MikeTJumps

You are learning at a great place. Tim and Sherry are some of the best people. Mike

You have received much input from the forum. Here is my contribution.... When the canopy and the ground are equi-distant from your eyes, initiate your smooth flare action. Push down steadily until either your forward progress stops or your feet make ground contact. GLANCING up and down, not stareing (sp?) up and down is the key. Experience will bring you an awareness of where the horizone should be as you flare. If you have trees nearby, you can judge just how far down the tree's height to flare (12-15'). Enjoy! . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Congratulations to you, Bruce. This is going to continue to be a life-altering experience for you, but remember (and I'll get stoned for saying this) that your family comes first but skydiving will push its way into your life so strong that they won't feel they come first. Blue skies! . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Congratulations on your excellent progression. Welcome to the world as only we see it! . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Howdy Jerry. Long time, no chat! How are things going for you? I'm still operating in the Houston area and I've just published (with Dan Poynter), the 9th edition of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook. Yes, I'm still active but I'm slowing down a bit. . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

You bet I'd continue doing Tandem jumps, because the wonderful vibes that it brings to the students makes all of my skydiving worthwhile! . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I suggest you get ahold of the book "The Art of Freefall Relative Work" by Pat works. That will give you a lot of insight into belly flying. http://www.works-words.com/ . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Welcome to the sport side of things. I'll wager you were able to demonstrate PLFs to the delight of the class. I trained in the S/L method 26 years ago and it was good enough, but AFF is far superior as you are finding out. Enjoy!!! . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Lori, you have experienced flight and now you want more. We all do! Yes, it is too bad that you have started so late in the year, but at least you can get some jumping in before being down for the winter (unless you come south like those of us who are lucky to live here). Grab some books on the sport and learn all you can! Blue Skies! . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Advice #1: Listen to your instructors and don't rush into buying things until you really understand how things work in the sport. Adivce #2: Get a hold of books on the subject matter from your library or DZ. They will supplement what your instructors tell you. Advice #3: Practice, practice, practice. Especially your emergency procedures. Stay safe! . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

And a quick hello right back at you! When you look up, you have an entirely different perspective on life than 99.99% of the others do! . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Congratulations and welcome to the sky! Now your fun in life really begins. . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Congratulations on joining us in the sky, Pate. Now your fun in life really begins! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Congratulations and welcome to our sport. At least you have a window. I work in a lab. Of course, my addiction is now 26 years long. . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Congratulations on your intent of becoming well informed prior to taking your class. As Skymama was kind enough to write, the book that I co-author is one of the good sources of material on the sport. There are others out there as well such as Tom Buchanan's "JUMP" PSH is now in its 9th edition, revised this year for the newest information on training programs by the USPA. Information on it is available in DZ.com's classifieds as well as other sources easily available to you. Stay safe! . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I hope that your learning process includes some of the many good books on the sport. An informed jump student is a good one! Best of luck in your training realm and WELCOME TO OUR WORLD!!! . Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Yes, there is a DZ operation in Beaumont! Ground Rush Skydiving Club at the Beaumont Municipal Airport. 888-473-7874 [email protected] - Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Relax and don't panic about your progression. I know a Board of Directors member who took 40 some odd jumps to clear off of student status! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

May I suggest you go to your local library or DZ and pick up one of the many fine introductory books on our sport to help you learn about it. Look in the classified section of DZ.com for them as well. - Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

After 26 years in the sport, I still always respect the possibilities of what can happen when I go out the door, but every jump is still exciting for me, and although I have slowed down this year due to other committments, I look forward to hitting 4,000 in a couple of years. Enjoy yourself! _ Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Ok. I've read the replies to your original posting and you've been offered some good advice. Always ask your instructors for help. Arch practice. I get my students to stand about 1.5' back from the wall, then lean forward to put their bellies on the wall. Bring the head back and up, looking at the ceiling and the arms out to the side roughly even with the ears (thumbs pointing at the ears). For a more realistic arch, lay backwards on a huge beachball, 55 gallon drum, or even a big chair and let gravity pull your arms and legs into the basic arched position. I've also used a partially deflated air mattress and had the students lay belly down in them with the belly touching the floor through the air mattress and the arms and legs supported by the same mattress. Even a huge truck inner tube like we use to go tubing down a river makes a good arch practice device as does a hammock slung between two polls or trees. So get your instructor to work with you on this muscle memory issue and you'll do better! _ Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Nevada Airlift in Henderson, NV has a C-206 jump pilot training program! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Be patient. There will be a tunnel in Houston in the near future. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

MAZEL TOV!!! Congratulations on your arrival. Tell your mom to read up on what causes babies (not enough skydiving)! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I used to work at GD (1988-91) prior to the A-12 contract fiasco which unemployed 20,000 of us in the next few years. Good luck in your job there. Closest to you is Skydive Texas in Decatur. Unfortunately, Tom crashed two of his airplanes in the past two years, but don't hold that against him. Skydive Dallas is in Whitewright. That will be a drive of 90 miles for you. Gainesville shut down in the past year (to my knowledge). Rick Duran is a guard at Lockheed-Martin Ft. Worth and he can give you the scoop on all the local DZs. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook