steveorino

Well ... steveOrino

I jumped with AFFIs as "student" and while that was helpful, NOTHING compared to the Pre-Course with the Director. There you get to see what you will see in the course itself. He/She will make you a better flyer! After 7 years as an AFFI, I only have about 300 AFF jumps (as we are a Cessna 182 tandem factory) and I still have fun and get surprised every now and then. steveOrino

My very first paying tandem (2006) passed out on me. I kicked his feet out in front of me right before I flared. I stood it up. Everything seem pretty easy after THAT beginning! steveOrino

I'll be 60 in 3 weeks. I only have 2000 tandems so I still enjoy it. I can outlast any of our new Tis that are in their 20s & 30s. It is the guys in their 40s that give me a run for my money. Age is a hell of a lot more than just a number! steveOrino

Yep! That is what I do steveOrino

I'm usually painting when I'm not skydiving ... any Alabama fans? steveOrino

Bigun, you know me ... you know I do. We may disagree, but I respect your right to your own conclusions. I have two masters degrees. One in theology, one in psychology. The more I know about either, the less I know about either. Life is journey ... live it! Enjoy it! steveOrino

I have 2000 tandems and 10 reserve rides. On most I had to respond w/o conversing with student. On a couple it was line twist that wouldn't untwist before my hard deck and I asked the student to look up and arch. Whoops! Second free fall ... No extra charge. steveOrino

I'd sure agree with that! Too many wanting to be Instructors as soon as they can rather than wanting to be the best instructor they can be! steveOrino

I got my TI in '06 and AFFI in '08. I trie dot get my AFFI first but I guess I wasn't good enough. I know throwing a drogue all day will diminish some flying skills. so I'd get AFF first. It about kicked my but at age 53. The tandem at age 51 was a piece of cake. steveOrino

I'm not sure where to post this question so I will it post here. After 50 years of pain & trouble I am having my left knee replaced. (I'm 59) I'm healthy, work out 5 X a week and do 20-25 tandems/AFF a week as a weekend TI/AFFI. Drs say I will be out 8-12 weeks from work (that is BS, as I'm a therapist … I sit and listen ;/) I hope to be back at work as therapist in 3-4 weeks. What is a reasonable time to be back to work as TI or AFFI? Anybody else close to my age have this done? steveOrino

We are a long way from you but I have taken 6'9" 260 athletes steveOrino

I was ready to quit after about 13 IAD jumps. I SUCKED badly! I was about to call it quits but a buddy said come to his DZ and try AFF. I did and while I sucked less, i was not a natural by any means. Spanky and Pete got through AFF then Bigun and Justin (along with others) taught me how to fly. (this was before coaches -- they paid their slot and paid it forward) I never charged as a coach either (but I do as an AFFI and TI) I know have 3400 jumps and suck just a little bit less. If you like it, DON'T QUIT … persevere! steveOrino

I tend to get very good pics from students. If they need help I hold their arm. Not much different than shooting the handcam myself. Plus I like flying with my hand up in clean air like YOU suggested I do back in 2006 when I was a newb. Quality was greatly reduced to get them to upload ... steveOrino

+1 Minimal requirements seldom make for the best Instructor. I wish guys would ask, "How many jumps does it take for me to be the best TI can be?", versus, "How fast can I be a TI?" steveOrino

+1 steveOrino

Oooo ..takes me way back. I went through Special Forces training in '77. One guy was especially hard on me, but I made it some how. I went to UWO (SCUBA) school in '78. Very hard school. Of 30 Green Berets who started only 9 finished. That next summer I ran a "pre Scuba" course ... Guess who was in it? Yep! oh, BTW, he did not pass. steveOrino

One jump in a year? How's the new suit/rig etc fit? steveOrino

A HandCam on the student would have at least provide a video worth watching. Neither should be a threat to the TI, but man that video blows. Glad it worked for you! steveOrino

Never happened yet. But our reply will. We don't rent our hc gloves but will sell one for $175 steveOrino

Most of the pics do show them smiling and relaxed. I think it helps. On a bout 1/3 you have to hold their arm but that isn't much different than you holding the camera. steveOrino

Nice DE-arches of the pax on exit I have about 2000 tandems. Sometimes it happens. meh steveOrino

I started putting the handcam on my students about 6 weeks ago ... Personally I like it. Sometimes I have to direct their hand but that is no different than wearing it myself. steveOrino