CHUTE FAQ

 PARACHUTE : An aerodynamic decelleration 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.
Additions, corrections, or suggestions can be posted or emailed to
jerrys@umiacs.umd.edu .

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' remeniscing over "the good ol' days" by the old timers, and long
exhuberent descriptions of newcomer's first jumps are posted here as well.

Skydiving is not just a sport, its 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 comraderie 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 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?
 -.    How do you breathe in freefall?
 -.    Appendix of abbreviations (not a question)

The Answers are:


-.   How does one learn to skydive?
 ------------------------------

One looks in the Yellow Pages under "parachuting" for a local 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 aquaintance 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
deatail.  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 use 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.

Always, check out the drop zone before you commit.  It is *your* safety
at stake and *your* responsibility to look after it.


-.   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 sucessfull method for training sport parachutists.
The student gets 4-5 hours of ground training and is then taken to
altitude of 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 consist of 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.  This
is what modern sport skydiving is all about.

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 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- successfull 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 teaches
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 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 a good 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 preperation (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 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 also 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 have to attend a FJC, generally at a reduced
rate.


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 asthetic 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 monthy magazine "Parachutist", etc.

The USPA has had tremendous success in 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 dilligence 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 to all jumpers 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 GIJoe round parachutes.  The materials are stronger, lighter
and last longer, the packing proceedures 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 Activations 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 $225-$300, and the tandem from ~$125-$200.  Some DZs can provide
a freefall videoman to tape the whole exciting experience for $50-75.
These prices include the ground school and the first jump.

After completing their first jump, skydiving tradition allows each
student to present a case of beer to their newfound skydiving friends
in appreciation for their assistance in successfully achieving this
milestone in their life.  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
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.

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
manuverability, 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.



-  How do you breathe in freefall?
 ------------------------------

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.

(:-)


-  Appendix of Skydiving Abbreviations, Terms, and Coloquialisms
 -------------------------------------------------------------

AAD    Abbrev. n, "Automatic Activation Device".  A altitude sensing
 device used to automaticly 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., "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  Coloquialism v, term for landing, after freefall, without the aid
 of a parachute.  Also: hammer in, frapp, go in.

CRW    Abbrev., "Canopy Relative Work".  Describes the manuvering done
 by jumpers *under canopy* to fly their parachutes together to
 form various formations.  Sometimes refered to as CReW (Crew).

DZ   Abbrev. n, "Drop Zone".  A place where parchuting operations take
 place.  This is may be a designated area, or frequently, a
 commercial business which supplies aircraft, instruction, gear
 sales and services.

JM   Abbrev. n, "JumpMaster".  A jumper trained and certified to
 supervise students and/or novices during their jump.

main     n, the primary parachute.

RW   Abbrev., "Relative Work".  Describes the freefall manuvering
 whereby two or more jumpers fly relative to each other in
 order to form various formations.

reserve        n, the secondary, or backup, parachute.

round      n, a class of parachutes designed to simply decellerate 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.

USPA     Abbrev. n, "United States Parachute Association".



   --------      End     ---------
       Rec.Skydiving F.A.Q. Sheet