FIRST PARACHUTE JUMP

What makes person to jump with parachute?

Overcoming oneself, desire "to dive" deeper in search of truth, search of new sensations, thirst for adrenaline, jumping just for the fun of it, aesthetic pleasure to behold the sky from height of the bird's-eye view …

No matter what a path a skydiver chooses in his amateur or sports career, everything begins with a first step in the open spaces of the sky behind a door of the aircraft.

What is a parachute?

A parachute is a device consisting of a canopy and lines, opening in gas or liquid medium, under ram air or by a static-line and intended to retard the fall of various objects in these mediums.

Brief digression to history...

Leonardo da Vinci is considered a developer of the first prototype of parachute. On his records of 1495 the following text was found: "If a man has a tent made of a starched cloth each side of which is twelve elbows in width and as much in height, he can dive from any altitude, without jeopardizing his life".

«Quite agree with it!" said another Italian scientist, Fauste Veranzio, in the beginning of the seventeenth century. Then he sat down to his table and described device for "lowering a man", similar to the invention of his predecessor.

The first man who used this construction was a Frenchman Laven in the 1620th. When he decided to run from a fortress in which had been imprisoned, he sewed a tent from sheets and attached to its bottom some plates made from whalebone and some ropes. He grasped them and dove from a high wall to the river flowing below. He splashed down successfully.

Practical mastering of parachutes started in the eighteenth century - when ballooning began. In 1783 Lenormand self-designed and tested a device which he named "parachute". But such "umbrella" was constantly shaken while descending, so an Englishman Cocking decided to improve it and designed an inverted cone-shaped parachute. But during the tests the frame of the canopy did not withstand the load and folded. Cocking fell to his death.

Another scientist, Laland , suggested to make an air outlet in the canopy. Nowadays this feature is applied on many parachute systems.

But the above described "recovery devices" were too bulky. In the twentieth century, with the rapid development of aviation, the problem of rescuing of pilots sharply aggravated. The decision was found by Russian engineer, Gleb Kotelnikov. In 1911. He created a container parachute which was worn by a pilot.

Where to jump nowadays and how is training conducted?

The first parachute jump can be made in clubs ROSTO, drop-zones (see «Parachute jumping»). Usually jumps are carried out in days off. Before a flight first-time skydivers are provided detailed briefing by authorized instructors. During the briefing exact recommendations are given, the applicability of the main parts of a parachute system is explained, training of all moments of a jump is carried out. Then, medical examination is conducted. After the medical examination parachute equipment packed by professional riggers, is put on the skydiver and is adjusted to the individual parameters of his body.

The important components of a successful parachute jump

Weather . For the first jump the wind speed should not exceed 4,0 km/s.

Clothes and footwear. The clothes should be with long sleeves and legs. The best footwear for a first-time skydiver are felt boots tied to legs and providing the most comfortable landing.

Knowledge. Good knowledge of all actions during a jump, good ground training on simulators and a proper parachute.

What parachutes are used for the first jump?

In Russia, the most widespread system of training is the classical program. According to it parachute jumps are carried out with round canopy parachutes (the canopy utilizes a round or a regular polygon shape). The parachute systems used for the first jump are "D-1-5U" or "DUB", "D-5", "D-6". But the best one is the parachute system “Junior” specially designed for the first jump developed and manufactured of OJSC "Polyot" Ivanovo parachute works.

Design features of parachute system Junior

The most simple and reliable parachute system.

Its round shape canopy has an area of 83 m² is made of nylon fabric. The canopy design provides uniform descent without oscillation that is very important for the first jump. The rate of descent is up to 5 m/s at an all-up weight of 120 kg. The dense fabric of the canopy is quickly extinguished after landing that prevents dragging. Packing and operation of the system "Junior" is much easier than of the well-known systems used for first-time skydivers. These features essentially increase the reliability of performance of a jump. System "Junior" is used only with static-line deployment scheme. The static-line is attached inside an aircraft by means of a snap. Under the weight of the skydiver the static-line is pulled out and unlocks the container flaps and then extends the sleeve at its full length. The sleeve leaves the container, and the lines egress from rubber bands. After extending the lines for overall length the sleeve is pulled away from the canopy of the parachute. The canopy is filled by ram-air and descending is carried out under the filled parachute. The static line and the sleeve remain in the aircraft.

The system is compatible with reserve parachute type"Z-5 ".

Perhaps, one may not become a professional skydiver. But anyway it is wonderful to feel oneself the conqueror of height and space!

With our parachutes everyone can go on a flight!