mdrejhon

One person emailed me about the use of the word "vidiot-in-training" (which was during the 4th PFF). I have noticed some people and dropzones use the word to describe their video guys. One example is "Vidiots Wanted!" in the employment section of Skydive Orange CLICKY. Apologies to any offended video professionals. I just merely assumed this word was in common use. I guess it depends on the dropzone! Many thanks to the video guy in training for filming my first PFF jump. I really appreciated the video and that is why I gave him a 25 pack of DVD-R discs for him to generously use up for his footage, even if just one or two was for me. I also offered money but he politely declined. He is also my carpool partner and I pitch in for gas! .

Good to know some key areas of training I'll need to do. My first attempt to track did not go well. I messed up and I had an unstable pull as a result. Although I did 3 excellent fast on-heading backflips on my first attempt and a great 360 on my last PFF. I am getting much more relaxed above 5000 feet now. But I am not relaxed enough at pull altitude (4000 feet)... YET! I've pulled pretty well a few times, but I was unstable a couple of times (especially my last PFF jump). That's my priority to fix first. I didn't want to spend too much time restabilizing myself and end up pulling too low. Once I nail that, graduate solo, I'll definitely look at praticing 2ways and such, to pratice my docking. And go from there...

Hey, thanks Fuzzy. I'll definitely be bringing all of this up at the dropzone next I go this weekend. [Edit: With just 1 more PFF repeat and 1 graduating jump, (if done successfully) it looks like I could be solo graduated on time for the first Otter boogie two weekends from now. That could give me a good surge of jumps.]

4000 jumps in 6 years, wow... (No wonder you did 46 jumps in 1 day.) Not possible at a Cessna dropzone that only has a few Otter boogies a year, but I know at least one did 10 jumps in 1 day during the Otter weekend. I will be trying to make all the Otter weekends nearby.

Don't I need coaching for various objectives to accomplish an "A" and "B" ratings? Plus, various RW coaching? I don't think I'd be safe for a 20-way attempt if I don't get any further coaching. Unless I had lots of willing RW 2-way, 4-way, and 8-way invitations this year. It's a Cessna dropzone with about 3 otter boogies a year... Also, I have 1 more prepaid jump and I have to pay $130 for a repeated PFF level (Mainly because of my unstable pull on my last jump)

Thanks for the feedback. Lots to think about. Keep it coming. There's a few-day training camp in October included for the 15-to-20 way attempt (wind tunnel training and training jumps). The number is based on the fact that the last attempt was a 15-way and that is to be exceeded for the deaf record. This will determine whether or not I am able to participate or not. Don't worry, they won't let me on if I don't pass the training camp prior to the attempt. It will be all out of a single jump plane as well (a 30 person rear-exit jump plane, forgot the name) rather than from multiple planes. I'll ask around at my dropzone too, as soon as I graduate "solo certification", to find out what my next steps should be. Definitely objectives the "A" and "B" ratings, and RW type stuff. If I don't feel ready, I'll go for the 2007 attempt but their published guidelines are 100 jump minimum and "B" rating, which looks like is doable in 5 months if I wanted to spend the money... Keep the opinions coming. I'd like to hear more before my next dropzone visit.

Even if I only go two times a month? (4 days per month - full weekend stay two weekends a month)

Hi, Question about timeline of Training. For this year, my inspiration to get 100 jumps this year (if budget allows) is because I might want to participate in an event that requires 100 jumps and a "B" rating (CSPA/USPA). (The event is DWR2005 - "Deaf World Record Attempt 2005", which would be something like a 15-to-20-way attempt) I am now most of the way through my PFF program and am at 12 jumps. That event would be a little over 5 months from now. Assuming I go to my dropzone on average two times a month (after I complete my PFF training), do you think this goal is something realistic for me to aim for -- simply a money issue -- or unrealistic? If not, I'll aim for the 2007 attempt, but nontheless, it is an inspiration since I believe I would be the first participating deaf Canadian. How did other beginners get to 100 jumps in one year, without spending 5 figures? Used rig, etc? Joining a team? Going every weekend? Going to Otter boogies and jump their mind out? Etc? .

