wildfan75

Yes, static line and tandem jumps count towards your class A requirements. I would argue that if they were the same cost, AFF all the way, but there is a huge difference in price between AFF and S/L and if you end up at the same place (class A license at or around 25 jumps) why would anyone want to dish out that kind of money on a few jumps? I know one guy with the same number of jumps as I do that went through AFF that is scared to do hop 'n pops because he never had to do them in AFF. He always had the extra time to get stable. I would be nervous if I couldn't leave a plane stable.

In the recent thread on the drop in number of skydivers (registered with USPA), the subject of cost (especially those associated with AFF) came up. I'm curious... Which FJC did you take (AFF or Static Line)? What did getting to your Class A license cost you? If you're an instructor, what are the advantages/disadvantages of each? Not sure where this thread will go but as a static liner, I'm not completely sold that AFF is "the way". From what I've seen people pay for just the seven or eight AFF jumps, I did 5 static line jumps, 20 FF, got my class A license AND bought a used rig. Your thoughts?

Here are two of my favorite Jell-o shot recipes (I'm a jell-o shot slut!) Margarita Jell-o Shot Small pkg of either Lime jell-o or Margarita jell-o (currently in stores (at least in MN) for a "limited time") 8oz of boiling water (add first) 5oz of tequila, 1oz triple sec, 1oz lime juice, 1oz water Tequila Sunrise Jell-o Shot Small pkg of orange jello 8oz of boiling water (add first) 5oz of tequila, 1oz of grenadine, 2 oz of water YUMMIE!!!!!

Cholula!!!!!! Awesome on eggs and pizza! And for all you Frank's fans...I work for the broker that represents them--I get my Frank's for free! I highly recommend the Frank's Buffalo Sandwich sauce!

I am absolutely terrified of flying, commercial or the 182's we jump at my dz. I can handle the 182's because of the fact that I don't have to land in them...except one time. Friday Night, Me (still a student) to everyone at the dz: "You will never, ever, never, ever see me land in the plane. Ever!" Saturday Morning: I have to land with the plane as the winds picked up while we were in the air. Which probably wouldn't have been so bad but we started to split one of the tires on take off and it was really windy so we were getting thrown around. Luckily I didn't know about the tire until we landed and were at the hanger, otherwise, I would have probably full out hypervenilated, rather than the mild hypervenilation that I experienced. Lesson: Never say never, ever, never, ever!

Firstly, in regards to Lloyd's email...Of the people who are world/national class swoopers, how long did it take you to get there? We're going to have people who are going to think they can come into the sport, do a few student jumps, and then want to start land with the wind so they can get a good swoop. Will profiling swooping in the national, public media get more people interested in skydiving? Absolutely! But do we really want the people who see that and want a QUICK thrill in our sport? Probably not. Although it would help the fatality rate, which would also get more people involved. But I really don't want to have to continually reassure my family and friends that yes, someone died this weekend and then go over the list of mistakes which that jumper made. ZigZag--no, we don't need to pay for coaching jumps, but as long as the high jumpers demand that they get paid, then yes, we'll have to pay for coaching jumps. That was just my point--if more high jumpers gave their time, experience, and knowledge to those jumpers who are obviously going to stick around, we'd have more, experience, qualified low jump numbers, willing to PAY IT FORWARD when the time comes. Henceforth, continueing our sport with qualified, experience jumpers, and not just people looking for a quick thrill with a life ending "cool" swoop! Quick note...Lloyd Dobbler--awesome username, great username, if only every guy was a Lloyd Dobbler!

Second that! And not only will you be more inclined to find someone to devote some time to you, but you'll learn a hell of a lot more than showing up for a jump or two and leaving, or at least I have anyway. For the last 3 1/2 months I've pretty much spent every Fri-Sun at the dz, even one rainy weekend when there was no jumping (which, BTW, is a perfect opportunity to get some of the "book work" signed off of the class A license--much easier to find someone to talk about turbulance and canopy loading when neither of you can jump). But still think everyone could pitch in a hand (including those with class A licenses) and help out costs. I'd like to be on one of those world record jumps someday and would like to see that we would have enough skydivers to do it!

Quote she said she wanted to make it up to me by paying for my AFF training. reply] I'm adoptable!!!!! I come college educated (and paid for), I own my home, at the rate I'm going there will be no wedding to pay for, steady job, I already have my class A and rig (the most expensive parts) and I've never been arrested! It gets even better! Have fun and don't be afraid to ask your instructors any questions that pop into your head! And seriously, let me know about the whole adoption thing!

I did 5 static line jumps, two 5 second delays, two 10's and a 20 and then the rest were from 10,000ft.

Maybe we would have more jumpers if we made it more affordable. How about not charging $50 to learn to pack? I know for a fact that I would not have started jumping if I had to pay $1100+ for SEVEN AFF jumps, then another $20 a jump plus rental gear fees for another $810 to get close to a class A license, and then no one wants to jump with you because you're not "experienced". I know everyone swears by AFF but I got my class A license for $730 via static line (yes, all 25 jumps (several 2, 3 and 4 ways included), gear rental, coaching/instruction, and several jumps video'd and burned on a disc for me). I didn't have to pay somone to teach me to pack, I didn't have to pay someone to jump with me, and I didn't have to pay someone to tell me what I was doing wrong and how to correct it. In return, I'll be the first one in line to pack student rigs when the FTJ'ers land, I'll sweep/vacuum the clubhouse, I'll help with manifest and when the time comes, I'll be paying my jump ticket to jump with students and help them learn. I think we need to have a more Pay It Forward attitude. It makes me cringe when I see posts on here where people state that they just finished AFF and no one will jump with them or they still have to pay for someone to jump with them. Experienced jumpers need to invest time with newbies, because eventually they'll become the experienced jumpers, remember what was done for them, and pay it forward. If newbies can't get better because it's too expensive for them to get anywhere, yes, our sport is going to die and we can forget about breaking any more world records because there won't be enough experienced jumpers around. Sorry if this comes off harsh, it's just frustrating and sad. JM2cents...

