In Dan BC’s article, Performing at your best, he discusses the ‘5 C’s’ skydivers should master to increase the percent of time they perform at their best. The first of the 5 C’s: “calm.” In Jo Malone’s 2001 article, Mental and Physical Preparation, Pete Allum says, “I need to feel relaxed and calm before a jump and have a clear image of what is going to happen.” There is no question that being calm and relaxed is key to performing at your best...
Atmospheric turbulence can be a significant hazard when flying a ram-air canopy. It is important for all skydivers to understand the nature of turbulence and its potential effects on a canopy in flight. Skydivers should know how to avoid turbulence, but must also understand effective techniques for flying in turbulence if it is encountered...
This is the second of two articles on how to choose a main canopy. Last month, we discussed canopy size and wing loading, and looked at factors to consider when downsizing. In this article, we will examine differences between various types of canopies...
“What size canopy should I buy?” Anyone who makes more than a handful of jumps will eventually ask this question. Almost every skydiver transitions to a different size canopy at least once...
“I'm really careful under canopy. I never make low turns.”
You've probably heard someone say this before. You might even say it yourself. You might also think that most...
This concept has been explained over and over again – and you probably have heard it already.
As you descend under parachute – the horizon appears to be rising in your field of view. Since you can never reach the horizon, you can assume that objects rising in your field of view...
The way your main canopy performs is mostly determined by the size and type of canopy that you choose. No matter what type of main you fly, though, whether it’s a hot new zero-p “elliptical” or a tired but trusted old “F-111” type canopy...
Many factors determine the way your canopy opens. The design of the canopy and the way it is packed are two important factors, but body position also plays a major role...
We learn to deploy our canopies in a basic, stable position as students, and many of us don’t give this skill much more thought after that...
The first thing you should think about before you start freeflying is, are you ready? How do know when you are ready? First of all, you should be mature with skydiving. This includes being very solid in flat (belly) flying and you should also know and feel confident with your gear. Please don’t confuse confidence with ignorance…no 100 jump wonders here, we are past that...
Brain locks happen to pretty much everybody at every level. An important part of training is to learn to minimize and deal with brain locks when they happen.
One great tip we received (amongst many) during an Airspeed camp was from Eric Gin. He helped us realize that the reason we brain lock sometimes is simply because...
