Punky_Monkey

The canopy I am currently jumping is a 215 falcon. Which is why I said I have tons and tons of downsizing to do. And will take a canopy control course. The radio coach I had when on radio said I had excellent flying skills for a "student". As far as confidence being affected I think I will be more comfrotable on that. Currently with the 215 I am backing up, and hanging all of the time. I am very fustrated with it. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

my instructor went with me to buy the canopy... ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

I listend to my instructors advice when I was buying my own canopy. Haven't jumped it yet..Still a student and have tons and tons of downsizing to do. Plan on taking a canopy course when jumping my own. But know I am second guessing the choice and would like some thoughts on it. I have an exit weight of 125 pounds and bought a 120 triathlon. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

I have decided that I am going to do two 15 minute sessions...Each over an hour, so it's about 30 minutes tunnel time total. I am booking with Sally. Might even do a few actually jumps with her if time permits. I feel that, that is the right amount for me. If I had the money two do 2 hours of flying right now I probably would but I also have a flight and hotel to pay for...And then I still have my regualar jumping to do...I do want to get off student status. In Wi where I am we haven't been able to do that much jumping. Between my jump 19 and 20 it was 6 weeks due to weather. I had developed a slow turn when I wanted to fall straight down. I had this problem early on for about 2 jumps. Since I haven't been able to jump much I want to take advantage of the tunnel and work on this and hopefully get back to the point or better than I was before winter and slow jumping began. I fell the tunnel will help but need to save the majority of my money for real jumping and equipment. Everyone was a student at one time so I am sure you can understand. I also wanted to say thanks for everyone help. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

The advise that I was given that I will never forget is... When it is pull time it is pull time. If your on your back and it's pull time it's pull time. When you need to pull, pull. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

I do plan on using a coach when I go to the tunnel, I have also talked with my current freefall coach and he has some things that he would like to see me work on in the tunnel. Which presents another question...Do I use the one they have available or is there another place where I can get one from... Sorry for all the questions but I am new at this tunnel thing. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

Thanks for the insight...it is very helpful..I think I will book for 15 minutes...All I want at this time is a boost in the freefall skills. Especially after this winter in WI..I haven't been able to make as many jumps as I would like. Next year I do plan on doing a tunnel camp. Thanks again for the insight ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

I am planning on going to the Orlando wind tunnel in spring. By then I will be a licensed skydiver. (for those concerned in canopy control I will be taking canopy control seminars/workshops this summer) I want to work on basic skills and maybe touch on RW. But the question remains how much time should I book? I have been told 10 minutes for a 1st time tunnel flyer and then have also been told as much as I want.. Someone please help How much time? ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

It was....It was also nice of them to let me make the decision to pull myself off of the radio...Actually since they were only telling me jokes and singing they already had pulled me..But having the security of the radio and knowing someone was there did help alot.... ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

I wasn't suppose to have the radio on that jump...I do read all I can and talk to everyone I can and that does help calm me down...But until I prove to myself that I can do something I am very fearful of it...Hence why they kept telling me jokes and singing to me on the radio...They knew I could do it I just had to prove it to myself that I could do it...Guess it's a confidence issue.. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

Some of the new jumpers do want to know all they can about the gear. I am still a student that is always asking...If something doesn't look right I ask...I ask what if it was like this? What would happen. I know I am still a student but all the knowledge that I gain can one day save my life or save someones. Knowledge is power in this sport and it is that power of knowledge that keeps everyone safe. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

