Feb 11, 2013, 6:53 PM
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Back for a Second Round 35 years later
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Hello to all. After reading this forum for a few months I have stepped up and registered. I would describe myself as someone who tried skydiving, wandered away from the sport, and never quite lost the bug. My short jump history consists of 6 static line jumps made at the Spearfish SD drop zone in the fall of 1977. I still have my very ratty jump record passing me for freefall signed by Tony Frost. I also have hung onto my USPA patch. I wish I has hung onto my copy of Poynter's Parachute manual. For various reasons I now am interested in returning to the sport which has held my attention for so long. The only bad thing is the sheer amount of change in the sport which has me confused since things like tandems and AFF were still in the future and Square chutes were for experts while us novices jumped 28' LLs and T10 7TUs. Although I do remember watching Greg Behrens doing a cutaway from a Delta chute. Its already been educational following some of the threads, and I hope I will find ways to contribute to the discourse. It feels good to be back.
Feb 11, 2013, 7:42 PM
Post #3 of 18
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Re: [SecondRound] Back for a Second Round 35 years later
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Your path is very similar to mine: 10 jumps in 1974, then returned most exactly 2 years ago this month. I spent a huge amount of time learning about what the sport was all about in these modern times (barely recongizable) before deciding to start again.
The gear is definitely more complex, but the good news is that PLF practice is now only a small part of your FJC. (Or maybe that's not a good thing, lol!)
Feb 11, 2013, 8:03 PM
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Re: [Divalent] Back for a Second Round 35 years later
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I am in Minnesota, just East of the twin cities on the Mississippi. Looking back, I actually was proud of my PLFs and my mastery of Capewell cutaways. I am pretty sure I won't miss the extra weight and the belly mount reserve. Thanks for making me feel welcome, it looks like there are some things that haven't changed. Skydivers are still a great big family.
skymama (D 26699)
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Feb 12, 2013, 6:53 AM
Post #5 of 18
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Re: [SecondRound] Back for a Second Round 35 years later
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Welcome to the forums! So, are you going to do static line again this time around or are you going to do AFF?
Feb 12, 2013, 5:52 PM
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Re: [skymama] Back for a Second Round 35 years later
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Thanks for the welcome. I have not decided what will be the best way to make my second first jump. Even though I have done static line, I am a little leery of making a solo first jump. This time around I am not 25 with no children to worry about , instead I am 60 with kids and grand kids. Also my sense is that while squares are more reliable, when things go bad they can go bad quickly and have some pretty hairy gyrations. I remember bicycling out of line twists under a round chute and it was no big deal. I have seen Brian Germain's video of his protracted line twist and I think it might be a little too much workload to deal with in addition to the first jump jitters. I guess thats my long way of saying that for me my choices have come down to 1. AFF 2. Tandem as first step in AFP 3. Tandem with little ground training. Then there is the whole jump plane issue, I know 182 and Beech 18, yet I have easy access to 2 different turbine drop zones here in MN. I am going to do some phone calling and go with my gut feeling now that I have analyzed things to death. Maybe I am getting old, my first jump was a WTF moment.
Feb 12, 2013, 7:16 PM
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Mr. Germain's video is a rather extreme case. I'd have cut it away as soon as I realized it was no ordinary line twist. I imagine the spinning would have clued me in pretty quickly. That man is a trained professional, do not attempt at home.
Don't let the turbines intimidate you! Jumping out of them is not so different than jumping out of a Cessna. The turbine planes are a somewhat more comfortable ride to altitude.
I did AFF and liked it, but it does require rounding up instructors to jump with you. At low traffic DZs this might be a problem. Either way, I think you'll like how the sport has progressed.
Feb 12, 2013, 8:57 PM
Post #10 of 18
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Re: [Trafficdiver] Back for a Second Round 35 years later
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Thank you all. Now to hope winter ends soon up here on the tundra. My mission now is to find a DZ that trains with Racer rigs. They were recommended to me back in the day and I feel I can trust them. And yes I realize that I lack the experience to have an educated opinion, but please humor an old man who has his quirks.
