along with two AFF Jumpmasters (JM) who will assist the student during freefall. The jumpmasters maintain grips on the student from the moment they leave the aircraft until opening, assisting the student as necessary to fall stable, perform practice ripcord pulls, monitor altitude, etc. The student then pulls his/her own ripcord at about 4000 ft. The AFF program is a 7 level program. Levels 1, 2, & 3 require two freefall Jumpmasters to accompany the student. These dives concentrate on teaching basic safety skills such as altitude awareness, body position, stability during freefall and during the pull sequence, and most importantly- successful ripcord pull. On level 3, the JMs will release the student in freefall for the first time, to fly completely on their own. Levels 4, 5, 6, & 7 require only one freefall JM (less $$) and teach the student air skills such as turns, forward movement and docking on other people, frontloops, backloops, "superman" exits from the plane, etc. Each AFF level is designed to take one jump, and requires about 45 minutes of training. After successfully performing the objectives of each level, the student moves on to the next level. After graduating Level 7, the student enters a more free format stage called "Level 8" where they practice and hone their skills by themselves and in small groups until they obtain 20 freefalls and qualify for their A license. Tandem jumps. Tandem jumps are meant to offer an introduction to the sport. They allow the neophyte to "take a ride" with an experienced jumper. A tandem jump requires from 15 to 45 minutes of ground preparation (it is not actually a First Jump Course). It consists of an experienced jumper called a "tandem master" (or "Pilot") and the student (or passenger). The passenger and pilot each wear a harness, however only the pilot wears the parachutes. The student's harness attaches to the front of the pilot's harness and the two of them freefall *together* for 30 seconds, open together, and land together under one Really_BIG_Parachute. Tandems are particularly advantageous to the adventurous spirit who cannot adequately meet the physical or proficiency requirements for the S/L or AFF jumps. They can hop aboard a tandem! Because the tandem training is not a First Jump Course, if you decide to pursue the sport, you will still have to attend a FJC. In all of these training methods, students are taught normal and emergency procedures for all aspects of the jump - climb to altitude, exit, opening, canopy control, and landing. They are also shown the equipment and go over it so that they understand how it works. Nearly all student training centers now utilize *sport* skydiving gear. No more military surplus stuff. Students have light-weight harness/container systems in aesthetic colors, high performance canopies designed for students. No more paraboots- students use their own tennis shoes. No more heavy motorcycle helmets- students use lightweight sporting helmets. Ground-to-air radio for canopy control assistance, air-to-air video, on and on... -. How do I tell a good Drop Zone from poor one? --------------------------------------------- Most dropzones that provide regular student training are "USPA Affiliated". The United States Parachute Association (USPA) is the representative body for sport parachuting within the US, and a member of the FAI (the international equivalent). The USPA defends the sport's interests before the FAA and other regulating/lawmaking bodies at all levels of government. It also develops and monitors safety and training doctrine for the sport. Other benefits include liability insurance for students and DZs in the case of damage to property, the monthly magazine "Parachutist", etc. The USPA has had tremendous success instituting rating programs for Jumpmasters, Instructors, and Instructor-Examiners to ensure that only properly trained and qualified personnel work with students. You should insist on USPA Instructors and Jumpmasters. USPA affiliation is not required, and does not *guarantee* a DZ to be a "good" DZ, and non-affiliation does not mean the DZ is "bad". However, the USPA, through their diligence and caution, has compiled an excellent safety record over the years. These are just guidelines. You should always check it out before you jump. -. What if your parachute doesn't open? ------------------------------------ Clearly, this is the most Frequently-Asked-Question posed by all prospective jumpers. By law (FAA regulations), all intentional parachute jumps must be made with a single harness, dual parachute system with both a main canopy *AND* a reserve canopy. In other words, you have a second (or spare) canopy in case the first one fails to