In article ,
Morris Dovey wrote:
On 1/19/2010 12:59 PM, tom wrote:

Unfortunately, we'll probably never know how many successful jumps
were made from "Big Brutus". I'd recommend static-lining off that low
of a height. Tom

I would not. The training towers at Ft Benning are 250' tall and "jumps"
are made with an already-open canopy (note the shadow in this photo):

http://www.army.mil/-images/2008/07/...-28-145653.jpg

(In ancient days back when I was indestructible I rode to the top of the
tower in the background of that photo. The trip up is scarier than the
trip down, and I quite understand this young woman's slight nervousness.
)

I recall being told that the T-10 parachute needed ~200' to deploy and
fully inflate in a static line jump from an aircraft going ~125 mph -
and that the minimum (very high risk) static line combat jump altitude
was 300'.

I recall the 300' minimum as well. that that's what it took to deploy,
inflate, _and_ slow you to a 'safe' landing speed. FSVO 'safe', that is.