KevinP

I look at the EPs as a series of deliberate actions rather than "EPs". I hope that makes sense. Step 1: Look red; Step 2: Grab red... etc. If I let it get into my head that I am training to cut away and deploy my reserve, it starts to become overwhelming. I'm a total postwhore when it comes to this video, but check this out. The first part happened mainly because I was thinking of the SKYDIVE, not Step 1: ARCH. Just my way of thinking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-QssF1JRXU Me? I wouldn't go up until I'm comfortable, BUT I would also do whatever I need to to make myself comfortable. Yeah, I only have four skydives, but at this point, I'll say that it has been worth every penny and every ounce of mental energy spent. GOOD LUCK! Now get in there and gear up! Sincerely, Kevin

Make sure you update us. I'm going next weekend to get L3 and L4. I MAY try to get L5, but last weekend, two jumps wore me out. :) Sincerely, Kevin

I should have been more clear. I used another student's pattern. He was at least 1000 feet below me. He was turning final before I even entered it. And I preferred the second video, but thanks. :) Sincerely, Kevin

I figured I would share my experience on my AFF 1 jump AFTER the video. Canopy check was uneventful with no worries. I check altimeter and I was at, IIRC, about 3500. I identify my landing area, check the tetrahedron and start to make my way over to the holding area that my instructor and I had discussed. I get there and have lots of altitude left (~2500), so I decide to just fly around a bit. Cleared the space around me in all dimensions and did a couple of 360* turns. I get back on heading toward the entry point of my pattern and realize that, by my estimation, I was too far south. I turn north to make a short run and, at about 1500 feet, turn back toward the entry point. And stopped moving. Turns out that the wind between ~2K and ~1K was blowing directly toward me. At this point, a three-leg pattern is out the door and my instructor tells me to line up on the center of the landing area (I was the only jumper left in the air besides tandems, but they land on a different LZ, so my air space is totally clear). I wind up landing about 150m north of the LZ. When I get face-to-face with the instructor on the radio, he asked, if I was basically not moving and was pretty much even with the LZ, why would I run upwind? I explained my thought process and then the two of them described a penetration check and how I could have applied it to that situation. In short, I figured piloting to the LZ would be the easy part. haha Not so much. For the record, on AFF 2, I landing in the LZ. Far NE corner, but on the grass. LOL However, I did have another student that I followed in. I'm looking forward to my next jumps. I didn't fully appreciate all the variables that affect landing even in an area that is 250' by 450'. Sincerely, Kevin

Bwaahaahaha! Well, you will have to! I have no intention of "going back." Skydives are WAY more fun when you have significant influence on what is going on! Level three on the 19th, weather permitting! Sincerely, Kevin

Weather and Army allowing, I'm going back on 19 March. Hopefully I'll get L3 and L4 done. And I am glad I could help. I tend to use my power for good rather than evil. Sincerely, Kevin

I'm jumping at Skydive Arizona in Eloy. GREAT group of people, from the instructors to the school staff to the packers. Well, pretty much everyone I have come into contact with. Plus, I like the surrounding area. Yes, there is a specific, nice grassy DZ, but there are like 100 square miles of off sites. And with me batting a .333 on hitting that grass, I need it. Sincerely, Kevin

Holy cow!! That's pretty intense! Sincerely, Kevin

Perhaps. I credit the instructors too. All three of them, Jay and Tom from the first attempt and Jared and Tom on this one. Matter of fact, I have to throw Sammy, who did the FJC, in there too. Heck, even the riggers in the pack room. EVERYONE at SD AZ was really supportive and positive, and calmly, but assertively, telling me what to focus on to prevent a repeat. I am totally cool with taking ownership of that other jump. I simply didn't do what I was trained to do. Dunno why, but that's what went down. Anyway, that's air across the prop. Now to focus on getting 3 through 7 done! Sincerely, Kevin

Yeah, I forgot to get the dive flow from the instructor before I left. I have no idea what's coming up. I guess I can't really practice air movement, but at least I could get it in my head. :) Good luck!! When are you going back up? I didn't realize that skydiving is so tiring (or I'm terribly out of shape). I was worn out after two, so there was no way I was going to shoot for number three. I'll go back in a couple of weeks and get it on. Sincerely, Kevin

Well, if we ever meet in person, I'll buy you a beer. No problem! Guinness on tap. Sincerely, Kevin

