Post by parajag on Feb 17, 2015 8:24:20 GMT -8
Troopers,
Last weekend I attended Operation Big Drop at the National Parachute Test Center in Dunnellon, Florida. If you have not heard of NPTC, it is pretty much what the name implies. The owner, Bob Matthews, is a retired USMC Major and master parachute rigger. The NPTC has become a Mecca of sorts for military parachutists, active, reserve, and retired, round canopy sport jumpers and reenactors, including members of the ADT, LJT and RCPT. It is "non-denominational" and politics free. It's all about the jumping. They host several operations throughout the year, mainly in Febraury and October. There is an SF-10A Primary Course offered for those who have not jumped a steerable canopy at all, or within the last 10 years. A refresher is required for anyone who has not jumped a steerable canopy in the last two years. Anyone currently qualified as a static line parachutist can attend and jump as a "straphanger." They also offer instruction on the MC-4 ram air parachute. Information on these courses is available on their website. nationalpara.com
I was there for three days. We did 5-6 lifts a day out of the Tico Belle. I got in three jumps, from 2,200 feet and 1,500 feet AGL.
The main advantage to jumping at the NPTC over the ADT is you may use your own parachutes and are not required to use the ADT's propriatery "pilot chute assist" parachutes. You may use a modern SF-10A or MC-1 parachute, and state of the art reserve parachute, the MIRPS. In my opinion, this equipment is safer than the ADT equipment. Bob has a stock of these parachutes available for rent if you do not own a parachute.
A disadvantage over the ADT may be cost, since although you can sleep in the hanger, most people stay in a nearby hotel. Also, your meals are not provided. It is also not a WWII Adventure Camp if that is what you're after. That being said, it's refreshing to be able to jump without having to be a reenactor and comply with someone's idea of uniform requirements. Wear whatever you want.
Here are are some pictures and video.
The C-47 Tico Belle was our jump platform.
First jump on Friday, with some additions for dramatic effect.
youtu.be/bDVA0LbI2ic
Last weekend I attended Operation Big Drop at the National Parachute Test Center in Dunnellon, Florida. If you have not heard of NPTC, it is pretty much what the name implies. The owner, Bob Matthews, is a retired USMC Major and master parachute rigger. The NPTC has become a Mecca of sorts for military parachutists, active, reserve, and retired, round canopy sport jumpers and reenactors, including members of the ADT, LJT and RCPT. It is "non-denominational" and politics free. It's all about the jumping. They host several operations throughout the year, mainly in Febraury and October. There is an SF-10A Primary Course offered for those who have not jumped a steerable canopy at all, or within the last 10 years. A refresher is required for anyone who has not jumped a steerable canopy in the last two years. Anyone currently qualified as a static line parachutist can attend and jump as a "straphanger." They also offer instruction on the MC-4 ram air parachute. Information on these courses is available on their website. nationalpara.com
I was there for three days. We did 5-6 lifts a day out of the Tico Belle. I got in three jumps, from 2,200 feet and 1,500 feet AGL.
The main advantage to jumping at the NPTC over the ADT is you may use your own parachutes and are not required to use the ADT's propriatery "pilot chute assist" parachutes. You may use a modern SF-10A or MC-1 parachute, and state of the art reserve parachute, the MIRPS. In my opinion, this equipment is safer than the ADT equipment. Bob has a stock of these parachutes available for rent if you do not own a parachute.
A disadvantage over the ADT may be cost, since although you can sleep in the hanger, most people stay in a nearby hotel. Also, your meals are not provided. It is also not a WWII Adventure Camp if that is what you're after. That being said, it's refreshing to be able to jump without having to be a reenactor and comply with someone's idea of uniform requirements. Wear whatever you want.
Here are are some pictures and video.
The C-47 Tico Belle was our jump platform.
First jump on Friday, with some additions for dramatic effect.
youtu.be/bDVA0LbI2ic
