Really learning to fly...

[gusto77 0]

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...

[PhreeZone 20]

Tunnel camps. They will be some of the best money you can spend if you want your skills to skyrocket in short order.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[NWFlyer 2]

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:

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2451763

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[JohnMitchell 16]

+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.

[Chubba 0]

Quote

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.

[topdocker 0]

Do CRW!

top

Jump more, post less!

[kmills0705 0]

Quote

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:

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2451763

I too agree. Good advice.

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.

Kim Mills
USPA D21696
Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

[gusto77 0]

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

[murps2000 86]

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
***

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.

[davelepka 4]

Quote

... 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).

[kkeenan 14]

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.

Kevin K.

_____________________________________
Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?

[Tuna-Salad 0]

Just go jump and have fun.. the skills will come with time.

Millions of my potential children died on your daughters' face last night.

[Andy9o8 2]

Quote

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.

[skyjumpenfool 2]

Jump, jump, jump....... more practice!!!

Birdshit & Fools Productions

"Son, only two things fall from the sky."