Skydiving (w/ Parachutes)/Expert Profile


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Expertise

Nearly anything pertaining to safety , and technique. 1100 jumps experience and some extreme altitude jumps.

Experience in the area

I was an active skydiver for over 24 years, participated in competitive meets, and in relative work meets quite a lot. Also I could be found at a drop zone nearly any weekend. I have made numerous intentional water landings, several night freefalls, and have participated in numerous large formation attempts.

What do you like about this subject?

Skydiving is the most 'personal' sport I've ever been involved in. There are challenges to be found that exist in no other human experience. The thrill of freefall, the view, the rushing air as you fall through it. And the camaraderie of the 'brotherhood' of other jumpers. A very compelling experience, and a life experience that I wouldn't trade

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I have retired from sport parachuting. By following the rules and keeping safety uppermost in my mind I came through some 1100 jumps with never a serious injury, I have a lot of stories to tell.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Most non-jumpers don't realize that modern parachutes have a built in ability to 'fly'. That is , they have a forward speed that can be used to combat the effect of the wind. Frequently, the parachutist can actually penetraate a light wind to reach his target area.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Many people think 'you gotta be crazy to want to jump out of an airplane'. Not really, venturesome, yes, but it is a sport that draws many different kinds of people from all walks of life. Nobody involved has a death wish, or is suicidal. We just do something more exciting than golf !

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    K = Knowledgeability    C = Clarity of Response    T = Timeliness    P = Politeness
UserDateKCTPComments
ben03/31/0810101010a great help, it is suprising how .....
Jaimon01/05/0810101010 
Ryan10/24/07101010I am glad you didn't tell me .....
April07/07/0610101010Dan, Thanks so much for all your .....
Neil McGrath04/15/0410101010very good, thanks for the great information

Recent Answers from Dan Liddy

2009-07-04 Emergency parachute deployment:

Hi Steve: Most accidental deployments are a result of a ripcord being snagged on one thing or another. It was more common with chest mounted reserves back in the 60's and 70's when the ripcord was

2008-05-27 in reference to the question asked earlier:

Hi again Maggie ! Using Google, I found this info: http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/nov/27sky.htm It seems that a group is trying to set up a regular operation in Gujarat - - -where is Gujarat

2008-05-06 skydiving:

If you have had proper training, it's like beginning a new adventure, and you are anxious to experience it. Once you climb out and stand on the step or wheel, holding onto the wing strut, you become nercous

2008-03-31 landig speeds:

That depends entirely on the design of the parachute. The obsolete military "round" parachutes came in several sizes, the 35' (diameter) parabolic used by US Army Paratroopers was probably the largest

2008-03-31 landig speeds:

I would think a maximum SAFE rate of decent under a parachute would be less than 20 feet per second vertical speed. 12-13 is comfortable under one of the old ParaCommander canopies. However , vulnerability

 

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