You beat me to it! I was just thinking about writing up how the day went. I completed both AFF 1 and 2 on Sunday and it was a great day! I did the ground training Thursday while it was pouring rain. I was the only one for that day so I got a private lesson with Elsinore’s AFF director Barry who is awesome. On Sunday I got to the DZ early on Barry's recommendation to avoid the rush and got on the second load of the day. Just as with my tandem I had nerves on the way up, and the negative temps at altitude didn't help, but they disappeared as soon as I took my position in the door. My practice touches went perfectly and I loved the forward movement part which I don't believe all schools do on AFF 1. My chute opened perfectly and I flew the pattern to a stand up landing which made me so stoked! An experienced jumper complimented me as he walked by and I got a round of congratulations on the short van ride back to the other side of the field. During the debrief my main instructor Tina said that sometimes they do like to look into a students eyes to see if they are all there during a jump but said at no time did she feel that was necessary and she was really happy with the jump. Barry also told the schools manager later that I did really well which was great to hear. The signs I did get were to arch more on the way out and to extend my legs more while in free all. As for the glasses situation, Barry tested a few options with me and wearing flex vision over my glasses seemed the best way to go. I never felt at all like they would come off. As it got busy the schools manager decided to be my instructor on my level 2. During a practice arch on the ground he pinpointed where I could improve - I was arching too much from my chest instead of my hips. This little change definitely made a difference and improved my next jump - especially the exit. On the way up both my instructors smiled a bunch and quizzed me repeatedly on the relax signal probably to emphasize the having fun part. Again everything went great and the exit was smoother with my new arch. The canopy portion was a bit more interesting with the winds at 13 and near the student limit. This is probably one area being a pilot did help since I knew about crabbing and the process came naturally. This time I wasn't able to stand up on landing and gently fell over. Both my instructors were thrilled though with both the pattern and flare and told me the winds shifted at the very end. I was at the complete opposite end of the runway on this landing and saw the van leave thinking it would come get me but it soon became apparent it was going for someone else. As I started the walk back a group of people was gathering around someone on the ground on the other side of the runway. Ofcourse it is was only natural to assume the worst and I was about to run over and see if I could help as an EMT when I heard the sirens. I don't want to speculate too much since I don't know the whole story but from what the instructors said, the student on their AFF 1 pulled the toggles to head level and never flared. Apparently they tumbled a lot on impact. It was a slightly negative end to the day but the student should be ok and I had an awesome time still. The next step is tunnel time. At Elsinore if you do 15 minutes with an approved instructor After level 2 and then you do well on level 3 you get to skip level 4. I see it as a no lose situation and I can work on my legs. I had certainly read about it but one thing I realized Sunday is just how friendly and approachable everyone is. I talked to a number of people while waiting for my jumps who were super friendly and just excited to get out and jump. I even had another instructor who heard about my glasses issue and basically said to forget about the issue and have fun. I have definitely found my new addiction.
