THE JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH PARACHUTE ASSOCIATION LIGHTNING “YOU NEED NEW PARACHUTE EQUIPMENT? WE GOT NEW PARACHUTE - EQUIPMENT!” ----- £WE GOT ALL MAJOR DEALERSHIPS. WE GOT A LARGE INVENTORY. WE GOT DEMO RIGS. WE GOT NEW GEAR. WE GOT USED GEAR. WE GOT JUMPSUITS. WE GOT ALTIMETRES. WE GOT ACCESSORIES. WE GOT A LOTTA STOCK. WE GOT EXPERIENCE. WE GOT FREE ADVICE. WE GOT COMPETITIVE PRICES. WE GOT RHYTHM. WE GOT MUSIC!

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We’re located on a full time Drop Zone, so you can try out our demo Rigs or jump your new Kit straight away______/ \ Call, write or Fax for a Brochure and Stock List Rob Colpus at The KIT STORE Ltd The Airfield, Headcorn, —_ Kent TN27 9HX, Tel 01622 890967 Fax 01622 891236

SPORT PARACHUTIST CONTENTS B\P/A JULY/AUGUST 1995

Journal of the British Parachute Association FEATURES Wharf Way: Glen Parva: Leicester LE2 9TF. Tel: 0 1 16 278 5271 Fax: 0 116 247 7662. High Perform ance C a n o p ie s :...... 17 British Parachute Freestyle Seminar at Sibson: ...... 23 Association Council Skydive on to the Top of the World 26 Members & Officers FS : On/Off Year S e le c tio n :...... 29 C h a irm a n B o b C a r d Headcorn Hits Warp Speed: 32 Vice-Chairman F S Skills Camps SSPA:...... 45 Lofty Thom as Chairman STC Tye Boughen Chairman Competitions Committee Chris Allen The British National Teams: 24 Chairman Development Committee P h il G ib b s T re a s u re r Debbie Carter Bali & Lombok Beach Boogie:...... 21 Vice-Presidents Jim Crocker and John Lines

Council Members Chris Allen, Tye Boughen, Adrian Bowles, George Campbell, Bob N e w s :...... 4 Card, Peter Carroll, Phil Gibbs, Steve Hoy, Graham Liggins, The Word on the Street:...... 5 Michael Matthews, Ian Midgley, L e tte rs :...... 7 Kevin Monk, Charles Ross, John Smyth, Lofty Thomas. E d ito ria l:...... 8 Cardsharps:...... 8 British Parachute People in the S p o r t:...... 9 Association Staff and Representatives Devil’s Advocate:...... 13

National Coach and Safety Officer Drop Zone Film R e v ie w :...... 14 John Hitchen Dz’s Around the W orld:...... 22 Technical Officer Tony Butler Kit News: 33

Office Manager Diary of Events:...... 38 D a v id O d d y Classified Advertisements:...... 39 Financial Adminstrator Steve Harratt POPS Corner:...... 42

Adminstrative Staff Clubs & Centres:...... 46 Trudy Kemp, Sharon Gurney, J o C o n n a l

Royal Aero Club Delegate: John Lines Alternate Delegate: Steve H oy BPA C o v e r P h o to : Fourth skydiving expedition to the North Pole. Photo Liaison Officer To CAA: To n y Knight by Simon Ward. BPA Representative on European matters: J o h n L in e s Staff Liaison Officer: Lofty Thom as GASCO Representative: Angela Hickling CIP Delegate: John H itchen Chairman Riggers Committee: Allan Hewitt

Sport Parachutist Magazine

E d ito r Ola Soyinka, 10 Brecon Road, London W 6 8PU. Published by Airscape, Media Suite, 3 Tyers Gate, London SE1 3HX. Tel: 0171 403 6753. Fax: 0171 378 1208 (Airscape is a trading name of Cognix Ltd). Assistant Editors lain Mackenzie & Bess Ryder ©SPORT PARACHUTIST All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or trans­ mitted in any form or buy any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, Design & Layout without the permission of the Editor. Evette Darroux & Patti Gallagher The views expressed in Sport Parachutist are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the BPA. The Editor retains the right to refuse or withdraw any advertisment at his discretion and does not Editorial Assistants accept liability for delay in publication or for clerical for printer’s errors, although every care is taken to Bridget Greenwood, avoid mistakes. Printed by Stephens & George Ltd., in association with Caric Print Ltd. Clerwood, Corunna Main, Lynette Horne & Zoe W illows Andover. Hampshire. Tel: 01264 354887.

- 3 - SPORT PARACHUTIST 1995/3 Civil Aviation host for the freestyle & Sky- Authority charges surfing World Championships. How to lobby your MP Since 1984, the Civil Aviation The drop zone is the biggest in 1. Find out who your MP is. Telephone your local council, or the Public Authority has been under legal southern Germany and is only 50 Information Office at the House of Commons on 0171-2194272. requirement to regulate para­ miles east of Munich. 2. Write to him/her by name at: chuting in this country. The CAA Chief judge is Roger Flinn and House of Commons has been greatly dependent on World champions Dale Stuart and London the BPA to perform most of the Marco Manna will be judging.For SW1A OAA actual regulatory work, for more information and registration Write to your MP asking that he requests the Secretary of State for example enforcing rules, regulat­ forms contact: Fallschirmsport Transport to implement paragraph 5 of Section 11 of the Civil Aviation Act ing parachute training schools Colibri, Flugplatz, 84539 1982. This provides for the waiving of CAA charges whenever this is and issuing ratings to instructors Ampfing, Germany. Tel: +49 (0) deemed necessary. Give, in your own words, the reasons why you believe this to be necessary. Such as: and examiners. The BPA’s status 8636-440, fax: +49 (0) 8636- • The charges will threaten the existence of the BPA, especially on top as a governing body, although 897. of the likely cuts to its Sport Council Grant. subordinate to the CAA, is • It will threaten the existence of many of the clubs and centres affiliat­ acknowledged by other official UK Here Boogie, 26 - ed to the BPA, as they will ultimately have to meet the charges. bodies, such as the Royal Aero 31 August 1995 •. If there is no governing body then the safety standards will drop. Club, The International Aviation The Boogie will be held over • National and International competition will suffer. Federation (FAI) and the Sports Long Marsden, but the aircraft • You are an active participant in this sport and you do not wish to jeop­ Council. will be boarded from Coventry ardise your level of participation. At the moment, the CAA is Airport with coach transfers •. You are employed in the sport and you do not wish to jeopardise your employment. undergoing a deregulation between the two. An Hercules • Without the co-ordinated purchasing power of the BPA public liability process; which ultimately means carrying 100 skydivers per lift to insurance will become virtually impossible to obtain. that regulatory tasks will be offi­ 15,000ft will be used. Minimum • The cost to the CAA is minimal in terms of the overall budget. cially devolved to the BPA. The qualifications to jump the “Here" • If Sports Council funding continues it is ridiculous that the BPA should CAA will, however, retain ulti­ are C licence and 100 jumps. receive money from one Government body only to give it to another. mate regulatory authority and as Load organisers and video will it is coming under increasing be available at the Boogie. pressure to recover its costs by Camping, food, drinks and a bar, DOWrite Now! the way of charges, it has decid­ will all be available on site. Make sure that you sign the letter and that your address is on it. ed to charge the BPA around There will also be attempts to Keep a copy of the letter and send it to the BPA office. Get at least five reliable contacts to follow these instructions. £100,000 p.a. This amount set a new British RW record, adds up to more than the entire hopefully leading up to the magic Sports Council grant to the BPA. 100-way. DON’T Use your letter to air any political grievances. In addition to this, The Sports Groups will be built up slowly Try to denigrate the CAA. It wont work as they are well respected. Council can no longer guarantee under the guidance of George Leave it too late, as it may not have any effect. funding for the BPA beyond next Pilkington, Rob Colpus, Daryl Make it too long - limit it to one page. year, as its own allocations are Moran and Tim Moran. Even if uncertain. you do not make the record If the BPA has to pay the CAA, there is every chance of making ered adequately by the existing PIA Meeting in and loses the financial support larger skydives than you have rules. The amendments define Germ any of the Sports Council - it could done before. Selection for the the circumference and centre- The next PIA meeting in soon cease to exist. record attempts will start on point of the subgroups. The September is going to take place Under section 11 (1) of the 26th August. judges will use these to decide in in Wunnenberg, Germany, home 1982 Civil Aviation Act, the CAA The registration fee for the cases where a minimum number of Airtec, the Cypres manufactur­ is legally entitled to levy charges Boogie is £155.00 and includes of degrees must be turned, er. It is the first time ever the provided it has the approval of five skydives. The jump fee will whether a team has complied or meeting is being held outside the the Secretary of State. Under be refunded if the weather or air­ not. US! Malicious tongues are saying the same Act, the CAA is enti­ craft unserviceability prevents The centrepoint of the piece is if s just because German beer is tled to waive these charges. jumping. Registration on the day defined as the area between and better... Therefore, the BPA is currently will be £200.00 and only those including the subgroups’ connect­ Helmut Cloth of Airtec has been seeking Parliamentary support in pre-registered will be eligible for ing grips as seen from above. If busy putting together plans to requesting the Secretary of the record attempt. If we do not the team’s centrepoints cross make this a memorable event. State to waive the charges in have enough support up front the over during the required turns The activities also include a visit this case. The BPA firmly event will not be held! the subgroups would not have to Paderborn, Bad Lippspringe, believes that the safety and For more information contact performed the required degrees the site of a British military DZ sporting benefits resulting from Pete Marsden, The Boogie Club, of turn. The rules require the club,and a visit to Airtec. its expertise should not be lost. 69 Cambridge Rd, East Molesey, teams to clearly show that the The meeting’s dates, 18-20 You can help safeguard the Surrey KT8 2AX. Tel & fax: 0181 centrepoints have performed the September (Monday-Wednesday) future of the BPA by lobbying 941 9212. required amount of turn relative are between the World Formation your local MP. For further details to each other. Meet in Gap, France (9-17 please refer to the box. Vertical manoeuvres For clarification, and to help September), and the World IPC has made amendments to smooth the introduction IPC rec­ Freestyle Meet in Ampfing, 1995 Freestyle & the FS rules to take account of ommends that teams who incor­ Germany (20-24 September). Skysurfing W orld vertical manoeuvres for the next porate vertical manoeuvres in Everyone who is interested in Championships World Meet. The use of vertical their routines should send exam­ participating should contact: Colibri Ampfing Skydiving transitions has highlighted an ple videotapes to the IPC sub­ Airtec GmbH (tel: +49 2953. Centre, Bavaria, is this year's area that, until now was not cov­ committee for comment. 8010, fax: +49 2953 1293).

— 4 — SPORT PARACHUTIST I 99S/3 WoTS

is not going to do the National earlier this year. Blessed with perfect Championships at Sibson this summer. weather and vibes provided by Pete This comes to WoTS as a bit of a dis­ Jones, Ivan and their staff, they did 80 appointment, as it would be nice to see jumps in 10 days. Come the meet, what they can do before they repre­ you can be sure that Patrick’s team sent us. With the way a couple of will be ready for their best chance yet teams are shaping up, the competition of World victory. Go for it, guys! will be hot! Pete tells WoTS that all the staff are RAFSPA did not do the World Cup, now Skydive U coaches after a recent and are now not doing the Nats either course run by Rob Laidlaw. So get DZ and the Here makes it all possi­ (this was a requirement of the off-year ‘yer’ butts over there! Tel: 0034 72 Marsden's Here Boogie is on. ble. Do you want to be on this selection rules, but was changed at 450111. Running from 26-31 August, the dive? I do! RAFSPA's request), which means that jumps will be made over Long Contact Pete or see your local DZ the last time they were in competition SQUARE MAL VIDEO Marston, with the bird flying from board for a registration form. It is vital was at the Nationals in 1994! Dougie Young has put together a Coventry Airport. There will be all the that people preregister so that we have The top teams in the world hunt out video of all common mals for instruc­ usual bar, food, camping etc on the numbers to make this boogie hap­ the meets to get that alHmportant com­ tional applications. Covering line over, the DZ. pen. You have to send off your dosh, or petition experience, because there is no bag lock, streamer, pilot-chute in tow The aim of this boogie is to let all how will Pete know if there’ll be enough substitute, you can never have enough! and total, all shot from the jumper's have a go at building large forma­ to break even, let alone make money, view, this is invaluable for training lec­ tions: 30-way and up, the type of and there ‘ain’t no taste in nothing’! If no VE DAY RIPCORD tures. To order one, call Dougie. Tel: dives you only do when you go to a one pays, and just turns up, then there Brittany Ferries Demo Team consisting 01980 638229. boogie in Europe or the United won’t be a Here, a lOOway, and you of Drink-Up Mills, H, Fred, Rob, Ester, States. won’t have a wicked time! So get ‘yer’ Cool Chick, Rhino and George travelled COOL DUDE OR WHAT? There will be plenty of experienced chequebook out and call Pete on 0181 to St Valery En Caux for the VE Day cel­ Reports have reached WoTS of Eric load organisers to help you learn the 941 9212, coz we need you! ebrations. The team were there to do Briscoe going to see the movie ‘Drop skills required to build the 'Big Stuff. six square displays and two round Zone’ wearing his jumpsuit and train­ If you can already do the stuff, then HIBBLE SAVES COLLEGIATE DAY jumps. ers. He was spotted by two Cool & you will be very pleased to hear that Steve Swallow (Swaltey), ttie owner of The square displays were to their Groovies, ‘Cuz’ Curry and Tom m o’ Pete has procured the services of Target Skysports, Hibaldstow, stepped in usual impressive standard. The rounds, Thompson (#116 and 112). When Rob Colpus, Dazzle Moran,Tim Moran and saved the biggest collegiate event of however, were a different ball game, questioned Eric said, “I never had and George Pilkington to organise a the year. because no one had jumped front and time to change, and I’m definitely not new British record, the magic 100. Merlin Parachute Centre, Topcliffe, pulled back gear or pulled a main ripcord for posing!” I don't think the guys The formation will be similar in out of hosting the event giving the organ­ at least 1,000 jumps! H had not spotted believed him. design to the 216-way built and flown isers 60 hours' notice. The organisers for rounds for a very long time, for 15 seconds in Bratislava in ’94. It were heard to say, on hearing this devas­ Elephant City! LEGLESS OVER WESTON will have 4-way Weed Eater’ arms on tating news, We squeezed into the Brussard. Geoff Woods took a dude with an arti­ the outer ring. Cool! “I can’t believe it’s not butter! Swalteyll Everything worked, including the spot, ficial leg for a tandem skydive which Last year at Langar we had 120 sort us out” And he did. and the display on red, white and blue was eneventful until, on deploymen, it people arrive for 62 slots (some had Steve hired the Irish Porter and flew it over aeroconicals was perfect and we were fell off and landed in a field next to a already gone on to become World for the weekend! The competition was fin­ buzzing! The pack jobs took a long farmer! The tandem pair landed and Team ’94 members), 50% were to be ished and everyone went home happy. time as only Fred and H seemed to collapsed in a heap, laughing hysteri­ disappointed! Nice job, Steve. have any idea. cally! This year is different because 100 Go to Hibble and Skydive! Tel: (01532) The next day we did it again (groan). slots are available! Six days of large 571071. H, first to leave, said “Let’s check the ON THE NET? fun loads, loads you won’t be able to pack jobs!” as he left the plane. Cool George Wood invites all jumpers for a do tomorrow. Five evenings of look­ ROCKIN’ DAVE & THE SKYJIVERS Chick and George were the last to chat on the net at his address: ing at video for the organisers, five UK skydiving’s own “Elvis’, Dave Rockin’ leave and did some RW. Neither of http://www.cityscape.co.uk/users/ days to make the necessary Taylor, who frequents Headcom among them had seen anyone in free fall with c g 9 0 / changes, and one massive party other UK DZs, has put himself and his this equipment and the visuals were If George gets lots talking here, when we have built the first 100-Way band on the road for this summer's great but no pin. Had another check of then perhaps the BPA Council may ever flown over the UK! This is boogie season. the handle to ensure the cable was consider getting ‘on line'! probably the only chance we will If you’re holding a ‘bit of a boogie' and there, coz nothing appeared to be have for a long time to build a 100- fancy an evening of rock and roll, then call going on...Thanks, Robin. Well up to the MASSAGES AT TEAM! RATES way in the UK, and it is a very real Rockin' Dave & the Skyjivers on: (01227) usual standard! Tanner, who has a diploma in Health, opportunity! After all, it is a 1-point 368772, fax: 741652. Science and Massage Therapy, and skydive - and when was the last time FRENCH 8 IN SPAIN is a registered nurse, is available any­ you did not dock on a 1-point dive? RAFSPA 4-WAY The Centro de Paracaidismo, Costa time until August '95 to sort out your The organisers Dazzle and George The word on the street is that RAFSPA, Brava, hosted the winners of the ’94 team. She is very good at ‘deep tis­ (62-way), Rob, Tim (Skydive U), the the reigning national 4-way champions World Cup for their third training camp sue massage [oh, yes!] incorporating

- 5 - SPORT PARACHUTIST 1995/3

J rehabilitative and conditioning exercis­ Martin, call his voice mail and let es’.Based at Sibson and the FreeFall him know on: 001 1800 219 5952. Co, she was working with Ricoh dur­ ing their camp, to very good reports. HOOK TURN HORROR If you or your team suffer from hard Andy Stubb's toggle hooked his 150 openings, lower back stress or too low over Fleadcom Parachute PABA/POBT whiplash!, give Debs a call on: Centre and put him in hospital and (01832) 280055. out of jumping for some time. Andy does not have too many ITALIA* 11^7 BIG WEEK AT SIBSON jumps, but won’t be using the tog­ Designers and manufacturers During 3-8 May, PPC did 1,160 gles to hook again. of fine skydiving accessories jumps, a huge number for the UK dur­ If you want to ‘surf,’ ask someone ing a week when there was neither a who knows how it's done to teach To receive the new Parasport Italia color catalog boogie nor any other event. Last year you and learn the safe way, risers! mail or fax this coupon with your name and address. the centre did between 7-9,000 sky­ Andy says thanks to all who helped You will receive the catalog tree of charge and you dives. him after the stoof. will have the chance to buy easily, while staying Good work PPC, let’s hope it contin­ at home, a wide range of accessories ues. Tel: (01832) 280490 and go FORT BRAGG WIND TUNNEL directly from the manufacturer. there. The Knights (USA 8-way World Champs) are training in a huge ver­ NAME______SKY-EYE GOES WEST tical wind tunnel at Fort Bragg. This AD D RESS______Martin Evans (Flock Boogie, Z-hills) military base is used to train their ZIP CODE______and Tracey Eckersley of Sky-Eye dudes, with all their kit on! Skydiving Services are moving their This tunnel is allegedly (Rhino!) CITY______.______thang’ out west to Skydance. able to fly 12+ people. Will this COUNTRY...... !...... :...... !______Skydiving in Davis, California. They time spent in the tunnel give the will be doing the usual sequential / Knights the edge they need to fend Moil or fax to: PARASPORT ITALIA video programme, with emphasis off the French full on-charge? We Via Vigone- 10061 CAV0UR (TO) ITALY on quality and good vibes. Should have only to wait to see... . FAX +39 121 6207 Tel. +39-121-69692 (WE SPEAK ENGLISH!) you want to go and skydive with George Pilkington

After t Ik- 1992 Zanzibar Boogie 1993 Malaysia Langkawi Boogie 1994 Malaysia Skydive Safari 1995 Indonesia Beach Boogie Exotic Sky Adventures Presents the

