craig_b

No spanking, I promise. But a related experience to ease the pain. I did my first RW for my A License proficiency card yesterday (thursday) and we planned the dive. My instructor said "no more" at 6500, turn and do a 5 second counted track, don't bother checking your altitude after the 6500 check, by the time you turn and track for 5, you will be right at 4500, the planned signal and pull altitude. Well, I did everything just right except I looked at my altimeter at the end, it read 4500.... Great, Right? Well that took a few extra seconds, the wave off an pull a few more.... he estimated my pull at around 3000, maybe 3500!!! I thought the big rock was looking especially large! Lesson learned here too..... plan the dive and dive the plan. Just glad you pulled in time and not with 2 out. __________________________________________________ _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

Thank you Dave!! And to all that chipped in! Was out at Perris yesterday (Thursday) and on my first jump followed your advice and like a piece of cake I covered each one and loved every minute!! Of course the Nationals are on there right now and it was also a great pleasure to ride to altitude on all 4 of my jumps with some of the greats in the sport. Oh..... my first experience of having a 16-way "chunk" out of an Otter!! Pilot did a great job but what a ride!! I was right after them and last out so I almost ran from the pilot area to the door, caught them in site, the DZ, 5 count for them and OUT!! Thanks Again to Everyone!!! BLUE SKIES!!! _________________________________________________ _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

First, let me thank all of you for the input, the questions raised and the discussion that ensued. With all information at hand, I was with my jump master on Thursday at Perris and we discussed the many options, opinions and ME. It is always the best to be aware of your abilities and experience. The best news is I PASSED that and got it signed off on my A Licence Proficiency card. I find skydivers a very diverse and great group of people. The reason I listen to everyone, even the green newbies like myself, is that they may bring up something completely off the wall that I had never considered. We seem to be like that (lol). These forums are a tremendous wealth for all kinds of information. My best friend and closest mentor is a wonderful woman, D License, 10 years plus, over 2500 jumps and has participated in a few record Big-Ways. My Instructor has been Jim Wallace, Owner of Jim Wallace Skydiving School at the Perris DZ, I think somewhere over 20,000 jumps, movie stunt credits and numerous demonstations. So I have a great breed of jumpers very close to me. But even they say, talk with everyone, get all the experience you can and listen "wisely" for you never know when that strange occurance will happen and at least you have a recollection of what can be done. Again Thank you to Everyone ..... and I passed the Front riser tests!!!!! For those who haven't done this yet, it sure is a different experience than toggles or rear risers! BLUE SKIES!!!!! _________________________________________________ _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

My experience is only out of an Otter and a SkyVan. This is what my instructor told me, and after reviewing my videos found it to be true. For the Otter.... If you "launch" as a student you tend to bend down and jump up (at least you think you are) but you actually launch more in a head down and most likely miss the part of "chest to wind" so your momentum and then prop wash on your feet just toss you on over. For the SkyVan, similiar things happen because you tend to launch using bent knees and jumping upperwards and then the head comes down, then the wash off the back catches your legs and pushes you on over. Now..... I do have fun out of the Skyvan doing this exact thing on purpose now.... solo dive and just going head over heals out of the back..... love it and coming around to belly to ground feels really great. Anyway, keep practicing and trying new ways with little changes, listen to your instructor and if you can have somebody watch you go out and tell you what happened it helps too. I found what I THOUGHT happened was different than what DID happen! LOL Blue Skies!! ________________________________________________ _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

Thank you all..... slow and even input!! My initial reaction if I find pressure is to REALLY apply force even though I know as an unlicenced jumper I need to be smooth and even with almost everything until I get the real feeling for it. I also enjoy the new jumpers, like me, giving input because it is more from my perspective...... then I temper it with the experienced jumpers and instructors. I then discuss it with my jumpmaster that trained me with all the options and he adjusts all of your input for MY style and ability. ________________________________________________ _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

