Airhead

DO TELL, TRILETE: What in the world are "Barrell Rolls" ?!? Do I ALSO have these to look forward to? Are they an AFF/AFP requirement, or just one of those fun freeflying moves that I'll check out doing ...later?

Hi Dutchboy! Seems no matter what the thread is, it does tend to drift in definite certain directions on a pretty predictable and regular basis . Thoughtful and insightful comments seem to be rare gems! Which I do appreciate(Zennie, For One...You are pretty good at that. I encourage you, dude!) The only thoughtful insightful comments that I have seemed to get at this particular website seems to be to my questions in the training forum. But that being what it is, anyways, thanks for your contributing to an interesting and, um, somewhat enlightening discussion. And I Do love a lively discussion

Faith and religion are NOT NECCESSARILY the same thing. Heaven knows, that I AM NOT "religious". Ha! But I have strong beliefs and faith.

Hi! I AM a Christian. AND a Skydiver. NO...Those 2 terms ARE NOT an oxymoron. Are you a Christian, too? I'm curious as to those that might be believers too, and that may frequent dropzone.com I'd love some feed back from those of you of like mind and faith. Our outlook on many things comes from a different perspective and I'd love to touch base with you. The Alpha & The Omega...the Beginning and the End - The challenge is with the middle!

Hi. I'm "just" a 'St00dent' too...But like you, I ask tons of people tons of questions... ..Here's the general consensus that I'M getting from some of the most experienced jumpers: get as much coaching and JM/Instructor in-put as you can right from the get-go. It is really SMART to work on the basics to really start out with great form right from the beginning. Personally, I'm gonna put most of my first priorities on stability with flying with my belly to earth (is THAT what is referred to as Relative Work???) controlling the canopy (do some DZs actually have training in this area?!?) and landing well/accurately. Have fun & Be safe

How VERY COOL, Squeak! I'm cheering for ya...I'm doing my AFP6&7 this Saturday. It's so encouraging to read about another student's training experiences and how it is goin' for them...YA

This weekend I'm gonna be doing the last 2 steps in my AFP program before the final grad jump & the rest of the jumps to get my A-Licence . I'm planning on jumping Sat.& learning how-to & packing chutes on Sun. I am nervous about doing the FRONT AND BACK LOOPS...I really don't have a visual picture of it...and think if I understood why and how, I can think about it, practicing by visualizing until then. Can you give me some pointers and in-put to help me? ALSO: I need to make a HOP-N-POP for my grad jump! I've never jumped from an altitude less than 9,500! I need tips to help me to prepare myself for jumping from a low altitude with no freefall too. Thanx so much

AS A CHICK IN ZENNIE DEFENSE...! Zennie, I don't think you really are that far off target when it comes to some chicks. Honestly, it is PC for women to act shocked when someone even remotely suggests that $ is a factor in attraction. AWE, COME ON...Ya all need to lighten up. ...Looks, charm, kindness, sense of humor...finances...ET CETERA. It's a whole package issue...

TheBile: Funny guy! Hey, yeah...Go right on ahead naming a gerbil "Airhead" if you so wish. I certainly don't have a corner on the market with THAT name! HA! Like,ah,for sure! - Lila.

I'm in AFP & SO I'm spending all-day Saturday learning how-to pack chutes & encouraging & joking around with some of the other AFF students at my training DZ.

No I don't replace my little girl to jump instead of being with her. The first time I went to a DZ, I went with a bunch of people form my family to watch my brother and neice do a tandem. My daughter was with and had a great time (she was only 6 then) running around outside with a couple other little kids and

Some EX's are real jerks... Like some other peoples Exs, My Ex tends to be passive-aggressive towards me. I'm just worried that he'll try to get between me and my kid, or as a custody issue to bring up later when it comes to weekends, summers, etc. Plus, there really is a risk element, and I've thought about the need to discuss "what if"s...Like if I get hurt or worse...Yet wonder if I should even go there. Ya know?

Hey dude, how 'bout these ? Ya-hoo...Yee-Ha Jeron...Amoe Waffles...Ruffles Adren...Alyn Endor...Fin Zone...Buzz Hey this is kinda FUN !