Cuba Boogies The first Boogies ever held in the Caribbean! We open yet another door in the skydiving scene and give you a chance to discover a new world October 1995 (last 12 days / limited participants!) February 1996 The big one! * 18th Oct to 1st Nov (depending on dep point) * Round trip from Europe (and Canada) * 15 jumps, super load organising and video * First class hotel (breakfast/dinner incl) * Local transportation, parties, etc * Aircraft: MI-8/17 (helic) and AN-26 Price: * US $1995 (less for Canadian depart.) For more details contact: Alexis perry (France) tel: int 33 93 092171 fax: int 33 93 704699 Herman Landsman (Holland) tel: int 33 2220 11658 fax: int 31 2220 11492 Michael Bouman Office tel: int 31 1820 85870 fax: int 31 1820 85870 Rob Colpus (GB) Derek Thomas (USA) Bob Hallett (USA) Jeff Ronzevalle (FR) Claudio Bionda (Italy) Eric de Coster (Belgium)

- 6 - SPORT PARACHUTIST I99S/3 LETTERS

BRITISH FS TEAM SELECTION similar way to the Sibson FS was really cool. them. Once her address becomes Dear Ola, Challenge. We did a 3-way after them from more permanent, I'll let everyone Your recent letter regarding FS Monthly meets could be in 4-way, 8- 14,500ft and just watched them from know it via SP, as she'll be undergo­ British Team selection has prompted way FS, and 8-way speed. above. Very nice. All in all, I managed ing rehab for sometime. I know she’d us, Team Short Straw, to express Any BPA drop zone which can pro­ 50 jumps, which is not bad, really. appreciate a note from anyone whom our opinions. vide a side-door (left or right) aircraft Oh yes, I was Tandem passenger for she knows, or doesn’t know but 1. ‘On’ or ‘Off’ year selection? with the appropriate lift capacity Doug on his evaluation dive: ace fun. wants to wish her well. ‘Off’ year selection seems to be the could be involved in any or all of the If you get a chance to do one, go for I’ve no doubt Penny will be reading better option. competitions. it. I would recommend Skydive City to her mag, so I’d just like to say, However, there should be no mini­ The BPA could issue the dive sheets, anyone. I know I’ll go back. “I’ll be back soon and can’t wait to mum criteria to obtain BPA funding. of five or six rounds, by fax, prior to Thanks Pip, Gareth, Doug, Henri (for see you.” Surely it is better to send the best the first weekend of each month. The the loan of a Sabre 150 for my Hop . Penny Roberts, c/o Adrian Green, team we have to a World Meet than DZs would then submit their results & Pop from 9,000ft), Mike, Steve, lT p , 21 Fd Sqn (EOD) RE, Carver to send no team at all? Criticism will to the BPA immediately after the last ‘Packin Cath’, and Julie (for teaching Bks, Wimbish, Saffron Walden, Essex only come if we are not represented weekend of each month. Results me to Pro Pack). CB10 2YA. at world level competition. would be posted at each competing Geordie Cross CS82845 Adrian Green D10317 The team selected should have the DZ and in the mag once they have option to decline going to a World been released by the BPA. Judging DEVIL’S ADVOCATE SKYDIVE U VIEWS Meet. If this should happen, then would be ‘in-house’ at each DZ. Dear Ola, Dear Ola, selection should be carried over to For Team Short Straw: Mark James, Whilst I agree with Dave Morris’ views I am writing to encourage debate on the 'on' year. It is better to send Ian Matthews, Kevin Sargent and on main deployment devices, an addi­ some of the points raised in your arti­ National Champions than to send last Pete Scott. tional point associated with pull-out cle on training in the April/May issue of year’s silver medalists. Pete Scott D8656 design is the location of the handle. If SP. In particular the WARP and Skydive Should someone in the selected 4- the pad is attached to the top of the U matters, also touched on in the way team be allowed to be in the SKYDIVE CITY pilot chute, there is a period, albeit News and Events column. selected 8-way team? Yes. We are Dear Ola, short, where the pack is open but no My first point: I believe that the skill sending our best teams to the World After a divorce, £600 overdraft, one deployment has commenced. When and knowledge base which is funda­ Meet. Individuals should not be written warning from work and six this system was first designed, the mental to Skydive University is particu­ penalised fo r being in both teams. months of waiting and saving, I flew intent was to have the pad attached larly valuable. However, there is a We should be looking at the teams, out to the Easter Boogie at Skydive to the base of the pilot chute. The problem if Skydive U is to have a not at the individual. This would allow City in Florida, USA. At Tampa two advantages being a quicker major presence in the UK. Are there the funding to be used for more International Airport were two mates, deployment and reduced possibility of even twenty Skydive U coaches here? training as there would be fewer indi­ Tommy Armour and Willy Jones, who the bagged main leaving the pack Naturally, WARP will have a place with vidual expenses. had already been there for two days. tray prematurely. so few Skydive U coaches (so far). 2. British Team Project. After a few jumps to get used to the May I suggest a future topic for this The standards which such coaches This would require major funding altitude I did some one-on-one coach­ column? Round versus square main need to reach are particularly high, from the Sports Council. The BPA ing with a guy called Pip. Doing for first jumps. and should remain so. In the mean­ already receives limited funding from WARP with him cost two slots plus Nigel Peart D3883 (South Africa) time, we need to learn from the knowl­ the Sports Council and the likelihood $10 US (his fee per jump). My skydiv­ edge base that Skydive U progression of funding on this scale seems unlike­ ing improved beyond belief! After two PENNY ROBERTS offers and apply that to WARP. ly. It would still be worthwhile to see days’ coaching I was Cat 9 (I went to Dear Ola, The following are just a few issues that how other nations fund and manage Tampa as Cat 8) and a day later, Cat Thanks to everyone who helped my also need to be addressed: their projects, and how much is 10, for which I did a five-point 4-way. girlfriend, Penny Roberts, and myself, 1. Are WARP coaches consistently required. My dives after that included a 3-point after her accident in DeLand on 31 taught the mechanics of FS moves 3. Encouraging competitive 7-way, 5-point 5-way, 13-point 2-way, March. properly? skydiving. 2-point 8-way, 2-point 10-way and Right, here goes: thanks to my team 2. Should we treat (or recommend) So how do we encourage competi­ numerous 4-way dives. None of them mates in the Army 8-way team for Skydive U as a form of ‘Life after tive skydiving amongst weekend would have been possible without their understanding, support and the WARP’ for those keen to learn more, recreational jumpers? Regionals and Pip’s first-class coaching. I owe you a flowers; the staff at Skydive DeLand but stick with WARP as the main route large FS competitions may not be big thank you, mate. who helped with whatever they could; to Cat 10? the answer. The atmosphere on the DZ was really ‘No-Go’ who visited and sent flowers; 3. How do the French (for example) Let’s make some general good, and people there were very George Pilkington for his fax and also pursue early FS progression? assumptions: friendly. Something was always hap­ Target Skysports for theirs; Pete I mention these points with regard to a) The average skydiver has limited pening and there was loads to do: Allum and Sally for the ‘accommoda­ the role WARP has played in FS pro­ weekend time available for the sport. parties every night, videos being tion’; Gary, of the South African gression in the past. It is an important b) The average skydiver jumps where shown of the day’s skydives, and Team, who was coaching Penny, for part of progression but needs to be their friends jump and where they are huge volumes of booze were drunk. his numerous visits; and finally to all revisited in light of improvements to most comfortable. The highlight of the holiday was the the people who rang with their best skills, knowledge and international c) As skydiving becomes more skydive at Sebastian out of the Super wishes and those ringing me even standards of recent years. Skydiving expensive and spending-money King Air from 22,000ft, two minutes now, not realising that I was out of skills and knowledge can be found becomes less available, less jumpers in the tube! I would like to say thanks the country until June. elsewhere, but Skydive University are willing to spend time on a DZ if to Andy Grinwade (D5141) for allow­ To let everyone know whafs happen­ (which is a commercial body) has the weather is looking adverse. ing us on that lift. ing at the time of writing, Penny is structured it and continues to develop Skydivers often spend more money Mention must go to Roger Ponce de due to be flown back to England, To it. on food and drink than on skydiving Learns’ ‘Colour concepts’ 40-way, Pinderfield Hospital, in Wakefield, then I would be interested to hear the views over a weekend. which affectionately became known on to Stoke Manderville as soon as a and suggestions of others through the So how about 'Fax Meets’, a method as the ‘Coloured Condoms'. They are bed is available. mag about how FS progression can which seems to be successful in the really hot skydivers and watching If people want to send her cards, I be formalised and updated in the UK. USA? These meets could be run in a them turning points from the ground will happily make sure she receives Kevin McPhillips BPA 367120

- 7 - SPORT PARACHUTIST 1995/3 LETTERS c o n t.. EDITORIAL

MILLENIUM FUND H ello, and good-bye. As of the year but it would not have sport severely weakened and Dear Ola, May, I resigned as editor. been right to buck the tradition marginalised. The end result will Our Chairman, Bob Card, has made Why then, you ask, am I of leaving without having a spat be costlier jumps, and fewer reference to the potential of obtain­ still here writing this piece? Ah, with the dear old BPA council, clubs. Please take some time ing financial benefit for skydiving well, one can’t just vanish. I and it duly happened! It's an to read the facts and then write from the proceeds of the National should hand over in an interesting story, but not one for a letter to your MP. It really will lottery. May I also point out that orderly manner and the only the pages of the mag (or even make a difference. If you don’t there is another ‘pot of gold’ which place to advertise for a succes­ the council minutes it would know how to go about it there no-one appears to know what to do sor is in the mag. So I suppose seem), although a rough idea are some hints on page 4. with, the Millenium Fund? I'm stuck with it until someone might be gleaned from the pro­ Well, time to go - but you ain’t The notion of a National School of steps forward. If you are inter­ ceedings of a few meetings. heard the last of me yet. Now excellence involving all aerial sports ested in doing the job please Nuff said, and time to move on that I’ll have all that free time on appeals to my imagination. I can turn to page 15. to more important matters. my hands I’ll be a) Jumping even suggest a venue - Long The main reason for my depar­ On the news page you will see more and b) Writing about jump­ Marston, the old home of Midland ture is the same as usual - it is that the CAA intends to start ing more. Parachute Centre. It’s big enough to becoming too difficult to sus­ charging the BPA and/or para­ I also look forward to having accommodate all types of air tain the effort needed to keep chute clubs a massive fee for its the time to resurrect many of sports, it’s in the centre of the UK - the mag looking good, make services which hitherto have the ideas that have been sitting and only ten minutes from my improvements etc with what been provided free (hands up all on the back burner and submit­ house! spare time I have. In fact, I think those in favour of privatisation ting them to my sucessor - 1 Irrespective of location, what a that it won't be long before we now). The Sports Council fund­ hope not too many will end up in boost for skydiving, microlighting, have to pay someone to do the ing cannot be relied on to con­ the bin. ballooning and gliding etc, it would job because there is a fair tinue, and if that goes we are Bye (see you in the next mag). be for this country, on the turn of chunk to do. I’m not complain­ really facing a massive hole in the millenium, if we opened an ing, I’ve enjoyed my spell in the our funds. Cries of ‘They’re out Airport Centre. It would be unique hot seat, the only bit I’ve not to get us" no longer look like and the envy of Europe - even the enjoyed is not having enough parachutists’ paranoia. The world. time to give the mag the full Sport really is under threat. No Surely fo r this, the BPA and the CAA attention it deserves. doubt skydiving will never cease could take on the world! I had intended to resign later in in the UK but we may find our Paul Ledden D5935

T h a t /s not k h a t j . He a n t k iheh or s a w 'LET! G£T VACKCD ran o

- 8 - SPORT PARACHUTIST 1995/3 PEOPLE IN THE SPO RT Tony Butler

Age, m arital status, family etc? Forty-six going on sixteen (I never really grew up). Not married - good at dodging! Mother, two sisters, one brother, five nephews, two nieces, all the usual!

Job description? For the last three years I have been the BPA’s Technical Officer, the previous nine Jumps malfunctions, personal kit Champions twice, together with various years as BPA National Coach and Safety (past and present)? other competitions. I was on the 126- way Officer. Just over 4,600 jumps. I’ve had seven World Record, the current British Record My current job description covers more reserve rides: one malfunction on my first (64), the Asian Record (80) and over the than 20 areas, too long and boring to Para Commander (PC) jump in 1976. I years, have been on various canopy forma­ include here, but my primary responsibili­ then managed over 4,200 ram air descents tion records. ties are, “To be responsible to the members without a malfunction, but have now had of the Association by supporting the BPA two in the last 18 months! The other four Most memorable skydive (good or Council for the satisfactory management reserve rides were canopy entanglements in bad)? of the Association’s affairs in all respects.” the early days of canopy formation. 1 used Like others, I have had lots of memo­ Which means overseeing the running of to jump with a team at Perris in the late rable skydives, but one that gave me the the BPA administration. An impossible ’seventies called ‘Perris Crew’ and we used biggest kick was in 1978 when I and three task without the help of all the other BPA to experiment with canopy formations other fairly inexperienced jumpers got the staff members, who are an incredibly hard­ before they had been tried by others, and first British/European Canopy 4-stack. We working team. more often than not we got it wrong! just could not believe we had done it! Prior I also deal with all sorts of other organi­ My present equipment is a Javelin con­ to that jump, people used to dock canopies sations, including the Civil Aviation tainer with BT50 main and Mayday 7 together from above and not from below Authority, the Health and Safety reserve, fitted with an RSL and Cypres. I as it has been ever since! Executive, foreign parachuting organisa­ have jumped all sorts of equipment in the Probably my worst jump was my thou­ tions and legal matters which take up more past, from old military surplus equipment sandth. After completing a 9-way RW and more of my time and, of course, the to PCs, Strato Stars and others that no one jump I had a canopy collision with a girl, members themselves. I hope that any now has ever heard of! who dropped through my lines. Her member who has contacted the Asso­ canopy was only partially inflated and ciation with a problem or query has been Competition experience, medals, there were lines everywhere. She ended up satisfied with the help or advice given. teams? a couple of feet below me. She cutaway, I have always competed, some teams were leaving me with two canopies, mine half Time in sport, qualifications? more successful than others, though I have open and hers in the same state! I could I made my first jump in November 1973, never been in a team that has represented not cutaway as her lines were around my broke my leg on my sixth jump, then again the UK - maybe next year! Someone once reserve container. After a little while both on my fifteenth, then dislocated my shoul­ said that “If I ever had an old team canopies almost fully inflated and I ended der on my thirtieth. I couldn’t land the old reunion, I would need a 72-seater bus to up landing the two canopies in what was C9 canopy to save my life! The thought of take ex-team members to the get-togeth­ in effect a down-plane. This was before jumping a ram air canopy was one of my er”. That’s not far off the truth. Four and down-planes had been invented! biggest incentives to stay in the sport. 8-way is my favourite type of jumping and Amazingly, I didn’t brake any bones, but I I obtained my instructor rating in 1978, I am in an 8-way team at the moment. was so stiff I could not move for a week! advanced rating in 1980 and became an As far as medals are concerned, I have examiner in 1982.1 have been an AFF tan­ been on teams that have got gold at the Favourite DZ? dem instructor since its inception in the Nationals in 8-way Speed, also the Scottish O f course, I have to say that all BPA DZs UK around ten years’ ago. and Cyprus Championships and Regional are my favourite, but anywhere in the UK

- 9 - SPORT PARACHUTIST 1995/3 where I am made welcome is good as far as Persons or team you admire (past to jump with! I am concerned. I would just like to see bet­ or present)? The best way to secure the future of the ter weather. Persons: Jim Crocker, Jackie Young, Al sport is to encourage up-and-coming World-wide, my favourite DZs are Eloy Kruger, John Hitchen, Helmut Clothe, jumpers, and then the sport will grow and and Elsinore in the USA because of their Pete Bath, Danny (The Bear) Gainer, prosper. weather, friendliness and, in Eloy’s case, the John Lines and Tony Knight. facilities. Teams: RAFSPA (4-Way 1994), The W hat advice do you have for up- Red Devils, Visions, Symbiosis, The and-coming skydivers? Do you have an ambition? Golden Knights and Team Zenith. Only about one in a hundred of us stay in I would still like to represent Great Britain at the sport and we all have problems to a World Championships. I would also like to Where do you see the sport is overcome at some stage. Therefore if you see fatal accidents eliminated. going, w h a t w o u ld you like to see? stick at it, you become a special person in I see the sport getting more expensive. I a very special sport. When not skydiving what do you also believe there will eventually be only a do? handful of big, full-time operations (three W hat is your favourite joke? Nearly all of my time, both work and plea­ or four) and the rest reverting to very An Englishman and Irishman were apply­ sure, is taken up with skydiving activities. I small weekend clubs. I also see a trend ing for a job at BT but there was only one used to do some scuba-diving, but now even where more experienced parachutists are vacancy, so the manager said, “Whoever that has stopped. I do have a soft-spot for cars jum ping less and less in the U K during puts up most telephone poles in a day gets and have been known to waste money in that the winter and using the money saved to the job.” direction. have an extra skydiving holiday in the At the end of the day the Englishman sun. said he had put up 10 poles and the If there was one person in the sport Also, it seems, owing to the price of Irishman said he had put up eight. who has influenced you, who would jumps, experienced parachutists are mak­ The manager said to the Irishman, it be? ing less jumps with intermediate jumpers “Sorry I’ve got to give the job to the Dean Fisher. As a beginner in the sport I and are picking their own jumps more Englishman.” nearly gave up a few times, because I carefully. The problem with this is that Paddy then said, “That’s not fair, you believed I was more scared than everyone more jumpers will get as far as Category should see how much of the poles he’s left else and it was Dean’s enthusiasm and 10 and then have few people to jump sticking up out of the ground!” encouragement (as one of my instructors) with, then they will be more likely to that kept me at it. Even now 20 years’ later, drop out of the sport because they are W hat, if anything, winds you up? I still see Dean doing the same thing at unable to progress. Unfortunately, it Arrogance. weekends and his enthusiasm has never left means that in a few years those experi­ him. He is one of this sport’s unsung heroes. enced parachutists will have less skydivers Dave Mitchell

This is a nice photo taken a few years ago in Thailand with a couple o f skydiving friends, who are no longer with us: Heather Leach and Paul 'Dicko' Dixon.