Fear for me was the "Door" still hate it but learned to deal with it...The ride up I would be telling myself I can't do this. What am I doing this for? I would get down and be giddy like a little kid on x-mas. I still hate the door but had to find a way to deal with it. It started with getting for warning to when the door was going to open. JM would turn and say in about 30 seconds the door will open. After this going on for several jumps. Becoming more involved with checking my equipment I became more comfrotable. It went to what am I doing this for, I can't do this to...You did this how many times before? You and your instructor checked over your gear you know it is fine. Still hate the door but no warnings anymore and when that good all door opens I just tell myself. You can do it, you have done it and you love this once your in the air. The more exposure I got to the door the better it became. I more or less got used to the fear and it calmed down to an extent that I could deal with it. I also had fear of being off radio. What if I did something wrong. I flared at 30 feet and really scared myself even thou I could have stood that landing up. A few jumps after that they were ready to pull me off radio and I fought with them. I got to keep the radio and guess what...All of a sudden they are telling me jokes and singing to me...Still wouldn't give it up even thou I was doing it on my own. Then this weekend I kissed it good-bye...Jumped in the snow...Lost sight of the airport and couldn't find it...Made a decision to find an out found a nice big field and landed. (During landing pattern in field did find airport again) All on my own. Got back to hanger said didn't want the radio anymore. They knew I was going to land in the field and didn't say anything!!! They could have helped!!! But then again it was jump 20...Because they didn't say anything and I did it all on my own I gave it up. If they would have helped out I would probably still be reaching for the radio. In this case I think it is fear in the form of lack of confidence and when put to the test and found out I could and had done it on my own I found that confidnce and realized I could handle it. Well, that's just my fear story's and how I handled them. Still do hate that door, but no longer fear it. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

I just did my 1st winter jump and what a rush seeing everything in snow... I wore long underwear and jeans that were lined with fleece, then covered that with a one piece snowmobile suit. Stayed warm. The snowsuit will probable affect your fall rate. (In my case I actually fell faster do to a better fit then the student jumpsuits) As for gloves still working on that. I froze my fingers. Had football gloves on but couldn't get a latex liner under. They only did get could under canopy so I am still on the look out for a different pair, or I'll just stuff another pair in the snowsuit and pull them out and put them on when under a good canopy. p.s. it was only 5 degrees at 10,000 feet and I am a big wuss when it comes to being cold. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

I am still currently under radio at Jump 19...Ready to finally pull myself off...I keep the radio for so long to build my confidence. I flared at 30 feet when they were about to pull the radio from me. (that landing I actually could have stood up thanks to the wind and light wingloading) But scared the hell out of me because I know what could have happened. All they have been doing since is telling jokes over the radio and singing to me, giving me minor corrections when needed. My last jump I did a brake turn into my final, I was scared they were going to yell at me. It was the lowest I had ever turned into my final. I got down and said I was sorry. They basically said what for? You did the right thing, and that my landing was beautiful. Stood it up without even needing to take a step. After that I decided to pull myself. I guess what I would say is stick with what will work for you and what makes you comfrotable and what makes you feel safe. Just my 2 cents. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

When I did my static lines I sat with my back to the instrument panel and the instructor sat facing me. It was kind of a pain if you were not the first one out having to slide up there. But on the postive side I think I got comfrotable with the "door" a whole lot faster this way since I didn't have a lot of plane between me and the open air when the time for spotting came. All that exposure to the open "door" did wonders for someone like me and a door issue. Just my 2 cents as a student. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

When I did my 1st tandem I didn't tip. Went back that nite and did a tandem with the same instructor. That next Sat did a s/l. I do feel guilty about not tipping, but now 5 months later not much I can do about it. I did buy my container from that tandem instructor and he was also the pilot when I had a major freak out at the door early on. The jm with his help got me out the door. I have told him that thanks to him and the wonderful tandem I had with him that he started my skydiving career. I have also asked him if he would be on my graduation jump. (Hopefully only 6 more jumps) Don't know what to do to make up for the not tipping now. I guess it's probably a little to late. So I do my best and try to learn everything I can to make him proud. I guess what I am trying to say is if you want to tip, tip. I am sure it will be appreciated. I also think sometimes that maybe the biggest tip is going from a once in a lifetime jump to a lifetime of jumping because of a great tandem instructor. But still wish I could do something for him. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

To finally get my A license (only 6 jumps left if I don't have to repeat any) To finally be able to hang from the strut on exit without doing my famous turn. To feel confident of my flare (a flare at 30 feet up can tend to freak you out) To learn as much as I can and jump my butt off this Spring and Summer. To get my B license and take coaching courses. To not have to buy as much beer for landing off DZ. Hopefully when I am jumping my own canopy this won't happen as often. I know still a student but everyone needs goals.

