travrois

Got my A license here and jumped for several summers. First off: I've never seen anyone take safety for granted here especially the employees. The AFP program is great and I'd highly recommend it especially for students who still have doubts well after their first AFP classes. I think there could be more integration to being a non-student jumper once one gets their A license. Summerfest is a blast and worth the trip.

I'm in the very early phases, mostly character development. I'm finding it easy to come up with stories in situations either I've experienced or been privy too. It's difficult to say what the plot line is, basically you're following a series of characters on a dropzone. Some story lines include romance (ug, of course), rivalry, decisions. It's too early to say the entire script now but I'd like some specific Team Drama stories, or do all of you get along really well? I guess that's possible, but doesn't make for good drama. It's looking like an hour long dramedy. I'm really just flushing out plots and characters now. It's going to take a long time. Seriously, any skydiving team drama worth sharing? I'd be really curious to hear about it. Thanks for all your kind suggestions.

Hi Guys, I'm working on a script that involves skydiving and I'm having trouble developing character arcs for certain plotlines. I'm totally amateur, young and I'm just doing this as a spec script to be sent out to agents and not necessarily ever "picked up" -- so the pay is nothing. But I would really appreciate it if someone would kindly be available to me to ask questions about certain scenarios I'm not familiar with. Input just means that I would email you back and forth periodically, no big deal really. So if you are interesting (and aren't all jumpers?) and you have interesting stories to tell, please let me hear about them. I'm especially looking for information/stories pertaining to FreeFlying Teams (or any team really, but the script is based on freeflyers), especially their politics, their dynamics and rivalries amongst teammates or other teams. Yea, it's almost winter and I'm really bored and missing my DZ. Any inspiration is appreciated! Regards, Erinn

Hi OP Here, Apparently there was some confusion about my original posts and if anyone thought that I was somehow slandering or disrespecting any of my wonderful instructors or my home dropzone, they are very wrong. I have not brought my issues up in detail with my instructors because it hasn't been a huge deal to me. I HAVE NOT REALLY TALKED TO THEM ABOUT THIS, and that was MY ERROR, not any incompetence by my instructors. They couldn't possibly know what goes on when I open my canopy, I haven't even articulated well my problems with flaring, alls they know is what they see when they land, so naturally they just tell me to try going to "3" harder. I thought this forum was a helpful venue for people with similar experience and could aid in my problems. Had I had known that it was more of a gossip column to slander an excellent dropzone and amazing instructors, I would have not bothered. Again, I apologize to those that know me who may have thought I was saying anything negative about my dropzone or my instructors. I think my instructors are all very kind, wise, thoughtful and extremely intelligent about what they do. Everytime I jump I am so impressed with how they can assess problems that I couldn't. I am incredibly honored and grateful to have them help me in AFP. So feel free to let them know I said that the next time you want to spread malicious interpretations of what I've posted.

Hi, OP HERE: Thanks everyone for your input, I really appreciate it. Geez, you guys are awfully concerned about my chest strap. Maybe I'm not discribing it correctly but I don't see how I'd fall out of it, I would need to make a special effort to do so, I think. The strap going above my neck doesn't happen that much anymore, but I did use a different rig with my last jump (it's in the same, I don't know, "class" of rig size that's recommended for my weight) -- and it hurt like hell, the strap was at my forehead and the leg straps were digging into me like no one's business. When this happens I prop myself up as much as possible but the toggles are a pain in the ass to get to, and the controllability check is fine but I wouldn't say I can manuever them 110%, since my side straps are digging under my armpits. I completely agree that I need to find a rig that fits me. I don't know if this is worth mentioning but I'm 5'11 and on the heavier side (as girls just love to admit). Is there a way to tell if it fits on the ground? That being said I am learning to skydive at one of the best facilities in the world with great instructors. I am so focused on progressing in freefall that everything else worth mentioning to my instructors feels like an afterthought, especially when you're safe and overjoyed on the ground. They see my landings though and their best assessment is just "Go to 3!" I've been told by strangers who land near me the same advice, when I tell them I can't go to three they just say I need to try harder. I'm no weakling but I swear under canopy I'm going to three as hard as I can, even under the risk of stalling, and I just don't think I'm getting it. It would be one thing if it was just a judgment issue and I'm flaring too low and I don't have the opportunity to get to 3 but I don't think that's it. Also, something that I'm thinking about is the way my legs are positioned as I come in for landing. When I land, if I'm lucky, it's on my knees and just skids a little. Most of the time, my knees buckle and my legs are sort of behind me and that's quite painful, but again, I walk away from it everytime, it just sucks. Could my putting my legs behind me (this is unconsciously) be inhibiting my ability to flare? I honestly would be concerned to put my legs ahead of me at any time, as that would be extremely painful if I flare incorrectly. Any thoughts are appreciated. I hope I've explained things as clearly as I can. I swear I'm not a totally incompetent skydiver although my ignorant questions may seem like it ! I am as safe as possible in every other respect. I'm learning a lot and I'd rather sound like an idiot than not know the answer. Thanks again !

I'm a student in AFP. Things are going well, and I'm learning a lot. I've done about 25 or so jumps and not one time have I been to this magical place, "3" on my flare. We're lucky for a 2, from me. I haven't been seriously hurt by any of my landings but I do consistently get my ass kicked by the ground. Now that I'm getting off radio assistance, I'd like to focus on getting my arms to 3. I've tried to in the air and I feel I physically get my hands to go down to 2. I'm a lady, not that that makes a difference, and I've been told that it's not because I'm not strong enough. I do feel like I am going down as much as I physically can and that gets me to a "2." I've asked many-a-people, including many of my AFP instructors and they keep telling me, "Well just go to 3!" but I'm like, "WHERE THE HELL IS 3 then? THATS AS MUCH AS I CAN PULL IT" -- as I limp into the AFP room with grass in my teeth. Also something that I'm wondering but occasionally when I open my parachute my chest strap will go around my neck (ouch) or even above my head. I'm working on finding the right fit for a student rig, but do you think that would have anything to do with me not being able to go to 3 ? I don't mind advice from putzes because none of my AFP instructors seem to have better advice for me, and of course I'm going to run any advice pass them so they can approve of it.

I intend to continue my courses in the spring/summer of 2008 at my current dropzone (which closes early Dec. til March) but I'd like to get in some dives while on vacation somewhere else. What's the point of a vacation if you can't jump out of a plane somewhere? But I don't want to "waste" the money for a jump that won't count towards my license or at least teach me something new at my (admittedly low) level. And another tandem is completely out of the question.

I'm located in Chicago and I'm thinking of taking a road trip somewhere this winter, specifically Dec. 27 - Jan 2nd. I'm currently on AFP 6 and would like to continue my levels at a facility, preferably in a warmer climate. I'm finding that most dropzones in the south have only AFF instruction. Questions: Is there a comprehensive list of facilities that offer AFP instruction? If I were to go to an AFF facility, receive instructions there, what level would I be on and would it count towards my AFP course? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!