-10- SPORT PARACHUTIST I99S/3 S kydive U niversity™ C oaching C am ps

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f □ * = ■

I f you have been in sport parachuting- people have bought the latest in AADs, more reliable; it now appeals to the gear for more than a day, you will know the Cypres, and there are more versions lust’ of the modern skydiver. what an AAD or AOD (Automatic about to hit the market. Are these a good The idea of an AAD is without ques­ Activation/Opening Device) is and idea? tion a good one (you must be a fool to what it does. Recently, I spoke to a very experienced disagree with this), but have the prob­ The AAD has usually been associated skydiver who told me that he used to have lems of the earlier models been solved? with student jumpers and from the time a Cypres but it went ofif when it wasn’t I do not relish the idea of my reserve the use of an AAD was made compulsory supposed to, so he sold it. deploying with my main, but I have over at certain stages in a student’s progression, I was quite interested in the story as I 600 jumps with a Cypres (my mum was the annual save rate has increased around own a Cypres, so I questioned the ex­ a lot happier when I bought it) and have the world. owner further. He did open lower than he had no problems at all, not even opening For a long time the main AAD in use in was supposed to but higher than the at 1,600ft at the world record in the UK was the FXC 12,000, a little bulky Cypres was supposed to fire. Bratislava. and sometimes not as reliable as the expe­ My immediate thought thereafter was An AAD is compulsory on tandem rienced skydiver might demand. For stu­ how much lower and how much higher? Are equipment now. Should they be made dent skydiving the FXC 12,000 does a fine the worries about an unplanned deploy­ compulsory for all skydivers? job but the bulkiness, the sensitivity and ment justified? My points and questions could cost the ‘I am a student’ image stopped many There has to be a fine balance on the you a lot of money, an AAD costs £900, an experienced jumper from even consid­ sensitivity of the apparatus. The FXC but conversely could save a friend’s life or ering fitting one. This is an attitude of 12,000 did not become very popular your own. Is there anyone out there with which we should not be proud, but because of its image, and it was also quite a comment? one that I am more guilty of than others sensitive. And if an experienced skydiver Thanks for the vast number of letters I of demonstrating. started to spiral his Wildfire, there was a received on the topic of last issue’s There have been many designs over the strong chance that it would fire. It was Devil’s Advocate: throwaways vs pull- years and a variety of different methods of possible to adjust the setting, but that still outs. If there are that many of you who achieving the same result. From clockwork left the FXC too big and too student-like agree that an externally mounted pilot to pyrotechnic each gained some degree of in looks to be attractive to the experienced chute poses a potential risk - do some­ effectiveness and reliability, although the market. thing about it! reliability seems to have improved over It is the same with the Student Cypres, PS: if your closing loop breaks when the years. which has a much more sensitive setting you are packing, you deserve to be The problems facing an AAD manufac­ than the experienced version and will fire grounded for a month. turer trying to sell to the experienced if the student spirals their Manta through Contact ‘Mave Doris’, tel: 01733 market are these: 750-1,000ft, whereas the experienced ver­ 266076, mobile: 0374 986600, or write 1. Reliability sion has been adjusted for higher rates of to SP. 2. Bulk descent and will fire only in free fall or 3. Image (probably the most important!). with a streamer. Over the last few years more and more The modern AAD is much smaller and “ Mave Doris” D3376

- 13- s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 FILM REVIEW

relieved to be rescued by said tandem master swooping after him in hot pursuit. Later in the film Yancy struts her stuff by hanging finger-tips and kitless to the bad­ dies’ DC3 door sill for fifteen minutes or so while waiting to be rescued (‘Thelma and Louise’ this isn’t). Snipes, meanwhile, exits skygod fashion from the chase plane moments after the heroine lets go. Hero saves heroine, the audience breathes a sigh of relief, and it’s off to the packing shed for a joint, no doubt. Other scenes include the obligatory j rop Zone’ is a wild ride into the candidate for the Funny Farm. That said, bounce, or ‘burn in’, canopy flying at excitement and total rush of a let’s disregard the plot, what there is of it night among the office buildings of down­ subculture where people are and that ain’t much, and divert our atten­ town Miami, and a wonderful night-time addicted to risk and get stoked on tion to the juicy bits. FS jump where everyone is lit up like a defiance, the US Government The choreographed skydiving sequences Christmas tree. Dand the law of gravity itself.” That’s the were filmed by Norman Kent and Tom The precision landing into a tipper Hollywood blurb which describes the film Sanders among others. Their impressive truck travelling at warp speed concludes world’s attitude to our sport. footage include spectacular mid-air ‘saves’. my review, with the memorable but entire­ “Gee whizz dudes, ain’t that a pity, The first of which is leading man Wesley ly unintentional orthodontic rearrange­ huh?” Snipes’ abrupt exit at altitude minus female ment of one unlucky jumper as he surf- Although ‘Drop Zone’ has excellent sky­ tandem master and heroine, newcomer turfs on full drive straight into it. diving footage, it reinforces Joe and Jane Yancy Butler, through a fuselage trap-door. Whatever he got paid wasn’t enough! Whuffo’s misconception that if you jump N ot surprisingly a little put out by his sudden out of a/cs for fun, then you’re clearly a departure, our intrepid first-timer is mightily IAIN

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- 14 - SPORT PARACHUTIST 1995/3 Do you want to edit Sport Parachutist?

ou will have read elsewhere that Ola is step­ problems occur, you will be able to negotiate terms ping down as editor of SP after four years in of reference with the council. You will have a clear the job. On behalf of the council of the BPA I vision, of how the magazine can develop to further Y the interests of the sport, and understand your role would like to thank Ola for his good work on the mag­ azine over the years. With the redesign, Ola has left in its production and development. It would be an the magazine better than when he started, and well advantage to be able to handle a camera - an SLR placed to develop into the future. What this means comes with the job! though is that a replacement has to be found - would You will need to attend or organise the reporting of you like the job? important administrative events, as well as the major The job events in the sporting calendar. Although the exact duties will be agreed between The time you will need to spend editing the maga­ the editor and the publisher, certain functions are zine will depend on your involvement in its produc­ bound to be a part of your work. You will receive raw tion. Experience suggests a minimum of eight to ten copy from contributors; letters, features, press working days per issue would be needed to do a releases etc, which must be read and edited. This good job, so you need to have a reasonable amount edited copy will then be sent to the publishers for of guaranteed spare time; and flexibility, as you will input into their computers, and you will proof their often be working to the publisher’s deadlines. typing. The position is voluntary, although the association You will select photographs to accompany articles will pay all reasonable expenses. where appropriate, decide on photo-features and pro­ How to apply duce copy for these.You will write an editorial for If you want to edit SP, write to me and tell me who each issue, decide on the order of the articles in the you are, what experience you will bring to the maga­ magazine, and will work with the publisher to agree zine, the reasons why you are the best person for the the layout of the articles. You will then proof the mag­ job, and your vision of the future of the magazine. azine to make sure it hangs together, and looks and Send your letter to Steven Hoy, c/o Development feels how you want it. As editor of the magazine you Committee, British Parachute Association, 5 Wharf will be responsible for the entire content of each Way, Glen Parva, Leicester, LE2 9TF. If you want to issue (excepting advertisements). talk about the position and its responsibilities, please This is a job for someone who knows and under­ call me at home on 0181 203 0556. stands skydiving. Accuracy and balance should be maintained so that the magazine furthers the best Publishing contract interests of the sport. You will need to avoid exposure The BPA will also be accepting bids from potential of yourself or the BPA to libel claims. You will main­ publishers of the magazine. If you would like to pub­ tain a good, productive working relationship with the lish Sport Parachutist please write to me at the publisher. address above for further details. This is an oppor­ Although the position is a BPA appointment, and tunity for your company to participate in the produc­ you will be required to account to the BPA should tion and development of this exciting magazine.

- 15- s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 FLASHING DYTTER

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Swoop landings progressively more difficult and dangerous. 2) Do not rush this steady learning pro­ By now you should have perfected $£) If you want to learn to land using a straight-in toggle landings so that you have turn to increase your landing speed then gression. a basis for learning a more aggressive the need to make haste slowly is so 3) It is similar to when you were learning approach. Yes, it is taking a while but so do important. Do not give in to the temp­ to pull your ripcord... you have the rest of healing bones and physiotherapy and they tell tation of doing just one really spectacu­ your life to get it right. you not to jump during that process. lar landing on the day’s last load because Starting again with a straight-in everyone is watching. It could be a lot approach, set up for the target above 200ft, more spectacular than you intended - and that can be so embarrassing. facing into wind. CHECK: TRAFFIC, LANDING AREA are clear and where are your OUTS? (An The idea is to carve a front riser turn ‘out’ is an alternative landing area. More which ends on the wind line at the right about this subject later.) height for you to release the risers and use Apply the amount of front riser you have the toggles. Once you can judge this to a been practising which produces smooth nicety, start your set up a little closer to flight. Keep a secure hold on your toggles. the pit and carve the turn a little harder. You should have enough feel by now not Do not try to adjust for a mistake in Be very careful if you start setting up for to have to look at your canopy. Watch your judgement by pulling on more front a final turn of more than 90°. For a start where you are going and your height. A lit­ riser to turn faster. these may not be allowed on the drop zone, tle before your usual flare height release the (Now would be a good time to read the but even if they are, you are now approach­ front risers and then apply toggle input to section on ‘outs’ so that you are ready for ing the landing area in an opposing direc­ plane out, smoothly. If you are too high, the first time you blow it!) tion to anyone setting up for a straight-in depress the toggles slowly, run it out. Do And so you progress, and if you think landing. Sure, the low canopy has right of not be disappointed if it was not spectacu­ that this is taking a lot of jumps, then you way but swooping in front of and below lar and you did not get a turf-surf: you are are correct... but if you have the right atti­ another jumper does not put you in the developing a skill here - it takes time. tude to learning how to fly a canopy, then right. Practise until you have the right height you will always be learning something new to move smoothly from risers to toggles with every jump. T u rb ulen ce and get a nice plane. Do not try to increase Gradually increase your angle of turn in, During your first-jump course, you were your speed by simply pulling on more riser learning and practising, taking note of the taught about looking out for turbulence, beyond what your canopy can handle. conditions each time and do your eddies or rotors. Be careful downwind o f If you want to increase your landing CHECKS (traffic, landing area, outs). obstacles on windy days, over the runway on approach speed, this straight-in front riser Bear in mind that each landing in differ­ hot days and avoid the wake turbulence approach is by far the safest way to land ent conditions of wind, turbulence, traffic, behind other canopies. your canopy. Using this landing approach temperature, humidity and air density is a You were also taught what to do if you you may release the risers at any point and different landing with a unique set of con­ encountered turbulent air - apply some the canopy will immediately respond to ditions. All of these factors affect your set­ brake, about 1/4 to 1/2 brakes is usually rec­ the increased angle of attack and plane out up height, speed, rate of turn and descent. ommended. Not too slow or a sudden gust of the steep glide path. Once you begin to Take note of different daily conditions might stall your canopy. Not full drive as input more than small directional control and be especially cautious on a new drop the forces acting on your canopy are pro- movements you begin to increase the diffi­ zone, where even the air movement pat­ culty and danger involved in the landing terns are not what you are used to or have manoeuvre.Now start your set up slightly trained for. off the wind line, say 15° to the left. CHECK TRAFFIC, LANDING AREA Remember... AND YOUR OUTS. 1) Offset and smaller arc approaches are

- I 7 - SPORT PARACHUTIST 1995/3 Then this will be just another learning step in your canopy handling training, and not the end o f a promising career. Visualise your ‘outs’ as runways stretch­ ing off into the distance. You know which one your flight plan has designated but you also know where your alternates are. As you are turning through base on to finals, mentally check them off. As you pass each heading, confirm that you have enough height to reach the next. W ho’s to know if you use an alternate anyway? You didn’t file your flight plan, did you?

H o o k tu rn s On the subject of high-speed landings using toggles, there are various opinions. Controlling turns and landings using your portions! to the square of its speed. (This ly less severe since the airspeed is consider­ toggles is the way your canopy was means that increasing your speed from ably slower and the jumper has more time designed to be used, but the practice of 20mph to 30mph more than doubles the to deal with any difficulties. increasing airspeed near the ground using dynamic pressure acting on your canopy.) large-input toggle turns has some very dan­ Now, this dynamic pressure is also keep­ All that speed and nowhere to go gerous implications. ing your canopy inflated so it generally fol­ (or ‘outs’ as opposed to ‘ouch!’) The mechanics of a hook turn are that lows that faster canopies are more rigid The first thing to remember is that it is the toggle input initially slows the canopy than slower canopies, but it does not mean not the fall that kills you, it is the sudden but also starts a high-rate turn. This forces that they cannot collapse. stop at the end! So provided that there is the jumper to swing forwards; it is this not a fence or building in the way, then action, combined with the toggle input, horizontal speed is not the greatest problem which turns the canopy towards the here. It is vertical speed that we have to ground. At this point the jumper has no avoid most as we land. control options until their weight has Remember, you don’t have to land into swung back under the canopy. Until then wind. We have all seen jumpers scream in they are at the mercy of their own judge­ downwind, roll in the dust and walk away. ment and any prevailing wind conditions. Again, no sudden stop! It is this commitment to the hook turn Do not use front risers in turbulent conditions So if you are part-way through a carving which is so dangerous because it allows for front-riser turn and realise that you can not no misjudgement. If you blow it here, it is Do not be deceived into thinking that get all the way into wind in the height usually big-time! your new pocket-rocket is bullet-proof; it available, the worst possible thing to do is A very large input using a front riser can can fold in turbulence and the results are increase the turn with more front riser in have the same result of swinging the usually radical. On an older 7-cell you effort to get into wind. Instead, just release jumper towards the ground. This is also a probably did not even notice a flapping the front risers and land straight ahead. hook turn and is just as dangerous. end-cell on final approach - and anyway, it But to do this, your landing pattern always popped open on the flare. But an needs ‘outs’ (a way out between obstacles). Landing distance required end cell folding under during a swoop An essential part of your set-up should be It will pay you to develop a technique for landing, when you could be flying at to identify your ‘outs’ and plan your land­ short landings. Not all display jumps are 35mph, is a different matter entirely. The ing pattern accordingly. Perhaps turning into football ovals, and not all drop zones increased drag from a collapsed end-cell right instead of left leaves you with a lot have wide open spaces in the direction you can pull the next cell under, which increas­ more space in front? may want to land in. es the drag, which pulls the next cell under, Even if you believe that you can not pos­ and so on. The result is a flick roll with you sibly blow your approach through your Long spots as the weight at the end of a sling-shot. own misjudgement, there is always the Several jumpers have been trapped trying Conversely, under-loading a canopy chance that someone else will do it for you makes it more susceptible to problems asso­ - another canopy entering your pattern or ® At altitude practise performing an ciated with turbulence. In this case, howev­ someone (or something) you did not see on aggressive turn and immediately going into er, the results of a partial collapse are usual­ the ground. Or you might suddenly deep brakes (ie, do not let your hand up, encounter turbulence and decide that this bring the other one down to match it) but is not a good time to be on front risers. do not stall the canopy. If you ever input a radical manoeuvre and So the lesson from all of this is that when immediately realise you have made a bad you blow it (and you will if you keep trying mistake, this may be your only option to long enough), your new instincts should get your canopy back over your head as warn you in time, and your preparation quickly as possible. should allow you to do something about it.

- 18- s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 M ind set By far the most important skill you must master when operating a high perfor­ mance canopy is ‘mind set’. Your mind is the source of all your decisions and actions. And your attitude influences Right toggle down, Full drive Canopy rotates to the pilot swings forward these decisions. right as the pilot swings due to the increase Your perspective on responsibility is crit­ in drag ical. If your primary concern is to have fun without regard to the constandy changing Full drive - the pilot has no control until conditions all around you, then you should their weight is back under the canopy be jumping by yourself. High performance canopies give a canopy pilot a great deal more manoeuvrability than more docile systems, and this bears with it a responsi­ bility to the other people in the air with you. It is not your sky alone. This responsibility is just common cour­ tesy. Right of way is not related to the speed or wing loading of the canopy. As the pilot of a high-performance canopy, you are (should be) more knowledgeable and skilful at canopy control, and therefore to get back from a long spot. It seems hat 1) All turns below 1,000ft to be in the should be the most capable of ensuring when it comes to a choice between a bit of a same direction. safety in the air. You should never cut off walk and a low hook turn, some people have 2) Everyone bases their approach on the other jumpers, or otherwise cause traffic trouble making up their minds. By which lower (or lowest) canopy. problems, simply because you want to land time they have saved themselves the walk. 3) No-one crosses the wind line at the close-in or make a swoop approach. When After a bad spot, there are several things centre line of the pit below a certain there are other jumpers in the air, you owe you can do that will help: height or anything else that works for them every bit as much safety and consid­ 1) Hold on some brake to get further down­ your DZ. eration as you would expect them to pro­ wind (or front riser to get upwind). Major airfields have published landing vide you. There are ways to be considerate 2) Reduce drag (elbows in and lift your patterns. In this way all other pilots know and still have fun under canopy. legs). what other pilots are going to do as they High performance canopies are very fast 3) A flat, braked turn will get you part of the touch down. — in every sense of the word. You descend way around safely. If your landing area seems to be a bit faster, you fly faster, you turn faster. And 4) If you have left it too late, do not try to busy lately, why don’t you mention it to you get into trouble faster. As the pilot of force your canopy into wind. Land other jumpers and see how they feel the quickest, most manoeuvrable canopy ahead. about it? And consider the situation on in the air, you must be able to make deci­ 5) Make sure you have plenty of room in nil-wind days, with everyone setting up sions quicker, and with a much higher front of you. whichever way you are and landing in different directions. That degree of certainty, than the pilots of slow­ going. can be really interesting! er, larger, and typically more forgiving 6) Revise your PLFs. The aim here is to have you spend less canopies. Poor judgement, whether from time looking at everyone else and won­ inexperience or bravado, can be very dan­ Landing patterns dering what they are going to do, so that gerous. On a relatively docile canopy, a Consider promoting a consistent landing you can spend more time concentrating minor mistake might only embarrass the pattern on your drop-zone: on your own set up and landing. pilot. On a high performance canopy, even a minor misjudgement could kill you, someone on the ground, or someone else Be sure you have enough runway length to stop! in the air. On opening, and with your brakes still in the locking loops, your canopy will be flying as fast or faster than mid-range canopies flying at full drive. A single 360° spiral dive can easily consume 500ft! Fly defensively. Always be watching for other canopies. High performance canopies can overtake other canopies with blinding speed, even other high perfor­ mance canopies. Remember, the drills you get under a really manoeuvrable canopy are the same for the pilots of other zippy canopies. Everyone wants to have fun, so

- 19- s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 you are not the only one up there zoom­ As canopy technology advances, This section was taken from “The ing. If they don’t see you, it’s up to you to newer, faster, smaller canopies will Aerodynamics and Piloting of High stay clear. It takes two to cause a canopy naturally eclipse the older cutting- Performance Ram-Air Parachutes, ” collision. It only takes one head-up pilot edge canopies. This technological written by Jerry Sobieski, an USPA to avoid a collision. advance is to be expected. AFF Instructor and Rigger with 2,500 Assume the other pilot is going to do However, if you are transitioning jumps. something unexpected. Be prepared to from an older, perhaps intermediate avoid or evade the situation. This fre­ class canopy to a more advanced Anyone wanting a copy o f Jerry quently requires changes in your canopy, do not be lulled into a false Sobieski’s manual, please contact the flight plan, set-up, and/or landing sense of security by the fact that your Australian Parachute Federation. Or approach, particularly the latter, as new canopy isn’t the smallest or you can access it from Jerry directly this is where canopies tend to con­ fastest canopy on the DZ. It is just as viaE-mail, Internet jerrys@,umi- verge. Even when you know the fast now as it was when it first came acs. UM D.EDU. other pilots, and you know they are out, and it is just as new to you as it on top of the game, they may not was to the test pilots who first quali­ Or the document itself is available know you are anywhere around. fied it. Just because you are not riding in Post-Script format via anonymous Anticipate and deal with situations the leading edge of technology does­ ftp at Hyperion.umiacs.umd.edu in before they turn dangerous. Spiral n’t mean you aren’t riding the lead- the Skydiving directory. dives, swoop landings and the like, ing-edge of your skills. are luxuries you can indulge in only So, you need to be in a responsible This is the third and final article by after the safety aspects have been frame of mind, you must be alert, and John Chapman of the Australian properly dealt with. It just can’t be you must be considerate. These are Parachute Federation. over emphasised how quickly things prerequisites for any canopy pilot, but happen under a small, highly loaded they become critical for those pilots Many thanks to Scott Dougal for and very fast canopy. who are flying along the Edge. the illustrations in this article.

ESPACE BOOGIE VICHY

attitude 4866144 - O^ameb Jumpi

( k y i u 4 / $ i t T f y m # - ' f w e f t y t e - J u h i m p t The prereaistrafion to the Space Booaie, as well as the inscription Skydivers having already participated in the to organized RW jumps are indispensable. Space Booaie 93 and 94 will receive directly our brochure with the registration form. If you have never participated in the Space Booaie we Informations: Joel Cruciani are to your disposal to send it to you. T e l: f 33J 74 84 91 32 - Fax: C33J 74 84 99 28 200 MINIMUM JUMPS ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN From the 1st of August: Espace Boogie - Aeroporf de Vichy the S pace Boogie. Pilatus Porter will be T e l: (33J 70 41 98 17 - Fax: C33J 70 41 98 16 AVAILABLE FOR THE LESS OF 200 JUMPS EXPERIENCE.