open properly. However, it must be noted that the technology utilized in today's sport parachuting equipment is light years ahead of the old military surplus gear used in the '60s and '70s. The canopies are DRASTICLY different from the classic G.I. Joe round parachutes. The materials are stronger, lighter and last longer, the packing procedures are simpler, the deployment sequence is much more refined, etc. The reserve canopies are even more carefully designed and packed. The reserve parachute must be inspected and repacked every 120 days by an FAA rated parachute Rigger - even if it has not been used during that time. The student's main canopy is always packed either by a rigger or under a rigger's direct supervision by experienced packers. There are also additional safety features employed to ensure canopy deployment such as Automatic Activation Devices (AAD) and Reserve Static Lines (RSL) which add still more layers of safety. -. How much does it cost? ---------------------- Prices vary from DZ to DZ. Typically, the S/L course runs ~$110-$140, AFF from $250-$300, and the tandem from ~$140-$200. Some DZs can provide a freefall videoman to tape your skydive for an additional $50-75. These prices include the ground school and the first jump. After completing their first jump, skydiving tradition allows each student to express their appreciation and admiration for their newfound skydiving friends for their assistance in successfully achieving this milestone in their life by purchasing (from a local establishment) and presenting to them a case of beer. This case, customarily a fine imported beer, is ceremoniously iced down for consumption at the end of the day. The cost generally runs $15-20. (It should be noted that while jumpers have a reputation for major no-holds- barred parties, the use of drugs and/or alcohol on the DZ premises is *strictly* prohibited during jump operations for what should be obvious reasons. This rule is observed and enforced by both jumpers and management.) After the first jump, the cost of each successive jump decreases in stages as less supervision is required. Once off student status, and owning your own gear, jumps will cost about $15-17 to 13,000' (about 65 seconds of freefall). Many drop zones have discount programs as well that can further decrease the cost of jumps. A file containing prices for experienced jumpers is available both on the FTP site described below, and via E-mail from eap@phase.stanford.edu. Equipment can run from $1000 to $3500 depending on what you want to spend. There is a used equipment market (much like the used car market) which can SAVE you loads of money, or you can custom order everything brand-spankin-new with your own personalized colors and sizes, which will COST you loads of money (:-). You can buy it all at once or a piece at a time as finances allow. Generally, you shouldn't worry about buying gear until you are off student status or close to your A license. Of course, all prices are in US dollars (as opposed to dinars or rubles :-). -. How hard is the landing? ------------------------ The canopies used today bear little resemblance to the classic round canopies of years gone by. Today, nearly all jumpers and jump schools use "square" canopies for parachuting. These canopies are actually rectangular in shape, and when open, act like an airplane wing (or an airfoil). They are more like gliders than umbrellas. The aerodynamics of the square canopy provide it with exceptional maneuverability, allowing the jumpers to land almost anywhere they wish. This wing shape also provides tippy-toe soft landings for even the novice jumper. The days of landing like a sack of flour are history. Most students land standing up on their first jump. -. Where can I try Skysurfing? --------------------------- It a nutshell, you can't -- unless you're already a very experienced skydiver. "Skysurfing" or "Skyboarding" refers to skydiving with a small board, or snow board, attached to your feet. This allows some radical maneauvers in freefall. However, such jumps should only be attempted by expert skydivers, and preferably after discussion with one of the few skysurfers who have experience. This is currently a very "fringe" activity in the skydiving world. -. "How do you breathe in freefall?" and other Whuffo Questions ------------------------------------------------------------ "How do you breath in freefall?" -- Through genetically developed gills. This falls into the realm of urban folklore. One CAN breathe in freefall - if it were necessary. However, due to the high speed of terminal freefall (and much higher speeds in vertical freefall dives), the jumper's body is exposed to O2 molecules at a