Accounts of Parachuting Experiences

Michael:

What sort of landings do the modern ram-air canopies give if the jumper does nothing to flare or otherwise control the touchdown? I was under the impression that a round chute can't give you the control and nice touchdown that a ram-air can but that it will deliver you reasonably safely to the ground even if you provide no control input and that is why they are still used as emergency bail-out chutes. Next time I see my rigger I'll ask him because he did quite a bit of his jumping in the days when the round chutes were the only type in use and I was curious about what you think as well, given your experience level. I've considered going for a few jumps myself but have never done it as I was thinking along the same lines as you about how it may be of limited use considering the different situation and equipment. If anyone offered emergency training and jumps under the type of chute I wear though I would seriously consider it.

I've always been kind of surprised at how high the success rate is with glider bail outs. As I recall, in the K-21 that suffered a lightning strike one of the pilots was only on his first or second introductory lesson!