- 2 0 - SPORT PARACHUTIST 1995/3 Photo: Elaine Cox people gathered on the beach to watch the spectacle. the watch beachto the on gathered people structure group the down or up moved were jumpers, in one load and depositing them them depositing and load one in jumpers, T eedn o hw elbdy hy per­ they well/badly how on depending fruits: Mangoes, Water Melons, etc. Jumpers etc. Jumpers Melons, exotic Water various Mangoes, fruits: after named were groups the year last as and level skill and experience on passes. two on airfield l60 C Transall civilian a a was aircraft: week in second change the of difference other airport. Mataram at up set was zone in east island next the Lombok, to jumpship UK. the from myself omd Te tnad f kdvn ws a was skydiving of standard The formed. from a large tailgate along the length of the the of length the along tailgate large a from 100-120 contingent, whole the lifting of ble capa­ were aircraft Boogie Both Jakarta. from The Bali. on Beach Kuta of mercialisation com­ price’ cheap you give face, ‘inyour the after pleasure a was Lombok of The quiet relative zone. drop the from ride bus 20-minute drop the where archipelago, Hercules Indonesian the the in daily flying and Bali on and France from school) boogie Perry’s Jeff Alexisover Italy, taken now from has (who Rondzavalle Bionda from Claudio Belgium, USA, DeCoteau the from Mitch from and Coster Thomas Derek de Bouman Herman Eric Michael Holland, organisers and load Lansmann experienced move to Sengiggi beach resort on Lombok, a Lombok, on resort beach Sengiggi to move 10-way over Sengiggi beach resort. Thousands o f local f Sengiggi o Thousands10-way over resort. beach Jumpers were organised into groups based based groups into organised were Jumpers OGE ROUND-UP BOOGIE The second week saw the entire shebang shebang entire the saw week second The living week one featured event year’s This Bali and secutive event organised by by organised event Lombok secutive and Bali 1995 he by Alexis Perry and staffed by by staffed and Perry Alexis by headed Adventures, Sky Exotic con­ 4th the was Boogie Beach Beach jumpers rented bicycles, motor-bikes or cars or motor-bikes bicycles, rented jumpers excitement. and enthusiasm with welcomed saw week second The etc. bags and jumpers everybody spent each day skydiving. Some Some skydiving. day each spent everybody multi­ our under were we jumped sky we Wherever kites. coloured the us from watch to miles descend 15 walked local of people Sasak Thousands Island. Lombok of parts other at beaches other two or one on or tance, dis­ the in volcano Agung Mount with beach with Australia in lives now who Cox, Greg organising styles.and coaching of variety a vided rotated mains, Stiletto and rigs Javelin suits, Symbiosis matching sporting organisers, load eight The load. every of remainder the filled and explored, while others went scuba diving. scuba went others while explored, and Sengiggi over exit day the of load last the non­ off-load to afterwards landing Here the Bali’s of one beaches, with to on day was back beautiful the to on Sengiggi. one at beach last the row, a in tandems three made Jakarta from ex-pat one Brit fact, In his victim. willing a with and rig load every tandem almost on was Elaine, Cox. Elaine and Dereta Max Meis, Gaby pro­ and basis, daily a on groups the through jumpers solo and tandem freestylists,chute of assis, bunch usual The system. group the years. two previous the than lower touch Carolynne Tilga on her back .as she takes a break from the hard labour of sun,sandyseaof beaches.and labour hard the .as back her she from break atakes on Tilga Carolynne As is normal for these exotic boogies not not boogies exotic these for normal is As Video and stills were by Bruno Brokken, Brokken, Bruno by were stills and Video in part take to chose participants all ot N During the first week the last jump of the the of jump last the week first the During PR AAHTS 1995/3 PARACHUTIST SPORT -21 - -21 Boogie Lombok Lombok James King, Benchy, Keith Hughes, Donna Donna Hughes, Keith Benchy, King, James Airport on Bali prior to the flight home. flight the to prior Bali on Airport Yudho Baskoro, for his part in making the the making in part his for Baskoro, Yudho boogie possible and underwriting a very very week. a second the for aircraft underwriting expensive and possible boogie to used got and changed considerably jumps, 30-40 colour made had people Denpasar cockpit to the minutes in 20 the fly (11 and alone!) Transall the cram board purchases on multiple skydiving and their allgear/luggage plus Europeans, 80 and in day a five jumps to three the doing off strain took which packing, canopy by service excellent an provided They months. several been had whom of both boogie, the at also world her on travelling was who included Warren, faces Brit other UK, the from Cuba is a distinct possibility. distinct a is Cuba ’96 - February in venue exotic unsuspecting Gamalan bing bong’ music and Bali belly. Bali and music bong’ bing Gamalan heat. tropical the for Australia and Asia throughout travelling att M and tour. Rogers Jenny Lynch, Chris over travelled who Vicky, and Robinson Gareth and Amanda, Powell, Jeremy Crum, Jackie Church and Karen Nicholl were were Nicholl Karen and Church Jackie The final day saw about 40 Indonesian Indonesian 40 about saw day final The Exotic Sky Adventures will invade some some invade will Adventures Sky Exotic most boogie 16-day the of end the By Many thanks to Indonesian skydiver, skydiver, Indonesian to thanks Many In addition to Andy Ring, Harry Morgan, Morgan, Harry Ring, Andy to addition In o olpus C Rob

Photo: Elaine Cox The spectacular scenery of New Zealand and first class facilities of Parakai Hokitika and Rotorua make for an impressive skydiving holiday. Derek Jones and Mo Wilson were there.

Robbie Oakley (left) leads jumpers from Nelson, Christchurch, and the UK. Parachute Holiday in New Zealand

T his was to be our first holiday in Next day we set off southwards to impress the many tandem punters who 10 years so we intended to seeNelson as on South Island. Unfortunately all regularly visit the place. much as possible of New Zealand of the club’s jumpers had gone south to Rotorua was next. Everybody said, “You and jum p at as many DZs as we participate in the Hokitika boogie. After can’t miss it, you will smell it from miles could. Before we left the UK we pleading to get on the list, we arrived at the away”. It’s true that the volcanic activity: wrote to most of the clubs and received a boogie at the crack of dawn the next morn­ hot springs, boiling mud and geysers pro­ large batch of replies, so at least we were ing. After a kit check and brief from duce the odd whiff of sulphur but it was able to plan our itinerary. Generally kit is Robbie Oakley, who already had us on the still a great place to visit. The parachute not easy to hire so we brought our own. As manifest as Pom 1 and Pom 2 we joined centre has a new purpose-built hangar with we are both pilots we opted to hire a the last load in the Beaver for their dive accommodation and predominantly caters Cessna 172. into the Wanganui river valley, where the for the tandem jumpers. The first DZ we visited was near plan was to take a white-water raft out.We Finally, we flew back to Parakai for one Auckland at Parakai, about an hour north­ followed everyone else out and got on to more day’s jumping and stayed at a motel west of Auckland. This was our first intro­ the sandbar without getting wet. with natural hot spring water in every unit. duction to the main skydiving differences Afterwards our kit was packed into a cargo Just right at the end of a long day. between UK and New Zealand. net and taken out by helicopter as we Firstly, the club accommodation was manned the inflatables for the trip down Overall impressions close to immaculate: fresh paint, clean and river. Eventually we arrived at the far end Skydiving is cheaper in New Zealand, shiny packing floors, mown grass and a only to find that our dry kit had been about two-thirds the cost of the UK. Club general impression of effort to keep it taken back to Hokitika! accommodation varied from pretty good that way. The following day we went to Hood to unbelievably excellent. Likewise the Secondly the whole operation revolved Aerodrome at Masterton on North Island. aeroplanes always had in-flight doors and around tandem jumping for tourists, Here we ran into the problem of itinerent permanent handrails and floater steps. rather than the weekend hordes of one- skydiving in New Zealand. Most clubs are The reason for this general air of cleanli­ jump student courses back home. weekends’ only operations catering for ness is, of course, the predominance of Thirdly was the jump prices, generally tandems. If there are no tandems, then tourist tandem jumping. One club clocked about £8.50 to 10,000ft. A tandem costs there’s no jumping. up about 3,500 tandems this year, another about £78.00, while the basic jump course Our next leg was past the volcanic about 4,500. This activity is heavily pro­ costs £600.00. This consisted of twenty- region around Mount Rurapahu to Lake moted in all the hotels and information five jumps using square rigs and starting Taupo. The parachute centre was very centres. O f course, this generates cash-flow off with static line progression. clean, very tidy and obviously designed to without the heavy training commitment to

- 2 2 - s p o r t PARACHUTIST I99S/3 > *

♦

The purpose-built hangar and accommodation on the drop zone at Rotarua mostly caters for tourist tandem jumpers. Spectacular scenery of Wanganui, where we jumped on to the river’s sandbar.

one-jump students in this country. For the to visit, mainly because they are widely and had pretty good weather in early visiting skydiver, you do have to fit in with scattered and we ran out of time. March towards the end of the summer sea­ this commercial atmosphere. During the With a population of 3 million people in son. We definitely plan to return. week it is sometimes impossible to jump as New Zealand the 24 associate parachute much as you would like. organisations seemed impressive to us. We Derek Jones C9538 and There were many DZs that we didn’t get enjoyed ourselves, made a lot of friends Mo Wilson D9I86 Sibson Freestyle Seminar T he Sibson freestyle and sit flying seminar took place between 7-11 June. There was a good level of interest despite the late publicity and a a c j i a r u . fair attendance. Sadly a last-minute work assignment meant that I could not attend and one potential participant went down mm Larsen & with pneumonia! S m Brusgaard The dates had been carefully chosen to Advanced electronic end Mechanical Engineering avoid the heatwave and take advantage of the low cloud and drizzle and the partic­ Stuart Meacock ran a sit-flying course ipants were able to take full advantage of concurrently; it was good to see grown

the seminars, video presentations, and Tamara Koyn in action. men giggling like kids as they became trampoline sessions. The small numbers beginners once again. Spectators watch­ meant that there was plenty of coaching ing the videos in the bar were also talent available, and despite the weather a reduced to fits of laughter watching sea­ few jumps were made. soned RW-ers kicking the proverbvial out We were lucky to have Tamara Koyn, of each other in an aerial version of Kung- ex-World Champ, to attend. We were Fu.as they attempted feet-first dockings. able to afford it thanks to her being part­ We have permission to reproduce some ly sponsored by Larssen and Brusgaard, of the course notes in SP so you can look Bounceproof, and Tony Suits. forward to some excellent freestyle hints The course was structured so that and tips in the coming issues. whatever your level you would be able to Meanwhile, we are hoping to run a big­ receive coaching appropriate to your ger seminar in the future with more standard. The emphasis on cross train­ coaches and more people. To help guage Some of the seminar's participants who attended at the ing, skydiving hints and tips and pro­ weekend (from left to right): Steve Ruffell, Phil Halper, the level of interest please drop us a line gressive exercises meant that time on the Dave Drewette, Charles Ross, Russell Pullen, John and let us know if you would like to Goodmear and Ann Beckitt, with Tamara Koyn. ground was well spent. attend one of these.

- 2 3 - SPORT PARACHUTIST 1995/3 RICOH 8 - W A Y TEAM

Quick as a flash Ricoh steps in to help Games Company get in the frame for the World Meet

All pictures by Adrian Thornton. ter-*

offered its services for our exclusive use during the week. This offer was too good to refuse so we prayed for good weather and were not disappointed — the weather was per­ fect! D espite having never jumped together Armed with dive sheets we arrived at as an 8-way team, we were delighted 7.00 am on 2 May and started the day off with when Games Company won the 8- a big, fat breakfast at Birdland Bar. (Fiona and way British Nationals at Peterborough Wingy very kindly offered to sponsor the last July. W ith 1994 being the national team team by feeding us throughout the week.) W e selection year we were very disappointed when had breakfast there at 7.00am every morning, the BPA ruled that, since our average was .5 which allowed time for a warm-up, dirt dive, below the selection criteria, we would not stretch, and a chat until the mist burnt off and receive funding to represent Great Britain at gave us the visibility required to start jumping. the World Meet in Gap this September. For the first three days we repeated most of However, as the British National Team, we the dives and it was great to to watch the were entitled to go if we funded ourselves. (Continued on page 34.) We wondered how on earth we were to pay for the entry fees (£1,000 each), travel and training camps until Charles Ross, a Cark jumper, introduced us to a media company which obtained £10,000 worth of sponsor­ ship for the team. Ricoh Cameras’ sponsor­ ship package has covered the team’s entry fees to the World Meet, team containers, jump­ suits, and helmets, all liberally displaying the name of our sponsors. We were delighted and very grateful to Charles for all his efforts. The Ricoh Camera Team line-up is: Debbie and Pete Allum, Allison Cronnelly, Steve Johns (video), Kevin McCarthy, John Mclver, Darrell Moran (Captain), Dave Smith and Toby Stafford. With the arrival of our red and white one-pin Tear Drops, Symbiosis Suits and Cool and Groovy helmets, we went to Peterborough Parachute Centre at Sibson. The centre has a Turbolet for the summer and T h e

National Teams

members: Nicky Homer (video), Steve RAFSFA Newton, Mark Rodwell and Steve Scott. January 4-W A Y The team gave a presentation at the BPA AGM on 4-way team training (thanks to TEAM all those who attended). We discussed subjects such as fall rates, training dives, To give you an idea of what a the mental side of skydiving, competitions British team does on the lead up and video. The weekend following the AGM was to the World Championships not so rewarding. You may have read in Tim Homer has compiled a diary the last issue of Sport Parachutist that I of how the year is progressing. had an argument with the road after falling off my motorcycle and came away T o give you an idea of what a British with a broken left arm, broken right wrist, team does on the lead up to the and a dislocated clavicle just 11 weeks World Championships Tim Homer before travelling to Arizona for our first has compiled a diary of how the year training camp of the year. is progressing for himself and fellow team- (Continued on page 34.) NORTH POLE Sward realised this was no ordi­ nary package tour, as he kicked the bald tyres of the clapped-out T opolov for luck. A s quickly as a greased weasel on a Teflon spade he w as on his w ay to...

The British contingent survey all points south from the Pole. Skydive on to the Top of the World (There May Be Trouble Ahead...)

N early 20 Brits and we were still announced that he wanted to celebrate his outnumbered 2:1 by the Yanks 50th Birthday in style. (or 6:1 in loudness). You just We duly arrived in Moscow on Friday can’t get the peace and tranquil­ just before Easter. The city is a mixture of lity on the North Pole anymore. rich and poor, decadence and depravity. We were part of the fourth annual sky­ The systems are so alien to Westerners diving expedition to the Pole, which was and will doubtless continue to change made up of three separate parties: Bill apace. Four hours after arriving at the air­ Booth was back from the States, Natalie port we booked into the world’s largest Chudiak had a well-organised European hotel, Hotel Rossia, with its 6,000 beds. party and the Russians were there, too. The expedition began on Easter Day. Our party comprised Rob Harmer, We left the hotel and went to an outlying Brian Mason, Kevin Parkes, John Parker military airfield, where our chartered and myself, and it all started when John Topolov 154 jet awaited. Close inspection

- 2 6 - s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 of the wheels showed half of the 12 tyres pump, and we were ready for the 150 rate setting, owing to the confusion of the were worn down to the canvass and wire. knot blast of air, probably around -60 first pass. In fact, many jumpers did not This was to be no normal package tour. degrees centigrade including wind-chill set their Cypres’s at all. We loaded our own bags, kicked the tyres factor. The klaxon howled and we edged The rest of my descent was spent trying for good luck and eventually boarded the to the open tailgates. Everyone was hus­ to find Rob’s all-white canopy which had jet. Everything took an eternity and I hard­ tling, pushing, shouting; eyes were darting ‘DHL’ in big, red letters emblazoned on ly ever remember being informed of what everywhere. it. I spent nearly 2,000ft looking in every was going on. Five of us got to the ramp. I backed up direction before I saw him far below. I Many hours and a refuelling stop later as I wanted to look up at the plane as we eventually caught his landing; a tiny speck (yes, the tyres managed both landings), we left. John and Brian were doing the same on the vast polar ice-pack. arrived at Khatanga in Central Siberia at to fly the D H L flag, and Rob and Kevin Jumpers were strewn over the best part 2.00am. It’s a beautiful spot, frozen over were diving out with us. I’m sure Brian of two miles, and the helicopters started to for most of the year, rendering its small yelled, “Ready, Set, Go!” but we couldn’t pick up the furthest first. An American port fairly inactive because the boats were hear him in the melee. We saw his hand dislocated his shoulder in the exit blast, frozen in. Large chimneys belched smoke signals however, and everyone left in one but fellow Brit, ‘Doc’ Williams, soon put as they provided heating for the town. At explosive burst from the plane. that back for him and he was among the this time of year there are 20 hours of day­ I was thrown over the top of Brian, first taken off the pack. light and we were travelling at all hours of glanced at Rob on my left, and saw more It was just a few minutes after landing, the day so our body clock just disap­ glimpses of the fabulous scenery below. I yet I felt almost cheated, even though we peared. Life was like a military exercise: felt the freezing wind on my partly were hyped up from the jump. I wanted to sleep when you can, eat when you can and exposed face as the noise changed from be at the North Pole on my own. I had be prepared.You never know what the chaos to the familiar roar of freefall. this feeling of ‘so what’! This could be next rumour may bring. John and Brian grabbed the spare flag’s anywhere. The hotel (did I say, hotel?) was a large handle before ripping open a dramatic It was a beautiful, warm day on the Pole. building with few rooms and a remarkable aerial banner proclaiming ‘DHL, World­ It wasn’t even cold! Actually, it was number of beds. Five people shared our wide Express’. We were on the way. 12.35am on Tuesday 18 April and it was 5x2m box and cooking facilities. Brian Rob was also shooting video. He’d been -25 degrees centigrade. My hair had snored like an elephant. flung to the left and started to make up turned a frosty white. Brian’s beard The next stage of the adventure was for the distance, while Kevin closed in formed a new shape and growth of its own. the 50 of us to board a huge Russian cargo towards the flying flag. I struggled to slow We had landed about 200m from a 2m- jet, an IL76 which would reach our desti­ my fall rate to get above the flag and shoot wide crack in the ice, which moved slow­ nation after a three-hour flight. the vast, cracked expanse below, but all to ly and would then be completely still and At around midnight we arrived at the no avail. W e were fast running out of alti­ silent for a minute or so before doing it Pole. The plane slowed down to 150 tude so I dumped, and my freefall was again. The sound of the crack carried for knots, nearly 170 mph, twice the speed of halted abruptly. I looked up to see the miles into the distance.The helicopters a normal exit! The first pass was at 400m, comforting words of ‘Olympus Cameras’ from an ice airport 80km away were heard allowing us to set our altimeters and other on the underside of my Sabre 150. long before they became a speck on the automatic barometric devices. The second What I hadn’t seen was John’s reserve horizon. (The ice airport is a stretch of flat pass at the same height allowed the Russian deploy, fired by his AAD after its inaccu­ ice, specially selected and prepared by a crew to drop vital supplies. It was such a The Red Devils conquer the world! shame when one parachute failed to open and half the supplies plummeted into oblivion. The third pass saw the Russians jump, with their specially rigged static-lines trig­ gering the opening device for their para­ chutes once clear of the plane. Quite amazing, these guys, they had twice as much gear to carry, far less protective clothing and what we would consider to be antiquated parachutes. The IL76 swiftly climbed to 3,000m (10,000ft) for our jump. As we were trav­ elling a mile every 20 seconds we had to exit as quickly as possible to ensure that we weren’t strewn across the Pole. We droned across the ice-cap and waited for the short burst of the klaxon to warn us of the impending drop point, and the deaf­ ening roar as it instructed us to leave. Every last check you could conceive of was done. The adrenaline started to

