SecondRound 0 #1 April 8, 2013 As a new student, I am very interested in hearing what Instructors and Coaches have to say about ways I as a student can can the maximum learning value from each jump as I progress to an "A" license. I have looked at the goals and dive flows in the SIM and what I would like to hear are the added things I can do to support my learning. At the same time, I realize that too much advance information may either confuse me or lead me astray. Maybe I am over thinking things, but I am getting antsy waiting for the season to get in full swing here in the frozen, now muddy North. If this is not the proper forum to post this I apologise and will move it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorehambeach 9 #2 April 8, 2013 Relax.... Listen to your coach. Enjoy. Repeat ! BEER Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildcard451 0 #3 April 8, 2013 Open your ears. Shut your mouth. Get off this website. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davelepka 4 #4 April 8, 2013 Quote I realize that too much advance information may either confuse me or lead me astray That's a good thought for starters. There are several different ways to do most things in skydiving, and when it comes to student training, each DZ has their own preferred methods. If you read up and 'attach yourself' to one method that your local DZ does not use, you're forced to 'relearn' that skill. Otherwise, make sure that you fully understand the material you're being taught. There's no shame in asking questions or not understanding what you're being told, it's far worse to step out of an airplane with a full understanding (in your mind) of the situation. Besides that, you can't really say one way or the other how you could be 'better' without having made a jump. Go in with the right attitude, and you've done all you can before hand. Maybe after your first jump and debrief, you can have a 'sidebar' with your instructor and ask if they have any tips on your performance as a 'student', but right now nobody knows for sure how you'll do. Who knows, you might turn out to be a model student. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
towerrat 0 #5 April 9, 2013 Quote What will make me a better Student? 1,000 skydivesPlay stupid games, win stupid prizes! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Divalent 89 #6 April 9, 2013 I think there is a lot of stuff you can learn that won't get in the way of your instruction when it starts, and much of it on the internet. Learning about gear/equipment (terminology, names of parts and devices, how they work, etc), an overview of packing, types of malfunctions, basic airplane safety, key FAA regulations applicable to skydiving (cloud clearances, seatbelts, etc), and many of the BSR's in the SIM. In fact, start reading the SIM. (you can download a PDF version at the USPA website). Also, from the USPA web site, there is an "Online Ground School". http://skydiveschool.org/ I only briefly scanned it, but it seems like it covers things pretty well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites GooniesKid 0 #7 April 9, 2013 Leave your ego at home... Listen to your coaches... Practice in a wind tunnel... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites popsjumper 2 #8 April 9, 2013 QuoteI think there is a lot of stuff you can learn that won't get in the way of your instruction when it starts, and much of it on the internet. Learning about gear/equipment (terminology, names of parts and devices, how they work, etc), an overview of packing, types of malfunctions, basic airplane safety, key FAA regulations applicable to skydiving (cloud clearances, seatbelts, etc), and many of the BSR's in the SIM. In fact, start reading the SIM. (you can download a PDF version at the USPA website). Also, from the USPA web site, there is an "Online Ground School". http://skydiveschool.org/ I only briefly scanned it, but it seems like it covers things pretty well. +1 Refresh your memory....over and over again.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites dthames 0 #9 April 16, 2013 While not an instructor, one thing that I learned as a student was to be proactive and take the initiative, (once on solo status). You might have all week to prepare for your next 2 or 3 jumps, use that time wisely. Read the SIM section that you are working on. Look at your license progression card and see what you need to get signed off on. Set goals for your progression. I always tried to find something that I could practice under canopy and get signed off, in addition to the freefall sign offs. Follow your instructor’s lead. But if your instructor is not actively guiding you to get everything signed off on your progression card, you might want to ask, “Which of these do you think I need to work on now? Or, how can I get these signed off” If you can’t jump because of wind or weather and you are at the DZ, look for help learning the gear, packing, doing SIM section review tests, etc. Be "studious".Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites popsjumper 2 #10 April 16, 2013 Quotewhat I would like to hear are the added things I can do to support my learning. At the same time, I realize that too much advance information may either confuse me or lead me astray. Focus first on the things you can do to help save your life when things go south. - Emergency Procedures: Read bout them, study them, read and study them again...and again, and again until you know them like the back of your hand. - Practice your EPs: Practice them some more....now go practice some more until you can perform in your sleep with your eyes closed AND with one hand tied behind your back (not a joke). - Equipment knowledge: Know every component...what it is, what it's designed to do, what it actually does, why it's there, what to do if it fails....My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skyjumpenfool 2 #11 April 17, 2013 Quote Focus first on the things you can do to help save your life when things go south. - Emergency Procedures: Read bout them, study them, read and study them again...and again, and again until you know them like the back of your hand. - Practice your EPs: Practice them some more....now go practice some more until you can perform in your sleep with your eyes closed AND with one hand tied behind your back (not a joke). - Equipment knowledge: Know every component...what it is, what it's designed to do, what it actually does, why it's there, what to do if it fails.... PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, and then some more PLF's. Some day you'll thank me. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rmarshall234 13 #12 April 17, 2013 Learning how to skydive is not physically difficult but certainly is a mental challenge and I would say requires two very specific things: Commitment and Faith. As for the commitment part - set a goal and stick to it. And when you get in the door of the airplane, be totally committed to the next 5-6 minutes. As for faith - have faith in your equipment, faith in your instructor(s), and most importantly - have faith in yourself. Having said that, practice your emergency procedures and have faith in them as well. If after time you find it difficult to maintain faith in any one of the above, make a change. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SecondRound 0 #13 April 18, 2013 I hope I can thank you personally some day. I am set up for a Friday Tandem then a Saturday static line FJC at Wissota. Once I get my A card and feel like I can jump in larger groups without being "that guy" I plan on jumping weekdays at Baldwin thanks for the encouragement. - PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, and then some more PLF's. Some day you'll thank me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skyjumpenfool 2 #14 April 18, 2013 Quote I hope I can thank you personally some day. I am set up for a Friday Tandem then a Saturday static line FJC at Wissota. Once I get my A card and feel like I can jump in larger groups without being "that guy" I plan on jumping weekdays at Baldwin thanks for the encouragement. PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, and then some more PLF's. Some day you'll thank me. Weather may not be your friend this week. Looks like Wissota's runway will be an issue? Baldwin has already pushed back opening day???? But, good luck whenever you do start up. Look me up when you get to Baldwin. Edited to add... Have fun at Wissota! It's one of the funest DZ's around. Great folks there! Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites potatoman 0 #15 April 19, 2013 The subject just gets me. LOL. Ask your instructor the following questions: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=412173;sb=post_replies;so=DESC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread and this should keep you busy for a while....You have the right to your opinion, and I have the right to tell you how Fu***** stupid it is. Davelepka - "This isn't an x-box, or a Chevy truck forum" Whatever you do, don't listen to ChrisD. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Andrewwhyte 1 #16 April 25, 2013 Physical fitness Proper sleep and nutrition Lack of a hangover Morning stretch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Ron 7 #17 April 25, 2013 Listen to your instructors and don't go getting information off of the internet."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. 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Divalent 89 #6 April 9, 2013 I think there is a lot of stuff you can learn that won't get in the way of your instruction when it starts, and much of it on the internet. Learning about gear/equipment (terminology, names of parts and devices, how they work, etc), an overview of packing, types of malfunctions, basic airplane safety, key FAA regulations applicable to skydiving (cloud clearances, seatbelts, etc), and many of the BSR's in the SIM. In fact, start reading the SIM. (you can download a PDF version at the USPA website). Also, from the USPA web site, there is an "Online Ground School". http://skydiveschool.org/ I only briefly scanned it, but it seems like it covers things pretty well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GooniesKid 0 #7 April 9, 2013 Leave your ego at home... Listen to your coaches... Practice in a wind tunnel... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #8 April 9, 2013 QuoteI think there is a lot of stuff you can learn that won't get in the way of your instruction when it starts, and much of it on the internet. Learning about gear/equipment (terminology, names of parts and devices, how they work, etc), an overview of packing, types of malfunctions, basic airplane safety, key FAA regulations applicable to skydiving (cloud clearances, seatbelts, etc), and many of the BSR's in the SIM. In fact, start reading the SIM. (you can download a PDF version at the USPA website). Also, from the USPA web site, there is an "Online Ground School". http://skydiveschool.org/ I only briefly scanned it, but it seems like it covers things pretty well. +1 Refresh your memory....over and over again.