skylord

Gang, Listen, I would like to make the job as easy as possible for a packer of student gear. I feel like I leave a god-awful tangled mess. Tigger at Elsinore was in the packing room one time after my AFF-5 jump. I dropped off my rig, and told him how much I appreciated his work. He looked at me, and laughed in Beavis and Butthead style, and said, "Dude, that OPENED?? Huh Huh......." So boom, I land, collapse the chute, and offer animal sacrifices for my survival . I stretch the lines a bit, just enough for some tension, loop the lines in my left hand, move the slider up the lines, trying to keep it even on both sides. The last half loop I wrap around my hand, and I scoop the chute up, and drape it over my left shoulder. I make sure nothing is dragging. I have no idea what "cocking" the PC is, but if I need to be doing it, just let me know. I reattach the toggles to the velcro, but I don't know if that is the same as "stowing" them. I just want to do this right, so any and all help is appreciated. It's all advice, and I'll be certain to ask out at Elsinore what they think since it is their rigs. Thanks!! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Angela, I've got 7 jumps since Nov. 30th. The reasons I don't have more, quite frankly, is that it takes a lot out of me to jump. I tried to do multiple jumps but it screwed me up on my second jump of the day. I felt tired, overwhelmed, and I bombed AFF-6. I felt more tense going out the door on the second jump of the day, contrary to much of the advice I'd received. That is just me. I need to jump, process the info, and ramp up to the next jump over a period of 24 hours. I'm sure that will change as I move on in AFF, but that is where I am personally at. Other than that, I LOVE skydiving. I just need to move at my own pace, which no one can criticize or adjust. I am comfortable with that. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Well, if you give me a discount I'll buy the altimeter. That way I can claim I couldn't pull on time because of the fire damage!! Glad to hear of the recent good news from some of the rig manufacturers. Let them know they are winning student business with their heartfelt actions. All of you are in my heart and prayers. I look forward to jumping with the Shark, Rich, Yo Yo, Doug, Marie, skyyhi, and all my other Elsinore brethren again very soon. Maybe I'll get checked out in time to do the "ash dive" (as opposed to "ass dive" which is how my AFF-6 exit went) Bob Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I didn't see any acts, except luscious morning dew dripping off, well now I'm getting off point..... Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Man, I was supposed to be headed out on an appointment, but now I can't leave for a few minutes Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Here's my two cents worth, from both sides of the radar scope. It shocks me to be out at Elsinore during their 60 way, and see an airplane fly by, low just minutes after everyone landed. I've also issued traffic (primary only, "type and altitude unknown") when I got the two minutes to jump call from the pilot. The primary was still underneath the jump plane, and when I told the pilot I'd advise him when clear, he said he was done, and going back to the airport. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?? Why even talk to me, then? Anyway, there is no requirement for us to separate aircraft from active DZs, save one instance. The controllers who trained me, though, taught it as a requirement. So if you talk to me as a pilot, you get a vector away from silk (nylon, or whatever). That's exactly the way I put it, too. "November 3 lima bravo, turn left heading one three zero, vector away from silk." The inevitable comeback is, "What was that again?" And then I tell them they were flying into a skydiving drop zone. They are shocked, although the symbol has been right there on the last 30 years worth of sectionals. Anyway, the green light is a guide, look as best you can for traffic, and now that I'm almost self aware in freefall, I sometimes look around for airplanes. Kind of academic, really, but at least I have a better chance then if I never saw it coming. I'm a pilot and AOPA member, too. If I jumped out of an airplane and landed on 25 Right at LAX, I'm in big trouble. Maybe there should be some tightening of the FARs regarding dropzones, and controller requirements if a pilot flies through an active DZ...... Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

No, ALL of you suck! I'm 45! Congrats, isn't it great? (Not sucking, jumping I mean) Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Well you did drink a pitcher and a half! Yeah, Bob! Thanks for feeding us animals. We'll be sure to pass you on your Level 6. Heck, maybe we should go right to 7 since you like those type of exits. Heee hee. It was my finest hour...... Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Your welcome! And don't worry, I would have pulled for you Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Nightingale, I keep getting reject messages. Are you getting any of my emails? Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Shark, Yikes. I feel for you guys. Glad we got to sit down over lunch. I sent the pics to you, but I don't know how to shrink them like Chris does....... I suck. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