- 2 7 - s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 Russian crew, who spend several weeks ature was dropping and we were cold, Dairy Milk to appreciative Dolgans by over the winter period looking after all tired and hungry; this was not the Ritz. tying the confection to the bottom of a kinds of Arctic expeditions.) An hour later, one of the locals suggest­ huge flag suspended from his waist. It Brian got out his latest GPS, a tiny ed we join him. Q uick as a greased weasel proudly announced the arrival of DHL in Garmin machine that indeed confirmed on a Teflon spade, we followed him into Central Siberia; though I doubt the viabil­ we were at the North Pole, give or take a the second tent where we were welcomed ity of an office serving 30 Dolgans and 300 few metres. Not bad, considering that the with a hot drink and somewhere to sleep. reindeer! ice-pack can move a few kilometres every These tents are amazing: four beds, a Brian and John landed so far away that day as it floats around the Arctic. cooking area, central stove, a few empty they were picked up by tribesmen on The Americans produced the statutory bottles of vodka, an accordion, a rifle to Skidoos. We were invited into their 3x2m barber’s pole with ‘fingers’ pointing in all ward off hungry Polar bears and a few huts and offered drink (I’d love to know directions to major cities world-wide, so other odd bits. The workers live in them what was in that firewater) and fed rein­ we knew where we were! for several weeks and survive all the ele­ deer. The trip into this tiny community We stayed on the Pole for about six ments thrown at them. was just as interesting as the Pole. hours, and completed several laps of the Eventually we heard the roar of jet After one more jump over Khatanga’s world. I used just as many rolls of film engines making neither one nor two, but frozen river in front of dozens of kids and until all my batteries gave up. Luckily, my three attempts to land on the ice runway. then a farewell dinner, it was time to load camera had full manual setting so picture- The conditions were by now fairly severe.The the Topolov with the dodgy tyres. We taking continued. Red Devils’ Dave Russian pilots were quite superb and near­ added an expedition of 13, and loads of Mitchell and Fin Molloy swapped cameras ly always flew in extreme conditions. extra gear crammed the aisle. The pilot with me for all the obligatory shots, includ­ Refuelling and loading the AN24 took said we were too heavy to take off so we ing of Fin when he stripped to his first another hour while we crammed 60 peo­ disembarked, only to get back on and take layer! ple into a plane designed to take only 40, off - a strange logic but it worked. Adrian Nicholas of Capital Radio was and that’s without a huge extra fuel tank During the expedition our team was also there with Spotty Bowles and inside the fuselage! Approximately 24 known for our own rendition of ‘There Guinness, who swooped a free slot at the hours after we left Khatanga our over­ May Be Trouble Ahead’. This was just last minute when someone couldn’t make loaded jet roared down an ice runway one of many things that kept our spirits it. W ith their group was distinguished pho­ sporting 23 cracks and in foul weather. As high, alongside our first-class canteen that tographer, Alastair Thain, who lugged we cleared the tents our relief was audible. we operated from our room It left such a some mightily impressive camera kit. No Pole jump would be complete with­ bitter taste when Brian and John’s Tony Crilly, from Netheravon, had out either vodka or a party and besides, no Moscow hotel room was burgled as they secured Subaru sponsorship and wore a suit one had a clue what time of day it was. slept and cleaned up for over $1,000, that made him look like the ‘Michelin We had all survived and were heading including passports, camera, John’s North Man’. Doctors’ Ruth Green and ex-pat eastwards towards a Dolgan village. Pole pictures and, most valuable, a com­ David ‘Doc’ Williams treated fellow Brit The Dolgans are fairly nomadic and plete rig which was only four jumps old. Rob Doyle for the effects of dehydration. wander Siberia herding reindeer. We flew Well, that’s modern Russia and we half­ Other Brits were in evidence, too, from in two more MI-8s across the dramatic expected this kind of trouble. Scotland, Wales and even Ireland in the but harsh expanse; looking out over frozen Would we have missed the trip? Not in form of Bren Jones. rivers, forestry and bleak plains. a million years. Roll on the next adventure. Eveyone was extracted from the Pole in Rob delivered several kilos of Cadbury’s S im on W a rd two MI-8 helicopters that normally carry Rob's personal delivery of Cadburys' chocolate was an instant success with these Dolgan chilldren. about 20 people. Nearly 30 of us crammed in for the 60-minute trip to the ice airport. Our team was among the last to leave and felt privileged to have spent time in this bleak environment. When we arrived the first party of about 40 had left the Pole in an Antanov AN24; its twin jet engines mounted high on top of the wings to cope with these harsh conditions. The last Antanov (an AN28) four of us had flown in had lost both engines at 400ft over Weston-on-the- Green, and crashed in spectacular style. Since the return to Khatanga was three hours each way, the next flight took at least eight hours, with refuelling at both ends. We landed at Khatanga at 8.00am and it was still daylight. We needed sleep, food and water. To make matters worse there was pre­ cious little shelter to sleep in, the temper­

- 2 8 - s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE Formation Skydiving: On or off-year selection?

A s a competitor, when our National teams, it would If we are going to have on- have now combined East and the idea of off-year appear their employers are year selection, we will have to West-coast jumpers to pro­ selection was first unwilling to extend holiday organise our Nationals around duce a team that beat France proposed, I was dead allocation. If they were to have World Meet dates. at the last World Cup at the set against it. Having gone to their employers To organise the delegation pro­ Valentines Meet in Arizona and spent the last couple of years directly after a nationals, fessionally takes in the region look favourites to win the next as Chairman of the Com­ asking for extra time off to of 12 weeks. This could mean World Championships. petitions Committee, I have represent their country, the having to hold our National had a chance to view the sub­ employer would be more selection as early as May. A British alternative ject from both sides of the inclined to allow this. We have a large number of fence and found myself uncer­ I wouldn’t, for the first The way ahead? very experienced competition tain of which direction to go. instant, believe that every One of the biggest problems jumpers in this country who, I believe the Competitions employer acted in the same with off-year selection would to a certain extent, are split Committee should go with way, but it would seem to be appear to be keeping the team within many different teams. what competitors in the field the current trend. together. A lot of circum­ We also have a large number want. To this end, during this 3)To enable National stances can change in almost of talented up-and-coming year’s FS Nationals, there will teams more time to train two years. jumpers who, with the right be a meeting of all interested on BPA funding. By choosing a team so long coaching and correct employ­ competitors to decide whether This works to a certain before a World Meet, are we ment of a ‘British Project’, to stay with the current prac­ extent. The level of funding actually choosing the stron­ could find themselves on a tice of off-year selection, or is limited. If the World Meet gest team? British team in a shorter time to revert back to on-year happens to be in a far-off Would it be fair to say, the than normal. selection for FS. country, the training budget team that wins the Nationals In order for a British team If you can not make this diminishes almost to a state during the on-year is the best project to work, it would have meeting and wish to express of non-existence. team this country can produce to be organised and managed your points of view, please do The sports council is reor­ for the coming World Meet? by someone who was not not hesitate to write to me via ganising itself and will not The other road we could jumping with the team, had the BPA office. I will do my make any guarantees past take is to scrap on and off- experience at world-level com­ best to include your points of 1996. The level of funding year selection and replace it petition and good managerial view in the meeting. for our competition teams with a National squad. and marketing skills. Before you make any deci­ will almost certainly go A team arrangement such as sions either way, I would ask down if, indeed, we have The Norwegian Project this would produce better-stan- you give the following points any funding at all in the Having observed the dard National teams and be some consideration: future. Norwegian ‘Project’ from the more appealing to potential Reasons for changing to off- 4) To enable the BPA start, it would appear to work sponsors. As competitors, the year selection included: more time to organise very well. The ‘Project’ is basi­ ball is in your court. 1) To give the National travel arrangements and cally an organised squad of Please do think about the team more time to secure general administration. jumpers, ranging from inexperi­ points I have made. If you have a sponsorship. Looking at correspondence enced to very experienced, any comments or suggestions This is a sound idea and would and reports from past on-year who are interested in compet­ of your own, then either write appear to be working to an selection World Meets, it would ing to represent their country. to me or attend the meeting extent. appear travel and administra­ They are split into three experi- during the Nationals. 2) To enable competitors tion arrangements were ence-level groups, who all train I Hope to see you there. to utilise their time off rushed. and compete to get into or work effectively. Occasionally, this led to stay in the ‘A team’. Again, this seems like a rea­ important documentation being The American 4-way team CHRIS ALLEN sonable assumption. After talk­ missed out, sometimes at have been second place to the CHAIRMAN, ing with several members of extra cost to the Association. French for a long time. They BPA COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE

- 2 9 - s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 ■ ■■

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We operate a full time rigging workshop to We can supply custom equipment with take care of all your service and repair work, canopy artwork applied. Giant Display flags. we have the knowledge, the experience, the Free-Fall flags and much more for tools and are current in all aspects of sponsorship deals Contact us for more rigging work We have the backing of most information and colour handouts to impress major canopy and container manufacturers your potential sponsors and are currently only one of 4 approved We can help design, build and test all types service centres world wide for Rigging of equipment whether its for a particular job Innovations products(Talon. Flexon. Telesis) or to assist with instructional techniques Call for any quotes or advice on your rigging requirements Demo R ig s We have a great selection of demo rigs so Reserve Repacks you can try before you buy Please call and let us know what you would like to jum p Parachute equipment has become more sophisticated in both the technical and Spare Parts & cosmetic sense Reserve packing has become more specialised, the inspection of M a te r ia ls We keep a stock of spare parts and materials at competitive prices, your reserve and container requires a call now for a price list considerable level of background knowledge and experience It is essential that reserve packers stay current and up to date We are very current with over 200 reserves packed Cypres in the last year All were checked against We continually have new stock arriving, call over 800 safety notices that we hold on file us now to book yours and have it Call now to book your next reserve repack professionally installed in our workshops Allan Hewitt BPA Advanced Rigger/Examiner - Tandem Master - AFF Instructor - WARP Coach L.„„^

Tel & Fax - 01252 27412 Mobile - 0836 298287 103 Grosvenor Road Aldershot Hants GU11 3E E TRAINING Headcom’s wannabe Warpies get to grips with “straight-legged and | \ / j — |------1— ^ spaced-out students with attitude.” Headcorn Hits WARP Speed!

coaches and was good enough for our first The result is that there are now four more “WHY DO YOU evaluation jumps. We were all very nervous WARP coaches at Headcorn (three of us and had dry mouths and the shakes before, were put to work on the Friday we qualified, WANT TO during and after our jumps. getting immediate success with ‘real’ stu­ BECOME WARP Jane and Pete acted as our ‘students’ and dents). Three others had graduated by June. COACHES?” both deserve Oscars: Pete for being the most All of us who attended the course are straight-legged, spaced out and unobservant grateful to the staff at Headcorn: Jane student you could imagine, and Jane for being Buckle, videomen Ray Sayer and Thomas the best (or worst) ‘Student With Attitude’ any Shapland and, of course, Pete Sizer for all T his was the question Jane Buckle skydiver woud want to meet. (Were they real­ his preparation, consideration and positive asked a group of regular Headcorn ly role-playing?) attitude when debriefing us. jumpers at the BPA-approved All but one of us managed to do our first The new ‘Warpies’ are now fully Formation Skydiving Coaches’ (or evaluation jump that day. Ironically, this equipped to help the regular crew and are WARP instructors) course at made the tension worse as three of us had to looking forward to progressing WARP stu­ Headcorn early last April. work the next day. Nevertheless we perse­ dents at Headcorn. Prompted by the growing demand of vered and most of us managed to do our sec­ recent Cat 8 skydivers for coached progres­ ond evaluation jump by the weekend. Chris Shaw D7365 sion, Pete Sizer devised a detailed three-day course comprising ground school, radio use, briefings, spotting, video, more brief ing> and evaluation jumps. The successful candidates will help out at Headcom, whilst gaining a BPA-recognised coaching award: a true win-win situation. None of us was in any doubt that cold Monday morning on the first day of the course that this would be easy, but neither had we expected such a structured and thor­ ough programme either! But even Pete couldn’t arrange the weath­ er. His improvisation included an instruc­ tive, highly entertaining and practical demonstration of ground-to-air radio instruction to students under canopy. Pete and Dave Tunks acted the roles of students under canopy as they walked around the field beside the manifest. Each of us asked them to “Pull down right toggle, pull down left toggle” etc, as they shouted their ‘altitude’ at us to add some reality of height. A couple of collisions, one lost stu­ dent, some involuntary CRW and lots of laughs later we discovered how difficult this could be and what to watch out for. By day three the weather finally gave in to the massed willpower of wannabe WARP

-32- s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 WHAT’S NEW

Parachutes de France • We request all users of Atom harness KIT safety bulletin containers to visually inspect the pres­ In Germany during a routine inspection of ence of the two-stitch patterns securing an Atom harness-container system manu­ the harness rings before they next jump NEWS factured in June 1994 it was discovered (this inspection can be effected on a that the ‘W’ stitch pattern securing the 3- packed parachute without opening the Amendment to BPA operations ring harness ring was missing. containers). m anual. The following amendment has been made Analysis PD 113 reserve to the British Parachute Association An investigation was held and the follow­ The PD 113 reserve has received FAA Operations Manual. ing facts were established: approval under the new TSO C23(d). This Reserve ripcords on piggyback equip­ • The stitch pattern was never made. is the first PD reserve specifically ment may be test pulled by the user after • Inspection procedures according to the designed and tested to meet the new the reserve has been packed. The user quality assurance manual of Parachutes TSO requirements, which comprise a should then sign the inspection checklist de France SA had been carried out cor­ to indicate that he/she has made the rectly. pull test. • The stamp witnessing the inspection In all cases the packer must test pull was applied to the harness. the reserve ripcord with a scale, and sign The analysis of the incident shows that for the recorded poundage on the inspec­ the omission was the result of human tion checklist. The maximum acceptable error. Statistically, the chance of this pull force is 22lbs. type of incident occurring again is extremely slim. B ackground The precautions taken during the design Prior to the above amendment the user of the Atom harness have shown their had to sign to confirm that he/she did the validity since, even in the absence of the more stringent testing program and pull test, or the packer had to sign for the stitch pattern, the jumper’s life was not address new standards not previously recorded poundage. endangered. required by the old TSO-C23(c). The BPA Riggers Committee agreed to In accordance with German regulations For optimum flight and landing character­ the maximum of 22lbs in all cases due to the Atom harness container was inspected istics, the recommended maximum sus­ reserve pull forces reaching up to 50lbs by a rigger who passed the rig as safe to pended weight for this reserve is 135lbs. in some cases. use without the stitch pattern. Like their other reserves, PD has contin­ It was felt by those present that all ued to use spanwise and chordwise rein­ reserve systems can be packed to Conclusions forcement tapes, which is rare on a achieve a pull force of less than 22lbs, • A separate and clearly visible inspection reserve that will fit into the tiniest rigs especially with the introduction of the stamp will be applied to each critical available. Cypres loop and silicone gel. stitch pattern of the harness. For more information, contact your PD Allan Hewitt Chairman, • The applicable inspection procedure will dealer. Riggers’ C o m m itte e be modified accordingly. Photo contest FSW Heller of Germany has announced a Cypres battery change - 2 years or 500 jumps photo contest. Entries must show a Heller On Sunday 9 April, in Holland, a female jumper with approx 60 jumps died while Helmet II or III (jet helmet design and rotat­ doing dummy pulls from 12,000ft using a borrowed 2-pin Teardrop. Apparently, she ing photo platform) during action in freefall. made no attempt to deploy neither the main nor reserve. Creativity and originality will be judged as Upon inspection both canopies and the Cypres-equipped container were found to be well as quality. in perfect condition. The Cypres had tried to fire its cutters but failed to do so Rules: entries must be either original slides because the battery was three years and nine months’ old and had not been or prints 18x24cm or 8xl0in or larger, replaced. postmarked no later than 30 September Two days after the fatality the Dutch Aviation Police confiscated the rig and Cypres. 1995 and mailed to: FSW Heller GmbH, PO Tests with Airtec simulated the skydive in a pressure chamber. At the appropriate Box 1204, D-82019 Taufkirchen, Germany. time of the descent the Cypres tried to fire but the bolts in the cutters did not move. Both photographer and subject must agree The battery was then replaced with a 12-month-old one and the procedure was to publication of their contribution for adver­ repeated. This time both cutters worked perfectly. tising purposes. Once again, Airtec urges all users to replace batteries after two years or 500 Prizes: first prize, 1,00DM cash (or Pounds jumps, or when the unit indicates in self-test mode that the battery is empty. Only Sterling equivalent); second prize, a Heller weeks before the fatality Airtec had published a press release in which this important helmet sight type RIO ( concentric Newton information was stressed. If your batteries need replacing, do so immediately. rings); third prize, some Norman Kent pho­ Airtec GmbH tos, a Heller helmet T shirt with a crazy Dobrowolski cartoon.

