- Let's talk about hop and pops.
So this jump type is one that every skydiver
needs to know, learn and experiment in their formation.
So in this video I want to demystify the hop and pops.
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So this video was inspired from an article on Skydive Mag
written by by Pete Allum from Flight-1.
So you'll find the link of that article
down in the description below,
to get a lot more information.
But in this video I wanted to give you an overview
and give you some pointers on how not to be
so much afraid of doing your hop and pops.
But also when do you actually use them?
And I'd like to encourage you to do more of those.
Let's start.
So what are hop and pops?
They are a type of jump where you are exiting the plane
at a lower altitude of around 5,000 feet.
Needless to say that those are a source of a lot of stress
for newer skydivers because at first we are used to jump
at an altitude of 14,000 feet,
and we're opening at around 5,000 feet.
So when we are told to jump out of the plane at 5,000 feet
we're wondering how will we have time to
make sure we are stable and pull our canopy
at the right altitude.
So I totally get that, it's totally normal.
But I want to spend some time to explain to you
why in fact you might have more time doing a hop and pop
then you think, and this starts with science.
So the perception of not having enough time
comes from the fact that we're way lower
compared to the ground and when we are at 14,000 feet.
But the fact is that
when you're exiting the plane at 5,000 feet
you're starting your descent at a speed of zero.
Compared to when you are reaching 5,000 feet,
when you did jump from 14,000 feet,
when you reach that 5,000 feet in a normal jump
you are actually at terminal velocity.
So this means that
when you're exiting the plane at 5,000 feet
in five seconds you would have traveled around 400 meters.
Compared to when you are at your final velocity,
at 5,000 feet, well in five seconds
you'll be a 1,000 feet below.
So in fact you actually have more time
when you're exiting the plane at 5,000 feet,
before reaching your opening altitude,
then when you hit that 5,000 feet during a normal jump,
until you reach your opening altitude.
So you have more time to get out of the plane, stabilize
and then take the time to pull.
So that's the facts.
But experience proves it all.
Once you will actually do your own 5,000 feet jump
you'll realize by yourself that I actually have
way enough time to get out, stabilize, open
and even you might be able to maybe wait a couple of seconds
before actually initiating your deployment.
That's what I figured out when I tried it.
I was stressed out so much.
Exit the plane and then, "Oh, okay.
"I'm already ready to pull,
"but it's not my opening altitude yet?
"Interesting."
So make your experience.
When it's time to do your hop and pop
or emergency jump in your progression,
do it, go out for it and you'll see by yourself
that you have enough time
and it's all backed out by science, as I explained.
So now when and why would you want to do hop and pops?
There are five reasons that I wanna to share with you.
The first one is during your AFF, of course.
That's a prerequisite to get your solo license
to experience your first hop and pop.
Doing an emergency jump.
If something goes wrong with the plane
you might have to exit the plane
at a lower altitude than expected,
so being trained to do so could save your life.
Number three, for a canopy piloting course,
or to exercise yourself under a canopy.
Those are great for that.
Number four, if you go up four normal jump
and then there's this cloud ceiling happening
where you cannot jump above it,
you might end up having to take a decision
between going down with the plane
or jump at a lower altitude, maybe seven, 8,000 feet.
So you've made all the ride up to there,
so why not jump anyways?
And number five, the fifth reason
why you would want to do a hop and pop is during demo jumps.
So those are usually done at a lower altitude,
due to different variables
because you're not jumping at a drop zone.
So you'll have to do a hop and pop during your AFF,
like I said, and this is to train you
to do an emergency exit if you ever encounter one.
So when it's time for you to do it, I know it's stressful,
we talked about that earlier, breathe, stay calm,
trust the science and experience your own hop and pop
and realize that you have plenty of time
to exit the plane stable and do what you have to do
before opening.
The second reason was for an emergency jump.
And you might already know about it,
but at first when we take off with the plane
we are supposed to be attached to the plane
up to an altitude of 1,500 feet.
This is made so because below that
if something were to happen with the plane
you actually don't have time to exit the plane
and deploy your canopy safely.
So for that matter you have better chances to stay alive
by staying in the plane.
But over that, you know you are
unbuckling yourself from the plane,
so at that point if something happens
you will have to get out of the plane.
So knowing how to exit the plane stable
and pull our canopy faster than usual
is something that could really save your life.
So between 1,500 feet and 2,500 feet you will exit the plane
and deploy your reserve canopy right away.
For that you don't have to cut your main
and open your reserve, although if you do
that's not a problem.
In an emergency situation things can be quick.
But you could actually exit the plane with your hand ready
on your reserved handle and pull it right away
if you are between 1,500 and 2,500.
Above 2,500 up to whatever, you can deploy your main canopy.
In that type of situations things can go very fast.
So if you end up exiting and having trouble
to stabilize yourself, pull.
That's the number one rule that you have to do.
And actually I've learned a rule
whenever it's time for you to deploy your canopy,
and it goes by rank of importance.
So number one, pull.
Number two, pull at the right altitude.