I COULD REALLY USE SOME HELP HERE! I've made 9 jumps so far. 8 of the 9 were while my 7-yr-old daughter had been at her Dad's for the weekend. I really only felt free enough to spend good amount of time down at the DZ to train every other weekend. BUT the more I get into this, the more I want to be able to be at the DZ to jump. SO, I TOLD MY EX-HUSBAND THAT I AM REALLY GETTING INTO SKYDIVING last weekend when I went to pick up my daughter from his place. ...And that I have been in training to learn and am working towards getting my skydiver's licence. I really wasn't sure what his response was gonna be, but fortunately, it wasn't bad. I even said that I'm trying hard to get training in before winter, and that if he'd like to have her for an extra weekend, it'd be fine with me. Just let me know. He actually (surprise)said that that was something that he's thought about doing before too... But, no problems so far! Anybody had hassles with their EX because of skydiving? I'm treading lightly and cautiously. I could really use some advice here. THANX - Lila.

Well, Rhino... Let's See a picture of you dude! THEN maybe we can give you some tips on presentation to the general public. We're waiting....

AWE, GRETCHEN, SWEETIE... Buck up Lass! I currently live in "one of those" type of neighborhoods. But, It's NOT TOO BAD right, now, though... Remember, things could be worse! Being independent and brave will make you stronger

That is SO funny! I think that everybody really does know how to flirt...It just when you try too hard to do so it comes across kinda weird. Personally, when I want something "special" nothing seems to happen for me. It's when I'm really my "off-beat" spontaneous self and not self-concious that I meet the coolest people...Friends make for the best relationships.

HAHAHA...Yeah, I think you are absoutely right about my whuffo-survival-reflexes rearing their ugly heads! Yeah, I'm sure that when I can REALLY relax, I'll have a major break threw in my ablitiy to move my body in the air...and to enjoy

You really have some GREAT IDEAS!! Especially about the journal of my jumps, etc., and also about drawing out a aerial diagram of the dropzone to go over & practice for different landing setups for different wind directions. Thanx! I'll bring this up with my JMs.

ARRRGH!!! Picture #3 gave me cold shivers ! How scary...You brave dude, and taking pictures of it, too! Wow! Aren't we Newbies easily impressed? Huh?!

Congrats to You

Awe, you guys are mean to your buds, aren't ya!? Geez! Are all guys like that with each other???

0:2:2 Celibate ! Um...2 AFP jumps, #4 & #5. I feel like I owe 2 CASES BECAUSE: 1st jump I Almost backed out- I felt light-headed nervous&sick but JM talked me into it. 2nd jump screwed up landing approach and got lectured from radio guy..who later he helped me begin to learn how to pack student chutes. I'm definitely GONNA OWE BIG TIME when I finally get through AFP!!!

Ya know what they say about paybacks, right??? That kinda humor is kinda crap & twisted, in a nasty kinda way dude. My sense of humor is wacky, off-the-wall but not mean...well, not usually,

HOW IS TRAINING GOING FOR YOU??? I did AFP jumps #4 AND #5 yesterday! Different instructor though that the other 3 AFP jumps. I didn't feel as secure for some reason and had some difficulties: On 1st jump yesterday, AFP#4: Got really anxious on the long Cessna ride to Altitude, was beginning to feel nausious(spelling?) and actually felt the blood begin to drain from my face! For the first time I wanted to back out!....But JM taked me into going through with it. Jump went ok...But I'm wobbly in the sky yet. Under chute was ok. Landing seemed fast and I PLF'd in and rolled a bit. But otherwise was ok. 2nd jump yesterday, AFP #5: NOT nervous going up, but delayed jumping off the platform over the wheel- got help off with a little nudge! Everything went ok, but I'm really surprised by the challenge of smoothly moving my body in the air!!! Under chute: surprised by being off expected Play location! Messed up my landing approach and got lectured later for not setting up right. Landed faster this time...and PLF'd again- but harder ! But am ok... Problem was the winds changed, and I had not thought through well enough how to vary set up landing approaches. I will really need to learn how to do that while I am in the air if the need arises. I was just really intent on what I had in mind already. I did have a radio guy, but had trouble understanding what he wanted me to do... Sorry to say I was looking at the ground and things on the ground more than concentrating on his instrcutions. Although I am learning A LOT, I am frusterated. So much to learn through more experience! Landings are still big time problematic for me... Thankfully, my instructors and other jumpers are encouraging, or yesterday would have been a BUMMER. I do so want to understand and apply what I need to get it right and NOT GET HURT...and HAVE MORE