L3 Kicked My A$$ Today!

[wceviper 0]

I went to do my level 3 today. Everything was cool, I was thinking about the skydive, going through the dive flow in my head. After Being there for 3hrs I finally got geared up. I was Excited, Ready to go. The plane was the King Air, 14k! After Everyone climbed out, My 2 JMs and I approached the door. Wasn't that hard to get on the step this time, I was pretty comfortable.
The exit went well, I did my COA's, Then my only PRPC. Then it got interesting. They let go! I started a clock-wise spin which was slow at first, but got a little faster everytime I went around! I was trying to correct with zero luck. My Reserve side flew in and got me stable, then gave me the relax sign. I did, till he let me go again. Started the right turn, this time I slowed it down for second, but then started going faster than before. I wasn't too scared of the spinning, It was when I fell a little faster than my JM's. Then I couldn't even look at them every revolution! My reserve side came back in at about 7500 feet. I also felt my main side dock too. I was ready to pull, But stuck it out till 5500. I had a good pull, kept the ripcord. Today was the first time I had line twists, Got outta those fast only to notice end cell closer. After all that was taken care of, I went strait for the DZ. I had a good standup landing. The whole time I was under canopy I was trying to figure out what I did wrong. It was the first thing I asked when I found my Main side jm. One of my legs was higher than the other, I also wasn't relaxed enough. All in all, it was a fun, but scary jump. Time to save more money for another L3. Anyway, Thanks for reading!
-Jason

[skymedic 0]

Point your toes, relax, and practice an arch in front of another skydiver or a mirror to get that muscle memory.
No worries man, we all have had problems like this. you'll get it. better luck next time.
Marc
Because I fly, I envy no man on earth

[freeflir29 0]

Relax Man! Kick the shit out of it next time.
"This conversation ends right here Captain! You can talk to the ALO when he gets back."-Me
Clay

[heathmor 0]

Sounds like a good time to me!!! You'll get it down next time.
"Focus Fauker"
If your not living on the edge; Your taking up too much space!!!

[Aviatrr 0]

Did they teach you toe taps? If not, ask your JM's about it before your next jumps.. It's a good way to determine whether your legs are symmetrical or not.. If you get into the spin, something you can do to stop it or slow it down is extend the leg in the direction of the spin.. If you are spinning right, extending your right leg will make you turn left(or, in this case, slow down your right spin).. To remember which leg to exend - think of it as pushing off with that foot..
Mike

[abraxas 0]

I'll be doing my level 3 AFF jump this coming weekend at SD Monroe. During the dive flow training, the jumpmasters told me to practice "toe taps" while at my house. On the floor (or on a creeper), get into your arch(think "Bubba"). Have a friend, preferrably an experienced jumper, watch you as you bring your legs together and touch your toes.Have them tell you whether or not you touched smoothly. Practice it some more.By practicing with an experienced jumper on the ground, you are creating good "muscle memory" that will help you in the air.
Above all, if you have any questions, pick the jumpmasters brains. Thats one of the reasons you are paying for them: Their experience. These guys have been around for a long time and have made boo-koo jumps. Some things that may be hard for you and I would be second nature to them. Dont give up. Keep a good attitude and kick L3's ass on your next jump.
Best of luck
DS

[LittleJumper 0]

Where did you jump at? I did 2 jumps on 9/22 at Davis, (I'm CATD now, woohoo) and on my 2nd one, I was spinning with my JM, he said after i corrected my legs, which I did, I should have been steady. Don't know what happened up there...(things just happen) but still had hella fun!!! pulled at 5k or most likely at 4.5k. I was told having it videod will help you to see problems too. Also, problems are good, in my opinion... they help you to learn what not to do!!!

[wingnut 0]

Quote

had hella fun

from all the diffent people i've met in the military there is one thing that ties all the people from califonia together....one word...HELLA!!!!....... rock on and have one hella good time... level 8 your gona love!!!!

"up my noooossseee"- wingnut, at first euro dz.com boogie

[LittleJumper 0]

Wingnut: What's involved in level 8? Whatever it is, I KNOW I'll have hella fun!! Hehe.

[JMC 0]

I did my L3 on 9/22 also. Stability was good but I was concentrating so much on being stable that I forgot to check altitude. Got the pull sign and pulled @ 4000. Looks like I have to repeat L3 too. That's what the JM's are there for. In a way I'm glad I made the mistake 'cause now I will never make that one again.

[LittleJumper 0]

John: We must have missed each other on Saturday. Who were your JMs? I had Tina in the morning and Avy in the afternoon.

[iamcolin 0]

Level 8?
Is that the last level?
There are only 5 PFF levels in Canada. Thats strange!

[Michele 1]

Isn't Canada's method a combination of either tandem and aff or static line and aff? I could have sworn that I read somewhere that Canada uses a three tandem, 5 aff system, but I have been known to be wrong....
Ciels-
Michele
"What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky".
~e e cummings~

[iamcolin 0]

I'm not totally sure.
The way I did it was one tandem. One IAD.. (I guess your guys Static line.) Then I went into my PFF.
Can you go straigh to AFF without any previous expirience there?

[Michele 1]

Yep. I took the first jump course, and pitched right on out with two jm's - one on each side. Never did a tandem; still haven't. (and gawd is that video hysterical! - I'm up there, sightseeing, and totally forgetting that I should do something other than check out the view...)
Most people do a tandem, and then all 8 levels of AFF (although some places have 7 levels). All the requirements are the same; I think it is a matter of how the particular school decides to divide the skill requirements. For example, our level six was unstable to stable, and then track, while it is different at other schools. Some combine unstable with several other requirements, which would eliminate the need for an "extra" level.
I really don't know. I can only tell you my experience (which is, btw, none...)
Ciels-
Michele
"What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky".
~e e cummings~

[LittleJumper 0]

We have something similar...T1 & 2...then CATC on up...but we do have something like a level 8. CATH!

[bill2 0]

Hi Jason, I repeated my level 3 and 4 because of a spinning problem. Once I managed to get my legs symmetrical, I was fine. The problem was the same as yours, I had one leg sticking up. Just think of it as doing an advanced turn before you've been trained to do it. Also, the toe taps are a good tip, they help you to realize just where your legs are and get them back to symmetrical. good luck.

[lippy 869]

In Reply to:
Isn't Canada's method a combination of either tandem and aff or static line and aff? I could have sworn that I read somewhere that Canada uses a three tandem, 5 aff system, but I have been known to be wrong....
___________________________________________________
At the DZ I jump at, you can do one static line, then move to AFF. I have heard of DZ's in Ontario, Canada, where they don't do any IAD or static line, just tandem and tandem progression to AFF.
Live to Jump, Pull to Live
Lippy