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Finger Lakes Skydivers

2008 Skydiving Schedule

• March 29, Dz opens weekends for experienced jumpers.
• April 5, Safety Day 10:00 AM, skydiving to follow in the afternoon.
• April 12, Tandem jumps begin.
• April 25, Friday tandem jumps begin,
• May 7, Weekday tandem jumps begin.
• May 24-26, DZ 26th anniversary.
• August 4, Annual DZ raft trip, Black River Watertown.
• August 30-Sept 1, Labor Day weekend.
• October 8, Last week for weekday tandem jumps.
• October 17, Last Friday for Friday tandem jumps.
• November 22, Annual DZ Thanksgiving dinner 7:00 PM.
• November 23, Last day of the 2008 skydiving season.
  

March 2008 Newsletter

March 29-30 Peter will be at the DZ for you to drop off your rigs for an inspection and repack. You may go through the emergency procedures in the harness when you are here. The DZ will be open for jumping Saturday only.

April 5 Safety Day begins at 10:00 AM, Skydiving to follow. DZ will be open all weekend.

April 12 (Sat) Tandem jumps begin.

April 25 (Fri) Friday jumping begins.

May 7 (Wed) Weekday jumping begins.

May 24, 25, 26 Memorial Day Weekend, DZ 26-year anniversary. Cookout and bonfire Sat and Sun.

August 4 (Mon) Annual DZ raft trip Black River, Watertown.

Nov 22 (Sat) Annual DZ Thanksgiving Dinner.

Safety Day will begin with emergency procedure practice in the suspended harness as people arrive and at 10:00, a discussion on safety, both while skydiving and around the Drop Zone. Everyone will be expected to practice in the suspended harness before they make their first jump here this season. If you can’t make it to safety day you will have to take the time to go through it when you arrive for your first jump of the season.
The following are some basic safety guidelines that everyone should follow.
SAFETY ON THE DZ
Stay away from the front of the airplane weather it is running or not. Always walk behind. If you see spectators, tandem students, people taking pictures, other jumpers or anyone with kids, please advise them to remain well clear. Always stop well clear of the runway before crossing, do not cross unless it is well clear. Please advise any spectators also and preferably escort them across. Please keep all kids away from ALL airplanes, including ones parked inside the hangars, all machinery, all aircraft operating areas including the runway. Please do not bring your pets to the DZ
SAFETY IN THE AIRCRAFT
Approach aircraft from the rear and stay away from propeller. All jumpers must wear a seat belt during taxi, take off (and landing if necessary). Seat belts must remain fastened until reaching 2500 feet above ground level (agl), 9500 feet for tandems. In the event of an emergency, remain seated, keep quiet and listen for the pilot’s instructions. If aircraft is still on the ground or an off airport landing is necessary, brace your self. Below 1000 ft agl, all jumpers remain on board. Above 1000 ft agl, experienced jumpers may exit at pilots’ discretion. Above 1500 ft agl, students may exit at instructors and pilots discretion. Above 4500 ft agl, tandems may exit at instructors and pilots discretion. When moving around in the aircraft, be careful not to snag your gear on anything.
GEAR CHECK
For maximum safety you should check your gear 3 times. Before putting on your gear you should check your AAD, main and reserve pins, 3 ring release, and 3 handles (main ripcord or pilot chute, reserve ripcord and cut away handle). Before boarding the aircraft and before exit, check leg straps, chest strap and 3 handles. A complete and detailed list is located in the packing area.
IN FREE FALL AND UNDER CANOPY
Be aware of other jumpers in free fall and make sure you have enough separation before opening. Under canopy, watch out for others and allow enough vertical separation so every one is not landing at the same time. Every one should be landing in the same direction. If the wind is calm, you may need to make a decision before boarding the airplane.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
The minimum parachute opening altitudes are, 3500 ft for students, 3000 ft for A license holders, 2500 for B license and 2000 ft for C & D license. At 120 mph that’s not a lot of time between you and earth. Emergency procedures need to be performed promptly. For a total malfunction or pilot chute in tow, the reserve ripcord should be pulled immediately. Pulling the cut away handle first is a waste of valuable time and may result in an entanglement. For a partial malfunction, it is recommended that the decision to cutaway be made by 1800 ft and performed by 1600 ft. If you open at 2000 ft that gives you 2 ¼ seconds, not much time. You can use the following guidelines if you have two canopies out and open. If canopies are touching side by side or one forward of the other, steer the main gently, if not touching and flying away from each other, cutaway the main. If they are entangled, try to pull in the least inflated one.

Let’s have a safe fun year.

Thanks for jumping at Finger Lakes Skydivers,

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