Looking for some advice on what to expect when I do this. I've talked with my previous instructor but always appreciate the varying opinions and experience. I've done my rear riser manuevers and the full performance turns. All with success and no line twists. I am in the process of downsizing so I will be on a 230 ZP (my exit wt is around 185) which I have jumped 3 times with good success and standups. When I pull down on both front risers and start the dive..... what will happen and how fast? Can I suffer a canopy collapse? For the turns, I think I am supposed to use both hands on the same front riser because of the pressure.... and how fast will it turn? Will it dive hard while I turn? Can I pull too hard and fold in one side of the canopy? Nervous, but I will always start all of this high enough for clearing malfunction or cut-away. _________________________________________________ _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

So VERY important.... don't LAUNCH..... I did that 2 times and it is head over heels!! You would really laugh at my video coming out of the skyvan with a "launched" dive exit! Good entertainment for all and I never realized I could do aerobatics!! Sure does teach you to breath and arch though! out of an otter mine comes from bending over and out while hanging on to the bar to see DZ position and then just falling into it at 45 degrees, chest to props. It is the most natural for me, really just like falling out! LOL _______________________________________________ _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

I'm an Otter Baby but have also jumped out of the Sky Van so I can't really comment on the Cesna. But I love the diving exit out of the otter, it is so easy for me.... first one was all over the place, head down, sideways, spinning. But once I figured it out it is my best exit. I just approach the door, put feet and body 45 degrees to the door... chest forward, grab the bar and check DZ location in a relaxed lean out, then I just let go, lean out with a bit of force, chest to the props, body out 45 degrees to long plane axis, arms out, feet out and away it takes me right into the stream. I actually feel stable right on exit but hang with it until I feel what I call the "soft" air, maybe 3 seconds at the most. My description is just what I feel now, have an instructor go over it with you and adjust for YOU. ____________________________________________ _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

Thank you Dave. That was one approach I was thinking of and to somewhat clear my mind inbetween each one also. I always was able to laugh when I tried the rapid succession as the third one always sent me tumbling or into turtle. Perris is such a great place with so many experience jumpers willing to help the new jumpers. I am very fortunate as my jumpmaster/instructor for almost all my jump school lessons was Jim Wallace. I have about 3 true mentors that are watching and helping. So, one at a time, calm and stable inbetween, three SEPARATE manuevers. Thanks Again! Blue Skies Craig _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

Everyone has the right idea here. With me be so new maybe I can help just a bit. At our DZ we can do either straight AFF or do the Tandem and then into AFF level 2. I chose the Tandem and into AFF because I wanted to feel good about landing. Yes, on AFF you are on radio and they do an excellent job of control and the landing flair but I just wanted to get the feeling of it first. I would say go for the AFF, but as all the experienced ones that have replied, talk with your DZ instructors and see what fits YOU best. Remember, every skydive is YOUR responsibility so you need to be comfortable with whatever it is you're doing in that dive. NEVER comprimise that. And the beautiful thing about all these skydivers is, we understand and respect your decision. Have a Blast and Blue Skies!!! _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

"Make a motion to roll out a bed, switch arms to continue the roll when youre on your back and then your belly to earth again." I love that description..... I will try that one. My last roll was perfect but I need more! thank you I had video done for every one of my AFF dives. Great learning tool. _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

Thank you so very much. I wasn't sure on the regulations as to completing on 1 jump. I can get them signed off now because between jump 16 and jump 18 I did all three beautifully. And thank you to everyone for the support. I do relax well, have fun...... and getting unstable in itself can be fun and then a nice arch, breath and it's belly to earth! :) My diving exits work great out of an Otter.... stable all the way! So for all...... BLUE SKIES!!!! _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

I'm heading for my A License and can't quite seem to get one vital part down. In the requirement for doing a Back Loop, Front Loop and Barrel Roll I seem to always get 2 out of 3 and then go unstable. I know the Proficiency Card doesn't say "Jump #" it says "Date" but I still think it is supposed to be done in one jump. Does anyone have a suggestion on the progression thru these 3 manuevers that would make it work for me? Timing, speed, technique, etc? _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