Yes, I did static line.

Welcome! Being nervous is normal. Just remember arch, arch, arch and don't be afraid to ask questions. Being well informed and confident will help the nerves. And have fun!!!

In class and on the malfunction video, they stated that the only two out situation that should be landed is a bi-plane. Obviously each individual situation merits its own evaluation and decision. There is no cookie cutter what to do answer. But if they're side by side, what would you do if they started to down plane at 100 or 50 feet? I've always been told two is not better than one. Everyone, including my S&TA, who saw the event said I did the right thing. If you've got another take on it, by all means, my ears are open. If I wasn't here to learn, I certainly wouldn't be browsing the S&T area of dz.com!

I wouldn't classify my two out as a "test jump" as so much as a "really big f*ck up". It was when I was on the manta, main out first, then reserve. Side by side. Made sure main lines were clear of reserve and cutaway.

It looks worse than it felt because I busted a blood vessel or two, except on opening (that wasn't so fun).

Try oven mitts down your jump suit under where your leg straps go. I just posted this pic on another thread yesterday when a guy was talking about some discomfort. This is what I was dealing with until I found confort in the oven mitts. Now it's sort of a joke around the dz...who gets to help tape the oven mitts to my crotch.

One of the funnest 2 way jumps I did not so long ago was playing tag. Got me moving front to back, left to right, up and down. On a side, humorous note, last week I was watching video of a bunch of my student jumps and I kept watching this jump over and over again and I was thinking, "Gees, I fight like hell to get to Bauer and then I totally backslide." Then I realized this was my tag video and I wasn't moving away, she was.

Skratch Garrison taught me how to pack with the understanding I'd teach two more people. Same attitude where I jump. I never paid to learn to pack or for instruction after the static line class, or even anyone's jump bill to jump with me. It's a pay it forward environment. I wonder if it were like this at more dropzones if we'd have more jumpers and more jumper retention.

I did my first tandem thinking I just wanted to be able to say that I jumped out of a plane. When I landed, I had a completely different attitude, one that I could and still can't explain. I am hooked. All my non-skydiving friends think I'm nuts. I tell them that "Those who haven't don't understand. Those who have, understand." There is no way to describe it. One of my friends did her first tandem this weekend. Her reply upon landing was "It's nothing like I imagined it was going to be. Now I understand when you said you can't understand until you do it. Are you coming back next weekend? I'm definitely going to jump again and maybe I'll come back next weekend!". On the night before she asked a bunch of skydivers their reason for jumping. One said he does it for relaxation. One said for the thrill and challenge. Everyone has a different reason why they jump and everyone has a different feelings about it. But just jump already!!!!! Don't wait!

Suck it up, cupcake. You're probably jumping student gear right now with one-size-fits-none adjustable harnesses. Once you get your own gear it will be worlds more comfortable, even if it isn't custom. In the meantime, I found that wearing spandex under my clothes helped a little. Another guy swore by his padded biking shorts. See attached. I can't get the leg straps tight enough on the transition rig I'm using. We solved the problem by putting oven mitts down my jump suit, thumbs up of course!

My goal when I started my static line class on April 22 was to get my class A before the end of summer. I did my last student jump June 18th, three days before summer even officially started. New goal: Try to balance finances and skydiving. Not going so well...

Isn't driving/riding in a car without a seatbelt kind of like skydiving without a reserve? Most of the time you won't need it but that one time it could save your life. I'm always buckled up. Habit. I'll even unknowingly put it on just to drive the car into the garage from the drive way.

I totally feel your pain, both mental and physical. Get someone at your dropzone to go over the two stage flare. I just switched from the manta to a Silhoette 190 about six jumps ago, and they totally land differently. After my two jumps on Saturday (it's never good when you land, get up and hear someone yell, "Oh my God, she's okay! I totally thought she broke her femur on that one!"). Ended up having an extensive conversation with my S&TA about two staged landings on Sunday morning and landings were MUCH better (on feet!!).

Wow! I feel really really lucky. I just out of Skydive Wissota and just got my A license last weekend. I never once have had trouble finding someone to jump with me. I did three 4 ways as a student, with jumpers ranging in jump count from 300 to 13,000, and everytime they came up to me and said, "Ok, you're jumping with us and this is what we're doing". I use these opportunties to learn all I can, and they see it as an opportunity to help train someone who eventually can pull off some really good 4 or 8 ways, and someone who will eventually help and jump with future students (we have a huge "pay it forward" environment). If you're friend is coming to visit, the issue could be that the DZO has no idea the skill set of your friend. Just like there are good licensed drivers and drivers that have no business on the road but have a license, I think there are many different levels of jumpers with the same number of jumps. Why not get your friend to jump with one of the instructors, DZO or staff, prove that you and he/she can jump safely together? Just my two cents but remember, I'm a noob, just off student status, and owe an incredible amount of beer.

Just wanted to give you guys an update. I did my last student jump on Sunday. I'm an officially A licensed skydiver and it feels GREAT! I ended up doing it in 26 jumps because I got talked into doing a four way instead of doing my backloop/frontloop/barrelroll jump on Sunday morning. But I was glad I did the four way, it went really well (8 points...not too bad for a student). Now on to the class B requirements and a whole lotta fun!