June 26, 1994

Mr. George Galloway
Precision Aerodynamics, Inc.

Dear Mr. Galloway,

Although my main canopy suffered broken lines on opening ,I decided I would try to land it in a plowed field a little upwind from the DZ. As I got closer to the ground, I realized I would not be able to make the field. My damaged main was not giving me the forward speed I needed, and my steering control was getting sketchy.

I was really quite low when I decided to pull my reserve handle to initiate a canopy transfer. As my pilot chute and freebag came off my back, my main went into a violent turn and began to chase my deploying reserve! My next decision was to terminate this nylon soiree before it got out of hand.

I chopped the main. What came next was the most intense emotional overload I have experienced. I was low; I was hurtling toward the ground; the trees were screaming up at me; the wind was getting louder. I was going feet first toward the trees and then I suddenly stopped. My Raven reserve had inflated.

Looking back I would guess my reserve ride to be less than a second, but I was alive! I landed my reserve in the very trees I had been trying to avoid. I never did touch the ground, hanging two feet above it--the softest landing I ever had. I just hung there for a couple of seconds and rewound what just happened. As I got out of the harness, I heard far off ambulance sirens.

They were coming for me. The DZ had called as they saw my situation develop. Because of the quick opening of my Raven 2 reserve, I was able to walk over to the rubber-gloved paramedic and shake his hand, thanking the rest of the support team for their promptness and appreciatively stating that their services were not needed!

Thank you everyone who showed your genuine concern. Your passion has had a significant effect on me. And thank you Precision for my Raven reserve. It saved my life.

Bruce Turner
Skydive Chicago
Ottawa, IL