Yeah, 3rd Graders Think I'm Cool

For the final stage of my project I took the skills I learned and demonstrated them to a 3rd grade class at Harrisburg Elementary School. I brought pictures of the different stages of my project with me and showed the kids the video of my jump. I explained to them some of the skills I learned in ground school such as good arm positions, hand signals used between jumpers, and how to pull the (imaginary) parachute. I also taught them about how the parachute is steered and the importance of packing the parachute in an organized fashion to avoid malfunctions. Overall, I really enjoyed sharing my project with others, especially the little kids because they thought I was really cool.

Packing

After making my jump, I learned how to properly pack a tandem parachute. Packing is a detailed process that had many important steps that, if left out, could easily result in a fatality. Packing a parachute correctly organizes the nylon cells so that they catch the maximum amount to wind upon deployment. “It doesn’t matter of you wad the [parachute] up and stuff it into the bag- as soon as you pull it it'll catch air, you just want to make sure its organized so it opens correctly. Common malfunctions involve a "line over" which (as its name implies) means that the lines connecting the parachute to the harness are looped over the chute, resulting in a parachute that is shaped like a bow-tie. These parachutes (as I learned in ground school) do not meet the second question "Is it square?" and must be cut away.

I was surprised to learn that the opening of the parachute bag is entirely dependent on about 12 rubber bands. After the parachute is arranged correctly and rolled to be put in the bag, the bag is closed by rubber bands that are looped together. Had I known this before I made my first jump, I would have been a lot more nervous.

( Top) In order for the huge parachute to be packed into a tiny bag, all the air must be squished out of it.

(Left) The rubber bands on the packing bag must be checked to make sure that they are still flexable so that the bag will not lock up upon deployment, keeping the chute inside.

Well, the day of my jump finally arrived! After being stuffed into a ridiculous polka-dot jumpsuit (which, I later discovered, was filled with fire ants) I was given diver safety instructions! My instructor showed me the proper technique of jumping out of an airplane by demonstrating on a wooden frame meant to resemble the door of the plane. Having the act of jumping described to me made me a little nervous, especially when I was reminded that I would be jumping out first! After my instruction I was given a dorky hat (that made me look like the cone heads from SNL) that was padded so that I didn’t sling my head back and knock my tandem instructor out as we exited the plane… as this obviously would have had undesirable effects.
After hugging my mom (who was about to have a nervous breakdown at this point) goodbye, we climbed into the airplane and into the clouds! Honestly the plane ride was the scariest part- I thought the propeller was going to fall off the way it kept on rattling. At 15,000ft the door opened and there I was … strapped on to a complete stranger, jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. I had the time of my life!! After about 45 seconds of freefall my instructor pulled the chute (luckily it opened without a hitch). During the 5 minute parachute ride I was allowed to control the chute, pulling the toggles to the left and right, making sharp turns as well as flaring (applying the brakes).
We ended up landing in a random cow field (in a cow patty of course with my luck) because of the wind direction and speed.

In the top picture you can see my head in the back window of the tiny plane.

This picture shows me and my instructor making our landing!

During ground school I was taught a variety of important maneuvers as well as hand signals that are given by fellow skydivers to insure safety.
After jumping out the plane (sounds scary right?) the skydiver should immediately arch their back and position their arms so that they make a “box” as pictured. The hand signal that accompanies this movement is a “thumbs down” to signify pushing the hips forward. My arms are not in the right position in this picture -- they should be closer to my head.

Ground School and its Unforgettable Advice...

I met with my instructor for the first time on April 12. I completed ground school with a couple of fellow adrenaline junkies! Ground school taught me how to successfully deploy and fly a parachute. My instructor Randy was sure to drill the three most important questions about parachutes into our heads:
1: Is it there? – after deployment check to see if that parachute even opened!
2: Is it square? – the ram-air parachutes used by recreational skydivers are always always always supposed to be rectangular, if not – you’ve got yourself a big problem: aka: Ball of Trash
3: Is it maneuverable? – parachutes are maneuvered by pulling two toggles – “brakes” are applied by flaring- pulling both toggles straight down at the same time.

If one of these three crucial questions is answered with a “no”, the parachute must be cut away and the reserve must be immediately pulled – better hope that the reserve is in better shape than the main!!

My fellow students and I were also cautioned by Randy to not make any sharp turns below 300ft as it would likely result in being “femured” (driven straight into the ground and breaking the femur bone… ouch!)

So basically: Is it there? Is it square? Is it maneuverable? And DON’T GET FEMURED!

How it All Began...

My Graduation Project began with research about the parachute - it's structure, function, and uses. To add to my research I interviewed Jon Brantley, an Air Force Jumpmaster who has had experience parachuting into hostile enemy territory. His riveting experiences made me a little bit nervous about completing my first jump, especially after hearing about blown out knees and people getting sucked into the airplane propellers because of improper jumps. However, my research continued as I got closer and closer to the big day!

This blog travels through the clouds with me as I experience freefall from 15,000 feet! You know you love the hat and polkadot jumpsuit! Be jealous!