- 3 3 - s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 RICOH CAMERA TEAM on blocks with one block and two or three structive for us. The World Champion 8-WAY (continued from page 25) random points per dive to ensure we com­ ships are from a Porter and we need as pleted the block moves several times dur­ many Porter exits as possible, especially as video, decide how each of us could improve ing the dive. We were then critiqued by the aircraft has a right-hand door. the dive, and have the opportunity to go up Jack to correct any problems we may have The team will be available at the first and concentrate on those specific items. The had. We repeated the same skydive to put weekend of the Nationals to coach anyone results speak for themselves. Jack’s advice to work and solve the prob­ who needs advice. We are not competing After four days of training we took part in lems. ourselves, so please feel free to approach us. Sibson’s 8-way competition, judged by Jackie The advantages of this method are that Glover (FAI judge). Over the five rounds we with only having one block on a given sky­ A u g u st scored 49: 10, 9, 12, 7 and 11, giving us an dive it enables you to concentrate solely on We have decided to go to Deland for our average of 9.8, the highest of any British 8-way the technique for that block and helps you second training camp. They have a Porter team. W e were delighted. to gain muscle memory, while keeping two available and we should be able to squeeze Teams thinking of training here would be or three random formations within a sky­ another 50-70 jumps in during the 10 days. hard-pushed to find a drop zone to cater for dive helps teams keep up the pace or In Deland most of our training jumps them as well as Sibson did for us. The plane rhythm of a jump. will be competition style. This is a good was ours whenever we were ready. Birdland On behalf of the team I would like to way to ‘train the brain’ into competition Bar served mouth-watering meals and snacks thank Jack Jeffries for his assistance. We all mode. During a competition you want to for us every day. Leslie Gail and Andy Dixon agreed that he was head and shoulders get that feeling of ‘just another skydive’ provided a packing service, and with the excel­ above the rest. We completed 94 training (gulp!). The less things you have to think lent weather we did 32 jumps in five days! jumps in just over two weeks and saw a about on a skydive the more you can con­ We were overwhelmed by people’s generos­ marked improvement in our performance. centrate on doing your job well. ity: Adrian Thornton for giving up so much of his time to produce first-class photographs for May S e p te m b e r our sponsor; Simon Smith who paid for two We continued with our regular weekend The World Championships this year will jumps for the entire team from his own pock­ team training at Weston after returning be help in Gap, France. We intend to have et; Fiona and Wingy for feeding and looking from Arizona. We believe this is an essen­ our final training camp just prior to the after us so well during our training week; tial part of our training. All the gains that meet and only complete about 30-50 Easdey for agreeing to jump with us at the last teams achieve during training camps can so jumps. Teams sometimes make the mis­ minute for a good part of the 8-way competi­ easily be lost once returning to the UK. It take of burning themselves out before a tion; PPC for doing single starts on the is important to keep ‘topping up’ the mus­ competition by trying to cram in an many Turbolet; Stuart Meacock for his video work; cle memory. jumps as possible. We think the most all the 8-way teams who took part in the Our first competition of the year was the important part of a competition is to be Sibson 8-way RW meet that weekend, who so Weston 4 and 8-way Regional Meet. mentally prepared for it. Going into a kindly allowed us to continue training; Peter Unfortunately, the weather beat the 33 competition fresh and alert instead of Scott for donating T-shirts to sell for our team teams and only one round was completed. tired is the best advice for any team. fund; and the sponsorship of Ricoh Cameras. Weston are trying to reorganise the Meet. Thank you all so very much! We would not October to December have achieved so much without you. June Sleep, have a beer or three and rest in Allison Cronnelly Once again the weather thwarted our preparation for 1996 - not necessarily in efforts to train at weekends. To the end of that order. June we had 35 weekend training jumps at Please feel free to approach any of us if RAFSPA TEAM 4-WAY Weston to add to the 94 in Arizona, so the you need advice on team training; we are (continued from page 25) year has not been too bad. an approachable bunch. All the team could not be available to Alternatively, buy a team T shirt from attend the next regional competition, so our advertisement below. All proceeds will February and March Mark Rodwell, Nicky Homer and I went go towards our training and the World Not much happened during these two to Dunkeswell to assist as many teams as Championships at Gap. months as you can imagine but I am now possible, Nicky being available to help any T im H o m e r an expert on everything from Neighbours budding videographers. W e would like to to Coronation Street. thank Dunkeswell for their hospitality, especially the local pub which is within BRITISH TEAM T-SHIRTS A p ril walking distance of the flying club and • Adult long sleeve £3.00 After training for a weekend at Weston to means you can drink copious amounts of • Adult short sleeve £8.50 • Childrens’ t-shirts £5.00 make sure none of my limbs were going to beer and not have to drive back to the air­ •sweatshirts £15.00 drop off in freefall we travelled to skydive field (oh, my head!). (Grey or white: M/L/XL) Arizona for our first training camp of the Design on front, back and sleeve. All year. Our coach was Jack Jeffries of the July proceeds to the British 4-way training American 4-way team ‘Airspeed’. O ur weekend team training at Weston will fund. We began the camp with a couple of of course continue on every occasion possi­ Send cheque (plus £1.50 P&P to: days doing five point random dives as we ble. The team will not be competing at the RAFSPA, C/O Nicky Homer, were all rusty after our enforced layoff over Nationals this year as we feel that another Sycamore Lodge, Radford Hall, the winter. We then began to concentrate week’s training abroad would be more con­

- 34 - SPORT PARACHUTIST 1995/3 S E E P A G E 41

£29.95 O X L £19.95 OL TV programme Full colour pic­

Dive organiser book. 3 x 1/2 hrTV shows by Leo Dickinson £14.99 £14.99 Dickinson by Leo by Miles Clark £12.50 by Leo Dickinson £14.99 Dive organiser book PB £24.95 Sizes 9 -1 £12.95 O M O L O X L OSOM History of Parachuting All in one for the girls £27.50 Adult sizes only. £19.50 Hooded jacket £48.00 I £17.50 OXL OXL By Tom Saunders 60 mins £34.95 £34.95 mins 60 Tom Saunders By i Shorts with style £19.50 By Simon ‘Jakey’ Jakeman. Basic FS/RW Coaching £59.95 4 Way Coaching, bookincl £99.95 12.50 12.50 designer gear Basic Body Flight bookincl £89.95

Long sleeve top with style £15.95

OL for the girls £14.95 Trousers in great styles & patterns £24.95 £24.95 & patterns styles great in Trousers 30 mins fantastic variety video £19.99

Baseball cap to beat all baseball caps £12.00 caps baseball all beat to cap Baseball £27.50 pages HB £ Tel: 01793 772323 I ' : i Ii : ' 1) 2-201) ways PB. £12.00 2) 21- 64 ways PBE12.00 127 pages about base jumping. HB £9.99 144 Fluorescent Pink & Bright Blue Hard wearing sandals with fully adjustable ankle Designs Pink/Purple/Black only - £9.99 Rubber Sandals with ankle straps By Peter Hearn. 200 pages HB £18.95 By Leo Dickinson £4.99 By Norman Kent. Narrated and idealnon-skydivers for showing £29.95 By Norman Kent. Superb Skydiving footage in By Leo Dickinson HB £14.99 By Charles Shea-Simmonds. Ideal for students. O S Oas Msweatshirt £6.99 O L OSOM O XL straps O Blue O BlackO Magenta/Grey O Blue/Silver O Red O Green/Grey O Skysurf O Skydive at Dawn O Tandem (great Across the toe design, colourful weaves. Across the toe design, hard wearing, adjustablefully ankle strap Adult sizes O onlyBlack £29.95 O Blue O Colourful weaves. O Y-Back O DZT Tee Shirt O ShirtDZT2-Safe-T £12.95 O Tee the Iddy-Biddythan Y-Back, shorter O Single Bright O Multi O BrightPink/Purple O O Purple/GreyBlack O Pink/Purple/Grey O Blue Size (3-12/37-46) £12.00 exotic locations £39.95 The art of body flight by Norman Kent £39.95 and training £19.95 Amazing French videos by Patrick Passe £34.94 55 minutes of the best bits from£14.99 the Wally Series White with large 'Skydive’ logo across chest in for clients) PerformanceO O Drop Zone(humorous) Y-back £12.50 O £12.50 Trackin' Y-back Trousers, with long attitude!trousers £24.95 ture book including basic text 32 pages HB £6.95 Footwear O O Strops/X Back O ‘Sierra’ Fibus HB - HARDBACK PB - PAPERBACK O Norman Kent Compilation Sward Sportswear O Skydive T-Shirt O O ‘Wally Gubbins - The Compilation’ O Baggies, O Designer T-shirts O Fibus O O Bounceproof O Strops (Childrens) O O Shorties, O Hicky Hider, O Reaper Keeper, O Bun Blasters, O Rascal Romper, O Hangar O Strops (Adult) O ‘Freefalling Together 1’ O ‘Blocking Together’ O ‘G roundrush’ O ‘Skydiving in 8 Days’ Videos O Dead Men’s Tales O ‘Relative Work - “The Basics’” O ‘The Sky People’ O 'World CRW Championships’ O ‘Flight of the Dream Team’ O ‘From Wings Came Flight’ O ‘Kinesthesia’ O ‘Ballooning over Everest’ O ‘Anything is Possible’O ‘Filming the Impossible’ O ‘Guide to Sport Parachuting’ O ‘Picture Library, Skydiving’ O ‘Travelling’ O 1 O ‘Anything 0 2 is Possible’ 0 3 O ‘OverThe Edge’ O ‘Jum p’ O ‘Skydive 100’ O ‘Skydive 101’ O ‘Skydive 400’ O Skydive Sweatshirts £9.99 Red Red O O £6.00 £8.00 Europe £11.00 £16.00 Blue

O Yellow As above with Traditional’ RW Large size.

As above £5.75 Colour £64.95 O Parapack. 2 large £3.50 £4.50 £5.50 £6.50 Black Padded shoulder Gold edged O O , Alti design , clock kitchen Black O O Very colourful 5 Man star with Smoke £2.50 £4.00 £5.00 £6.00

£14.95 £149.95

O XL O XXL Call for colours Made from parapak with fastex O XL O XL Freefaller £8.45 From Hat Shoppe USA Handmade in quality Italian leather. Soft, adjustable retainer bands for O O Traditional altimeter design face. OL OL

Tough plastic £44.95 Hip Pocket Nylon Wallets. Without Date £18.95 Front-on Square canopies side on With Date £19.95 Padded kneeling area. Riser holders. Phone for stock. £85.00 Never needs an ink pad £5.50 Rubber frame, UV protected. £2.99 Many colours including fluorescent Flat waist pouch, two pockets, snap fastening logbook. Lots of information pages. £5.75 Altimeter Wall Clock OSOM OSOM O White O Red O Black O Blue O Clear £16.95 O Tinted £19.95 O S Call for stock or custom order O M £79.95 O L O XL OSOMOL Cool, groovy bright colours sunglasses. O Bright O Subtle £6.95 Colour: £13.50 O Standard O Microline O Canopy design Colour O ‘RW design elasticated waistband O Bright O Quiet £4.50 £9.95 extra pockets and velcro fastening.Colour Fully padded. £16.50 O Brooch O Fridge Magnet O Skysurfer O Freestyle from O diving Exit £6.50 Pilatus Porter O Tandem Track O Blue £4.99 O DC3 O Freefaller O Square side-on O Tandem O O Square Round front (A/Con) on £3.75 O Square canopies side-on O RW O CRW O Front-on O Freefaller £5.25 Swiss quartz movement. Black strap O O O Colour straps. Carry handle. Large main smaller pocket plusfront pocket with 3 dividers.Colour Packing tabs. O Pop Top, O Vector O Javelin O Atom £39.95 2x dytter pockets. £14.50 £59.95 clips & 4 tubes O S O M O L £34.95 2 small & pen pockets. Holders forstamps. RW & Padded.CRW O Standard O Microline £3.99 O O £14.95 Post and Packing UK Europe Outside Orders up to £10.00 Orders £10.01 to £20.00 Orders £20.01 to £50.00 Orders over £50.00 Hats & Headgear Logging Gear Care O Packing Mat With Pocket O O Rig Bag with Pockets O Frapp Hat O Protec Liners O Factory Diver O Mini Rig Daysack O Frapp Hat O Protec OFactory Diver Spare lenses O Sunglasses O Googlies O Skydiving Poster, O Log Book Holder, De Luxe O Tube Stoes, Clear O Tube Stoes, £5.45 Coloured O Wallet £6.45 O Ben Bag O Weight Vest O Log Book Holder, Basic O Log Book, 2 Jumps/Page O Log Book, Jumps/Page10 O Funky Freefallers O Superior Pin Badges O Enamel Pin Badges O Silver Earrings O Self Inking Stamp O Silver Pendants O Watches O O Rig Bag for Tandem Rigs Jewellery & Watches Use our inserted order send the details £3.50 £2.50 £9.95 from £225.00 Same as Zak. soft rims£9.95 Stem fits to any hel­

Fit to jumpsuit or rig Fits to chest strap A c c e s s Black £99.95 Liners for gloves for extra Suede leather palm/spandex Set of 4 £9.95 Video, LED indicator £41.80 O Alti II O Alti III £5.95 For no helmet dives £11.95 12,000 ft, white face. The (pairs) attach Altimaster II to chest foam pad fits all altimeters. Rimless flexi goggles £5.99 twin altitude warnings £125.00 13,000 ft, white face. Wrist or chest Inc spare Blades. £9.95 Thermal lined leather gloves with cuffs. pulsating tone at preset height. Very loud. Clear, rimless, non fogging £4.99 Edge colour O Black O Blue O Pink Excellent for all purpose use £19.95 Close fitting. Ideal for winter £22.45 back O S O M O L £22.95 12,000 ft. Includes wrist mount. £149.95 O Blue O Red £9.95 O Black O Red O Black O Navy O O WhiteRed warmth under your normal gloves O Navy £7.25 O White Lens: O Clear O Smoke Sizes: O XS/7O M/8 OL79 Close fitting O unlined OS/7.5 XL/9.5 leather Sensitive feel. Replaceable blades Lens in mount with 6mm rod £69.95 met, joint connects stem to sight £24.50 Clear Lens. Soft rubber trim. O Green Clear lens goggle O forYellow spectacle wearers. £11.45 Trim: O Black O Turquoise O White O O Blue Pink O Yellow O Red O Green £6.99 O Orange O Grey Colour: Superb comfort, soft edging. £6.00 Colour: £13.00 O O Black Red O Blue £10.50 pad. £3.50 Colour £5.95 O Blue O Black £89.95 mount. Inc wrist mount. ‘Standard’ altimeter £129.95 Trim colours: O Hot Pink O Black without drogue £230.00 with drogue £250.00 Colour: £3.00 as above with built in Zak knife. Colour £8.95 O Red O O Purple BlueO O Black Turquoise £125.00 Wrist (inc) or chest mount 12,000 ft. Great value O Black O Red O Blue O Pink £79.95 0 Metres O Feet Sward Sports Ltd, Mill Farm, The Fox, Purton, Swindon, Wilts SN5 9EF (UK) O O Thermal O Thermal Inners O Webbed Gloves O EZ O Lyle Eyes O Danish Flexi Goggles, Gloves O Aircrew Knives O O Kroop’s Over Eyeglasses O O Sky Eyes O O Pouch for Zak knife O Sward Sports Goggles O O Leo Dickinson helmet O O Chest Pad O Stem/Universal Joint O Skylight ADD O O Newton Sight O O Spare Glass for Altimaster II O Zak Knife in Pouch Goggles O Zak Knife O Pouch Jacknife for O Aluminium Hook Knife in pouch O Jacknife O Aluminum Hook Knife Audible altimeters O Dytter O ‘U’ brackets O W rist Mount O Microhawk ADD O Chest Pad/Zak Knife O Time Out, O Dytter Mount O Hunter Camera Helmets O Dytter batteries Camera Gear O Altim aster II O Altimaster V SWARDAltimetersO Sapphire O Altimaster III SPORTS Bits & Pieces LTD Books SWARD SPORTS LTD Your No.1 choice for skydiving accessories fji& it look, udt& t w e hcute. to - ( a n d i t ' i d a ecMf- ta a /u x e /i)

Number one for... Number one for... Sward Sports is No. 1 for great products, No. 1 for GLOVES. In summer, our AIRCREW GLOVES are superb. In the colder conditions (or all year round) our value and service and we are constantly THERMAL GLOVES are certainly the best; over half the 20 Brits sky­ adding to our range. Now available are diving on the NORTH POLE used them and were warm as toast! several new products: No. 1 for GOGGLES. We have all the best including the new LYLE EYES. They pack up flat, are quite flexible, virtually No. 1 for BOUNCEPROOF SPORTSEAR. A collection of some unbreakable and rimlesss. They’re great value and great quality. of the finest quality designer gear ever made for skydivers from T Shirts, Y Backs, Shorts and Shorties, No. 1 for CAMERA GEAR. We have the HUNTER HELMET in Baseball caps, a brilliant Hooded Jacket and an all in one. stock and ready to go as well as the LEO HELMET. We also Girls and Boys look no further, you are catered for by stock those little LED INDICATORS that tell you when the cam­ BOUNCEPROOF. era is switched on, as well as SIGHTS, MOUNTS and ACCESSORIES. No. 1 for FACTORY DIVERS. Undoubtedly the best headgear available used by all the best world teams, no misting, no No. 1 for AUDIBLE ALTIMETERS. Joining the ever popular, falling off in freefall, no falling apart - settle for nothing less. super-reliable DYTTER is the TIME OUT featuring twin altitude warnings and at the same price. No. 1 for TRAINING VIDEOS. Sward Sports now distribute the SKYDIVE U SERIES, Skydive 100 (Basic Body Flight), Skydive No. 1 for BOOKS and back in stock is the definitive AFF book, 101 (Basic FS Coaching) and Skydive 400 (4 Way Coaching). SKYDIVING IN 8 DAYS, all AFF instructors should pre-issue one to each student. A great introduction to the sport!

AFF • WARP • FUN JUMPING • FREESTYLE • FORMATION SKYDIVING • CHUTE ASSIS • DISPLAYS & DEMOS • TEAMS PROGRESSION SKYDIVES • TANDEM • RAPS • STATIC LINE • CANOPY FORMATIONS • STYLE & ACCURACY 24 HOUR ORDER HOTLINE Call us 24 hours a day on our special order hotline. Although it’s attended most of the time you may get the answering service so read the following checklist and be prepared to leave your order. ✓ Have your name and address ready ✓ Leave details of the goods required \/ Fax us if you prefer ✓ Spell place names clearly ✓ Tell us the quantity, colour, size and other options X Don’t speak too fast - ✓ Don’t forget your postcode ✓ Leave your card number and expiry date (we’re just learning shorthand!) Tel: 01793 772323 / Fax: 01793 772085

Have you ordered from Name I enclose a cheque Sward Sports before? Address or please debit my Switch/AccessA/isa/Mastercard A/C No: YES [ ] NO [ Expiry Date:

Signature: Home Tel No: M

Item Size Colour Custom options Custom Item Qty Total description (size, colour, name etc) charge Price Price

UK BFPO& Outside Goods Post & Packing Europe Europe Orders up to £10.00 £2.00 £3.00 £5.00 Post & Packing •Insurance is automatically added to your order unless specified in box £7.00 Insurance* .95 provided. If you do not accept insurance we take no responsibility for Orders £10.01-£20.00 £3.50 £4.00 Orders £20.01 - £50.00 £4.50 £5.00 £10.00 non-delivery. Insurance not required (tick box) | | TOTAL Orders over £50.00 £5.50 £6.00 £15.00 Sward Sports Ltd, Mill Farm, The Fox, Purton, Swindon, W ilts SN5 9EF (UK) DIARY OF EVENTS

DATEEVENT LOCATIONDATEEVENT LOCATION

July Sep tem b er 1st - 31st French Nationals La Roche Sur Yon 2nd - 3rd Northern Region FS Meet Hibaldstow 1 st - 2nd 10 Way F.S. Competition Langar 2nd - 3rd LAC Meet Headcorn 1 st - 2nd Southern Region Style & Acc Meet Netheravon 9th- 17th FS World Championships Gap, France 1 s t-7th Rhine Army Championships Bad Lippspringe 16th-24th CF & Novice Progression Week Kinnell 8th - 9th 20 Way F.S. Competition Langar 16th-17th Woodmouse 4-way FS Competition Sibson 8th -16th BCPA Nationals Ipswich PC 20th - 24th 1995 Freestyle & 15th-23rd Canopy Formation Skysurfing Championships Ampfing, Germany National Champs Dunkeswell 22nd - 1st 3rd European Style & Accuracy Efes, Turkey 22nd - 30th National FS Championships Sibson 23rd Skydive Strathallan Int Skydive Ceilidh Nr Auchterarder August 23rd -24th Central Region CF Meet Ipswich 3rd STC & Riggers Committee Meeting County Arms & BPA 28th STC & Riggers Committee Meeting County Arms & BPA 4 th-13th World Freefall Convention Quincy Late Sep World Cup of Champions Cuba 5th-13th Classics National Championships Bridlington 5th - 14th Espace Boogie Vichy, France O cto b er 14th-18th PI / Adv. Instructor Course 3/95 Ipswich 30th -1st Oct Central Region 18th - 20th Euopean Cup (Sixteen Way) La Ferte-Gaucher, Style & Accuracy Meet Hibaldstow France 28th - 29th 10-way Speed Halloween Meet Hibaldstow 19th - 28th Army Championships Netheravon 21st-25th Exam/Pre-Adv. N ovem ber Instructor Course 3/95 Ipswich 6th - 10th Approved Riggers 26th - 28th August Bank Holiday Examination Course Netheravon 16-way FS Comp Sibson 13th- 17th Bl/Adv. Instructor Course 4/95 Hibaldstow 26th - 28th Paul Dixon 16-way FS Competition Weston on the 20th - 24th Exam/Pre-Adv. Green Instructor Course 4/95 Hibaldstow

BIOSIS SU IT S^^ $ TEL: 01622 890967 FAX: 01622 891236 The Airfield, Headcorn, Kent. TN27 9HX. England. Yeah, I know, I know! We're still running that "haven't got time to do a new Ad", Ad.

