kkissinger

When my (grown-up) kids invited me to join them for a First Jump Course (FJC), I wasn't really sure if it would be a one-shot event. The prospect of spending a day with the kids and sharing an unforgettable experience was as much a factor as was the prospect of making a static-line jump. To exit an airplane in flight was clearly the most un-natural act I'd ever done however I was "hooked" as soon as I was out the door. I walked into the office afterwards and told everyone that I decided to get my license. Thus started a routine of calls to the dz to check winds and many pleasant hours of time at the dz to meet everyone, discuss skydiving, and wait for favorable winds (many of my jumps were late in the day when the winds die down). Everyone at MRVS is friendly and supportive and I quickly felt accepted and 'at home' there. On many occasions, the local up-jumpers put together loads to enable me to make my late-in-the-day jumps. Now that I have a license I look forward to passing on the favor to other students to come. Most of the time the aircraft is a Cessna 206 however there are also Cessna 182s that are used when the 206 is unavailable. The target area is large (suitable for students) and the terrain is flat farmland for miles around. I would recommend MRVS to anyone who is interested in skydiving from tandem students, static-line and AFP students, and licensed skydivers. Also, bring your family and friends -- the atmosphere is fun and pleasant and everyone has a good time -- jumpers and spectators alike.

With the wind restrictions for students, one may be hard-pressed to realize any economy from owning one's own gear. In my case, many weekends have come and gone and all it takes is a single gust > 14 every 30 minutes to keep students on the ground. This is why I have three jumps instead of an A license at the moment. :( Thus, renting is cheaper for me then owning. Besides, the DZ where I jump requires students to rent their gear and licensed jumpers to supply their own.

My second jump was from the 182. Since I received an excellent briefing and practiced on the ground, I was able to anticipate the wind and the importance of good foot placement on the step. As I climbed out I was imagining how it would be to be a wing-walker. Hanging on the strut was fun -- kind of relaxing -- I could have flown around like that for a while. The jump was easy because I was already in position -- just let go of the strut, stay arched, and start the count.