F-16 Crash AFB Volkel , The Netherlands

[Brian Abraham]

To land a square canopy requires training and developement of a skill set. Get it wrong and you die and is the major cause of fatalities in the skydiving community.

[rab-k]

http://home.hccnet.nl/p.peijnenburg/.../defaultE.html

Tower very much in commission. (Although nearly decommissioned c/o falling object!)

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!]

To land a square canopy requires training and developement of a skill set. Get it wrong and you die and is the major cause of fatalities in the skydiving community.

Fair comment, because fatalities have definately changed from equipment failure ro aggressive hook turns at low level under a viable canopy, but:

1. showing off plays a large part in that shift in emphasis and
2. seeing as they're already aviators, the skill set is mostly there to begin with

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!]

Very few aircrew every jump for fun.

and I don't blame them but even with the extra possibilities of an expensive injury, it seems like it might be a useful addition to the curriculum. What about E&E training? doesn't that hold the risk of injury? and is it ever considered fun?

While a square chute and a high abandonment may help you steer away it probably unlikely that you would see the bad guys on the ground early enough anyway. For a last second abandonment you need as much chute as possible and no finesse.

another fair point, but a square might afford the opportunity to land in an open field instead of a tree, powerlines or next to a snarling doberman.

Another consideration may be the chute pack size. Certainly, IIRC, the Army chutes were 28 foot diameter (and greater load of course) compared with the aircrew ones at 24 feet. That works out with a difference in size of about 10%.

Possible, but new zero porosity fabrics not only pack down into a really small volume, they also provide the same 'slowing capabilities' with a much smaller area of fabric.


btw, just playing devil's advocate, s'not meant to be an argumentative post

[Brian Abraham]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! (s'not meant to be an argumentative post)

showing off plays a large part in that shift in emphasis

The skydiving community has instructors who offer advanced canopy flying but unfortunately not a lot take the opportunity so they operate on the basis of they dont know what they dont know and hence the inevitable accidents.

seeing as they're already aviators, the skill set is mostly there to begin with

A square is a low performance glider with a unique set of handling characteristics which take experience to master. A reading of the United States Parachute Association "Skydivers Information Manual" (available online) will persuade any reasonable reader that you dont just strap on a square and go jump. The "Emergencies" section is quite formidable also.

RIP Martin Siddell, 52, a British Airways 777 Captain was parachuting at Skydive City in Zephyrhills, Florida, about 25 miles north east of Tampa, when turbulence collapsed his parachute at a height of 150 feet.

Attempts were made to revive him but he died at the scene.

PS Anybody who thinks its not fun should give it a try. Best to be had (with pants on or off)

[Argonautical]

Here are a few more pictures....