TheBlueCat

I'm never normally one to suggest AFF over the Category System (I'm biased, as a Static Line instructor ). That said, everyone learns & progresses differently, has different issues & difficulties regarding skydiving training. I have known people who have struggled with the student pivot exit, transfer to AFF & find it a much better system for them. With only 2 SL jumps, it would certainly be unusual *not* to feel a degree of sensory overload. Lighter students can also find it more difficult to exit the plane on a static line due to the force of the relative wind pushing them back into the plane. However, given that you've also progressed so far in the tunnel, I would say that AFF might well be the better option - you're ahead of the SL game, position-wise, & have a fair way to go before free fall where you can start to demonstrate what you've learned. If money is the issue, I work at Nethers & would be very happy to spend time with you, working on your (SL) exit & discussing ideas how to help you overcome the issues you're facing but my recommendation would be to have a chat with an AFF Instructor, get the money together & use your tunnel experience to help you from jump #1.

Cheers. As a Static Line Instructor now I'll be sure to look out for this with my students.

Going to go jumping in France over the w/e and was wondering about insurance. I'm presuming BPA is irrelevant over there but they will obviously want to see some evidence of at least 3rd party cover. The ones I've heard of people using in the past for overseas are Extreme+ and Sky-Cover but on checking their policies it doesn't look like they have 3rd party (!!) - they seem to cover the 'insured' for all sorts of things but I want to make sure I don't pay almost £100 for something that won't be acceptable when I get there. Also, would faxed / emailed & printed documents be acceptable at the dz? Any help gratefully appreciated, Paul.

Thanks guys... a lot of good advice. I'm off to the dz in about 5 hours (the weather doesn't look too good, but you never know...!) Lets see...

Cheers - Let's hope that's it (although they do supposedly have some decent gear down at Netheravon). Wont be long before I get my first kit - if it's no better then, I'll just have to invest in Ibruprofin shares 'cos nothin's gonna stop me whiling my life away at 125mph!

Is it just me being a muppet? No matter what I do, including trying differnt clothes [varying thickness of material etc], I can't stop one or both of the leg straps chafing on every jump? As far as I know from talking to instructors, they're tight enough each time, so I can't work out why I'm in some discomfort during the canopy ride, on the ground and then for a reasonable while after. 2 jumps in a day and I'm very sore (which is extremely annoying)!! I know I'm only 20 jumps in, but now I've got my Cat 8 I'd kinda like to be jumping 5-10 times a day... I really don't want to have to stick foam padding down my trousers every time I jump (Hhhm, cool! - Well, maybe just at the front to impress the ladies!) -Paul.