Advice for safe jumps from a paraglider?
Hi, I'm an experienced paraglider pilot looking for advice about how to provide the best possible experience for jumper friend (600+ jumps free fall / 60+ jumps base) jumping from my paraglider.
Basics:
- I'm tandem paraglider qualified (~100 tandem flights) and decently experienced (~1500 flying hours, with XC and basic acro/SIV skills).
- I've checked out the legal side of paraglider jumps for the sites nearby. It's all OK.
- The local sites are ~3000 ft top-to-bottom. Allowing time to glide into clear air, it means that my passenger will have about ~2000 ft vertical from jump to landing, well clear of terrain or obstacles.
- I've got up-to-date tandem equipment (modern tandem paraglider wing / specific pilot and passenger harnesses / choice of rigid or soft spreaders) and can beg/borrow/steal alternative equipment if needed.
Questions:
1) (Most important) What's the best way for the jumper to exit? I've seen multiple systems, including (a) hang underneath paraglider and use three ring release system (b) normal tandem paragliding setup where jumper basically climbs out of harness and then jumps and (c) rappelling off the end of climbing ropes hung underneath. What works well? What should I look out for?
2) Should I use a tandem or solo paraglider? I'm happy to land a tandem paraglider alone (albeit well under the weight range) in light wind conditions. I imagine that using a solo paraglider will make the launch more complicated but might have other advantages.
3) Any hints for jumping with a tracking pants or a wingsuit? The main problem seems to be that the between-legs-wing makes it impossible to wear the usual paragliding harness.
All advice very much appreciated,
Tom