Hi all...

[Tiggr 0]

...looks a good site - gonna have a nose around!

I have only recently got my 'A' licence (after doing a static line course) so I am now starting for my FS1. My immediate problem is going to be that I have a slow fall rate (around 100 mph...or 160kph) so task number 1 is likely to be finding a weight belt . That, however, is probably likely to be easier than getting any coaches to lose weight!

Now to browse the rest of the site...

[robbo23 0]

Hi there - where is your home DZ - I've just completed my AFF at Swansea.

[Tiggr 0]

South Cerney, near Cirencester. Haven't got the courage to try any other DZ yet...you know what its like with learning something - one new thing at a time is enough to handle.

South Cerney has one of the biggest PLAs in the UK and I am sure I will panic about having 'off' landings if I go anywhere smaller

No doubt when I am more confident in my canopy handling skills I will be more comfortable with different DZ's. What's it like at Swansea?

[robbo23 0]

Awesome DZ with the best views in the country. Such a friendly place which is why i started there. 2 PLA's - north and south - south you need a B licence to jump there. Can be a bit of a pain if the winds are wrong but hey i passed my aff there in 5 weeks. I've been to Cerney once - i did my first tandem there in 2007. You should try and pop down to Swansea - you will have a ball!!

[skymama 35]

Welcome to the forums!

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[wolfriverjoe 1,354]

Quote

Welcome to the forums!

Skymamma's right. There are things you can do to speed up. I usually wear about 10# (5 kilos or so) so that I don't have to work as hard, but with proper suit selection and good technique I can stay with most jumpers without the weights.
I got a lot of really useful advice from a very small AFF-I. She explained a bit and spent a few minutes on the floor demonstrating the stuff she used to get her fall rate where it needed to be with minimal weights. Those techniques alllowed me to go from ~105 to the higher 1-teens with a couple jumps to figure out how to make them work.

Find a really light coach or (prefferably)AFF-I who's willing to work with you. Not so that you can stay with them, but so they can show you how to go faster.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[Tiggr 0]

I am aware that if I have a tighter suit that will help (but my one has space for plenty of layers/woolies for when the weather is colder!).

I have also been told that the 'mantis' position would help - but with jump numbers only in the mid-30's I am looking for as much stability as possible at this stage. Even with a hard arch, its quite a difficult task to speed up.

I have had around 20 minutes of tunnel time so have been able to practise the mantis position a bit, but obviously any minor body adjustments initially send me into the walls! It may be best for me to practise mantis a bit in freefall (and try turning) and then get an FS coach as a steady point reference to see if I am hurtling backwards/forwards.
In the interim, a weight belt seems the best option to carry on with my FS1. With increased practise I may be able to substitute better body position for the belt...

On the other hand, if I wear an even baggier suit and relax my arch I may not even need a parachute!

[bluetwo 0]

Welcome to the forum, it's cool to be able to learn from your experiences! Hope you get things sorted out and enjoy.

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