cocik

interesting discussion, but guys, let me ask a question... as a student/novice jumper I was always encouraged to look for advice & help from my instructors, respect opinions of those who are far more experienced than I am, and always ask for a qualified advice from a knowledgable person in that particular discipline so my question is simple - are there any experienced lawyers in this forum (with sufficient knowledge of this case), who can provide a qualified opinion to this matter?

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It really depends on your learning style, coaching & the attention to individual details I'm a belly flier, but after 3 hours (with almost no real skydive experience) I can fly the mantis (all possible directions & their combinations), I have solid experience with jumping over the instructor (both straight and in turns) & some basic 2-way skils (cogs, etc.) I'm going to the tunnel again in 2 weeks time. I shall do more 2-way on my 4th hour and then fly an hour of 4-way (randoms only, no blocks). With a couple more hours of 4-way tunnel time during the spring & some exit/tracking coaching in the air, I may be ready to jump my first 4-way skydive in May

pure tunnel rat (SVCO and Bedford) ... just got asked to participate at 4-way indoor nationals before I've actually been on a real 4-way skydive

the reality was not that scary - the signal was only practiced, never used (vidiot was instructor as well) and the belts went under the jumpsuit ... the AFFI was always there ready to help, but I could see he is trying real hard

OK, the regular disclaimer first - I'm not an instructor nor experienced skydiver, so do not rely on any information I will provide ... ask for advice from your instructors I'm 136 lbs and 6 feet (62 kgs and 180 cm) and I was having pretty hard time during my AFF (two weight belts etc.), because the only one who was able to comfortably keep pace with me was the vidiot with wings (even had a special emergency sign from AFFI meaning - you are on your own, I cannot get up to you, work with the vidiot ... thank god for wind tunnel prior to AFF). Three things worked well for me to improve the fall rate: 1) get a custom tailored jumpsuit (as fast and as tight as possible) 2) buy altitrack, check the speed on every dive and work on arching (solo jump challenges) 3) spend a couple hours in the tunnel & learn mantis (much easier to fall faster with hands hidden beneath the body)

GJ, you seem to be enjoying the tunnel

Not too many types so far, but I have a quite exotic line-up for my AFF... Level 1-4,7 - L-410 UVP Level 5, 6 - Mi-8 Level 8 - An-2 My wish list - anything Western hope to get my first Otter or Cessna this weekend

If you have a chance to get to tunnel before AFF, do it, get a good coach and tell him/her you need to practice for AFF. I took an hour, but 15-20 minutes should be enough to get you a good start. Anyway, the tunnel has a few differences - apart from the points of reference it MAY also be the speed (you MAY find actual freefall to be faster), but it is a great experience for first-timers. The confidence and stability will pay off in your AFF. Just to get an impression of how such coaching looks like, you can check my vid. I did not have any real freefall experience when this video was shot in SVCO. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXcPzSWEmgQ (edited to add URL)

I was 16 ... SL on round military rigs from An-2 unfortunately had a nasty lineover on the 2nd jump, so it took me another 11 years to find courage and get back ... but I am enjoying it now

I wenth thorugh a similar progression (few SL, 1 hour in tunnel, AFF) and I have to recommend it. Just listen to all your instructors (tunnel & AFF), do not hesitate to ask questions, relax and make sure you arch well