Hi all, I'm new here (obviously), and was curious about how you felt about the following. I made a few jumps back around 1987 or so. Two static-lines at one DZ, then some tandems at another. Here's where it gets a bit crazy. I did a total of 5 tandems: 1 joy-ride, 4 training with rip-cord pulls, turns, etc. Then, I was put out the door by myself at around 8000'. (In fact, my instructor was the only one around at the time of the first solo~ he was the pilot of the 182, and raced back down to meet me.) I did a total of 5 or 6 solos, never had any problems, at least that I was aware of. But there was never anyone else in the air with me. I quit largely because I ran out of money (in college at the time) but I also was getting a bit scared of going again. I don't recall the details/size of the main, but it was ripcord activated, reserve was round, and there was some type of AAD. I'm posting mainly because I'm curious if this was ever a popular (or even experimental) progression at the time. My instructor, who I trusted and respected completely at the time, mentioned it wasn't AFF or SL but thought it was a better way to train. Without the internet back then, I guess I really didn't know better. From what I gather from lurking here for awhile, this wasn't likely a really good idea... I'm thinking about starting over again with AFF, though I'm older and have a family (2 young kids) and wonder if I have the time to do this now or if I should wait. I really enjoy lurking this forum, and seeing the photos and reading the stories really bring back some firmly ingrained, and beautiful, memories.