much higher rate than someone walking around on the ground. The body is able to absorb the necessary O2 through the skin. This is why jumpers flap their cheeks in freefall, it presents a larger surface area to the airstream for oxygen osmosis. Once under canopy, the jumper resumes breathing normally. This is also why jumpers do not jump on cloudy days or when they might risk going through clouds. The moisture in the clouds can condense on their exposed skin surfaces preventing the absorption of the necessary oxygen resulting in suffocation. AADs are recommended for jumpers in climates where weather is a factor. "Don't your ears pop on the way down?" -- "Yes, we're not ignoring you, we're deaf." "What if you have to go the bathroom in the plane?" -- "Go ahead!" "Can you steer your parachute?" -- "No, one time I landed in Jamacia." "Does it hurt?" -- "Yes, that's why we jump all the time! Masochism!" "What if your parachute doesn't open?" -- "Gee, I never thought of that..." "Why do you jump?" -- "Why do _you_ breathe?" "Where do you jump?" -- "O'Hare, Midway, LAX, Dulles, where ever I happen to be." (:-) -. Movie Myths ----------- Myth #1: Freefall conversation. Talking in Freefall is virtually impossible. The wind is too loud. Myth #2: 4 minute freefalls. Without taking Oxygen on the plane with you, freefall time is limited to about 80 seconds on a single jump. Myth #3: First-jump freefall acrobatics Learning to fall stable and to fly while in freefall takes practice -- it's not realistic to do this on your first jump. Myth #4: Low-pull contests This virtually never happens. Everyone tends to deploy around 2000-2500. Skydivers fall at about 5.5 sec/thousand feet. -. Appendix of Skydiving Abbreviations, Terms, and Colloquialisms ------------------------------------------------------------- AAD Abbrev. n, "Automatic Activation Device". A altitude sensing device used to automatically activate the opening sequence for a parachute. Most commonly refers to their application to sport reserve parachutes, but also used in other non-sport scenarios such as ejection seats, etc. AFF Abbrev. n, "Accelerated FreeFall". A training program for first jump students where the skydiving skills development rate is accelerated over that of the older static line program. boogie n, A gathering of jumpers for the purposes of jumping and socializing. Typically, boogies will have large aircraft, unusual aircraft (balloons, helicopters), special events (record attempts), or some sort of competition as a focal point to attract jumpers from widely diverse regions. bounce Colloquialism v, term for landing, after freefall, without the aid of a parachute. Also: hammer in, frappe, go in. canopy n, parachute. CFS Abbrev., "Canopy Formation Skydiving". The new "official" term for a discipline of skydinvg in which jumpers *under canopy* fly their parachutes together to form various formations. However, most skydivers still refer to it as "CRW". (See CRW.) CRW Abbrev., "Canopy Relative Work". Describes the maneuvering done by jumpers *under canopy* to fly their parachutes together to form various formations. Sometimes referred to as CReW (Crew). See CFS. DZ Abbrev. n, "Drop Zone". A place where parachuting operations take place. This is may be a designated area, or frequently, a commercial business which supplies aircraft, instruction, gear sales and services. flare v, to pull down on both of the canopy's steering toggles in order to lower decent rate and forward speed just prior to landing. The forward speed is traded-off for lift. A flare performed too late has no effect, a flare performed too early can result in a stall in which the canopy looses forward speed and drops straight down. A correctly performed flare results in an exceptionally soft landing. FS Abbrev., "Formation Skydiving". The new "official" term for a dicipline of skydiving in which two or more jumpers fly relative to each other *in freefall* in order to form various formations. However, most skydivers refer to it as Relative Work, or "RW." (See RW.) hook turn n, A high-speed turn with either the steering toggles or the front risers performed at very low altitude in order to build up speed before landing. See "turf surf." JM Abbrev. n, "JumpMaster". A jumper trained and certified to supervise students and/or novices during their jump. main n, the primary parachute. opening shock n, The force experienced by the jumper due to the sudden deceleration from terminal velocity due to the deployment of a parachute. RW Abbrev., "Relative Work". Describes the freefall maneuvering whereby two or more jumpers fly relative to each other *in freefall* in order to form various formations. See FS. reserve n, the secondary, or