But the point is, it's true. W e're still so busy with the high dem and for SYMBI JUMPSUITS and W ARMW EAR, and because our priority is still to give our custom ers top service, and fast delivery, that we just don't have tim e to spend on Advertising. (Unlike our com petition, oh, oh.) Rob coipus

- 3 8 - s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 Classified adverts cost £5 for 40 CLASSIFIED ADVERTS words plus I Op per word there­ after. Adverts can be placed by fax TWINS FORCE SALE! COMPLETE SYSTEM or sent by post but payment must Complete system in red: 7-cell main in four PD210 for sale. Write to: Soren Blasebjerg, Falcon 195, black and brown - 250 jumps. be received before going to press. colours, leg-strap throwaway, with bag and 18 Bullen Close, Bury St Edmonds. Round reserve. Pop-top-type container. Cheques should be made payable spares. 3 jumpsuits, plus Protec and Frapp Protec helmet with Dytter. Altimeter, rig hat, Dytter, Altimaster II, 2 mounts. 2 Jack- RAVEN ll/FOILS/TALON bag and jump suit. to: Airscape and forwarded to: knives and pouches, goggles, gloves, pack­ Raven II reserve, £550. Foils 252s £352. £650 AIRSCAPE, MEDIA SUITE, ing mats, French boots style 8, and much Talon Classic, £250. Tel: Dave Goode 01865 717966 3 TYERS GATE, LONDON, more. Tel: Jeff Chandler 01980 678276 SEI 3 H X Sell the lot or sell individually. COMPLETE CRW KIT £800 GEN ISIS/FURY/SWIFT Zerox container - black/yellow piping. Main Tel: Ken Mapplebeck Genisis container (throwaway) - suit Persuit 215 throwaway -120 jumps, new pilot COMPLETE RIG FOR SALE anytime 01932 570689 girl/small man: blue/white Fury - 200 chute. Reserve: X-210 7-cell, 2 jumps. In eyecatching black and red design. (answerphone) jumps, Swift reserve - unused. Will split. £550 ono Excellent for first rig or budding accuracy £500 offers to split Tel: John 01803 555800 freak. Container is a Vector copy (Aircare) CHASER/FURY/SAC Tel: Diana 0171 352 0052 (home) main - Fury (black), 63 jumps from new. Chaser throwaway container (beige), Fury 0171 351 2383 (work) LTIMASTER ll/WRISTMOUNT Reserve - Tempo 170 (never used) RSL main (multicoloured), Sac reserve. Cleared Altimaster II, wristmount, never jumped, in attached, extra padding and very comfort­ and unused. Also packing mat and JAGUAR/SABRE 190/MAGIC RES original packing. able, leg strap throwaway, Cypres ready. Protec helmet. All in very good condi­ Pack blue, Sabre green and blues. Leg-strap Make me an offer I can't refuse! Interested? tion. throwaway. 500 jumps. Good condition. Tel: Oscar 01256 893575 evenin £1,350.00 ono £400 ono £500 Tel: Nick Johnston at British Skysports Tel: Neil 0181 970 8019 (day) Tel: Hugo 01235 531182 VIDEO CAMERA 01262 677367 Ferguson F801 palmcorder. Excellent con­ RACER ELITE/PD150/MICRO RAVEN ■ KIT FOR SALE dition will all leads, charger and manual. E LTIMASTER ll/WRISTMOUNT Racer Elite (yellow, pink and blue) - small 4 x RAPS kit, 4 x TSE ZEROX, 4 x Mantas, Very compact and ideal for freefall photog­ Altimaster II, wristmount, never jumped, in harness. PD150 (yellow, pink and blue) - 4 HP round reserves, 4 x FXC 12000 fully raphy. Bargain. original packing. 300 jumps. Micro Raven 150 - never used. 'J' moded. Kit convertible to free fall and £350 Make me an offer I can’t refuse! Leg-strap throwaway. Ideal first kit - avail­ AFF. Tel: Steve 01222 886123 Tel: Oscar 01256 893575 evenings able immediately. Tel: 01202 672408 £850 ono Tel: Gerry 0181 954 8272 CHASER/GQ RAYDER/INVADER Blue/grey chaser, leg-strap throwaway. GQ AV/A) THREE COMPLETE SYSTEMS Rayder main, silver, blue, navy. Invader SPECIAL Jaguar/Magnum/Magic square reserve. reserve fully moded. Very good condition Racer/252/X210 square reserve. £450 ono * ANTONOV AN-2 GIANT BIPLANE Racer/Pegasus/Featherlite round reserve. Tel: Trevor James 0121 744 7525 Offers, please. (after 6pm) * Enjoy the great experience in 1995 with Tel: Jane or Clem 01622 890862 UK's most experienced AN-2 operators. HAWK TANDEM PD17Q/RACER/PHANTOM 22 Hawk tandem - 80 jumps. 425 main, pink Lifts 12 - free fall or static line PD170 main in red/silver/black, 600 and blue. Reserve packed and ready. jumps. Racer container, silver with red trim. Cypres serviced. Sale includes, bag, sec­ * COMPETITIVE L410 TURBOLET CHARTER Phantom 22 reserve, used once. All in ondary handles, extra main handles, spare * LARGER AIRCRAFT ALSO AVAILABLE good condition. £600 ono drogue, reserve free bag and manual. Also Altimaster V, brand new. £80 £4,400 Avia Special Ltd Tel: Sam 0115 9580041 Tel: Ali Wright 0850 236778 contact: James Black or Sue Jefferis RAFSPA 01869 343343 tel 01707 262 774, fax 01707 251 405

ADVERTISERS INDEX

Airtec 35 &41 Hanson Safety 48 Skydive City 40 Avia Special Ltd 39 Julian Snow Travel 48 Sky Science 30 BPA Editor 15 The Kit Store Ltd 1 Square One 16 British Parachute Schools 11 Larsen & Brusgaard 16 Sward Sky Gear 31 British Team Sports 34 Parasport Italia 6 Sward Sports 36 Centro de Paracaidismo 11 Performance Designs IFC Sward Sports Ltd 37 Discount Gear Sales 11 Performance Designs 14 & 48 Sward Sports Price List 36 Dodingtons 12 Parachutes de France IBC Symbiosis Suits 38 Dodingtons footer 39 PD Source 16 Thomas Sports Equipment BC Espace Boogie 20 Paragear 2 west Mercia Insurance 48 Exotic Sky Adventures 6 Perris Valley Skydiving 44 Freeflight Skydiving School 48 RAPA 48 Flagler Aviation 12 Skydive Arizona 12

Altimaster Service Centre -Z)

- 3 9 - s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 1 9 9 5 - 9 6 C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S

January 7-13 October 28-29 CRW large formation world record attempt Halloween Boogie Come and party with This event will be hosted by former world your fellow spooks. Night jumps and champion Mike Lewis and Performance costume party on Saturday. FOOD, FUN Designs and PRIZES! Fun jumps throughout the entire boogie Come jump the C-130! February 14-18 NOVEMBER 18-25 4-way and 8-way money meets janksgiving Boogie & Annual Turkey Meet Feb. 17 2-way "Sweetheart" competitions speed from a DC-3, (just like the good ole days) and a 20-way competition. Fun jumps all week! March 16-17 Don't miss the "CITYS" annual Thanksgiving par St. Patrick's Day celebration with 10-way and Turkey Dinner on Thursday Nov. 23rd. speed and sequential competition St. Patty's Day party, complete with a sarbecue and "Green" beer

December 15-January Christmas and N ew /ear's Boogie March 23-ApHJ14 Annual Easter Boogie Dec. 1%24 “2 0 -^ % World Meet"- Large formation dives a> PARTIES, PARTIES training camp and PARTIES! Dec. 24 & 23/Original 10-way Scrambles s ' This e v K tis fast becomiag a "CITY" tradition and April 20-21 everyjwfy wins! Mayor's Cup 8-way competition W m Dejr26-31 "20-Way World Meet”-Test Event Challenge the mayor but remember h H 1 1 1 sc.31 Christmas Star dives and Skydive wet! iual New Year's Eve Party (Livg

The M agic is back at Aircraft Upcoming Seminars Full Time: Twin Otters Malfunctions, Canopy Relative and C-182 Visiting: C-130, Work, Hook Turns and DC 3, Turbo Porter, Casa, Canopy Designs Balloon and Helicopter City Facilities Important Notes Trailer and RV Park, Only $15 to 13,500ft Covered bunker for creeping, Year around Turbine Aircraft Camping, Shower House, Jj&undry and Covered packing Additional Services Zephyrhills Municipal Airport Sunshine Factory Sales and 40440 Chancey Road Rigging The "City" Skydiving Zephyrhills, Florida 33539 School and Hard Dock Cafe' (813)783-9399 Fax (813) 782-0599 Beer 1 (800) 404-9399 A blank page in a magazine is like a skydiver without

P A G E 4 I POPS CORNER Parachutists Over Phorty Society

I t’s the task of the STC to see, so we became tourists. The plane to reflect upon accidents and injuries, came back on line and the jumping began and not just anyone (or cul­ some good 4 and 5-ways and an prits) to conduct post­ attempted 9-way that built mortems on their own. to eight. Three days of fun But I remain overwhelmed after ten weeks jumping, lots o f sunshine, by the kindness and response of fellow beer and good food made for a POPS, as well as the skydiving commu­ great week’s holiday. Next year is already nity at large, to my heavy encounter being planned, so, if you are interested, let with Mother Earth on 3rd March in me know. Spain. I can’t thank you all enough “By the way, if you are planning to visit and as much as I’d like to single out Cyprus, Don and Dorcas say phone them many for their particular concern and on 00 357 4629846, they would love to thoughtfulness, it would be wrong to hear from you. do so. “As far as jumpers going to Cyprus is Recovery from these things is always a concerned, anyone wanting a good, well- long haul as some of us have discovered, recommended base, try the Lysithia Hotel and for me it looks like an 18-month apartments. Just a couple of miles from grounding before get­ Kingsfield, it’s directly ting airborne again. opposite the beachand This means neither has a lovely swimming dumping my responsi­ pool and bar (tell them bilities nor failing to Mike Allum sent you). attend our meets. I’ll be Bookings are through there, as Hon Sec and Olympic Holidays. very involved onlooker. “A big thank you to When my femurs are CCI Dixie Dixon and his fully fused I’ll be first staff who made us all very out of the aircraft. welcome.” POPS CRW team By the time you pick ‘Over the Top’ finished up this issue of SP our a very laudable third first national meet this place out of eight teams year, held at Black over five rounds at Knights Parachute Ipswich during the Centre, Cockerham, will May Bank Holiday. Pop's visit to Cyprus is turning into an annual event. have taken place. Because Many congratulations to: some idiot broke his pins, Pat Hammond (POPS 402), Brian Belgium France and the UK met in he’ll not make it, which is a right pain in Pushman (POPS 594), Mick Rich (POPS Cyprus on the last week of April for a fun the backside in more ways than one. I 597) and Gerry Buggle (POPS 596). ' week of jumping, sunbathing and socialis­ know, however, that Sue Hill and all her No piccies from Pat who reported in, ing. Michel Van Beirs with his wife ‘Angels’ will provide a warm welcome to but well done, guys. Some of you will Jeannine, two Didiers, one from France those who attend, and TOP POP Michael remember that Pat and friends are pre­ and the other from Belgium with their will also be in attendance for presenta­ pared to coach any interested POPS mem­ wives, Sigrid Pradel from Germany, John tions. bers in the art of CRW. Please contact Knight and Betty, Lofty and Grace And w hat’s all this codswhallop I hear him at Ipswich Parachute Centre. Thomas, Michael and Inger Allum from of members not hearing about the 3rd TOP POP Michael Allum (POPS 252) the UK along with local POPS members POPS World Meet? Ola has printed reports on a recent visit to Cyprus, an Don and Dorcas Naismith. details at least three times for me and I’ve event which is fast becoming annual and “For the first few days we had a prob­ asked for saes through our beloved mag so very popular. Michael writes: lem: no working plane. But as this was that I can inform you fully. Michael is cir­ “POPS members from Germany, Cyprus, it was warm and there was plenty culating a flyer to all centres right now

- 4 2 - s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 which will list the programme and prices our much-desired hearing of the annual Did you know that you’re a short time etc. Take the trouble to send me an sae, medical requirement for the over fifties. I young and real living comes later? More and you’ll receive from me a personal would like you to know that the STC to the point, the POPS material of this copy and also the availability of hotels have consented to such a hearing and will world are in ever-increasing numbers, of within a reasonable distance of the drop do so when I’m able to get there. this I’m equally certain, and it hurts not zone. If you don’t, I think you’ll regret it. Ola’s survey says that POPS Corner is one bit to adm it it. This is positively my last word on the sub­ the least popular SP item. This is not Ampuriabrava in September will ject. what I’ve heard from POPS members. include a record attempt which could Had it not been for this idiot Maybe it’s because the active, honest over reach 100, but you have to join UK Honourary Secretary making every mis­ forty members are less vociferous and POPS to participate. Think on that. take he possibly could, he would have opinionated than some PUPS been in front of the STC on 6 May with (Parachutists Under Phorty). John Crowhurst, Hon Sec.

POPS PROFILE From within our longstanding members’ ranks and a character to whom we are much endeared, Nigel Yonge writes: “My first jump, aged 41, was out of a Rapide at Thruxton in 1967, followed by a handful of jumps over the next few years. Thruxton folded and the next DZ was at the short-lived Sandown, Isle of Wight, from an Auster. Then Compton Abbas opened and I progressed through the category system under Bill Boot and Neville Hounsome. “Ocean racing in the summer and beagling in the winter, combined with a growing family and shortage of funds, made crewing in other people’s yachts cheaper than jumping and over the years three Fastnet Races, a Gibraltar Race and dozens of other cross-Channel races and extensive causing (including much later, an Adantic crossing) took up most of the holidays and weekends available. Skydiving, however, did not make me seasick and continued off and on. “Four children grew up and each one did one or more static-line jumps. My wife, Sarah, aged 60, did a tandem in 1993, so I reposted with a bungee jump off a crane! I have been lucky enough to jump nine different types of Cessnas, five heli­ copters and sundry Cherokees, Tripacers, EP9s, Skyvans, Skyiiners, Dakotas, Islanders, Porters, Beavers, Partanavias, Beechcrafts and Turbolets (though don’t ask me how to exit them all now). Also three biplane types, Antonov 2, Nigel Yonge, POPS 75 Stumpe and, of course, Tiger Moths. “As a team member of the Diamond 9 Parachute Display Team, I’ve had enormous fun travelling to numerous air shows and clocked up three-to- four dozen Tiger jumps. You climb out of the cockpit on to the wing, close the door, say good-bye nicely to the pilot and step offbackwards - magic! Unfortunately, displays frequendy clash with POPS meets so a lot have been missed “POPS has been maivellous for me as its meets have taken me to strange DZs across the country and, indeed, the worid Never having been a hot competition man, though competition has enormously developed parachuting, I have always remained a fun jumper and POPS suits me fine, having taken me to Hong Kong, Oz, Canada, USA (Skydive Hawaii was a buzz) and Germany. Been there, done that, gpt the tee shirt! I have done one night jump (quite enough for me) and have failed two water jumps at Pope Valley (I missed the lake twice through bad spotting - not mine, actually). I have yet to do a hot air balloon. “I once took part in a mass drop out of three Dakotas at Biggin Hill. There I was with 96 canopies milling around. Talk about traffic jams! One dozey Oz jumper woke up late to a malfunction, cutaway and landed almost in a Jumpy Casde full of kids after a very short reserve ride. “My least favourite experience was when my reserve popped when centre floating from an Islander. Two bangs later, one on the fuselage and one on the empannage, left me under a round reserve seeing stars. Thank God, the reserve went under the tail. “I am still having fun, thanks to the skydiving fraternity and POPS. At the time of writing my next jump will be my one thousandth.”

Nigel Yonge POPS 75 Thank you, Nigel, who’s next? Volunteers please. Finally, please welcome new members: John Lewis POPS 543, from Egham, Surrey; John Felstead POPS 644, from Higher Openshaw, Manchester; Peter Harlow POPS 645, from Sawston, Cambs; Paul Young POPS 646, from Melksham, Wilts; John Pamcutt POPS 647, from Swinton, Manchester; Jefflllidge POPS 648, from Fulwood, Preston; and David Ashton POPS 649, from Huyton, Merseyside. I hope to be off my back and my backside, well-oiled and in full elevation, albeit metal supported, by the next issue.

- 4 3 - s p o r t PARACHUTIST 1995/3 PERRIS VALLEY SKYDIVING

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One o f the Scottish 4-ways over Deland. Photo by Jo Stanley FS skills camp Scottish Sport Parachute Association

First instalment After a few days of one-on-one dives, first, short camp but we have achieved a T his was the first-ever Scottish FS improvements in position and technique provisional senior and intermediate team. skills training camp to select teams to became obvious. Ricardo consolidated by Doubtless, there will be changes over the represent Scotland in competition. creating two 4-way groups of approxi­ coming months, and I hope more teams The initiative was taken last autumn to mately equal experience, while leaving the will be formed this year. hold a skills camp at Skydive DeLand this others in groups of two and three. The 4- There were major improvements in our April, a further camp at Skydive Strathallan way dives were generally exercises in disci­ skydiving skills, discipline and knowledge in August and another trip to DeLand next plines such as cross referencing, timing and this will lead to stronger team jump­ spring, leading to the 1996 British FS and combinations of moves, eventually ing next year, create more WARP coaches Championships. moving to randoms. After the initial frus­ and enhance the knowledge of those with The first of these camps has taken place, tration of many squad members things WARP ratings. and this summarises our experiences at began to improve, then the money ran The camp was a foundation to further Deland. out. develop skills in Scotland, and the start of All of us contributed towards a central a long-term process which will make SPA The coach and the squad fund to pay for our jumps and have them members a formidable force in modern Our coach Ricardo Pettena, one of the top videod up to the 50-jump commitment, formation skydiving. Skydive U coaches at DeLand, was sup­ but as so many o f our early jumps were 2- plied with skydiving CVs of those attend­ ways with video our money ran out. Since A few words of thanks... ing well in advance of our trip to Deland we unanimously agreed that it was best Many helped to make ur first training (jump numbers ranged from 100 to 3,000 to continue our training with video camp a success, and a few people deserve plus), and he started us off with one-on- debriefs, we elected to jum p less so as to special mention. Ricardo, for his patience. one exercises which were all videotaped. afford it. Bob Hallett and the staff at Skydive Skydive U exercises and briefing disci­ Personally, 1 wanted more than the 50 DeLand for their efficiency and kindness. plines were used throughout. training jumps, with shorter gaps between Danny, Jo and Arturo for their videowork lifts, to create a greater challenge towards and humour. The Scottish Sports T h e schem e the end of the camp, but people have dif­ Council, whose selective grant helped We planned to do a minimum 50 jumps ferent stamina levels (and overdraft limits) finance our coaching. And Doug each under Ricardo’s guidance and to and Ricardo did not skimp on his time Malcolm, who did so much of the organ­ apply maximum effort into all aspects of coaching anyone. isation. Finally, Dale Kirby and Norm our jumps as a group. It is fair to compare Kent for the loan of the golf buggy, with­ our efforts to those of a runner trying to The benefits out which we would have walked. beat his previous ‘personal best’ for a We never expected to form teams to repre­ given distance. sent Scotland at national level after the Kevin McPhillips

- 4 5 - SPORT PARACHUTIST 1995/3

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BRITISH PARACHUTE ASSOCIATION AFFILIATED AND ASSOCIATED CLUBS AND CENTRES

