"No @#$*! There I was! Thought I was Going to Die…"

Dear George,

I was really enjoying the dive when something rang alarm bells in my head. With the head down position the only view you have is of the inverted horizon (and it’s really cool), but my inverted horizon had begun to change. The graduated blue hues of the sky was rapidly being replaced by the greens and browns of the earth. INVERTED GROUND RUSH! I had not heard my audible altimeter.

Sensing real danger I snapped back into an arch and flared. As I did so I recognized that I was VERY LOW. There was no hesitation, or thinking, involved. Training took over. LOOK, GRIP, PULL!!!! ARGHHH!!! With my RESERVE ripcord pulled and clear, I had felt the reserve pilot chute punch off my back. In that instant of time I found enough to examine my situation. There was not enough time for terror.

I have NEVER, EVER, seen small buildings look so big! I could see all the detail. People out walking dogs, even a taxi (yes, I could recognise it) were all huge below me. All casually going about their business. I think I could even show you the exact spot that had MY name on it!

Then I was snapped out of my thoughts as my attention was drawn by my opening reserve. Beautiful, light blue, opening swiftly, smoothly and on-heading, my RAVEN 181 Dash-M reserve was there! Unquestioning, unaccusing, and relishing it’s opportunity to FLY! (and save my unworthy ass from almost certain death).

At 400’ (after canopy checks) I found I had plenty of choice for ‘interesting’ landing areas. There were roof tops, power lines, lots of fences, wires, and things to land on and impale myself. I selected a tight little area of open ground next to a house that bordered some farmland. There was a better field to it’s left, but I wouldn’t make it that far.

The Raven was easy to maneuver into a position to line up for landing. It was a fast ‘no-wind’ landing on some rough ground. I flared and landed somewhat unceremoniously, but unhurt (except one or two minor bruises) and a with very damaged pride.

My CYPRES had fired, although not in time to cut the reserve closing loop.

Thank-you Precision Aerodynamics!

Frank Carr
New Zealand.
28 Jan 1998

Raven-M #55732193
email: flcarr@iconz.co.nz