backup, parachute. round n, a class of parachutes designed to simply decelerate a body in a fluid medium. The classic parachute. square n, a class of parachutes designed to inflate and take the shape of an airfoil. These are more accurately rectangular in shape and are semi-rigid wings. turf surf v, (also, to "surf it") a high-speed style of landing. The jumper builds up speed (see Hook Turn) and then flares mere moments before touchdown, resulting in a spectacular landing in which the jumper skims mere inches above the ground at 30-40mph, for up to 100 yards. Or, if the jumper flares too late, resulting in a spectacular landing in which the jumper impacts the ground, leading to medical bills, orthapaedic surgery, and/or death. Attempt this maneuver at your own risk! USPA Abbrev. n, "United States Parachute Association". whuffo Colloquialism, n, A person who is not a skydiver (from the often-asked phrase "Whuffo you jump out of them airplanes?"). -. List of Skydiving-related magazines and periodicals --------------------------------------------------- Parachutist: Free w/ USPA Membership, $12/yr, back issues $3. USPA, 1440 Duke St, Alexandra, VA, 22314. 703-836-3495. Skydiving: $18/yr. Skydiving, PO Box 1520, DeLand, FL, 32721. 904-736-4793. Chuting Star: Free at some DZ's. $12.50/yr. 904-282-6623. Chuting Star, PO Box 1814, Middleburg, FL, 32050-1814 -. rec.skydiving FTP site, WWW site, archive, and gopher site. ----------------------------------------------------------- There is an FTP site for rec.skydiving located on skydive.eng.ufl.edu (128.227.116.1) which contains: 1. Most recent FAQ. 2. Archive of all rec.skydiving messages since July 1988. 3. DZ information (reviews, prices (*)). 4. A collection of skydiving GIF's (including hourly weather maps). This site accepts anonymous FTP's, and the information can be found in the /skydive directory. Questions and comments concerning this site can be directed to the FTP site maintainer esj@ufl.edu. The DZ price list is also available via Email to eap@phase.stanford.edu. There is a now WWW (World Wide Web) site at http://www.cis.ufl.edu/skydive. It's under construction and is subject to change. Currently, it provides links to the Finnish Skydive Archive, as well as to the FTP and Gopher sites. There is a gopher server available which is dedicated to skydiving, on jumprun.ehs.uiuc.edu (port 70). The Internet Gopher client/server provides a distributed information delivery system around which a world/campus-wide information system (CWIS) can readily be constructed. While providing a delivery vehicle for local information, Gopher facilitates access to other Gopher and information servers throughout the world. Gopher servers are accessible only through "hard wired" Internet connections. In order to access the uiuc skydiving gopher server, you need a program running on your computer called called a gopher client. Gopher clients for a wide variety of machines are available via anonymous FTP from boombox.micro.umn.edu. Look in the directory: /pub/gopher If you don't know anything about WWW, gopher, FTP or Telnet, see your local computer guru for further details. -. Information about the PIA BBS ----------------------------- The Parachute Industry Association BBS is now on-line with the Internet. Our address is pia.com. We are carrying the rec.skydiving newsgroup for the benefit of those jumpers with modems but without USENET capabilities. We also have many manufacturers on-line. You can write jump.shack@pia.com, relative.workshop@pia.com, precision@pia.com, pd@pia.com, uspa@pia.com, and stewart.systems@pia.com. Give us a call at 904-985-0680. We will have anonymous ftp access in the near future. Telnet is not possible but will be considered in the future if the demand is present. The PIA BBS was founded to foster communication between jumpers and manufacturers. Give us a call. - Fred McKay, SYSOP - Fred@pia.com -. Disclaimer. ----------- All information provided herein is offered on an "as is" basis. There is no warranty expressed or implied concerning its applicability or fitness for any particular purpose. Consult a trained professional before attempting any of the activities described in this document; it is not intended to be a substitute for proper professional instruction. -------- End --------- Rec.Skydiving F.A.Q. Sheet -- Barry Brumitt belboz@frc2.frc.ri.cmu.edu Robotics Graduate Student PGP Available upon Request. Field Robotics Center Phone: (412) 268-7144 Carnegie Mellon University "Who is John Galt?" $ Skydive! Boring Disclaimer: The opinions contained herein do not necessarily =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= represent those of the FRC, SCS, RI or even CMU.