Excellent point. I'm 163lb, plus gear would be a bit extra, which would be 185lbs. I realize that 1:1 at 150lbs peforms differently than 1:1 at 200lbs. Probably an ideal wingloading for a first rig purchase would be 0.9 but we'll see how I do, and they'll probably have me demo a reasonably minor downsize (0.8 or 0.9) in the next couple dozen jumps.

Correspondence to the dropzone have determined it's okay. If I am posting at all, then I should not omit details. My embarassements were: (1) An offzone landing. It was a windy day (borderline, had several wind holds) and I was starting to back up. I realized I was slowly floating sideways over a farm building, so I turned crosswind and aimed for a farmfield, then turned back into the wind and did a landing while running backwards. Safe standup (running) landing near the middle of a soft field. For a short while, I was concerned I'd be blown backwards over a building so I aimed for something easy to land in. Just plain embarassing. I knew I couldn't possibly make it back when flying stationary/backwards relative to groundspeed. Got my shoes wet and muddy. Farm landing was embarassing. (2) A low turn landing. On my 6th PFF jump, I did something stupid: I did a low turn 180 landing (fortunately successful gentle standup landing - thank the Manta 288 sq ft for that, and also luck). finished my 180 turn only about 30 or 40 feet above the ground, which was DUMB, DUMB.... they gave me a scolding for that, and that many thought I needed an ambulance before I touched down. (I got lucky: standup landing that wasn't harder than my other standup landings.) I did not turn earlier because of the tree line (not an excuse, I know). That's why I waited and executed what was a low turn because I did not execute earlier turns due to me flying between treeline and taxiway. I can't quite remember what altitude it started at, but it was initiated somewhere under 200 feet. In retrospect, I should have turned right (and higher up) and aimed for the alternate landing field between the runway and taxiway, or just landed downwind. Earlier up, my approach should have been slightly different to land more safely. Many other alternate options. Anyway, I was preparing to do a PLF landing more-or-less downwind but my turn was relatively flat and slow and looked like it would complete, and I was not losing altitude as fast as I expected, so I kept turning, turning, doing the 180 to face the wind, and slightly used the opposite toggle to interrupt the turn. Learning the details of what I just did was embarassing. That was what was going on in my mind. Nontheless, I learned my lesson and I executed more traditional landing approaches on the 7th and 8th PFF's. So that's the nutshell. Obviously, my concerns was related to affecting DZ reputation.

I jumped 8 times in one weekend (completed most of the PFF program). Weather was great, and there were not nearly as many weather/wind holds. [Edit: Here's the CLICKY that tells you a summary about my 8 jumps.] Almost all my landings were standup! 6.5 of them actually. (1 butt landing, plus 0.5 because I briefly lost balance and then regained as the wind-blown canopy pulled me back up whereupon I immediately collapsed it to prevent it dragging me.) Even one pea gravel landing too, 3 meters from center! (Unfortunately, that's also my sole butt landng!) However, there was a lot of near-vertical landings into the wind and two slow backwards landing during my flare (one standup, one soft butt landing). So my feet got a little bit sore after the weekend. My feet are not used to landing shock. I noticed my landings were slightly more comfortable when I had more forward motion. I guess when they downsize me to 0.8 or 0.9, I'll be able to fight the wind better and land more comfortably during those. But that may mean slightly harder landings during vertical descent (strong winds), I'm now wondering if my feet can handle that situation. Since I started off at 0.65, and because I hear 1:1 is a frequently recommended wingloading for a "first rig" purchase, I guess I may have to start off lower like 0.8 or 0.9 or keep renting parachutes longer... After 25 jumps, I think I am shopping for a used rig (after I elict advice from my DZ...) I'm NOT too terribly anxious to even go to 1:1 as a result of my experiences... Don't want to break my feet in strong winds. Any opinions? How did students who started off on a low wingloading (0.65 and less) get to 1:1 wingloading? 0.1 increments? [Edit: I WILL ask my instructor this weekend. But I want to get a bunch of opinions as supplementary info.]