I just wanted to say as a student I plan on getting a dytter only after I am liscensed...I don't want one on student status...And I am saying this after a bad 10 second delay which invoveled back flips when I let go of the strut. (yes, I did get myself stable and pulled at correct alt.) I was scared at the time but the only thing I could think was Arch, arch, check alt., arch...If I knew I would hear that think bailing in my ear I would have just kept fighting for the arch not worring about what alt I was at until I heard it...In my mind this would have been a bad thing. So as a student i think if students are going to use them fine but then set them much lower than there pull alt. and train them that they are just there for a just in case like the aad... Just one student's thought ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

yup, my progression is going great...Better than I thought it would...Did the 3 tandems (just to make sure and they were working tandems)...then did two reg s/l and the three prcp and bam first free fall of 5 seconds...Did another hop and pop last weekend wasn't up for the 10 seconds yet...I did find out that my last hop and pop was more of a 7 second delay (I made them go up a little higher just in case the arch felt right and I wanted to hold it a second or two longer) ...Was suppose to do my 10 second today but got rained out, so did a lot of ground practice with my instructor...So Friday it will be...Plans are a hop and pop and then the 10 second...I want to get through catergory C this weekend and have my A liscense by the end of October...Let's just hope things keep moving along like they are ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

Just thought I would let everyone know that I now have 10 jumps in and will be doing my 10 second freefall tomorrow. Fear of the door is in CONTROL. Once that static line was removed it was an 80% change in that fear. My instructor says maybe 3 more jumps and I can start diving out.. I hope so this strut hanging is getting pretty old.. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

Like I said I am not one to give advice being new to the sport...And everyone is different and something different will work for them... For me it is sticking with the same instructor for now...I had other instructors tell me that the day I was up in the plane and decided against jumping they would have taken me down...Luckly my instructor knew it was just my fear of the door talking...I had been practicing the exit on ground for the last 20 minutes or so...He new me well enough to get me out the door...He also Knew that if I had gone back down that would have been it that I wouldn't have gone back up... I do work with other instructors on the ground and ask there advise but as far as a jump master I will take my instructor for know because he knows how to get me out the door... Will this hanging from the strut ever end????? ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

Welcome and Congrats, I did 3 tandems before my first static line...I have 5 jumps in so far and the door still freaks me out...Probably always will, but just think to yourself what is on the other side of the door... I am also new to the sport so not the one to give advice but if you do continue like you plan find an insturctor who you can click with...I found out this makes all the difference in the world...They are able to charm you into getting out if your freaked and also will ask you if your ready for the next step and not push you into something you don't think your ready for...at least it's that way with my instructor... Good luck and keep Jumping ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation

Just wanted to say hi to everyone...I did my first Tandem jump on July 24th, I thought it would be my one and only of a lifetime...I went back later that night and did a second Tandem jump and even pulled the rip cord that jump (no I didn't drop it)...That's when I fell in love with the sport and decided this is something I had to do...I am doing a Tandem again and then I am talking with my instructor about progression... I will admidt that I do have one fear that makes me think twice about doing this and that is the exit ...To be honest I am afraid that I am going to fall...I know now is when you are chuckling...I realize I am up there to fall...And I refuse to let this fear stop me from learning this sport...I will use it to my advantage in keeping me safe... I guess I was thinking of progressing with tandem so I could become more comfrotable with the fear before I move any farther... Could someone tell me if they think this would be the right thing to do or if they have any other ideas that would help...All suggestings would be appreciated.. ******* Punky Monkey You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them how to fly in formation