Tisket

I'd been excitedly waiting for my flip and had a freaking blast when I finally got to do it. My instructor said I stayed relatively on-heading, but I'm totally gonna play around a bunch more once I finish AFF. At the very least, one of my instructors also fun-jumps as much as he can and I'll try to sweet-talk him into coming along a few times and playing in the air with me. AFF may be almost over, but I don't know if I really want to be all by myself just yet. If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

I was stuck at work all day saturday and spent the first half of the shift playing musical fire stations. Managed to complete AFF 5 and 6 before getting stuck on a weather hold for incoming storms Sunday, and we ended the night with the same storms. Now to wait for this week to drag on by so I can do a barrel roll, then get to pick what I want to do each jump for a little while (more flips! That was FUN!) If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

I actually already asked one of my instructors if he'll do that. I've seen it in a couple videos and it looks like fun. If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

Just wanted to update to say that I completed AFF levels 2, 3, and 4 this weekend. 2 and 3 were done saturday and I had my redemption! NAILED the landing pattern after a long week of beating myself up, and level 3 was a beautiful sunset load that I was able to enjoy under canopy while in the playground. AFFs were grounded by wind all day yesterday until the sunset load, and level 4 went flawlessly...I just need to work on more upper body strength to be able to hold rear riser turns. Even though we still had some odd winds, I was a bit long on my final, but still landed safely in the main area. I still hate that my level 1 pattern was so screwed, but it did make the next 3 jumps (especially with the odd winds last night) that much sweeter and less intimidating. And a big thank you! to those of you that responded previously. If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

Saw a few other students posting their pictures here, so I hope it's ok to add mine as well. If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

I don't remember exactly how strong the winds were. I know 14mph is my limit as a student, and the instructors said the big fat student canopies fly at 15mph. I'm definitely sticking this one in my toolbox, I just want to learn as much as I can from it so I'll be prepared when it happens again. If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

Let me preface this by saying that I have already spoken with my instructors and will continue to take their advice first and foremost. I'm also still kicking myself for landing out and not following the pattern, so please, be gentle regarding that aspect. Yesterday, I completed ground school and did my AFF1. Other than working on arm/leg position during pulls(practice touches and wave&pull) I had a very good freefall. A storm had just passed and the winds were perpendicular to the normal landing patterns. There was some argument in the plane as to which way we would be landing (AFF sets the pattern was also mentioned). I was in the playground by 3,000' and played around doing gentle turns and watching my altitude. At 1500' I was facing into the wind and not moving forward with both toggles all the way up. At 1200', I had backed up to the very edge of the runway and was watching my main instructor with the radio to his face, unable to hear him. 500' and I was still at the edge of the runway, though I had cribbed down it a couple hundred feet. 400' and start moving forward again. It'd been repeated so many times that our landing pattern was left turns only. I was afraid of being too high, diving too much from turning, or getting into another skydiver that I didn't attempt the right turn to fit into the final leg of the pattern. I ended up having a good landing in the very middle of an otherwise very bad field. And the radio? It was checked on the ground and shortly before exit and was working fine. Once back on the ground we found it securely in the pouch, turned off. Now that you know my story, what, in your opinions, could or should I have done differently to get out of the position I was in when I was stuck at the edge of the runway? If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

Just got this one a few minutes ago, couldn't attach it (too big) so I tossed it on tinypic... http://tinypic.com/r/nefija/8 If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

I've spent some time watching PD training on the courses, but the onboard video puts it into perspective even more. I wouldn't have the guts to try the vast majority of the stuff the motors guys do on my bike, you guys are nuts! If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

I spent the better part of the afternoon hanging out with this handsome guy. If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

I would be working the night before. My fire station is extremely slow, averaging 3 calls per 24 hours, so getting a good night's sleep is rarely an issue. The other part of that is really not wanting to be up that early to make the drive on an offday when I could be sleeping in. At work, I'd be about 2 hours from the DZ and ground school starts at 8am (shift change is at 7). The current plan is for next weekend, but I'd like to do it sooner if I can, and I totally blame the excitement. If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

I have EPIC news! The bike is currently in the shop getting the carb rebuilt/gone through...And...I found a buyer for it. They are paying for the repairs to the bike and we'll be going to the bank day after tomorrow to do the paperwork with a notary present. As of this weekend, I will be paying for the A-license package at my DZ and I'll start the training the following weekend (unless I can convince someone to come in to work an hour early sunday morning). Sooooooo excited! If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

Ever wonder what to give a fireman's wife for christmas? More hose. If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

Just got off the phone with the parts house. Here's a big surprise, the parts didn't make it from the warehouse to the store in today's shipment. 5 miles away and they didn't make it. This whole project is such a fustercluck. If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

The guy teaching me recommended it and said it's worth it on busy days, especially if I'm packing tandems. Besides, all the other cool kids have one (the staff packers). If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

