matthias

Thanks for everything Brit. Best wishes

Quote

The sky isn't going anywhere.

^

Quote

Wuffos seem to think you get that *ooohhhhh...god* feeling in your stomach like you might if you're on one of those drop-rides or a roller coaster ride.

Never happened to me!

Yeah what really bugs me are the two most common excuses a whuffo has for not trying it. "I'm afraid of heights" or "I dont like the falling sensation."

I only have a fear of heights when I'm not earing a harness I suppose...because I never had that sensation while skydiving. Falling sensation is completely inapplicable as the only indicator you have that you are "falling" is the wind.

martinrusso...try a tandem at least once. you'll see what we mean, and might find the same reason we did for coming back for more. 0.02

others might have said the same thing already, but here's my 0.02: If you can afford AFF, go for it. I did the FJC the weekend following my first tandem and so far haven't regretted it.

As far as the gear, I hear you on that. You should have the option of renting it until you can save up for your own. Least thats what I plan to do. Good luck.

Quote

What do you do to actually file for your A license?

You should have gotten either a A License proficiency or progression card with all the requirements. Once its signed/stamped that's what you fax for the A to my understanding.

the credit score/line of credit I had prior to starting AFF...back, and the bill collectors to stop callin. Maybe by next xmas, perhaps.

Heh, all the women jumpers at Skydive Houston are either taken, too old, or don't date students. I cant see myself dating a non-jumper until the novelty of the sport kinda settles down in my life, and while it would be nice to date another jumper... my mindset while at sdh is more on AFF progression rather than finding a date *shrug*

its all good...

0:1:0

passed AFF level 4 saturday afternoon. Funds didn't permit trying level 5 today, but the winds kept any students from jumping, up until I left at least.

Jumped off the roof of the house, bounced off the trampoline over the nieghbors fence, and landed in the pool. I was 14 at the time.

I dread what woulda occured if I had missed the pool.

USMC 0311 from 99-03, didn't do it for money but it was a 'job' I guess and it got pretty wierd and crazy at times.

I'd imagine being a tandem instructor or AFF-I has its share of moments.

Quote

Please someone tell me that she will be fine..

There are no gauruntees, that's why the waiver exists. However...I would strongly encourage you to go to the DZ with her and observe the AFF lvl 1 first jump course. Talk to her jumpasters, talk to other instructors, riggers, the S&TA, ask any question that comes to mind about the gear, how it works. I wont say this will or will not make you feel any better, but it should minimize your fears of the unknown...which from my observations thus far is where most of the fear in non-jumpers stems from.

my 0.02

Quote

why use a mile? why not use a block or 100 miles, or km....

rm

Guess it depends on what city you live in. (driving in major cities vs small towns, etc)

Quote

What is your biggest challenge regarding this sport, and how do you plan to overcome it? Or if you already have, how *did* you?

Biggest challenges: financial situation

Plan to overcome it: patience and perseverence

first skydive exit:

"oh sh*t!!!!!!!!"

Quote

Good job! Tell Elio I said hello.

Will do. I've jumped with him the most, cool dude. His voice is almost identical to the actor that plays the foreign exchance student from That 70s Show. Maybe its just me but it never fails to crack me up.

Quote

Hi, I’m not sure why I’m posting, maybe I’m just hoping someone will say " shut up and jump". I've only done 2 tandems and 5 AFF jumps and on my first 3 AFF jumps I was terrified, I mean absolutely terrified.

I was terrified on my first jumps as well, and for me most of the thrill came from the fact I was actively facing my fears and the strength I got from doing it. I'm still on AFF status, but I have faith in the gear and the training. There are implications, but everyone is aware of them when we signed the waiver.

I weighed the risks and rewards...and found a reason to continue the progression towards the A license when funds and weather permit.

Quote

next time tell him to relax also he looked kind of tense

If memory serves me correctly I gave him the relax signal on the plane and sometime after the beer light came on.