OK, I see where I'm screwing up. The attachment is too large, even for one pic. OK you cyber-AFF-Is, here I am tumbling hopelessly through cyber space, I need someone to pull for me!! How do I shrink or compress the file size????? I suck. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Well, damn, that was about as successful as my AFF-6 exit. Let me try it again with fewer attachments. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I went up and hung around, trying to see what I could do to help out at Elsinore for part of the day. My goodness, you cannot imagine the desolation and destruction unless you see it first hand. I'm attaching some of the photos. It's a new digital camera, and I haven't figured out how to rename the pictures just yet. Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Rich, For goodness sake, this is the least we can do. Hang in there, bro, we'll get all of you taken care of. You do the hard work: jumping with newbies who could panic and ruin your day. Let us take care of you for a change, OK? Bob Elsinore DZ AFF Student, and AFF-6 Freestyle Exit World Champion Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Well put, skyyhi! My sentiments exactly! I, too, am proud, and everyone, even if they had 13,000+ jumps, made me feel like I was their best friend and an asset to the sport. Plus I am now the World Champion AFF-6 Freestyle Exit man! Bob World Champion Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Ed, So true. I did my AFF-2 and 3 jumps, and hung around the Elsinore DZ until beer time. I was just a beginner, but they put a beer in my hand and had me tell my stories of life in AFF land around the campfire. We laughed, and if you read my AFF adventures in Safety and Training, you know I landed off on AFF-2. My reserve JM who made the spot, asked me the first thing I thought when I opened, looked down at hostile territory, and how I liked the spot. Because of the beer and camaraderie, I answered honestly. "I'm not sure who, but someone's getting an ass-whupping after I get mine on the ground!" That was a brash statement, I realize, but everyone that heard it laughed. I've never seen any problem with the sky-god syndrome, or ego clashes. And for me to be able to rib a bit about a spot to one of my JMs shows a healthy measure of self deprecation. But back to the point, I'm coming up tomorrow and will do what I can to help out with work and financial assistance. Maybe I can help get a rig, or maybe spotting lessons for my AFF-2 Reserve JM Sorry. Is it too soon for humor? Even with just 8 jumps, you have given me, taught me, and helped me experience so much that whatever I can do is limited by finances as opposed to heart. All my best to all of you at Elsinore! Bob AFF-6 Exit Freestyle Champion, 2004 Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Shark, What else do you need? A place to stay, or have they got the electricity and water back on? Let me know.... Bob 760-458-2153 (cell) Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

This blows. So sorry to read about this! I can't believe it, we've had terrible misfortune with fire over the past few months out here. A week after the wildfires, my office burned up. It actually physically traumatizes you to see that kind of destruction. I was originally going to come out and do my grad dive this weekend, too. But that isn't what's important right now. Does anyone need a place to stay? Is the water and electricity back on? How devastating! Keep us posted firsthand, I'll kick in what kaish I can when the accounts get set up....... Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Sure, you're forgiven! I'm flattered.... Great story, and I am looking forward to getting past that damn door thing..... Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I can't say it any better. Me, too. Don't rush. I've had to repeat Level 2 and now Level 6. To be honest, I felt that I was falling behind since Level 4, and wanted more time to get used to freefall. Now I get to do just that. It caught up with me, and I am lucky to have had an instructor who saw the anxiety in my soul apart from technically passing the level. Don't worry, hang in there, this is skydiving for goodness sake. I'm with you! Skydiving is in the eyes, not technical performance. The solo exit spooked me. It felt much different, but the rules are the same, arch hard, get stable. I did that on my own in freefall after tumbling the exit, so why not right out of the airplane? Hang in there, you are exactly where 90% of us are technically, and 100% where we are at emotionally. Feel free to PM me if you have any other concerns or questions, OK? Bob your fellow newbie Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Good for you! I'm glad you got even with him!! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

You know, I really had the thought cross my mind to just give it up, and always brag at least I did 8 jumps. I'm glad to hear your experience on exits. It is better than before, but I still have some issues deep inside about the start of the jump. As usual, I'm getting past that and looking forward to jumping again. Plus I can't let Darcy kick my ass in AFF Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Hmmm. I think the most telling thing, and I did not make this clear enough in my original post, was Doug looked at me in freefall and could tell I was not comfortable on this jump. He was right. Even after all the things accomplished, including a recovery quickly from a botched exit, and meeting all the technical learning objectives. In the long run, I think this will make me a better skydiver faster. Also, I think it is a repeat of the level, as mentioned in another thread, as opposed to a failure. That's my take. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Santa, Thanks. I don't know what happens sometimes. I feel relatively calm, very excited, about an exit, and then sometimes I'm all balled up inside. That kind of tension isn't good. The jumpers with us on my last jump had the metric altimeters. Very different. It looks like you recovered as I did altitude wise. I'm looking forward to flailing out there by myself. Much of this sport is mental, and performance anxiety is by far the worst I've ever felt, even considering my career is air traffic control. NONE of that is any of my instructor's faults, it is me. I'll get there! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman