airricks 0 #1 August 22, 2005 Well after repeating level 2 a few times due to currency, then levels 4&5 a few times due to a slow spin I couldn't stop, I finally passed level 5 last weekend. Yesterday I went up to try level 6, thinking I would probably have to repeat it but got it the first try! The backflips were awesome. I didnt get all the way around on my first and the second I kind of rolled off to the side but my instructor said I got unstable and regained stabilty and that was good enough for him. I also had a great straight on heading track which was incredible. After passing 6 in one shot I decided to try 7. Diving exit was different and kind of threw me and I dearched and flipped over but again regained stability. Barrel roll was good, but front flip I didnt get all the way over but again I got OKd for going unstable then regaining control. 360s were fine and again tracking was fine and on heading. I love tracking! Im looking forward to level 8 which is all tracking! I landed this and the last jump with no radio and graduated AFF! I also started learning to pack yesterday (actually just watched for awhile), that's going to take awhile to learn.... It was a great feeling having no instructor touch me from exit to landing, getting unstable and regaining stability myself, and landing and flaring on my own. Im still really excited. I also learned since I have 14 jumps now that I dont necessarily have to do all the levels. I can just keep going through the levels until I have my 25 jumps then try my check dive. It was suggested I then continue the rest of the levels for practice after I get my A. That made me happy learning all my repeated levels actually didnt hurt me that bad (only cost 139 instead of 89). Anyway my goal of getting my A this year is actually looking a little better! Sorry this is so long but Im still excited and long winded about it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy_Copland 0 #2 August 22, 2005 Do i hear beer?1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wrightskyguy 1 #3 August 22, 2005 Congratulations!!! John Wright World's most beloved skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plokkum 0 #4 August 22, 2005 Congrats! I'm looking forward to the backflip part too :D Anyway, be safe - have fun!Weee, got my AFF :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mockingbird 0 #5 August 23, 2005 This is great--- CONGRATULATIONS! (I hope to get there soon, too.)Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airricks 0 #6 August 23, 2005 Thanks for the replies everyone! Im hoping to go up tomorrow to do my first jump off student status which is all tracking! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psipike02 0 #7 August 24, 2005 Congrats man!! I just graduated AFF too and made my first solo a few days ago....it was awesome!! Have fun man and be safe... blue skies...Puttin' some stank on it. ----Hellfish #707---- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linc_harris 0 #8 August 30, 2005 Is it just me, or is the beer thing getting old? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OSOK 0 #9 August 30, 2005 Ok, I got two questions. airricks: first of all, congrats!! What did you do, or plan on doing, on your first complete solo jump with no instructor? Just curious... I don't know if when I get there I'll just track for 6,000 feet or so everyone else: I've been thinking about this for a while. Since beer is not allowed at the dropzones (for obvious reasons), how does one bring beer to instructors and such after "first" events? Is it something they overlook because it's a special occassion or something? I think I'd feel kinda silly asking the DZO... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airricks 0 #10 August 30, 2005 Hey, Thanks for the congrats everyone! At our dropzone the jumps after AFF until your A are structured pretty much like the AFF jumps with a dive flow and learning objectives. We can jump with a coach instead of an instructor though. My first jump off AFF was tracking, then the next two were forward motion to docking. The next two I will do are fall rate jumps. I think after level 20 they have it set up to where you can do solo jumps or coach jumps of your choice depending on where you are on your progression card to get things finished up. I like the way they have it set up because I doubt Id learn a tenth of what Im learning now if I just jumped by myself. As for the beer, I have seen the beer come out after the last load is down... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rettrae 0 #11 August 30, 2005 I am going out to do my level seven jump this weekend. This will be my first diving exit. I am glad you recovered so well. Wish me luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fred 0 #12 August 30, 2005 QuoteSince beer is not allowed at the dropzones (for obvious reasons), how does one bring beer to instructors and such after "first" events? Is it something they overlook because it's a special occassion or something? I think I'd feel kinda silly asking the DZO... At my dz, beer is allowed after the last plane of the evening takes off. Perhaps you're not staying late enough? You don't have to ask the DZO. Ask one of the experienced jumpers. They'll let you know how to supply free beer. ;) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airricks 0 #13 August 31, 2005 QuoteWish me luck Good luck! Let us know how it goes! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
