tkulczyski

Welcome Stangbanger! I heard one of my previous instructors tell someone just this past weekend to save up at least 1/2 the money that it will cost to get your A license. That way you can continue to jump one after another w/o having to worry about money and possibly having to go 3-4 weeks in between jumps! Muscle memory makes a huge difference! I didn't do that! I just hand my Credit Card to Manifest and pay it off every couple weeks! Blue Skies! "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided

Well, as a VERY new jumper, I say welcome to the life of skydiving! It's great that your girlfriend supports you, and just remember to pay attention to everything your instructor tells you...And do what he/she says! Have a great time! "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided

Excellent suggestion! Thanks. I plan on talking to my DZO about retaking the AFF class prior to jumping this summer as well as attending Safety Day (even though I won't be able to jump when the rest of them begin). I'm told my DZO may even require me to retake the class, which is fine with me! "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided

Yes, landing is essential! "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided

Don't forget about the big pile that got dumped from the smoker's car ashtray! That's always pleasant to see upon exiting my own car....especially when I step in the pile!!!! "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided

Voted! "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided

Thank you for such useful information! I did begin to flar initially, but lost focus due to a radio issue and let go of my flare "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided

Thanks for the advice! Did you jump after your fusion? I'm curious. "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided

Actually, I started to flare, and once I realized that my radio wasn't placed on my ear correctly, making it difficult to hear my instructor, I lost focus! For mere seconds! By the time I realized I had lost focus, it was too late! I had let up the little bit of Flare I started and smacked the ground! "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided

You bet ya! I will surely be overly protective of my landings from here on out! "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided

My radio wasn't on my ear, and I started to focus on that rather than the fact that I should have started to Flare by that point. Once I regained focus and looked ahead, it was too late. I started to flare but let it go, apparently "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided

Your right! I was told to only listen to my instructors, but I'm told this is a great place for support! Thanks "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided

Hello everyone!I just wanted to share my experience and ask for any advice, input, etc. On October 7, 2011 I started my AFF, and on October 22, 2011 (my C jump), I landed far too hard, suffered a T8 Compression Fracture and had T6-T10 Posterior Fusion. After 8 weeks in a brace, i'm now in week 3 of P/T and healing well! My family thinks I'm crazy for wanting to jump after such an ordeal, but I'm convinced that I made a stupid mistake and will learn from it and go on to become a licensed skydiver. My surgeon tells me I should be able to return to jumping as soon as the summer of 2012, which excites me to no end! I will, of course monitor and listen to my body, but I'm super excited to get back into the sky! "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided

Hello everyone! I have heard so much about this forum that I had to check it out. I am told that there is a tremendous amount of support along with even more wisdom! I'm new to the sport, but the minute I boarded the plane for my first tandem on September 17, I fell in love. I took the AFF course on October 7, 2011, and on October 22, 2011 (my 4th jump) I came in way too hard, suffered a T8 fracture and was admitted into U of M for a spinal fusion. The Surgeon said I should be able to return to jumping as soon as June, 2012..... I'm nervous and excited, Any words of wisdom? "When you enjoy the time your wasting, your not wasting time" ~ Undecided