While much has been written on paratroopers, i have yet to come across a description of a night jump. The jump into the dark void, the snap of the static line breaking the final tie, the mad rush count of one thousand, two thousand , three thousand, check canopy and then the quiet of the night disturbed only by the sound of the air swooshing past the canopy. However, there is no time to enjoy the sensation, you are running through the checklist- release equipment toggle but first check for any other canopy, try and estimate the nature of the descent (if you are lucky enough to have some moonlight) or simply get into the para landing fall position and tighten up the posture as soon as you hear the thump of the equpment bag hitting the DZ. this is followed by a hard impact with mother earth, but, there is no time to worry about your knee/ankle or the back; spring into action release harness, roll the chute and stow it away, get your weapon into action and throw your rucksack on your back, locate the the RV and move.
It is on a different level altogether, personally a static line night jump is far more challenging than a night time HAHO or HALO oxygen aided jump.
While much has been written on paratroopers, i have yet to come across a description of a night jump. The jump into the dark void, the snap of the static line breaking the final tie, the mad rush count of one thousand, two thousand , three thousand, check canopy and then the quiet of the night disturbed only by the sound of the air swooshing past the canopy. However, there is no time to enjoy the sensation, you are running through the checklist- release equipment toggle but first check for any other canopy, try and estimate the nature of the descent (if you are lucky enough to have some moonlight) or simply get into the para landing fall position and tighten up the posture as soon as you hear the thump of the equpment bag hitting the DZ. this is followed by a hard impact with mother earth, but, there is no time to worry about your knee/ankle or the back; spring into action release harness, roll the chute and stow it away, get your weapon into action and throw your rucksack on your back, locate the the RV and move.
It is on a different level altogether, personally a static line night jump is far more challenging than a night time HAHO or HALO oxygen aided jump.
thanks for the write up
Love this one!