New to the sport (66 jumps)... and just wanting to know when and how is the best way to really learn how to fly (advanced skills etc)... unitl now most of my jumps have just been basic boxman fat dumb and stable jumps.... even my group jumps everyone else always seems to want me to be part of the base comin out the door because of my experience level... so i really dont get to move around much... But I really want to start learning how to move around in the air...
Re: [gusto77] Really learning to fly...
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I'd suggest lots of smaller dives - 2, 3, 4 way. It's a lot harder to just "hang out in the base" on smaller jumps - you're going to need to fly. Those are small enough groups that they're safe to help you build skills and awareness before moving on to larger groups, and you can start to really build up your flyin.
This thread (among others) has some good ideas for drill dives:
Re: [NWFlyer] Really learning to fly...
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+1 to what Krisanne said. Big dives you won't get to do much, small dives you'll fly more. And if you screw up at all, it's not a big deal on small dives. You can learn practically everything you need to know to be a good belly flyer doing just 4-way, my favorite.
Re: [gusto77] Really learning to fly...
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even my group jumps everyone else always seems to want me to be part of the base comin out the door because of my experience level... so i really dont get to move around much... But I really want to start learning how to move around in the air...
I know exactly what you mean.
Once I got to 100 jumps onwards, there was a new group of freshly licensed jumpers and guys learning the ropes of RW going out base and suddenly I was diving in.
I think your time will come very soon to stop going out base EVERY single dive.
Re: [NWFlyer] Really learning to fly...
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I'd suggest lots of smaller dives - 2, 3, 4 way. It's a lot harder to just "hang out in the base" on smaller jumps - you're going to need to fly. Those are small enough groups that they're safe to help you build skills and awareness before moving on to larger groups, and you can start to really build up your flyin.
This thread (among others) has some good ideas for drill dives:
I also would add that find a couple of people with experience who are willing to jump out with lower numbered jumpers and learn from them.
A big mistake I see is the group of people who just graduated all go up and jump together. And continue to do so. This makes improving skills a little more difficult.
The next advice I have is to go to boogies and get on with organized loads. A good organizer can plan a jump that will be successful for the varying skydiving experience on the jump. Boogies + load organizers = absolutely amazing (and free) coaching.
Re: [kmills0705] Really learning to fly...
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Thanks everyone... Great advice... I was conflicted about payin money for tunnel training but I think thats one thing Im gonna have to shell out money for... and from now on I will be annoying the hell out of the experienced people to let me jump with them
Re: [gusto77] Really learning to fly...
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Thanks everyone... Great advice... I was conflicted about payin money for tunnel training but I think thats one thing Im gonna have to shell out money for... and from now on I will be annoying the hell out of the experienced people to let me jump with them
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Tunnel time is worth the price, but beer's cheaper. Buy them beer; they will teach you, and you get to be in the sky while you learn.
Re: [gusto77] Really learning to fly...
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... I was conflicted about payin money for tunnel training but I think thats one thing Im gonna have to shell out money for...
Do yourself a favor, if you haven't already, and take a canopy control course before you invest money in tunnel time.
Keep in mind that your canopy, and the skill to use it, is what gets you safely on the ground. Freefall skills are just there to entertain you until pull time when the life saving begins.
Giving attention to your canopy flight, and developing your knowledge and skills in that area is what will keep you in one piece and freefalling as much as you like (or can afford).
Re: [davelepka] Really learning to fly...
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I agree with Dave about the Canopy Course. These are skills that you will use forever, and can really save your ass.
For freefall, 1 on 1 coaching, plus tunnel time will really improve your skills. Many folks will do coaching with you without charging a lot of money (unless you're at a big, money-grubbing DZ). Find some old geezer who likes to jump with noobies, and listen to what he tells you. Spend time at the DZ and buy a few beers and listen to what the experienced folks have to say. You'll be amazed at what you can pick up that will prove useful later on.
Re: [kmills0705] Really learning to fly...
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A big mistake I see is the group of people who just graduated all go up and jump together. And continue to do so. This makes improving skills a little more difficult.
Agreed; but at some DZs, newly-minted jumpers sometimes have a hard time finding people, other than each other, who want to jump with them. It's an addressable issue, but the issue is there.
