"Whack...Whoosh...Damn,
I'm Good!"
From:
JamesN8@aol.com
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 19:11:25 -0500 (EST)
To: ravensave@precision.net
Subject: Raven Save
Dear
George,
I
guess there are some things you just shouldn't
push. I had over 800 jumps on my trusty Monarch
175 and the lines were looking a bit worn.
But, I knew I could get just one more weekend
out of it before I had to send it in to be
relined. Besides, the forecast for the weekend
wasn't great, so I knew I wouldn't be making
that many jumps anyway.
So,
I went off to the drop zone to meet a friend
and hopefully get in a couple of low ones
before the day went completely bad. It looked
like the ceiling was coming down and we were
only going to get in one hop-n-pop for the
day. We took off and only got 3,500' AGL before
we hit the cloud deck, and turned in on jump
run. I figured 3,500' was fine; plenty of
time do a few back loops before pulling.
I
hopped out last after five other jumpers,
pulled three back loops and checked my altitude;
2,600', enough time to throw one front loop
before pulling. As I came out of the front
loop, the ground started looking big and I
figured it was about time. I reached back
and threw my pilotchute, and as I threw I
realized I was still rotating a little and
was slightly head down as I released the pilotchute.
I arched hard to stay stable during the deployment
and WHACK!!! That didn't feel right! I looked
up and saw the remains of my right steering
line trailing behind me. I followed the procedures
I teach my students and checked my altitude
. . . 1,800' . . . not enough time to do a
controllability check, so I decide to check
out my rigging skills as I grab my handles
. . . punch right . . . punch left . . . arch
. . . check just in time to see my Raven
I reserve clear the free bag . . . WHOOSH
. . . open and on heading! I check my altitude,
1,600' (Damn, I'm good!). I locate the drop
zone and locate my main and free bag. Fortunately,
one of the other jumpers is already following
my gear down. Everything is drifting back
nicely to the drop zone. I turn in on the
landing area, decide to forgo a run at the
peas (never jumped a Raven
I before) and go for the safe landing. I flair
out for a perfect stand-up. Pretty exciting
for just a hop-n-pop!
I
picked up all my gear and repacked my Raven
within in a couple of days. Thank you and
your staff for relining my Monarch so fast
(shipped to you on Monday, returned to me
on Thursday). I didn't miss a beat!
James
B. Nazar, D11488, AFF I 97, Senior Rigger
9811 Dugas Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78245