Thank you. I am beginning to really see how the disadvantages can mount up for the competitors with tunnel time. I hope that maybe we can meet at Perris one day. I also hope that my reputation does not precede me... LOL... I'm the one that pulled high and created the new rule for the schools.... GO WEST!! and the same student that had to manuever around a large dust devil a few weeks ago. That said, I am learning SO much from everyone at the DZ. A good mix of tunnel time is the best way I have heard of to get ready for smoother RW jumps. _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

Thank you. But Darn! Being new to the sport has me at a disadvantage for such information. _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

I can just imagine the size of a wind tunnel for the 16-way competition! Ours is a 12 foot diameter and will fit a 4-way of experienced flyers. As you say, an interesting concept. During the nationals I intend to visit the tunnel and watch them up close while they are practicing and then hope to catch the same teams in the air with good binoculars. _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

I admit I am very new but fortunately we have the newest wind tunnel right at our DZ in Perris, CA. I think it depends on what exactly you "suck" at in RW. If it is getting in and docking I think jumping is the best way to learn since you really can't achieve that in a wind tunnel. But if it is once you are close and docking, or getting bumped around, or losing it in a cross over, or just manuevering in the group a wind tunnel can give you great learning ability. We have singles, two way and 4 ways in our tunnel that are currently "brushing up" for the nationals coming next week. A good coach is imperative. Remember, in just a 10 minute time slot you have the equivalent of 10 jumps! Blue Skies _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

We must be from the same cut. I just passed my level 8 two weeks ago at Perris, CA and I'm 54. Yep, "gramps" is cool. So a big welcome to the sport from another newbie and we shall live long with a new passion for life. Blue Skies! Craig _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

I did two tandems and moved into the AFF program. The tandems got me out of the aircraft and the two jumpmasters had me out easy on the AFF. Being under your own canopy is breath taking. Thinking of your "depression" and when you said all you could think about was jumping again it really struck me. That is how I felt many times in the AFF jumps. You get that taste, it is pure adrenelin and you want more but can't have it right away. I had videos done on each jump and that helped me to relive the jump and to study the jump. If you can afford it getting video is a great tool and inspiration. Just make sure you have enough money to go through all of it and not stress too much over the money. I was fortunate and only bombed one level, level 8, and repeated it with great success the next weekend. Sounds like you've been bit by the sport. Congratulations and Blue Skies _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

Just keep hanging in there. I did my level 7 in the morning on a Saturday loved it so much went out for my level 8 in the afternoon and had a bad exit and went into a spin myself. The 5 second rule came in and I pulled.... yep, at 9,000 feet. I thought I was all through and especially after watching my video for days! Went out the next Sunday and had a beautiful level 8 jump.... the next day, labor day, I got my first solos in. Each jump is it's own and we learn from each one. Talking with other jumpers about all the situations really helps so you have a feel for something before it happens. Hope to see you at Perris in So Cal someday. Blue Skies!! _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

Point well taken and my appologies. Maybe well experienced skydivers is a better term. Heck, I'm 54 so I'm a baby and an old guy all in one. Thank you for the advice. _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

Magnificient!! Isn't it the most fantastic feeling? I remember my first tandem and knowing it was the most stupid thing I ever did in my entire life!! And now every time I get to that open door..... "the fun is outside!!" Welcome Blue Skies! Craig _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.

Hi to everyone. I graduated my level 8 AFF 2 weeks ago and have done 5 solos since then. Big 15 total jumps. I look forward to the mentoring of senior jumpers, especially any that are around my home DZ of Perris, CA. I got my first thriller of thermals and dancing away from a big dust devil last weekend on jump #15 and found all of the old timers advice well worth every word. I really love this sport and to all....... Blue Skies! Craig _________________________________________ once you've experienced flight, you forever walk the ground with your head pointed skyward. There you've been and there you long to return.