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Post by parajag on Nov 11, 2016 15:12:42 GMT -8
GET YOUR KNEES BACK IN THE BREEZE!! OPERATION SANDSNAKE will be a great opportunity to jump from a historic WW2 C-46 Commando, The Tinker Belle, the only one flying in the US!!. This aircraft dropped paratroops in Operation Varsity. This event is sponsored by the Round Canopy Parachuting Team -USA. Parachute rental will be provided by Skyshark Rigging. Skydive Palatka is a full service dropzone, and will provide back-up aircraft and skydiving during the weekend as well. Never jumped before? A Basic Jump Course will be held 7-9 Feb to prepare for this event, jumping from a Cessna 182, or a Caravan. Haven't jumped a round canopy in awhile? RCPT-USA offers a Refresher Course / SF10-A qualification course on 9 Feb, for jumpers who have not jumped a round canopy in more than 180 days (or 18 years!) Come and join RCPT-USA for this historic event!! Manifest today at rcptusa.org/manifest!!  |
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Post by parajag on Jan 8, 2017 21:26:18 GMT -8
Update: We expect about 40 jumpers for this event, which are enough to support bringing in the C-46. We have confirmed Jumpmasters from Italy, Philippines, Thailand and Estonia.
We have three students enrolled in our basic round parachute course, and are again offering the Basic Airborne Refresher and have several students enrolled in that course (required for those who have not jumped within the previous 180 days). Basic course students will complete 3 jumps from the Cessna (182 or Caravan) and then have the option of staying on for the C-46 jumps. In addition, we are offering a packing course on the SF-10A. Being able to pack your own parachute is a necessary skill if you want to go to Normandy in 2019 or any other year. (In Normandy and Holland, you are given an area to pack and some supplies, but are pretty much on your own to pack your chute. You will not be able to use an ADT modified parachute in Europe so it will benefit you to learn to pack a standard parachute.)
We are looking forward to a great event and anticipate this will be the first of many, including perhaps regional events.
Jump schools are filling for this year. If you have ever been interested in round parachute jumping, now is a great time to get started. PM me if you would like any further information.
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Post by parajag on Feb 12, 2017 16:53:15 GMT -8
A brief AAR. Operation Sandsnake was a success. The event was put on by cooperation among RCPT-USA, American Airborne Group, and Skydive Palatka.
We contracted for the C-46, but it did not come through due to circumstances we did not control. We could not secure a larger aircraft but had the Caravan available. Jumping from the Caravan is similar to a helicopter jump and is economical and still a lot of fun. It is also better at taking up mixed static line and freefall loads.
AAG brought in Jumpmasters from Thailand, Estonia, Italy and Thailand to take part in the SL and FF jumps. We also had the support of a rigger service run my a current ARNG parachute rigger. They provided chutes for the event as well.
Skydive Palatka provided the location, aircraft, freefall parachutes and catering.
We began the week with Jumpmaster Refresher and DZSO training. On Tuesday we began our basic round parachute course with two students and on Thursday held a Basic Airborne Refresher course for jumpers and airborne veterans who were out of currency.
After a weather hold, we began static line jumps. Both students successfully did their first round parachute jumps and the BAR jumpers got some exits as well. I was able to get my A license skydive jump completed, a "hop and pop" from 3,500 feet.
The weather improved and over the weekend put up multiple free fall and static line loads. The Allied Nation Jumpmasters got to pull duties and award foreign jump wings. We made a total of 500 jumps, both SL and FF, including two night SL jumps with 99% illumination that were fantastic.
I was very pleased with the event. We ran it like a team of professionals, most of the Jumpmasters and staff being current and former Jumpmasters and Pathfinders. Our DZ ops in my opinion were very well executed. It was refreshing, frankly, to deal with people who are well trained and proficient.
We have bigger and better ops planned. We will have a C-47 for our next event, possibly a CASA-212 and maybe even a C-130.
Our basic course was a success as well. Both students got in all their jumps. One did 6, including both night jumps. The other did 2, and we allowed him to go to NPTC to finish jumping from the C-47 at their event. We had a third student enrolled but he arrived late and will have to be enrolled in a future course. The cost for the course, including, three jumps, packing instruction and rigger service is $350. The cost is comparable to any other "first jump" type course, and we charge much less than others charge and we provide quality instruction and equipment.
Details about future events are forthcoming for any who are interested.
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Post by parajag on Feb 13, 2017 11:20:11 GMT -8
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