I think every pilot should do at least 1 skydive!

[V1]

I really want to do it!
Just wondering if there are industry rates for pilots out of YVR?
It's more a financial thing for me...
if anyone out of the YVR area knows, please PM me:)

[Adam Oke]

Suited up on a Tony Jump Suit, with a Navigator 260 Chute. 8500ft Jump. Free Falled for 22 Seconds reaching an average velocity of 114mph, and a max of 122mph. Fell 4500ft in 22 Seconds!!!!

Amazing Experiance....HIGHLY SUGGEST IT!

Nice DVD of it too haha

[jumperdumper]

Refreshed for newbies comments.

[Just another canuck]

I've thought about, but I first I have to deal with the fear of heights...

[200hr Wonder]

They don't make bed sheets big enough to hold up my fat ass.

[mag check]

Spent a good number of summers jumping, I'd recomend it to anyone. I finished with just over 100 jumps and can truly say that it is the time of your life.
The thrill of freefall is awesome, and the ride in a high performance canopy, like a stilleto 135, is incredible. Probably some of the highest g force I have ever felt is a good hard front riser turn. Not sure how many 'g' it would be, but given that you are turning in roughly a 60 foot diameter at probably close to 60mph, it's safe to say that it is alot.

Jumps out of the back of a CASA are really fun, especially in a rubber raft

[BibleMonkey]

Pffft.
You guys still use airplanes for your parachute jumps?

I usually parachute while skiing-here's a clip of me on one of my earlier jumps.
Pay no attention to those guys shooting at me-they're just mad because I slept with all of their wives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzA5R9aSFCI

As you can see-I bought that chute in England.

On my next jump, I might wimp out and use an airplane, but I'll have the rigger throw the chute out the door first, then I'll jump out with no chute , catch up to the chute by making my body into an arrow of kewl, and strap it on during freefall. It's not as boring that way.

Does anybody know where I can buy a cage full of tigers and some explosives for the one after that?

[Just another canuck]

Check these jumpers out... one of them will go splat sooner or later. Make sure to watch 'til end when he gets down near the road.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cs-zZ0Qu5Y

[BibleMonkey]

Check these jumpers out... one of them will go splat sooner or later. Make sure to watch 'til end when he gets down near the road.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cs-zZ0Qu5Y

Whoa. I can imagine him leaving the house before going wing suit jumping.

Wife stops him at the door:

" Sven-here, wait! -you forget your helmet"

"Woops *slaps forehead*- Almost slipped up-thanks! that coulda been dangerous"



===

I didn't think they'd get that glide ratio in that flying squirrel suit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingsuit_flying

Pretty whacky though; not for me.

One of them is goin' in the flying squirrel suit-without a parachute:

http://www.gofastsports.com/zone/wingsuit.html

My money is on Darwin on that one.... .

I think my last link there is not exactly right:

...as no one has ever survived a landing attempt without a parachute...

...

I'm pretty sure at least three WWII pilots miraculously survived no-chute descents-British guy hit a bog, American bomber crew guy ( I think ) crashed through the glass roof of a train station and lived-third guy...can't remember
==============================

The fatality rate for active skydivers reported by USPA members ( active members of the U.S parachute association ) is 1.1 per thousand members per year, ( ten year average) .

I wanna die old and in my sleep like granpaw. Not screaming in terror

Like the passengers in his car

=====

This guy must have been pretty brave-jump from 102, 000 feet-hit mach.9

Captain Kittinger was then assigned to the Aerospace Medical Research Laboratories at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. For Project Excelsior (meaning "ever upward", a name given to the project by Colonel Stapp), as part of research into high altitude bailout, he made a series of three parachute jumps wearing a pressurized suit, from a helium balloon with an open gondola.

The first, from 76,400 feet (23,287 m) in November, 1959 was a near tragedy when an equipment malfunction caused him to lose consciousness, but the automatic parachute saved him (he went into a flat spin at a rotational velocity of 120 rpm, the G factor calculated at his extremities was over 22 times that of gravity, setting another record). Three weeks later he jumped again from 74,700 feet (22,769 m). For that return jump Kittinger was awarded the Leo Stevens parachute medal.

On August 16, 1960 he made the final jump from the Excelsior III at 102,800 feet (31,300 m). He was in freefall for 4½ minutes and reached a maximum speed of 614 mph (988 km/h) before opening his parachute at 18,000 feet (5,500 m). Pressurization for his right glove malfunctioned during the ascent, causing his hand to swell. He set records for highest balloon ascent, highest parachute jump, longest freefall and fastest speed by a man through the atmosphere. [1]

According to Kittinger, he broke the speed of sound during that famous highest jump. This may be debatable, as other references give his peak speed at 614 (988 km/h)[citation needed] or 618 (994 km/h)[citation needed] miles per hour, or mach 0.9. Nevertheless, he occasionally ribs . Yeager about being the first man to break the speed of sound.[citation needed]

The jumps were made in a "rocking-chair" position, descending on his back, rather than the usual delta familiar to skydivers, because he was wearing a 60-lb "kit" on his behind and his pressure suit naturally formed that shape when inflated, a shape appropriate for sitting in an airplane cockpit.

For the series of jumps, Kittinger was decorated with an oak leaf cluster to his D.F.C. and awarded the Harmon Trophy by President Dwight Eisenhower.