And number three, pull stable.
So first of all you want to prioritize
having a canopy above your head, of course.
The second point you want to prioritize your altitude
over the stability.
So let's say you are at the right altitude to pull
and you're not yet stable, pull anyways.
And if you can make sure you're stable
at the right altitude and it's time for you to pull,
well, it's the best scenario to pull.
So the first two reason why you would do a hop and pop
are not your choice, you have to do them.
So in your formation and if something bad
is happening with the plane, you have to do it.
But the next three are reasons that you choose
to actually do a hop and pop.
The first one we discussed about is doing a canopy course.
So this is very important, in my own opinion,
that you guys experience a canopy course.
Why?
To improve yourself under canopy,
to correct some of the mistakes and bad habits
that you might already have
and to prepare yourself to actually downsize.
And I couldn't recommend enough Flight-1.
This is a course that I've taken myself
and that I would recommend to anyone.
But I know there's a lot of different
canopy courses out there and canopy coaches
that might be offering courses on your drop zone
so leverage them.
The next one was having low clouds.
So that speaks for itself, if you have a cloud ceiling
because we're not supposed to jump
unless we can properly see our landing area.
Did you know that?
So if you cannot see your landing area
you actually cannot jump above a cloud.
Your pilot may choose to actually go at a lower altitude
right at the base of the clouds
and still allow you to jump.
So let's say it's around seven to 8,000 feet,
you can still enjoy a good free fall
and, of course, you'll have the opportunity to practice
your canopy skills.
So why not?
You're already there in the plane.
Of course I would recommend you to jump,
but if you don't want you can still go down with the plane.
And, actually, I remember one time
there was clouds and actually rain starting to come out
and we decided to still jump, we were at around 7,000 feet
and we went out and jump anyways
and we blended with the rain.
So that was an interesting experience.
♪ It's raining me, hallelujah ♪
The last one was the demo jobs.
That type of jump is only accessible to skydivers
that have a C license and have taken the demo jump rating.
If you want to have more information
on the skydiving licenses and what they give you access to
you can watch this video right here.
Next point that I wanted to discuss with you
is how to perform a good hop and pop.
So of course the first thing is to choose
your skydiving exit.
And the first one you might think about
are the ones that you're learning in your AFF progression.
Which are, for example, the student exit,
either standing or sitting.
The floating exit.
There's the dive exit, as well.
And if you're confident
and have a little bit more experience
any type of exit will work, as long as you become stable
before opening during that hop and pop.
But keep in mind that if you're exiting
facing the relative wind, the blast,
make sure to arch, present your hips to the blast
and everything should go smoothly.
And if you're diving make sure to extend your arms
and fold your knees.
By the way, I'm preparing a great video
on how to exit stable every time.
Something that clicked in my mind
that I wanna share with you,
so if you don't want to miss this one
make sure to subscribe.
Next, one thing to consider if you're more than one,
actually, doing a hop and pop on your jump run,
you want to consider the wing loading
of each and every one of you.
Why?
Because as you'll be exiting the plane
and trying to space yourself in the sky
you don't want to end up being at the same level
in your landing pattern.
So for that matter,
by letting the highest wing loading go first
they will descend faster, under canopy,
and so they will tend to land first.
As you're exiting you will spread yourself in the sky
and make sure there is not much traffic
in your landing pattern.
Considering that as well you want to make sure to respect
the level you are at, don't go ahead and spiral like crazy
and end up being underneath that higher wing loading
because then you'll mess up the order
and you might end up with a lot more traffic
during your landing.
How long should you delay before pulling
when you're exit the plane?
That's an interesting question,
and actually what you simply wanna do
is make sure that you're away from the relative wind,
and that you have enough speed so that your canopy
can deploy at a normal rate.
So it's funny to say but if you're pulling faster
you'll end up deploying your canopy slower.
It will take more time to deploy your canopy, why?
Because of the relative wind and your speed.
To explain that when you are deploying your main canopy
you are actually throwing your extractor
and that smaller pilot chute is extracting
the rest of your canopy,
your deployment bag and then the main canopy.
So if you don't have enough wind
or if the wind is the relative wind,
which is still not as fast as when you are falling,
well it will take more time for the pallet chute to
gain enough strength to pull on your system.
So by waiting slightly more,
let's say three to five seconds,
you'll then have a more normal deployment
of your main canopy.
If you end up pulling
and feeling that it's taking a little bit longer than usual,
do not stress out simply look over your shoulder,
try to see what's happening.
But most likely you might still be
in the blast of the plane,
in the relative wind of the plane.
So simply let it a couple more seconds
to be able to deploy your canopy.
If something is wrong, though,
you might want to do your emergency procedures.
Now in the comments section below let me know
do you like doing hop and pops?
And what is your favorite skydiving exit?
Hope you've liked this video,
make sure to give it a thumbs up
and consider watching those other videos from Skydive Vibes.
On that, keep jumping, stay safe and blue skies.
Let's do this.
Actually, fun fact.
Do you know that I have a black belt in karate?