Julie

YAAAAAAAAYYYY Michele!!! I actually have tears in my eyes....I'm so happy for you!!! CONGRATULATIONS! Have Fun! Julie

Hi Fred I also did (am doing) static line. I am a total and complete klutz and can really relate to walking into doors and walls while sober, sad but true. I had an incredibly difficult time getting the flare thing down. I really wanted to quit and talked to the guys at the DZ about it. Finally took a few days off and really worked on my landings and got it figured out. Then came more time in freefall. I was the absolute queen of the wild spin and couldn't figure out what I was doing. I also have a habit of bringing my legs up too far and backsliding. Anyway, after wandering around with a pole across my back and playing like an airplane on the ground, I made a jump with my instructor holding me. I finally got the feel of being stable and am beginning to "get" how to really control turns. One thing that really helped for me was the extra time in freefall. At first, it is such a short time, I felt rushed to get good and stable. As I got a bit more time, things smoothed out a lot. I can actually relax and smile in freefall which is something I thought they were being a bit unreal to be telling us all to do...yeah, right. But hey, it works! I also would spin when I first went to a wrist alti. I was turning to look with my shoulders. To help with this, I was given both a wrist and chest-mounted one. That way, I could use either one for a couple of jumps. That also helped. Don't give up. As everyone has said, I think most people have thought about it. As Michele said, I too am afraid of heights and REALLY don't like the plane, but after getting 60 seconds of freefall...it is really worth it! Hang in there...you can do it! Have Fun Julie

Yes, this is newbie stuff, but... I just had to tell everyone...I've made it to jump 17 (YEAH!) okay, two were tandems, but...I got to jump from 13500 yesterday (I started on S/L and am a VERY slow learner)...and I got to jump from the King Air and not the C182! I had an absolute blast yesterday! I went through a period there where I couldn't land worth a flip and wanted to stop before I really hurt myself. Worked hard and got over that and now with freefall it is absolutely amazing. I love this stuff. Enough ranting...I'll stop now...but you guys are the only ones who get it...thanks Julie

Hi Fred (hey I can finally post again!) I have just started my FF progression from S/L...I've made it to 30 second delays and it is INCREDIBLE! I was a little discouraged for a while because of my landing so took some time off to spend at the DZ and worked on landing, but in the meantime got to move up with the freefall. Too cool. It's actually becoming much more fun. I was freaked by the plane and now I've caught myself looking straight down, head out the door. Anyway...what I was replying to was the bruising. I come home every weekend covered in bruises. I finally asked about the ones on my upper arms, especially on my right. I was told that because I am using student gear, it is a little "tall" for me and if I don't get it adjusted just right, when the canopy opens it lifts the harness just enough to bruise (I bruise very easily anyway)...so that is what I was told. Have fun and enjoy. Julie

Hey...I'm not a () anymore! Yeah HAVE FUN Julie

Yeah, I figured out how to post again (I am NOT a techie!) I now have SEVEN jumps! I get excited thinking about it :) I got lucky and have most of next week off so off to the DZ...even if I don't have any money. Hope to make some real progress next week, especially with my landing. HAVE FUN Julie

Hi all, Does anyone have any recommendations on videos? A friend has suggested one from Skydive U. on canopy flying and landing (which I REALLY need...still have only one landing on my feet and they are getting worse!). Some of them I have seen online are so expensive, I hate to spend the money if they aren't really going to teach me anything or are way over my head. I just got off the static line (YEAH!) and only have two jumps on my own (total of 7 jumps plus 2 tandem). Gotta keep it simple for me :) I need something to look at when I can't get to the DZ! THANKS Have Fun Julie

I finally found a use for my old scrubs I wore in the hospital...the ones with elastic cuffs at the bottom. They are cooler than sweats and actually are sturdy...I pretty consistently land on my rear and they are holding up quite well. Don't know about the freeflying part though...I haven't gotten quite that far yet :) HAVE FUN Julie

Hi Monk Sierra Vista...right in between :) I actually have offices in both Nogales and Douglas though Julie

I'm Julie Luttschwager. I'm in (very) southern Arizona and work (?) as an RN for a non-profit. If I keep this up I may have to go back to the hospital and make real money...I only have so many household goods to sell :)

Hi Kimmer It's funny how we all seem to focus on what we feel we did wrong, and completely forget what went right, and what YOU did right...remember that. I had that royal screw-up and really didn't want to get back up in the plane (even though I went right back up the same day). Well, Saturday I was back. I was imagining everything that could go wrong. One thing I did was practice A LOT on the ground. I caught myself visualizing my jump, complete with action, which did catch the eye of more than a few people! Anyway, had my best jump yet...the practicing really does work :) Even landed on my feet!!! YEAH! Anyway, don't beat yourself up too much, try to remember what went right and how that felt. Albatross...I had to laugh at the calling your mom and you're almost 30...I'm 40 and have to call at the end of each jump day...it doesn't end :) hey...how can I get faces IN my message? HAVE FUN! Julie

Hi all... Thank you SO much for your replies. I really needed that. I watched some video, looked at some photos, did some reading and can't wait to get back. I know what I did wrong, and yes I now know I can pull the right handles. I'm so grateful I found this group. No one around me understands this need to jump. As most of us have experienced, most everyone you know thinks you are a bloomin' idiot. I had almost convinced myself of the same thing. But I guess I'll just have to be a bloomin' idiot in the sky! :) Thank you all for your encouragement! Enjoy Julie

Okay, I didn't really want to post this for all to see, but... I am really new to this. I have had two tandem jumps and had started S/L (yeah, I know). I had one "good" jump. Okay on the exit (a little freaky standing outside the plane) and arch. A few line twists but kicked out of them and actually landed (on my butt but on target). On another jump, I was to do a PRCP. Instead, I grabbed and partially pulled the the red breakaway, only halfway! When I looked up , saw the mess I had created, and realized what had happened, I finished pulling the red and pulled the silver, got under a good canopy and flew home. I was a little freaked out but not totally. I felt I knew what to do. Decided to go up again, try this one more time that day. Did another PRCP without any trouble. On the way up I rehearsed over and over, deep breaths, was feeling pretty good. Now it is the next day and I am REALLY freaking out. I've had more time to think about it and now I am getting scared. I'm pretty sure I won't repeat the same thing. :)That's one way of teaching me, but a little too dangerous. My instructors told me it happens sometimes, but still. Now I even wonder if I should go back. I absolutely love it, and am scared most of the time, but that hasn't stopped me yet. This really scared me. And I did it myself. Just had to talk and get it out. I know I don't post often (actually twice) but read this routinely. I just wanted some feedback. Thanks

Hi I found the Integrated Student Program (ISP) on the USPA site under Safety and Training. It's about 75 pages downloaded. Enjoy Julie

I'm so glad you posted again. I'm REALLY new at this but already I feel totally addicted, and scared quite often. I've only had two tandem jumps and one S/L and you've given me a bit more courage. Thanks