Are you sure it wasn't just a checkerboarded freefly suit? Newbie shopping for my first jumpsuit, and some of them DO look like court jesters...

I re-read what I said, and noticed one of my sentences is subject to misinterpretation: I am rewording it as: I hope this is easier to read. I'll ask around if it's appropriate for me to reveal all, I'm not 100% sure what the standard DZ courtesy is. After all, I am a newbie with lots to learn. Needless to say, I'm glad they had spare shoes.

Oh, I just don't want to put my dropzone in trouble. Probably not, I'm just playing on the safe side and protecting the innocent

Tell that to my sore legs, arms and feet!

Actually, that was my fourth tandem which was a part of Gananoque's PFF program which requires tandems at first, and successfully accomplishing various objectives during that tandem. My first solo landing was only this weekend (as was also my first unassisted exit and freefall too, a few jumps later during the same weekend...)

EIGHT jumps in one weekend! I only had 4 tandems before this weekend. Started my PFF program. Now I'm exiting and freefalling without the instructor holding onto me. Fun! Didn't expect to jump that many times during PFF training. I only got one jump last weekend (the pre-qualifying tandem jump). I tripled my lifetime jump total in just one weekend. So that means this weekend contained all my first solo landings too. The weather conditions was almost good enough that I could have theoretically graduated in just one weekend! If it weren't for those wind holds, of course... Then I'd end up grappling to find money to do jumps next weekend before my midmonth paycheque! There were bonuses too. Two free videos of my jumps, one of them courtesy a "vidiot-in-training". And one jump was almost 13,500 feet in a Cessna, rather than the normal 12,500. That must have been a lucky climb, I heard Cessna's don't usually go that high very well... Have to repeat one PFF level, but overall, I think I did okay as a student. Good stuff though. Didn't hurt myself, but I did have a big embarassment. I have to try not to take it too hard....(I always do that...sigh). The weekend went well otherwise. Canopy piloting was mostly excellent though (for a student), got myself homefield grass unassisted several times with the arrow eliminated, even one on-target landing (pea gravel, 3m from center). I did an excellent job crabbing on that one... Flare was excellent on all but one landing, where I flared slightly too early. 6.5 standup landings, 1 soft butt landing. (The 0.5 standup was a near-loss of balance onto my butt then I recovered as the canopy pulled me back up). Now, it's not all flawless, I got critiqued on several things... But I think they now trust me a little more getting back to the dropzone area without guiding me, and I'll have to endure less of those wind holds ;-) Man, there were so many wind holds... But they're looking out for my safety! I'm somewhat of an inconsistent freefaller. Some things were really excellent (3 first backloops ever, in less time most students can only do 2), finally can do a 360 turn fast and stable. But I screwed up a track causing me to go unstable. I arched and stabilized a bit but not completely. I felt I had to pull while I was still somewhat unstable (because I felt like I ran out of time to stabilize.) At least I didn't panic and did not rush the pull. "Relax" is my main problem at pull time. Pull altitude was reported great every time though. Altitude awareness was reported great, but can't get complacent about that either... It was sure an experience though. Learned a lot in just one weekend! And even, no, that wasn't my biggest embarassment. *blush*. Something I'm not sure I should talk about online. (Needless to say, I think they're glad they flew me on a very forgiving Manta 288sqft canopy.) I think I'll nail it within one (or two) more repeat levels, I'll even ask for two repeats if it is better safe than sorry even if I do the next one well enough, then do my graduating jump when both the instructor and I feel ready. I'm exhausted, so I'm heading to bed shortly. Night all. Blue skies!

