Winds

[david]

Had a great jump off a 350 ft. local "A" this morning. The winds were almost straight at my back at about 15 mph at the exit point, 0-3 mph on the ground. Was wondering how much tailwind is too much for a jump at that height. I know the correct answer is," What I feel comfortable with" but I would like some impute from other jumpers. (That's helpful impute)&-)

Dave O

[base515]

The longer delay you take the less of an effect the tailwind will have. A go and throw and you may see your p.c. out in front and above you. Higher chance of off-headings when the p.c. goes any direction other then pure vertical off your back. Take the longest delay your comfortable with to negate the effects.
As always, just one man's opinion.
peace
Mike:-)

[imported_Tom Aiello]

>Had a great jump off a 350 ft. local "A" this
>morning. Was wondering how much tailwind
>is too much for a jump at that height.

I'd say "too much to make the landing area".

We regularly jump a 480' tower in very high (I've seen 35+ at exit with 20 on the ground) winds.

As long as:

1) You can control the canopy after landing.
2) You aren't backing up too fast to handle the landing.
3) The wind still allows you to make the landing area (ours is a huge, wide open field).
4) Your delay allows you to turn around and land into the wind.
5) The wind isn't gusty (i.e. turbulent).

You should be ok. All that more wind (in the correct direction) does is push you away from possible tower or wire strikes.

Also, we've found that a high tailwind can cause a stowed PC to flip under your arm when you pitch. In very high wind you might find it better to do a floater exit (which is pretty fun, anyway).

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com

[3ringheathen]

I thought jumping with a strong wind at your back could cause lineovers. Is this a problem that has largely been cured by tailgates, is it still an issue, or was I just misinformed?
-Josh

[imported_Tom Aiello]

In my opinion, that problem has largely been cured by tailgates. All of the reported cases of tailwind induced line overs (some of them double line overs--now that would suck) that I know of were on non-tailgated canopies.

The greatest tailwind I've opened in (probably 35 tailwind at opening, with 2 second delay, so much less than 35 vertical) was fine. My total experience in similar situations is probably only 30 jumps or so, making my sample statistically irrelevant, though.

My gut says tailgates have fixed it. My logic says we don't really know.

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com

[david]

>
In very high wind you might find it
>better to do a floater exit (which is pretty
>fun, anyway).
>
>--Tom Aiello
>tbaiello@mac.com

Thanks but no thanks. At this point in my BASE career , if the winds are that high I'll sit at home and have a beer. As you said once,"Don't do what Tom does, do what you do".:7

Dave O

[guest]

<< As you said once,"Don't do what Tom does, do what you do".>>

So people DO pay attention now and then. COOL! Nonetheless, Ive heard nothing but good suggestions from Tom. Especially that one. Sitting home drinking a beer is a good way to base jump another day.

PS..Floaters are Fun!