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Brian Germain
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Parachute And Its Pilot,The: The Ultimate Guide For The Ram-Air Aviator Paperback – January 5, 2004

by Brian Germain (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 174 ratings
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The Parachute and Its Pilot is the singular resource for canopy flight information. Whether you re a new jumper looking to further your education or an expert canopy pilot seeking tips on advancing your techniques, this book has something for you. The book is jam-packed with information compiled over twenty years of skydiving experience and offers technical, straightforward explanations of ram air parachute flight. Written by one of the industry's leading parachute designers, The Parachute and Its Pilot is a must-have handbook for every skydiver.
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  1. Print length
    176 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Germain
  4. Publication date
    January 5, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    8 x 0.5 x 10.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0977627721
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0977627721
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brian Germain began his skydiving career in 1986. Since then, he has made over 10,000 jumps and has been a successful competitor in canopy swooping, sport accuracy, four-way relative work, and free flying. He has a B.A. from the University of Vermont and did his psychology masters work at Naropa University. His research targets the implications of mental state on safety issues in adventure situations, as well as, effects on personality transformation and personal growth. He is the author of several books including:Vertical Journey, Transcending Fear, and Greenlight Your Life. He is the president of Big Air Sportz, Inc., and has designed many canopies. He continues to lecture worldwide on the topic of safety in sport parachuting.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Germain (January 5, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0977627721
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0977627721
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.08 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.5 x 10.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 174 ratings

About the author

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Brian Germain

Brian Germain

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Brian Germain is an author, teacher, entrepreneur, inventor, test pilot, psychology researcher, keynote speaker, and world champion skydiver. He began this eclectic career on April 13, 1986, the day he first jumped out of an airplane. A psychology student at the University of Vermont at the time, Brian began his research on the topic of fear and the coping mechanisms for dealing with it.

Over 20 years and 13,000 jumps later, Brian is still researching fear, but has also taken up the lofty task of teaching the subject in a worldwide lecture tour. From the US Air Force Academy to Australian Parachute Federation, Brian helps empower all kinds of people to transcend fear in order to improve safety and enhance performance. Fear is a topic that Brian has taken on in a very personal way. Having survived a near fatal paraglider collapse in 1993, he returned to the sky to redesign modern wing parachutes in an effort to prevent the same tragedy from befalling other aeronauts. A few short years (and thousands of jumps) later he went on to win ESPN's X-Games in Freefly Skydiving.

Brian's passion for teaching and helping others shows through in all aspects of his life. With his books and by traveling the world providing seminars, experiential workshops and keynote speeches, he has empowered and inspired others to reach for greatness and achieve success.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
174 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book very informative, great for learning about the canopy, and a good teaching tool. They also describe it as amazing, fun to read, and wonderful. Readers mention the author provides wonderful insights into ram-air parachute design.

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Information qualityReadability
21 customers mention "Information quality"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very informative and a great teaching tool. They say it does a nice job explaining the sometimes complicated physics of parachute flight. Readers mention the prep part of the book has helped them understand and prepare mentally. Additionally, they say the book is a fantastic resource for new skydivers just starting out and provides some great insight into the mechanics and methods of canopy flight.

"...combined with your jump coach you will progress much faster. Developing essential skills that any pilot of any wing must have." Read more

"Great advice and wisdom. I’m landing my canopy better already. A must read for skydivers and everyone.Thx BrianDr. Mike" Read more

"...He does a great job explaining how the canopy works and other aspects of the entire systems such as the risers...." Read more

"...It's descriptive, yet easy to understand...." Read more

11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book amazing, fun to read, and useful. They appreciate the wonderful perspective and insight into ram-air parachute design.

"This book is fantastic...." Read more

"An excellent book for anyone wanting to improve their canopy piloting. One read and you’ll have more info than most “experts” on the drop zone." Read more

"Extremely well written and fun to read, Brian Germain provides a wonderful insight into ram-air parachute design and flight characteristics...." Read more

"Amazing book covering a vast amount of topics from the very basics to things I not dare to try (yet!)..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Allie
5.0 out of 5 stars A well presented wealth of knowledge
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book is fantastic. Brian's friendly yet eloquent writing style brings the reader easily digestible knowledge of canopy flight - from theory to equipment to skills and techniques. My canopy piloting and love of the sport as a whole has increased even more having read this book. I highly recommend it to experienced and new skydivers alike!
One person found this helpful
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A. D. Hall
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for swoopers, but others will like it also...
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2014
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Not a beginning skydiver's book, but some great info in this. He does a great job explaining how the canopy works and other aspects of the entire systems such as the risers. Unless you are a swooper, or wanting to learn to swoop, the second 1/3 of the book will be pretty much lost on you. However, the last part of the book dealing with fear and the human mind is outstanding. I liked that part so much, I turned right around and got Germain's other book "Transcending Fear: The Doorway to Freedom" to get the full intent of the last part of the this book. Overall, a great book to learn about the canopy and the way it works.
2 people found this helpful
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MICHAEL WILLIAMS
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful prospective
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2020
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Great advice and wisdom. I’m landing my canopy better already. A must read for skydivers and everyone.
Thx Brian