Feb 18, 2013, 2:53 AM
Post #11 of 18
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Welcome back. My first jumps were in 1973, Had a bad motorcycle crash in '81 and Dr. said I needed to hand it up... With the help of the great people at Kapowsin, came back 32 years later. Equipment and the aircraft are different, for sure. I'd say everything,including the jumper is generally safer. After 170's 182's. Beech's and DC3's- turbines absolutely rock! Waiting for spring now and selling my waterski!
Mar 5, 2013, 2:00 PM
Post #12 of 18
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Thank you all. Now to hope winter ends soon up here on the tundra. My mission now is to find a DZ that trains with Racer rigs. They were recommended to me back in the day and I feel I can trust them. And yes I realize that I lack the experience to have an educated opinion, but please humor an old man who has his quirks.
You will get this, I have no doubts!!! I reccomend you find a Mr. John Sherman and share your wonderfull "quirks." DeLand is nice this time of year, and he is mostly just down the street! Good luck,
Mar 5, 2013, 6:29 PM
Post #13 of 18
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Thanks for the welcome. I have not decided what will be the best way to make my second first jump. Even though I have done static line, I am a little leery of making a solo first jump. This time around I am not 25 with no children to worry about , instead I am 60 with kids and grand kids. Also my sense is that while squares are more reliable, when things go bad they can go bad quickly and have some pretty hairy gyrations. I remember bicycling out of line twists under a round chute and it was no big deal. I have seen Brian Germain's video of his protracted line twist and I think it might be a little too much workload to deal with in addition to the first jump jitters. I guess thats my long way of saying that for me my choices have come down to 1. AFF 2. Tandem as first step in AFP 3. Tandem with little ground training. Then there is the whole jump plane issue, I know 182 and Beech 18, yet I have easy access to 2 different turbine drop zones here in MN. I am going to do some phone calling and go with my gut feeling now that I have analyzed things to death. Maybe I am getting old, my first jump was a WTF moment.
Just go for the nice big student squares... after jumping so many rounds back in the day. I was good to go for a round jump 20 some years later.. I was kinda amazed at just how fast a 35' TU can come down.( I think the air was thicker in the 1970's.. man that was a fast landing) Do your old legs a favor and save the rounds for Water jumps later... BIG SPLASH is far more enjoyable than a great big THUD as you meet up with Terra-Way-To-Firma under any of the old cheapo round canopy's.
Mar 5, 2013, 8:14 PM
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Amen to that. I only made one jump under a T10. The rest were under a 28' double L. Between the small canopy and a field elevation of a scosh under 4000' there was tremendeous incentive to develop a good PLF
Mar 13, 2013, 8:42 PM
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Re: [ChrisD] Back for a Second Round 35 years later
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Super excited now, Looked Tony Frost up while I was in Tucson and confirmed that skydivers are family. He offered great advice on how skydiving has changed over the years, and how a jumper of more mature years can enjoy the sport and stay safe. The discussion also helped me pin down my motivation. Simply put, I feel at home in the sky. So me, my battered jump card with 6 jumps on it, and my shiny new logbook are headed to the drop zone. I have already reinitiated my USPA membership so I am ready
Mar 16, 2013, 8:42 PM
Post #17 of 18
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Super excited now, Looked Tony Frost up while I was in Tucson and confirmed that skydivers are family. He offered great advice on how skydiving has changed over the years, and how a jumper of more mature years can enjoy the sport and stay safe. The discussion also helped me pin down my motivation. Simply put, I feel at home in the sky. So me, my battered jump card with 6 jumps on it, and my shiny new logbook are headed to the drop zone. I have already reinitiated my USPA membership so I am ready
Hope to share some air one of these days...old timer!
Apr 26, 2013, 9:52 PM
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Re: [airtwardo] Back for a Second Round 35 years later
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Tandem done. Static line in the morning. Can't wait to get back. Thanks Skydive Wissota for making it happen. Now if I could only remember where I put that SOS application.