All aboard the snark train!!! Seriously though, I've been stressed and chose the wrong of the 2 sub-forums to post in. Was all of that really necessary? If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

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First, a little background- 2 weeks ago I did my first tandem and got hooked. I joined here, joined USPA, bought the SIM and a packing tool, and have been going back to the DZ every weekend to learn how to pack. I figure it's something I can start working on now, I'll need to learn it anyways, and I can eventually make a little cash in the process. I've already paid for ground school and AFF 1, but I'm waiting to schedule them for now. I want to have all of AFF paid for before I start so I won't be scrambling to afford the next level. My DZ offers an A-license package that includes AFF and gear rentals, to get you the 25 jumps. It just so happens I have a small motorcycle I've been halfassed trying to sell for a few years. Perfect! WRONG!!! [rant] Like the over-excited genius I am, I threw the bike on craigslist and didn't make sure it'd run first (I did mention it'd been sitting for a few years). July 27th, someone wants to look at the bike, but said they'd need to ride it home. I scramble to the parts house and buy a new battery since the original is dead, then try to start the bike. No fuel in the float bowl. My dad comes over to help and changes the oil while I'm screwing with the carb. I scrambled to pull the float bowl and the needle was stuck. My own fault for not draining the carb before parking the bike when the battery died. The buyer gets there, watches us work on it, and commits to buy the bike if I'll get it running and deliver it to him. No problem! I order a new needle the next morning, update the guy about everything, and of course he backs out Thursday night. The needle came in late Saturday afternoon. I hate fedex... Overnight saturday, someone else messages me and wants to see the bike. Sunday morning, I get to installing the new needle and the first time I cut the fuel on, gas starts pouring out of the overflow tubes. Thinking I accidentally flipped the float, I drop the bowl and flip it over. No gas in the float bowl at all, so I flipped the stupid thing AGAIN and it's fine. There's gas in the bowl, it's not overflowing, but the bike still won't run. While I'm at work yesterday, my dad comes over and takes the carb off the bike to disassemble and clean it. Well, while he did pull the jets to clean them and cleaned whatever other pin that was stuck, he also cut a hose clamp, ripped the float bowl gasket, nearly stripped a few screws, dented the fuel tank in 3 places, and chipped the paint down to the metal. My bike *was* completely flawless. I have no idea what to tell the new possible buyer (they're coming over to see it in 2 days) and I'm afraid they'll back out too. I'm stressed to the max about getting rid of the stupid thing. I should have had it running before listing it, but I got excited to just get it out there thinking it'd be like every other time I listed it and never got a response. [/rant] If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

I am very much not thrilled about it at all. Part of the problem is how close I live and work to the CDC and Emory, part of it is what others have mentioned. I can understand that we have 2 amazingly capable facilities next door to each other, and the desire to bring people home to be treated. We can't exactly ban a US citizen from entering the US due to a disease/illness. I'm more concerned with the hypochondriacs that will sneeze 3 times instead of 2 and cause a false pandemic situation, taxing the already burdened hospital systems in Atlanta. You'd be surprised how many times a day the different hospitals go on diversion. If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

Well, I spent a few hours at the DZ yesterday, hanging out with the packers and watching them do their thing. I know I'm nowhere near ready to officially pack anything yet, but I was able to cock the drogues and uncollapse the sliders. It's a minor thing but it made me feel helpful and saved the packers a little time. I've now paid for ground school and AFF 1, but am waiting a few more days before scheduling them. One of my toys has technically sold, but I'm waiting on a new needle for the carb. As soon as it's installed and the bike is delivered to it's new owner, I'll be heading to the DZ to pay for their A-license package and get started. If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

I've been skimming the classifieds just to see what's out there and noticed something on a few postings... They're requiring the buyer to cover paypal's fees. This is against paypal TOS and they will not hesitate to take action if they find out. The last thing I want to see is anyone get a wrist-slap for something that should be so petty. https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/ua/useragreement-full See section 8.1a Maybe adding some kind of warning when a seller creates their listing (or in the listing guidelines) would be beneficial? If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

Did my first tandem a week ago today (yaaay birthday) and have been riding the high ever since. Other than the rain delay, every part of the process was exciting and awesome. The only thing even slightly unnerving was the weird crab-waddle to the door with the tandem instructor, and having to get on the edge of the door without holding onto anything. After my jump I chatted with a few folks at the DZ, watched the folks that were there for the boogie, and learned about things like SIS, USPA, and AFF. One of the guys even took me through the process of packing a parachute. Right now, my plan is to get to know people and learn to pack. I'm selling off some toys that have been collecting dust and generally saving up for AFF. It's an investment, but I've always loved flying and I can not WAIT for AFF. Any advice, tips, etc are more than welcome. Dontcha love the excitement of newbies? If you can't convince them, keep them confused.