Dr. Mike
One person found this helpful
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Zach W
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2018
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As an aircraft pilot and a certified flight instructor, With 15 jumps flying a canopy I 100% recommend this to anyone who wants to learn to fly a canopy with understanding. Greatly increasing your ability to become who you want to be under canopy from a Parachute designer and test pilot there is no better source! combined with your jump coach you will progress much faster. Developing essential skills that any pilot of any wing must have.
One person found this helpful
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J. Cadieux
4.0 out of 5 stars Useful content, needs some proof-reading
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2013
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First of all, beware that this is a physically large book. The size is 8.5"x11" (A4 size), the same as what probably goes into your home printer.

I am an inexperienced jumper, sub-100 jumps and on my first non-student canopy. I found a lot of good information in this book, teaching me the basics of how the parachute works and why it does what it does when I pull the toggles. It's worth reading it with a highlighter in your hand, to mark the most important tips for future reference. I read the book from the beginning, stopping when I came to the chapter on high-performance landings. I am too new to be putting those ideas into my head. I also didn't read the hippy self-improvement stuff in the second half of the book.

My biggest problem with the book, and the reason I took off a star, is the apparent lack of proof-reading. There were many spelling and grammatical mistakes, more than in most things I read. Maybe a nitpick, but it is a book and should be proofread properly.
6 people found this helpful
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Matthew D. Kaye
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for every canopy pilot
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2011
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Short of attending one of Brian Germain's canopy piloting courses, this book is a must for any safe jumper looking to better understand the inner workings of a ram air canopy. It's descriptive, yet easy to understand. It focuses on what makes a canopy fly the way it does, how to manipulate and control your canopy beyond the obvious toggle turns, and how to avoid situations that could end your skydiving career. Brian Germain is a subject matter expert on canopy design and performance. The knowledge written in this book will help you take your canopy ride to the next level while still giving you the know-how to stay safe.
6 people found this helpful
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Matthew Blank
5.0 out of 5 stars Skydiver’s Must Have
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2018
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An excellent book for anyone wanting to improve their canopy piloting. One read and you’ll have more info than most “experts” on the drop zone.
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TBigATC
5.0 out of 5 stars You want to be prepared? Required reading!
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2016
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I can't say enough about this book. Reading through a second time and highlighting. Loads of canopy performance info and things to ponder/understand to make one safer after deployment. Brian does a great job weaving the psych aspects of the sport into stuff I can understand and then improve. I'm not going to be a serious swooper but the info is applicable in other way too. IMO, a must have for ANY jumper. Thanks Brian.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Diego Rodrigues
5.0 out of 5 stars Essencial para paraquedistas
Reviewed in Brazil on May 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
Para quem deseja conhecer mais sobre pousos e velames é essencial a leitura.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great textbook on parachute control
Reviewed in Canada on May 25, 2019
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A must read for any skydiver.
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Tapta
3.0 out of 5 stars Not enough
Reviewed in France on July 20, 2014
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Most part of this book focuses on swooping. Not enough focus on different ways of steering the canopy and landing precision. A little bit disappointing.
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Chris Worth
5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking blend of solid principles and the sheer joy of flight
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2014
Verified Purchase
I don't jump much these days, but this book is terrific even for non-jumpers. Why? Two reasons. First, it treats parachuting as the complex system it is, giving low-numbers skydivers like me a depth and breadth of knowledge about canopy flight that far exceeds what you learn on an AFF or FS1 course. And a more knowledgeable skydiver is a safer skydiver.

But second, the book on every page is what you might call a "celebration of the human spirit", taking adventure and excitement not as entertainments to rush headlong into, but rather challenges that can be met with the right skills and training (and how much better they are if you go in prepared!)

It's a classic book among jumpers, but I hadn't read it before I had 100 jumps in my logbook and wish I had. Not just the What and How of canopy flight, but the Why.
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Alan Hogg
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant book! My canopy skills have improved a ton ...
Reviewed in Canada on September 21, 2015
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Brilliant book! My canopy skills have improved a ton as a result of reading this book. Also has great general life lessons
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