[Blue Side Down]

Skiiing off cliffs was developed in Norway, long long ago; as follows:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weVK3q9zAW4

[pontius]

Reminds me of a story, almost certainly phoney, from the Falklands War;
A British Army officer was briefing a group of Ghurka soldiers and asked for volunteers
to jump from a Hercules. Half the men stepped forward and the rest remained where they were.
The officer called over the Ghurka N.C.O. and said that he was very disappointed with the response as he had heard that the Ghurka soldier was afraid of nothing.
The Ghurka sergeant said that the officer had heard correctly but hadn`t said that they could use parachutes.

[joco]

Not that sure about jumping out of a perfectly running airplane... just to meet another one in flight!
See
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a3b85f935

joco

[Widow]

Who needs a parachute when you could play flying squirrel?

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id= ... fullscree=

[skydivepilot]

I've flown skydivers for 6 summers and really enjoy the flying. I took the 1st jump course in 2000 and did an IAD (Instructor Assisted Deployment) jump. It was alot of fun and certainly a huge rush. Last year I did a tandem jump when the Twin Otter came to our dropzone for the weekend and it was an even bigger rush. I now see why the jumpers love freefall. I would become a regular jumper if I had the money but I just can't afford it and already keep busy in the summer flying and riding my motorcycles. Maybe someday though. I agree that everyone should try it but can understand why most don't. I've had lots of friends and relatives say they are definitley going to jump but my sister was the only one who actually followed through. We had 5 people in their 80's jump the other summer. If you fly skydivers, then it really is beneficial to jump at least once to get the perspective of the people you are flying. The most dangerous part of skydiving is getting in your car and driving to the dropzone.

[Blue Side Down]

The most dangerous part of skydiving is getting in your car and driving to the dropzone.

I ran the numbers on that claim a few years ago, and while it's a good sales pitch, it's dead wrong. IIRC, you're ten times more likely to bounce than to have a serious accident on the drive to the field. But then again, statistics don't really matter when you're about to become one- at that instant, odds go to 100%

[360montana]

I agree every "jump pilot" should do a skydive, but skydiving is not for everyone. I was an avid skydiver for years before I was a jump pilot because I love the sound, the feeling, the rush, but I have yanked a few death grips from my chair and layed the boot to a few who got half way out and then decided not to go. They should have made that decision long before they ever got in the plane. You need to want to do it to stay safe and have fun, but be realistic with yourself. If you just got up off the couch after a lifetime of force feeding yourself into obesity and decided your gonna do a skydive cuz your friends are doing it or you saw it on TV and thought it looked cool. Don't bother. Skydiving is dangerous and I've seen too many people crater because they couldn't, or didn't flare. I too have broken bones during a skydive due to a mid air collision with another skydiver, but it has not detured me from the sport... I've broken bones sledding, dirtbiking and in TKD comps, but I still do all these sports. As a pilot I feel safe flying the plane... as a skydiver I feel safe under canopy... as a passenger and given the choice, I'm the first out the door.

[data plate]

This is not for everyone.

[YBW-Kid]

I have to admit skydiving is something I would like to have tried at least once. You can always see the results of the adrenaline rush and exhilaration on the faces of those who have a successful landing. I suspect much of that exhilaration is an expression of relief of a good chute deployment.

With this said, and the with an understanding the sport generally has a pretty good safety record…….well somehow I am just not able to get past this possibility …………..

(Caution – graphic and disturbing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBHzb-7CC4k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e86rFf9Ah6I

I have personally assessed the risk and have chosen to not partake. I will continue to live vicariously through those who do jump. Have fun and be safe.

[MrWings]

I have always wanted to skydive. I think it would be a rush.

My problem is with these skydiving companies. I don't think I can trust my life with a company that treats my pilot peers like crap.

If you don't value the lives of your employees how well do you value the lives of your customers? It seems like making a buck is the priority over everything else.

[skydivepilot]

Come to Skydive Moncton. I fly for them a bit on the side and they treat me and every customer great.

[MrWings]

Might have to take you up on that one day.

I read on here about the company in TO that charges for "training".

I also know a couple of guys that worked for the fellow that failed to show up for the fatality inquiry. After hearing the stories they told, I had no desire to give any one of his companies money.

Ya, I might have been swinging a pretty wide brush. There must be some good operators out there.

[skydivepilot]

I know about both of the compaines you mentioned and you are correct in saying not all businesses are run the same. I'm flying jumpers this weekend and we have a Twin Otter coming in July. My mother's even going to jump this year.

[Cadismack]

Just sitting around the DZ waiting to do my 12th skydive. Hoping to get my solo in the next few weeks. I understand its not for everyone, but hey, it sure is fun!!!

[Prairie Chicken]

Count me as one who believes we should all give it a try if you're at all curious about the attraction.

Having said that, statistics indicate it isn't as safe as it used to be and the reasons are rather surprising. One would think malfunctions would be a problem, but in fact the technology and quality of the gear has improved to such a degree that malfunctions or gear failures are not as significant as how effective the high performance 'chutes are. What seems to be killing people is something called 'swooping'--high speed, high g turns close to the ground, which are resulting in CFIT accidents & mid-airs, to borrow our own terms. Here are some numbers pulled from dropzone.com/fatalities.

Fatality statistics by category:
Collisions (44) 13%
Landings (106) 32%
No Pulls (26) 8%
Malfunctions (61) 19%
Reserve Problems (19) 6%
Other (50) 15%
Total (329)

[yfly]

Interesting stats Prairie Chicken. I would argue though that "landing" would cover 100% of the skydiving deaths.