TFFTM

I feel very fortunate to have learned at a small Cessna DZ here in Alabama. No frills, but great friends and tutors. We still learn to spot and pretty much get graded on it every time. Graded may not be the right word We land into the wind not with it. If we need to adjust the landing pattern we adjust it, and everyone is safe. We treat everyone from thier first day there as family. We sit around and tell the same old lies and, depending on the amount of beer, probably some new ones. I love to sit and listen to some of our older members talk about some of the things they pulled, stories of the Cotton Belt Conference, Little make shift DZs and traveling all over the South to jump. I know that my jumping experiences have been enriched by these souls and I dread the day they decide to hang it up. All I can hope is that I take some of there values, methods, and the balls to "Do The Right Thing" with me to the next generation of jumpers. Thanks Guys....

Congrats. BSBD Home of the Alabama Gang

Agreed. I gave mine away cause it didn't fit with the previous years.

I would go ahead and get started. Its not that bad in the winter. Just remember layers,layers,layers, good gloves and thick socks. I did my first jump in winter like temperatures and other than the 'SNOT' factor everything was cool. I would probably recommend a full face helmet (if allowed on AFF) . Get er' done and you will be ready to play when the season gets in full swing. BSBD Home of the Alabama Gang

I didn't know you could launch CRW out the door.... Billy V Buddy says hey... Hope to see yall soon in Cullman BSBD Home of the Alabama Gang

I think I wet my pants. Damn that looked low. (GKCRW#2) BSBD Home of the Alabama Gang

A bunch of our regulars go up there on occasion. Maybe after the WFFC I'll get up there too. The only CRW I've done is me on the 245 with another jumper matched under an identical canopy or jumping a slightly smaller canopy. Of course that means they have to pin me. See yall up there soon. - Daniel I'll tell Buddy-I think he is leaving in the am too for the WFFC. BSBD Home of the Alabama Gang

I actually grounded myself once during static line training. My original classroom instructor didn't put me out the first 3 times and I did great. He then put me out 4 times and I did horribly. I couldn't seem to focus, had alot of anxiety leaving the door and had very unstable exits. When I reached that point I decided that I wasn't going to continue. I still hung out at the DZ and one day had the opportunity to do a instructional tandem and fell back in love with the sport. I then went AFF and did great (Different instructor). I believe some instructors and students do better together than perhaps other instructors. Kinda like having your favorite teacher in school. Nothing against my first instructor but he and I didn't see eye to eye and his particular teaching method left me confused and anxious. So going back to TOMBUCH's post "If you are having trouble with a student I'd suggest asking another instructor to take over. After a few instructors have handled the person and identified the same problem grounding is in order. " I think thats right on the money. If someone really loves the sport a grounding will only make them want it more. They will focus,train and try to succeed the ones that you ground and never come back probably should have never been there in the first place. BSBD Home of the Alabama Gang

I would love to do some CRW. I have limited bi-plane, 2 stack experience and am jumping a SharpChuter245 exit weight @ 200lbs. I would be very interested in getting some help/instruction. The knowledge base at my home DZ is generally limited when it comes to CRW -except for the occasional visitor-.Look me up at the Alabama Gang Tent. We will be arriving late Wednesday night(3rd). - Daniel Edwards BSBD Home of the Alabama Gang

Beth PMed me the number. I called and officially registered. Can't wait. BSBD Home of the Alabama Gang

I finally got the funds to pre-register and try to win the jacket on the last day and now the web-site is not pulling up (DNS). Anybody know whats up? BSBD Home of the Alabama Gang