Sort of an observation, it seemed like I tensed up after Elio redocked at the 1:43 mark, or at least it caught me offguard. Not saying he didn't have a reason to redock, but up until that moent seemed alright.

The reason it was a borderline pass was the turning and whatnot at the end, but even then I was altitude aware and waved off as soon at the needle hit 6:00. I'm confident level 4 should work alright, hopefully this weather clears up. Thanks to everyone who replied here and via PM.

Quote

Quote

ask him if he drives a car, if he says yes, tell him to go see a psych

The whole driving and skydiving thing really gets up my cunt, no idea why but it does. You cant compare the two.

this is pure speculation as I'm relatively new, and feel free to correct me...but it seems the majority of incidents on the road and in the sport are cause by pilot/driver error rather than gear malfunction/vehicle breakdown...and just like how cars require inspection, maintenance, the same preventive messures are taken with reserve inspections and repacks, gear checks.

my 0.02 from observation so far

video here:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1293684235

Location: Skydive Houston
Also starring JMs: Larry (aka Luminous from here) and Elio..not sure if he posts.
Video by Troy.

Music: Vangelis - Will of the Wind.


logbook review and personal evaluation here:
http://matthias81.livejournal.com/


Thought I'd share :) Feedback and constructive criticism always welcome.

Quote

Any jump you walk away from is a good one.

^
Yep.

Quote

accused me of "having a death wish".

Yeah I've gotten that too a few times. I just tell em if I really had a death wish we wouldn't be weaing a rig.

Quote

Overall, my question went to issues of honor, and that doesn't necessarily equate with theft, it's more about honesty, trust, and integrity. Dishonest, untrustworthy, and disintegrous people don't necessarily steal.

I can say from past experience that there will always be the 5-10% in any organization who behave in a dishonorable manner. For a good example, during my time with 2nd Bn, 5th Marines..the men and women of the Marine Corps were to uphold the core values of honor, courage and commitment and never lie, cheat and steal. While many of the men I served with lived up to that, you had the few that weren't with the program and lacked integrity.

Since I got out of the military, and from my observation and time at Skydive Houston (havent spent anytime at other DZs); skydivers are the first civillian group I've come across that has a similar code of ethics and integrity as well as people actually stepping up and looking out for others. Its not to say there aren't a few skydivers who aren't trustworthy...but comparable to the general whuffo/civillian population they have alot more credibility with me.

0.02

Quote

Well,
I put $$$$ into at least getting this far,
and it just keeps adding up. So get used to it. HA!

How I got thru training eventually-
Was to find a friendly DZ that worked with me to do an integrated program& AFP- which uses ONE TRAINER during ground work as well as in freefall.

I had the utmost faith and confidence in my trainer,
and we worked the way thru the A-Licence check list.

Basically, most of my freetime on weekends,
as well as my alotted fun spending money after necessities went to skydiving...
And I got my A within a summer's time.

And hey, I had a low paying job at the time too.
I was just broker than usual that summer.
So if I could do it, so can you.
Ok?


Blues!
LuLu.

Hehe, if my post came off as negative in anyway I apologize. I guess I was sympathizing with the frustrations. After 3 level 3 attempts and a on a day that 'somehow' I felt stress-free and in a indifferent mindset, I passed level 3 and moved onto lvl4...where the jumps are $40 cheaper. As luck would have it, I lost my job, found a new one, but by the time my next full paycheck came in...I was uncurrent thus...back to level 3 again.

Honestly I can't wait until the day I get my A license, and I'll do what I gotta do until that day comes, I just hope things get a littel less frustrating once I get to that point. I suppose I understand where your coming from on the issue of getting your own gear vs renting...when I get to that point I can tell its gonna be a hell of a time.

The day jumps become $20 each, I will be one happy person.

0.02

The "OH SHIT!!!" yell/expression on my first jump, caught on video. Most god-awful body position, I dont think the tandem instructor was having too much fun.

whenever I have the money, weather permitting and 2 jumpasters available. I can't wait for the day I get the chance to jump during a sunset.