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Chock · 07-21-07, 10:56 AM

I've only ever made one parachute jump, and that was enough for me.

I stupidly got the idea that since I fly gliders and you have to wear a parachute when you do that, so you fit in the seat properly as it is designed to take one, I'd better learn how to use one in the correct way.

I did it with the Army, and I thought: 'this is going to be great, I'll get to jump out of the back of a C-130', which I'd managed to convince myself I could just about bring myself to do if I closed my eyes.

But what did they make me jump out of? Yup, a tethered balloon at 800 feet, off a static line. Scared the living crap out of me.

And what is all that crap about 'oh it's just like jumping off a wall when you land' Actually it's more like 'jumping off a wall that's going sideways at 20 mph when you land'.

I'm glad I know how to use a parachute, but I certainly hope that it remains a rather expensive cushion, as I never want to do that again.

Chock

07-21-07, 10:56 AM	#10
Chock Sea Lord Join Date: May 2005 Location: Under a thermal layer in chilly Olde England Posts: 1,842 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I've only ever made one parachute jump, and that was enough for me. I stupidly got the idea that since I fly gliders and you have to wear a parachute when you do that, so you fit in the seat properly as it is designed to take one, I'd better learn how to use one in the correct way. I did it with the Army, and I thought: 'this is going to be great, I'll get to jump out of the back of a C-130', which I'd managed to convince myself I could just about bring myself to do if I closed my eyes. But what did they make me jump out of? Yup, a tethered balloon at 800 feet, off a static line. Scared the living crap out of me. And what is all that crap about 'oh it's just like jumping off a wall when you land' Actually it's more like 'jumping off a wall that's going sideways at 20 mph when you land'. I'm glad I know how to use a parachute, but I certainly hope that it remains a rather expensive cushion, as I never want to do that again. Chock __________________ Last edited by Chock; 07-21-07 at 11:10 AM.