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I've been obsessivley searching for information to try and piece together a good idea of what's typically involved in groundcrewing. What are the tasks involved? What is the 'expereince' like? I've got a pretty good vision from what i've read, but I'd appreciate a nice, detailed summation. Also, are people known to groundcrew who have no intention of BASE jumping? How is this practice looked upon? Any additional thoughts or reflections on groundcrewing is welcome. Thanks a bunch!

I'm glad to see a discussion about fear. I just graduated AFF and am getting ready to do my first solos. And I definitly am fearful each and every time I jump. Everything is cool until I get the call that I'm on the next load and I'm strapping on the rig. The plane ride up is tense for me. When the door opens and I see others jump, the fear is still there and intense. But a funny thing happens: As soon as I step out into the big blue sky the fear is gone. and I am so thankful I was able to push through the fear and do it because skydiving is so rewarding. Part of the attraction to this sport I think is the fear aspect. Taking control of the fear and defeating it can be very empowering and can positively affect the rest of your outside of the sport. Plus, each and every time you pull you are saving your life--it is very life affirming--contrary to what others who are not familiar with the sport might saying about us having a death wish or something ridiculous like that. I've asked a few people at the DZ about fear because I was feeling like a wuss for being so nervous on every jump. I was relieved to hear MOST experienced skydiviers say that they still at least a little bit scared every time they jump. One guy said what someone else in this thread suggested. Fear keeps you safe and on your toes. Its good for you. I know I am very new to the sport (10 jumps) just off AFF, so what do I know. Well, I do know for me, the philosophy and mental aspects of skydiving are what keeps me doing it....scared and all. There's my two cents, but I am struggling as well. If anyone has some advice for my first solo I'd appreciate it. Even though I have demonstrated in AFF my ability to take care of myself...I'm still scared as shit doing my first jump alone. My grad philosophies seem not to be enough to get over the fear of finding myself in a high speed spin at pull time. I also am having gear failure anxieties. Especially since the reserve system is different and I don't know what it feels like to pull a functioning cutaway and reserve handle.

Amen to that!

Time spent in a wind tunnel seems to have paid off. After having to repeat AFF 4 twice because of spinning problems, I passed L5 with no problem the first time. Heading correction were piece of cake, 360s left and right were smooth and in control. The light bulb seems to have gone on! Now its on to L6 and 7..the really fun levels. After a few anxious filled and frustrating jumps, I'm having a blast now. All I think about is jumping out of a perfectly good airplane now. Thanks for everyone's encouragement and advice when I was having a difficult time.

Hey, I read your whole story with wide eyes. Thanks. I'm on AFF L5 and hope to finish up this weekend and then on with some more learning and all the fun you're having. It's exciting to see that we can learn and do so much so quickly. Sounds like you have some great instructors up there. Nice job! And more fun to you.

I passed L4 yesterday on my second repeat. I jumped with a great "visiting coach" at the dropzone. Things were pretty iffy at first and I was REALLY nervous and tense. He gave me some good ground instruction, was happy to review some ground school stuff, and at the beginning of free-fall he flashed a big smile...that helped me a lot. Gonna do some tunnel time sat before doing L5, no more repeats!

Wow! Thanks for all the great advice and encouraging words. I'm feeling a lot more positive about my progression now, just knowing that so many other people can and have had trouble with AFF and eventually make it to full-fledged licensed skydiver status. The detailed tips I think will be invaluable in the long run. Again the positive words make a big difference. I'm going to go for L4 again this weekend. If I don;t pass I think I'm going to head up to Perris and put in some tunnel time. Also, after taking in all that has been said, I'm going to request to work with 1 or two specific instructors who are willing to spend some time with me on the ground, instead of being handed off to a different one each time who rushes me up in the sky and down to the ground and hurries on to their next jump with a different student. Be sure, I WILL be a skydiver!

I'm having trouble passing AFF level 4 and I'm in need of some advice since my confidence is a bit shattered after failing L4 twice. The main problem is something I suspect a lot of newbies have...spinning out of control. I'm stable in freefall and intiate turns ok, but I can't stop them. The first time, my left run started and stopped ok. Right turn just kept on turning. The jumpmaster said I had a twist in my body. The second time I started spinning on my first turn and couldn't stop. This time I was told I was too tense and had a bad arch. Up until then I was told my arch was good. I've read a lot of posts and I read a lot about asking the instructors or the instructors will tell me what I'm doing and how to improve. But I usually have a different instructor each time I jump and I feel rushed. They land from their previous jump and boom, they are running back to pack, call my name out and hurry me to gear up...3-5 minutes of instruction and away we are on the very next load. I guess I have several questions I'd appreciate some input on. I've been lurking for some time and I find some great ,detailed, and helpful info in these forums. #1 Is it normal to have so little time with the instructor before the jump past level 2? #2 Am I or am I not justified in feeling rushed and like I'm not getting the instruction I need to progess through AFF? #3 What can I do to stop my turns? Are there common mistakes students make on these levels? Any technical advice would be much appreciated. #4 I live fairly close to a wind tunnel. Would this really help me? Should I spend time in the tunnel before I try to get through AFF 4 and 5 again? I absolutely love to skydive and want this to be a part of my life. But I'm starting to get frustrated and feel like maybe I just don't "get it". At what point should I call it quits? I wouldn't quit at all except for that little thing called $$$... Thanks for all your help. The people in these forums are fantastic!