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From: paul@ubvax.UUCP (Paul Fries)
Newsgroups: net.rec.skydive
Subject: Re: Long Snivels
Message-ID: <316@ubvax.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 30-Aug-85 15:40:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: ubvax.316
Posted: Fri Aug 30 15:40:36 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Sep-85 04:23:02 EDT
References: <41800022@hpcvlo.UUCP> <41800027@hpcvlo.UUCP>
Reply-To: paul@ubvax.UUCP (Paul Fries)
Organization: Ungermann-Bass, Inc., Santa Clara, Ca.
Lines: 28

I just want to put extra emphasis on Ken Scofield's remarks about the
time to wait before going to reserve.  Ken's comment said six seconds
was the limit.  This sounds just right to me, and a little math will
prove it.

Consider the distance travelled during the snivel.  First, to convert
mph to fps, use a factor of 1.46, i.e. 100 mph == 146 fps.

If your freefall rate is 100 MPH (low side) you travel 146 fps.
If your freefall rate is 120 MPH (high side) you travel 176 fps.

The six second snivel (for discussion, the actual malfunction is
a bag lock, so the drag does not significantly reduce your speed)
uses between 876 and 1056 feet of your available altitude.  If your
pull was at 2500 ft AGL, you are well into the "pucker" zone (at
least I pucker if I don't have SOMETHING working by 1700 feet) by this
time.  (Note: USPA recommends 1800 feet as the decision altitude,
1500 as the execute altitude for a cutaway).

The only think I would like to add to this is that we do not have to
simply wait during the six seconds.  We can be watching what is going
on over our heads!  Without taking a lot of time, a shake on the riser
may be just what is needed to get it open.  At least you can be sure 
that you are not chopping a good main.

	BLUE SKIES!
	Paul Fries
	C-17147