GroundSchool Grad..

[Schwinny 0]

Hey everybody, completed ground school at Skydive CrossKeys in southern NJ yesterday! Scheduled to do my first solo this weekend (weather permitting) just wanted to thank DZ and everyone on the forums for the inspiration, information and motivation! Look forward to progressing through the AFP program and on towards my A license.. At this point, I feel like a baby learning how to walk, so any advice/encouragement from current students/instructors/anyone would be awesome.. Thanks in advance
-Schwinn

[Tink1717 2]

I fun jump there now and again. Congrats!

Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off.
-The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!)
AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717

[Schwinny 0]

Thanks man.. their Otter is back in action.. turboprop FTW!

[MrOneNut 0]

Best advice, which is nearly impossible to do is just relax! (shaking my hand with hanging fingers) Everything will seem overwhelming at first, but it will all get better. Congratulations on even being willing to push yourself to jump out of an airplane. Just have fun, listen to your instructors, chair fly your jumps. Taking the time to mentally reherse your jumps at ground level and airspeed zero definitely helps. It really is a mental game. Best of luck and have fun on your first jump! You will have you A License in no time.

[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

[Schwinny 0]

Thanks for the replies! I feel like ground school was a ton of information in one class.. equipment checks, exit technique, freefall posture, holding patterns, malfunctions, etc. etc. Its so much to think about (or forget, for that matter ) Im getting anxiety just typing about it all now, never mind during the jump.. I was considering doing another tandem just to get more comfortable piloting/landing but my instructor says solo and tandem canopies handle differently. Rereading my notes and rehearsing exits, posture, and of course PLFs helps but i don't think anything can really prepare one for their first solo.. I'm excited and scared at the same time (kinda the point of skydiving right?) I just wanna get the first couple outa the way so im not such a ball of nervous energy.

[C.Stanley 0]

Congrats, enjoy and have fun

[Schwinny 0]

Thanks! The more I read everyones threads on overcoming their initial fears the better I'm feeling. So I just learned i'll be leaving to work on a project in Texas for three weeks. Would I be able to continue the AFP process at a dropzone out there? If so can anyone recommend one near Dallas/Ft Worth?

[dkvkb 2]

Skydive Dallas. I just finished the first jump course there and actually did my Level 1 & 2. They are excellent. Very professional and knowledgeable. I don't think you could find any better.

[DrDom 0]

Schwinny

Thanks! The more I read everyones threads on overcoming their initial fears the better I'm feeling. So I just learned i'll be leaving to work on a project in Texas for three weeks. Would I be able to continue the AFP process at a dropzone out there? If so can anyone recommend one near Dallas/Ft Worth?

Best thing to do is call and ask! I'm sure every place is a little different.

You'll do great. The fear and anxiety a little less each jump.

Relax and enjoy, I think anyone who jumps out of planes is pretty awesome. It contradicts our survival instinct, and we do it for play. That... is beautiful.

You are not the contents of your wallet.

[BigMikeH77 0]

Congratulations
Ask your instructors LOTS of questions, understand their answers, look at Brian Germain's YouTube channel, and when it gets tough and you find yourself struggling, try to remember to relax and smile.. this is FUN!

[Schwinny 0]

Finally did it! Better late than never I guess.. Re enrolled in ground school and did my T3 and IAF 4 & 5 last weekend. Such a huge wave of emotion hit after freefall on my level 4 I almost couldn't keep it together. Aced level 5! The fear has been replaced with excitement and determination to be a great student and eventually a licensed skydiver!! Thanks for the encouragement and support! Blue Skies