Got to the DZ at 7:30, checked in, stretched (and stretched and stretched), was told I had about a half-hour, met my instructors, geared up and off we went!! Here is the result: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-QssF1JRXU Did Level 2 (no video) and it was pretty much awesome. AFF-I was giving me the "straighten legs more" sign. Turns were really good. AND, I landed in the grass that time! And for the record, while I thoroughly enjoy skydiving, I'm not a fan of the ride up. Sorry, pilots. But, until someone invents a giant slingshot, I'll deal with it. :) WHOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!! I LOVE this stuff! Sincerely, Kevin

ROLF. I went and I DID! Got through level 2. I'm pretty excited. I'm uploading a video now. Sincerely, Kevin

Alright. Tomorrow is AFF Level 1, Take II. Hopefully I'll have a text-book video to post. Whatever the case, I WILL do three things: ARCH, have fun and smile. Someone said smiling is a way to communicate to the instructors that every thing is copacetic. Clear skies everyone!! Sincerely, Kevin

are you saying you didn't get a case for you 1s jump Uh oh...... Sincerely, Kevin

WHOOOHOOO!! Don't forget to arch. LOL (inside joke, but I show what happens when you DON'T in a video that is floating around. Go to Youtube and search for "ugliest skydive ever") Which DZ are you taking the course at? I'm going to Eloy on Sunday. I hope to get L1, 2, and 3 done. Good luck!! Sincerely, Kevin

Update? It's after tomorrow now. Sincerely, Kevin

The instructors? Haha. Mainside: "Kevin, what do you do if you find yourself unstable?" Me (still fighting slight nausea): "You arch." Mainside: "You arch." That was all that was said on the ride back to the main DZ. We landed off by about a km. Then he showed me how to ground the rig in the pack room, went and got my DVD and proceeded to show every other instructor there. I wasn't TOO thrilled about that, but I have worked with, for and over guys who have similar personalities, so I can handle it. After my dizziness subsided a bit, I laughed about it. Still do. It happened. It's done and I'll ace it on Sunday. Sincerely, Kevin

Yeah, something I definitely DIDN'T do on Level 1, Take I. Did you see that video. LOL Dude, it was a heck of a time. I still had a blast, though. I'm going to fold myself in half off the door this next time. I'd recommend chutingstar.com. They have a lot of good prices, based on a month of comparisons I have been doing. And they have a good reputation here, which has to count for something. Skydivestore.com comes in a close second, but I haven't heard anything about customer service, so caveat emptor and all that. Sincerely, Kevin

Good stuff. I'm not sure when I am "supposed" to do a packing class, but one is part of the program. I'm going to the DZ on Sunday. I want to get three jumps in, but it may be limited to two. I'm doing the pay-as-you-go thing, so two is definite. Three? Dunno yet. $$$ Haha Blue skies!!!! Sincerely, Kevin

Man, where is that "LIKE" button? This is the best summary of these beer rules I have read. And I read a TON of stuff when I first joined this message board. Search for "beer rules" and you can read for a weekend. So, I would be well suited to take each of those instructors in the video cited earlier a 6-pack. I feel a bit obligated, even though I am a student. I mean, have you seen that thing? They EARNED that money. Sincerely, Kevin

Its a great feeling to be home and not have to worry about going back again, isn't it? Indeed it is. I may deploy, but it'll be a smaller team and on a TDY thing rather than a TCS. And I don't mind playing with these beer rules. However, priorities are priorities. Right now, I have some expendable income, but if it comes down to beer or jump, well..... I'll drink a beer with guys and gals at the DZ. I stop at one (if you're bored, PM me and I'll tell you the story), but I'll provide a 6-pk for key individuals in my development. And I still laugh at that video. A skydiving buddy (who is well aware of my Jesus Freak-ness) in Maryland said "watching that video made me call on God. I was screaming at the screen ARCH GODD*MN IT, ARCH!" LOL Sincerely, Kevin

That's pretty hilarious, since I am the guy in the first video. The story is on this forum under a thread about screwing the pooch. I'm a pretty boring guy. I'm a Jesus Freak. I don't party. I don't drink very much at all. I am interested in this sport as a way to keep me from going crazy since I am finally out of the year-in-year-off Iraq rotation. If I have to buy (or drink) copious amounts of beer to be accepted, then I am fine jumping alone. I'll play by societal rules to a point, but if I'm judged poorly because I didn't buy or bring beer when it was expected (or because I blow my first jump, as seen in the video), I won't lose sleep. Sincerely, Kevin

I like this reply. Simplicity is good. Especially for a noob. Sincerely, Kevin

August will make 24 years and we are still ecstatic with each other. We had a near-splitting moment about 17 years ago, but since then, we haven't looked back. Sincerely, Kevin