PC induced off headings

[guest]

Just a quick question....can you induce off heading openings by going stowed from low altitudes because of the trajectory of your PC when going stowed/low freefall speed...is there a more chance of this happening in a cross wind component and would hand held be a better option?

[guest]

I have made a fair number of low stowed jumps (meaning zero delay--essentially stowed go and throw deployment), generally from 250-300'.

I have not observed any difference in heading performance between stowed and hand held deployment from these altitudes/at these delays.

I have made a number of these type of jumps with a crosswind component as well, and have not noted a difference in the response of stowed and hand held PC's to the crosswind. Note that a crosswind will effect opening heading by effecting the inflation of the canopy itself.

HOWEVER, I do believe that HAND HELD is a BETTER OPTION. Important considerations include:

1) Possible PC hesitation. I have never experienced a hand held PC hesitation. I have experienced hesitations up to 1.5 seconds on a stowed deployment (I have video evidence of several of these). So, unless you are really prepared to deal with a possible 1.5 (or more) second hesitation from your intended altitude, I'd go hand held.

2) Body position. Many jumpers are more (or less) stable when pitching hand held (or stowed). If going stowed will lead to any instability (and hence off heading opening), you should definitely go hand held. Note that this can be an argument for going stowed if you are the rare jumper who is more stable pitching from a stowed position (although in this case I recommend making enough practice hand held jumps to get your hand held deployments stable).


If you do insist on going stowed at low altitudes, here are a few things I recommend:

1) Pack your PC as close to the exit as possible. I've noticed that PC's packed the night before the jump (or more) have a much greater tendency to hesitate. I theorize that this has to do with wrinkles you create in stowing the PC, but I don't really know why it is. At any rate, on low stowed jumps, I try to pack my PC at the actual exit point (or as close as possible) to minimize this effect.

2) Be sure the PC centerline is extended. (If this doesn't sound trite to you, I strongly urge you to reconsider low stowed jumps).

3) Be mentally prepared for a hesitation and a low opening. Know where the outs are, and prepare to PLF. If your opening is too low, you may have to flare on the risers.


And my disclaimer: Although I have made numerous stowed jumps from low altitudes, I would consider 400' a minimum altitude for a stowed jump.

But hey, its your life.

Have a gowaystowed day!

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@ucdavis.edu