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dthames 0 #9 April 16, 2013 While not an instructor, one thing that I learned as a student was to be proactive and take the initiative, (once on solo status). You might have all week to prepare for your next 2 or 3 jumps, use that time wisely. Read the SIM section that you are working on. Look at your license progression card and see what you need to get signed off on. Set goals for your progression. I always tried to find something that I could practice under canopy and get signed off, in addition to the freefall sign offs. Follow your instructor’s lead. But if your instructor is not actively guiding you to get everything signed off on your progression card, you might want to ask, “Which of these do you think I need to work on now? Or, how can I get these signed off” If you can’t jump because of wind or weather and you are at the DZ, look for help learning the gear, packing, doing SIM section review tests, etc. Be "studious".Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #10 April 16, 2013 Quotewhat I would like to hear are the added things I can do to support my learning. At the same time, I realize that too much advance information may either confuse me or lead me astray. Focus first on the things you can do to help save your life when things go south. - Emergency Procedures: Read bout them, study them, read and study them again...and again, and again until you know them like the back of your hand. - Practice your EPs: Practice them some more....now go practice some more until you can perform in your sleep with your eyes closed AND with one hand tied behind your back (not a joke). - Equipment knowledge: Know every component...what it is, what it's designed to do, what it actually does, why it's there, what to do if it fails....My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyjumpenfool 2 #11 April 17, 2013 Quote Focus first on the things you can do to help save your life when things go south. - Emergency Procedures: Read bout them, study them, read and study them again...and again, and again until you know them like the back of your hand. - Practice your EPs: Practice them some more....now go practice some more until you can perform in your sleep with your eyes closed AND with one hand tied behind your back (not a joke). - Equipment knowledge: Know every component...what it is, what it's designed to do, what it actually does, why it's there, what to do if it fails.... PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, and then some more PLF's. Some day you'll thank me. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmarshall234 13 #12 April 17, 2013 Learning how to skydive is not physically difficult but certainly is a mental challenge and I would say requires two very specific things: Commitment and Faith. As for the commitment part - set a goal and stick to it. And when you get in the door of the airplane, be totally committed to the next 5-6 minutes. As for faith - have faith in your equipment, faith in your instructor(s), and most importantly - have faith in yourself. Having said that, practice your emergency procedures and have faith in them as well. If after time you find it difficult to maintain faith in any one of the above, make a change. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SecondRound 0 #13 April 18, 2013 I hope I can thank you personally some day. I am set up for a Friday Tandem then a Saturday static line FJC at Wissota. Once I get my A card and feel like I can jump in larger groups without being "that guy" I plan on jumping weekdays at Baldwin thanks for the encouragement. - PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, and then some more PLF's. Some day you'll thank me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyjumpenfool 2 #14 April 18, 2013 Quote I hope I can thank you personally some day. I am set up for a Friday Tandem then a Saturday static line FJC at Wissota. Once I get my A card and feel like I can jump in larger groups without being "that guy" I plan on jumping weekdays at Baldwin thanks for the encouragement. PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, PLF's, and then some more PLF's. Some day you'll thank me. Weather may not be your friend this week. Looks like Wissota's runway will be an issue? Baldwin has already pushed back opening day???? But, good luck whenever you do start up. Look me up when you get to Baldwin. Edited to add... Have fun at Wissota! It's one of the funest DZ's around. Great folks there! Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
potatoman 0 #15 April 19, 2013 The subject just gets me. LOL. Ask your instructor the following questions: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=412173;sb=post_replies;so=DESC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread and this should keep you busy for a while....You have the right to your opinion, and I have the right to tell you how Fu***** stupid it is. Davelepka - "This isn't an x-box, or a Chevy truck forum" Whatever you do, don't listen to ChrisD. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #16 April 25, 2013 Physical fitness Proper sleep and nutrition Lack of a hangover Morning stretch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 7 #17 April 25, 2013 Listen to your instructors and don't go getting information off of the internet."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