My PFF Experience Posted in Safety and Training:

Heya... I'm finally already in training. See other post... Thanks for the help, everyone!

In a pinch, if it's your drive D and not C, you can run the www.UNERASER.com software directly from drive C and scan without using a bootable CDR. I don't recommend this method, but this method works if you are running on a perfectly good C drive.

The software I used was http://www.uneraser.com .... "It can even restore files from deleted and reformatted partitions." You can download it for free trial. The trial won't unerase the files, but this free version can "detect" recoverable files. If the scan detects the orphaned video files, then you can just purchase the software, re-burn the software onto CDR. Then start over again but actually recovering/undeleting the files. Make sure you remember the file extensions of your video files, so that this software can search through the unallocated areas of the hard disk for files matching the filename. For example *.mpg *.mpeg *.vob *.avi *.wmv etc. It's not the only software out there, but this is one of them that might be able to help -- since it's a free trial download (trial version will only SCAN though, won't actually recover until you pay)

Before I can make recommendations... What are the specs of your computer? Windows XP? Windows Me? Windows 98? Mac? One or two hard disks? (Are drive C and D simply two partitions on the same hard disk? Or separate hard disks?) Do you have a CDR/DVR in that computer? Describe as much as possible. In the meantime, to maximize the chances of recovery, leave that computer turned off until further notice. (Unless you want to write off the videos). Just in case a virus/trojan was responsible. There's dozens of file recovery software out there. Only a few of them are appropriate to your situation, since the best way to recover from this kind of problem is the bootable CD method. (Not all file recovery software has a bootable CD option) I paid about $50 for my recovery software, I used an online download and then burned it to a CDR on my laptop computer, and then I inserted the disc into the computer with the sick hard drive...

Computer geek here. First thing.. Immediately STOP using the computer and start your research on recovery solutions on a different computer. You shouldn't have started reformatting. That makes it harder to recover the data. Recommendations: (1) Use a data recovery service if you can afford it. A professional data recovery service, possibly costing about a thousand dollars. (2) If not, research on a good file recovery utility and purchase it online from another computer. Find one that runs off a bootable CDR without needing Windows. Burn it to a bootable CDR. Insert the CDR to your computer containing the bad hard disk and let it scan your defective hard disk for remnants of video files. Copy them off the hard disk to another media, such as a USB drive or another CDR or a different hard disk. Don't make any further modifications to your hard disk anymore (no format, no edit, no create/delete), until you've copied the important files off it. Unless you want to weaken the chances of data recovery. I successfully recovered a friend's crashed hard disk that was exactly like yours. It took me 6 to 7 hours to recover everything, but I succeeded. Unfortunately, your attempt to format may have diminished the chances and you may need to pay for a professional data recovery service.

I'm a beginner, so bear with me. Newbie to newbie. (1) Get some GOOD book, to give you a reasonable primer. "Skydiving: The Parachuting Handbook", 2004 edition. (2) Research on dropzones that aren't too expensive to travel to. Consider the next country, if you have to, or even into Russia if they have a better dropzone nearby. (3) Do a test tandem jump or a first-jump course (or AFF level 1), to make sure you can handle it without chickening out. (4) For training, plan on a vacation for a week away to a VERY GOOD open-all-week dropzone and then start some AFF program (Accelerated Free Fall program). This will set you a couple thousand dollars, give or take, depending on location. Might be cheaper in your location. (5) Once trained, plan on going to a closer dropzone (even a less equipped one in Ukraine, once you've got the education and packing skills, etc.) all weekend at least twice a month at the absolute minimum to stay current and learn new things a little at a time. You'll learn a lot of skydiving disciplines before you even attempt to try "skysurfing". Other than safety, the most important thing in this hobby is MONEY... It's damn expensive! Of course, others will be happy to give better advice than me, but you have a newbie perspective now as a contribution.

Right. I was on a wind hold last weekend. Looking forward to blue skies next weekend!