Black Knights Parachute Centre Eaglescott Parachute Centre Oxon & Northants Parachute Centre Open Weekends and Bank Holidays 08:00 to 20:00 hours. Open every weekend: weekdays by arrangement. Friendly small club atmosphere with emphasis on safety. Square S/L Open every weeekend and midweek by arrangement during Cessna 185 (in-flight door), 1 st Jump S/L courses. Radios B.S.T. friendly atmosphere, visitors welcome, good local pub. and Aeroconicals. S/L and F/F progression to Cat 10, WARP, student training. AADs, helmet radios WARP, RW, CRW, Style and Accuracy. Cessna 180 with in-flight door.Canteen Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield situated 1 mile off A422 between RW and CRW instruction. Tandems, Air-to-air video. Accuracy Banbury and Brackley. ‘First Jump’ Static-line courses, pit, new lecture room. Canteen, showers, washing & toilet on site, good range of local beer, food, B&B. Tents and caravans on DZ. Tandem, Free-fall Progression, kit hire, student radios, facilities, camping on DZ. Cessnas 182 and 206 aircraft. Contact: Bob Parry Eaglescott Parachute Centre Contact: Mike Bolton, Chief Instructor Patty’s Farm Eaglescott Airfield Oxon & Northants Parachute Centre Hiiliam Lane Ashreigney Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield Cockerham, Nr Lancaster Chumleigh Steane, Nr Brackley Tel: Weekend 01524 791820 Devon EX18 7PH Northants NN13 5NS Tel: Midweek 0151 924 5560 Tel: 01769 60726/01769 3552 Tel: Office 01384 393373 Blue Skies Parachute Centre Headcorn Parachute Centre Tel: Mobile 0850 762349 Contact: George McGuiness Open daily 9am to dusk. Two Islanders, accuracy pit and pad, progression weeks, competitions, organised jollies, Tandem Paraclan Parachute Centre Bishops Court Airfield and AFF, Raps, Rounds and WARP instruction. Free Bishops Court accommodation, cafeteria, parachute shop for all your Open all year round, weekends 0900-2100, mid week by Co Down parachuting needs. Headcorn Aerodrome arrangement during BST. S/L Rounds, Tandem, WARP, N Ireland CRW, Formation, Style, Accuracy, Para Demos. Toilets, Tel: 01238 510744 Headcorn canteen, parking, B/B and Pubs nearby. Aircraft Cessna 207, DZ: 01396 842202 Kent TN27 9HX BN Islander. Tel: 01622 890862 Contact: Ron Groat Border Parachute Centre Fax: 01622 890641 Kinnell Airfield Open Friday afternoons and weekends throughout the year Friockheim and weekdays by arrangement. Round, RAPS, Tandem, AFF Ipswich Parachute Centre Angus courses, WARP, CRW, Style and Accuracy coaching. Artificial pit, electronic pad, video, team rates, canteen, Cessna 207, Open 8.30am until dark 6 days (closed Tuesdays). Islander Scotland DD11 4XX Cherokee 6 and Reims Rocket. Bunkhouse, B&B, camping, and Cherokee 6 available. Student RW and CRW instruction Tel: 01241 828999 bar and restaurant locally. Jump onto the beach for barbecues by full time staff. Accuracy pit, excellent riging facility. Food, for summer. accommodation, camping and bar on drop zone. Peterborough Parachute Centre Contact: Tim Andrewes Ipswich Parachute Centre Border Parachute Centre Ipswich Airport Islander, AFF, WARP, Tandem. Bunkhouse accommodation, Brunton Airfield Nacton Road free camping, showers, bar, food. Unrestricted altitude. Chathill Ipswich Twenty years experience. Northumberland NE67 5ER Suffolk IP3 9QF Peterborough Parachute Centre Tel: 01665 589000 Tel: 01473 710044 Sibson Airfield Fax: 01473 271055 Wansford British Parachute School Peterborough PE8 6NE London Parachute School Open everyday 9am to 8pm. S/L round and square, Tandem Tel: 01832 280490 and AFF. Two aircraft - Islander & Cessna 206. We have Weekend club: beginners courses and progression training. Fax: 01832 280409 everything! Unrestricted altitude. Canteen, camping, Farmland DZ. B&B available locally. Aeroconicals, radios, bunkhouse. boots and helmets loaned free. All welcome at small but Peterlee British Parachute School friendly club. Please telephone beforehand for weekend activity. The Control Tower London Parachute School Open 8.30am to 8.30 pm. Basic S/L courses, progression, Langar Airfield PO Box 18 Raps, WARP, rigging, displays. On site conveniences. Langar Goring on Thames The Airfield Nottingham Reading RG8 9EW Shotton Colliery Tel/Fax: 01949 60878 Tel: Drop Zone 01249 651909 Ppfprlpp British Skysports, Bridlington Tel: Weekends 01860 559112 Co Durham DH6 2ND Open seven days a week. S/L Square, Tandem & AFF. Tel: 0191 5171234 Rounds available for visiting jumpers. WARP, CRW & Merlin Parachute Centre Fax: 0191 3865315 accuracy coaching, accuracy pit and electronic read out. Open weekends and Bank holidays 9am till dark. Static Line Student conversion from S/L round to square courses. Cessna Round parachuting courses every satuday, Tandem & AFF by 206, video, canteen, shower and toilets. Inexpensive local arrangement, CRW & Formation skydiving (coaching Skydive Strathallan accommodation. Visitors very welcome, friendly atmosphere. available, accuracy pit, BN Islander with in-flight door, friendly Aircare full rigging facility - with advanced rigger. atmosphere, bring two passport photos for camp pass. Open 9am to 9pm weekends and public holidays. Over thirty Contact: Dave or Nick Johnston Canteen facilities, indoor packing, camping and B&B close to years of skydiving in Scotland. AFF with square on square, East Leys Farm airfield at local pub. video on every jump, Cypres fitted to all AFF equipment. S/L Grindale Merlin Parachute Centre Square or Round and Tandem courses, WARP, CRW, FS, Bridlington Alanbrook Bks Style and Accuracy coaching with video. Two Cessna 206’s, East Yorkshire Y016 4YB Topcliffe, Near Thirsk artificial pit and electronic pad, cheap jump prices, shop, Tel: 01262 677367 / 01836 276188 excellent student progression. Canteen, TV room, B&B and North Yorkshire camping in local town. Cornwall Parachute Centre Tel: Weekdays 01274 631044 Contact Scotty Milne A different kind of Skydiving Centre! Cleanest and friendliest Tel: Weekends 01748 875367 centre around. Emphasis on having fun and learning. C182 Skydive Strathallan with Inflight Door, Unrestricted Altitude, Static Line Squares, Midland Parachute Centre Strathallan Airfield RW Instruction under the Kinesthesia Program, Creepers, Open every weekent 9am to 9pm. Static Line, Tandem and Nr Auchterarder, Perthshire Video facilities, all types of jumping including FS and WARP. Canteen open during jumping hours serving snacks, Perthshire PH3 1 LA Freestyle. Good Jump Prices, Everyone Welcome, Local drinks and lunches. Free bunk-house accommodation. Many Accommodation available. local B&B’s, tents but no caravans. Tel: 01374 686161 Cornwall Parachute Centre Midland Parachute Centre Tel: Weekends 01764 662572 Frans Ranch The Control Tower Old Naval Airfield Windrush Camp Skydive Scotland St Merryn Nr Burford Cornwall Open Wednesday to Sunday (inclusive). Friendly, fun centre Tel: 01841 540691 Oxfordshire, 0X18 4TW with emphasis on safety. First jump training on square and Tel: Weekends 01451 844422 or 844449 round canopies with radios and AADs. Tandem, AFF, RAPS, Devon & Somerset Parachute Tel/Fax: Weekdays 01787 461621 WARP, CRW, Accuracy. Kit hire available also large accuracy School pit and Display Team. 2 Aircraft - Islander (in-flight door) and Part time club based at Dunkeswell Airfield. Running 1st Jump North West Parachute Centre Cessna 207 always available to unrestricted altitude. Static Line Courses, Tandem, AFF Courses with very Canteen, dormitories, hot showers, toilets and camping experienced instructors who have been running AFF at In fabulous lakeland scenery. RW, CRW, WARP, Kit Hire, BN facilities all on airfield. Dunkeswell for 5 years. Student Radio’s, Reserves with Islander, bunk house, showers etc. Camping on airfield, AADs. Local Accommodation available, Meals available on visitors welcome open weekends and bank holidays mostly. Skydive Scotland Airfield as well as a Bar. North West Parachute Centre The Parachute Centre, Devon & Somerset Parachute School Errol Airfield, 30 TowerWay • - ' Cark Airfield Flookburgh Grange Highfield Errol Dunkeswell Nr Grange-Over-Sands Cumbria PH2 7TB Nr Honiton Tel/Fax: 01821-642881 (Office) Devon Tel: Airfield 015395 58672/58555 or 01821-642673 (Airfield) Tel: 01404 891690 Tel: Weekdays 01772 720848 Page 47

Parachute Centre, The Target Skysports Parachute Club Wild Geese Ireland Young progressive centre, operated by Skydivers for Open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and any other Open 7 days a week - 8am till dark. S/L round, S/L square courses daily, tandems, training to Cat 10, CRW, display weekdays by arrangement. Static line Round, RAPS, WARP, Skydivers. Student and RW. Progression, AFF, Tandem, team, kit hire, AAD’s radios, large accuracy pit with RAPS, courses. Weekend and midweek evenings at present. RW and CRW, Tandem and AFF, Radio Helmets, AAD’s competition pad. Cessna 206, Pilatus Porter. Accommodation Aircraft - C182 with others on occasional call. New club student and experienced, kit hire. Aircraft -Twin Dornier (15 for 36, camping welcome, how showers, full catering, games room. building, unrestricted altitude. Canteen and accommodation places), Cessna 206 in-flight door, Cherokee 6 and Piper Contact: Maggie Penny available. Lance. Competitive jump prices - everyone welcome, Wild Geese Skydiving Centre The Sport Parachute Centre unrestricted altitude. On airfield - bar, cafe, toilets and Movenis Airfield Tilstock Airfield showers. Accommodation - caravans and camping. 116 Carrowreagh Road Whitchurch Target Skysports Garvagh, Coleraine Shropshire Hibaldstow Airfield Co Londonderry Tel: 01948 841111 Hibaldstow N Ireland BT51 5LQ Brigg Tel: Drop Zone 02665 58609 Stirling Parachute Centre South Humberside Fax: Drop Zone 02665 57050 Tel: Anyday 0113 2505600 West Wilts Parachute Club Open weekends and some midweek. S/L Round Tandem, Tel: Drop Zone 01652 648837 Ex Badminton Parachute Club RW and CRW instruction, WARP instruction, lecture rooms, Fax: 0113 2571071 Correspondence Address: packing facilities, indoor training and B&B nearby. Contact: John Davis Stirling Parachute Centre 24 Turners Lane Thornhill Crudwell Nr Stirling Malmesbury Scotland FK8 3QT Wilts SN16 9EN Tel: 01786 870788 Tel: 01666 577756 Fax: 01786 870748 OTHER ORGANISATIONS ASSOCIATED TO THE BPA British Collegiate Parachute Flying Tigers Airsports Southern Skydivers Association Complete range of skydiving training: AFF Tandem, RAPS, RAPS, AFF 8, TANDEM. Progression training. A ffiliations 1994/95 Operating out of Poole Dorset, and jumping with the APA Bath University Central Lancashire University Kevin Mcllwee facilities of one of the largest, safest and obstacle free drop Durham University Glasgow University Flying Tigers Airsports zones in the UK. Kent University Kingston University 6 St Hildas Court Contact: Bob Scoular Lancaster University Loughborough Univerity Tel: 01202 672408 Manchester Metropolitan University Newcastle University Palmyra Road Salford University Southampton University St Helier Staffordshire University Sussex University Jersey JE2 3YT David Morris Action Sports Surrey University Thames Valley University Tel/Fax: 01534 880140 Private AFF instruction with the use of Langar’s facilities and Tel: Cellnet 0850 272141 aircraft. We can arrange AFF courses in Southern France. BCPA C/O Catherine Symonds - Chairman Kaleidoscope - experts in skydiving promotions, exhibition, do 23 Prince Lee Meadows stunts and displays. Darwen, Lancashire BB3 2BQ Scottish Sport Parachute 41 Ellindon Tel: 01254 776705 Association Bretton North Ellen Ruston - Secretary Dedicated to the promotion and development of parachuting Peterborough 35 Delacy Street in Scotland. Services provided include equipment grants (Fan PE38RG Ashton, Preston, PR2 2DD Trainers, Parachutes, Aircraft, Accuracy Pits, etc), sponsorhip Tel: 01733 266076 Tel: 01772 881360 of the Scottish National Championships and other Fax: 01733 266076 competitions, provision of the only student progression, Mobile: 0374 986600 The Free Fall Company WARP, and CRW training subsidy system in the world; Rigger and instructors training grants and much much more. Peter Allum and Kevin McCarthy run the the AFF School, they POPS UK also offer FS coaching - one to one, 4-way, 8-way. Trips to Sheila Lang (Secretary, SSPA) Gap (S France) can be organised. See Peterborough Strathallan Airfield Hon Treas/Sec John Crowhurst Parachute Centre. Auchterarder 32 Colston Road The Free Fall Company Perthshire PH3 1 BE East Sheen Sibson Airfield, London SW14 7PG Wansford Slipstream Adventures Tel: 0181 392 9291 Peterborough PE8 6NE Answer phone: 081 878 0147 (eves) Tel: 01832 280055 Run by Headcom Parachute Club. We are the UK’s longest Fax: 0181 392 9322 Fax: 01832 280409 running AFF school. We offer personalised instruction and only train one student at a time, so no queueing for instructors or Parachute Training Services East Coast Parachute Centre equipment. Slipstream Adventures The complete RAPS package. PTS offers one jump Currently sharing facilities with the London Parachute School introductory course with the option of progression training at Lewknor Drop Zone. Headcorn Aerodrome through to Cat 10. Operating at Netheravon in conjunction 8 Burns Cresent Headcorn with the APA. Kent TN27 9HX Contact: Doug Peacock Chelmsford 11 Godwyn Close Essex CM2 OTS Tel: 01622 890862 Fax: 01622 890641 Larkhill Abingdon, Oxon 0X14 1BU Tel: 01245 268772 Tel: 01235 529570

OTHER AFFILIATED CLUBS/CENTRES Army Parachute Assoc Northern Ireland Services Joint Services Parachute Centre The Commandant, JSPC Free-fall Club Hong Kong Airfield Camp, Netheravon, Salisbury N.I.S.F.F.C. Borneo Lines Wilts. SP4 9SF Shackleton Barracks Shek Kong Tel: Bulford Camp 01980 633371 BFPO 802 NT Hong Kong Tel: ext Commandant 8245 Tel: Civil 01504 49972 BFPO 1 Chief Instructor 8229 Tel: Military - Limavady 36472 Tel: + 852 483 7221 Staff 8277 Mobile: 0831 569 605 Fax: + 852 488 9341 Mobile: + 852 9035 6467 The Red Devils Silver Stars Parachute Team Queen’s Parade Duke of Gloucester Barracks RAPA JSPC(L) Aldershot South Cerney (Rhine Army Parachute Association) Hants Cirencester Flugplatz Tel: 01252 24431 ext 4600/4699 Gloucester GL5 5RD 33175 Bad Lippspringe Contact: Red Devils Tel: 01285 861344/01285 860551 x8259 Germany Browning Barracks British Forces Post Office 16 Aldershot, Hants Cyprus Combined Services Tel: 00 49 05254 98 2378 or 98 2740 RN & RM SPA Parachute Club (CCSPC) Fax: 00 49 05254 87456 Dunkeswell Airfield Contact: Club CCI RAFSPA CJSATC Pergamos Camp, BFPO 58 Dunkeswell Weston-on-the-Green Honiton, Devon Tel From the UK: Office 00 357 47 44337 Nr Bicester Tel: 01404 891697/891716 Oxon Drop Zone 00 357 47 44245 Tel: 01869 343343 >1 Great Bite with a Perfect Grip

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WARKS CV37 6QT \ I A T A /

TEL: 01789 261112 FAX: 01789 261113 WEEKENDS TRY CALLING MIDLAND PARACHUTE CENTRE 0451 944449 Photo Photo Nikolaj Sode (^Reliable openings. & High airspeed.

1989 : at that time, when most people thought that 1 994: by that time the Blue Track concept has the evolution of the ram air concept had come to an become a world standard. Yet, PdF itself set ano­ end, Parachutes de France was still listening to its custo­ ther revolutionary standard by introducing the mers and decided not to accept this situation. Launching Blue Track PRO Series. A series of technical inno­ the Blue Track canopies was an event unprecedented in vations embodied in one single product brought the history of parachuting. A tremendous amount of together features that seem to conflict: perfor­ research and technical work was carried out to develop mance, comfort, safety and durability. For a true zero porosity canopy fabric: PF 3000. Many experts Parachutes de France, creating the PRO Series was expressed their doubts about the future of the formula. a challenge as well as a pleasure. But we created it Not the customers of Parachutes de France: their Blue for your pleasure in the first place, having listened Track canopies proved to be worth waiting for, and they carefully to your comments and to your needs. applauded the arrival of this truly innovative canopy. 1995: your wishes and our expectations have Already one year later a large number of manufacturers come true: reliable openings, high airspeed, safe had changed their mind and the concept of a trapezoid flares, tiptoe landings. That's what you wanted. canopy made of «zero P» was imitated or literally cloned. You were right. However the genuine Blue Track has unrivalled qualities to which connoisseurs will always remain loyal. We made it. Thanks to you.

2, Rue Denis Papin - B.P. 1, Jouy le Moutier PARACHUTES 95008 Cergy-Pontoise Cedex DC FRANCE SA INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS Tel. (1) 34 32 77 77 - Fax: (1) 34 32 73 17 FINE PARACHUTES MAKERS \ The 1 Pin Tear Drop

The 1 Pin Tear Drop, the fastest deploying reserve in the world, the easiest pop top reserve to pack in the world, now has the highest standard in the world FAA TSO C23d and is completely usable and accepted WORLDWIDE.

Cypres ready at no extra charge Custom colours at no extra charge TSO C23d at no extra charge !!!!

Your Equipment As the UK’s leading Designer, Manufacturer, The Loft Importer and Supplier of parachute equipment Civil Aviation Authority A8-2 approved, our we can offer our customers the biggest and best large loft offers on site facilities for design range of equipment at very competitive prices manufacture, maintenance, servicing installa­ with the guarantee that we can solve your tion, conversions and repairs, all carried out by problems if you are not completely satisfied. qualified personnel. Our staff can offer you Our factory offers a manufacturing facility for the security of a consultancy service along with a wide range of products all manufactured to any technical advice you may need. Our loft CAA and ISO approval. With genuine affilia­ also carries a large supply of spare parts for tions to the top manufacturers of parachute your equipment. equipment in the World, such as Performance Designs, Airtec, Parachutes De France, The Shop Precision Aerodynamics, Flight Concepts, Apart from our large range of containers and Parachute Industries of South Africa, you are canopies we also stock everything the skydiver sure to find the equipment you are looking for. will ever need, such as the Cypres, altimeters, We can also have your equipment waiting for helmets, goggles, gloves, knives and pouches, you in the country of your destination at no log books and stamps, manuals, tevas, tube extra cost and with the same guarantee. stowes, T-shirts, etc. Gear bags, packing mats, fun bags, wallets, etc, all made custom colours Demo Equipment Available at no extra charge. In conjuction with Performance Designs we are able to provide complete sets of equipment for Information and Ordering demonstration purposes. 1 Pin Tear Drops Call, Write or Fax for our complete Catalogue complete with P.D. Main and Reserves, watch and price list. We accept Access, Master Card out for us at your local D.Z. and try one. and Visa for mail order items large or small.

PINFOLD LANE - BRIDLINGTON - EAST YORKSHIRE - Y016 5XS TEL: 01262 678299 FAX: 01262 602063