Namowal

You say that now, but after 11 solo jumps, you may get a bit bored ;) I know it's hard to imagine, but there may come a time when jumping out of an airplane will be less exciting than it currently is. And I think that's when students think, well, why don't I try sit-flying, that looks cool! If you haven't already, talk to your instructors about exit order, how much time to give the group before you, and the dangers of tracking up or down jump run. Then knock those jumps out, get your A, and we'll look forward to seeing the skydiving duck doing RW! Well, you have a point there. I can see a student getting board and trying a stunt that might stress the equipment, put them in the path of other jumpers, etc... I promise I'll run any ideas I get past the instructors. (I want to live to make more jumps.) Thanks! My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Well, back then, I suppose that's what it was. When I drew the pre-AFF comic, it was to amuse my pals ("Hey, look what I did!"). I was interested in AFF, but didn't think I had the nerve to try it. Even when I started AFF I wasn't sure I could complete it. Surly I'd reach a threshold where it got too scary (or difficult) for me.... I think the support I got on the forums helped keep me going. Really? Thanks! My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

That's how I thought it went: that I was technically unsupervised but should check with the instructors for details- upper wind speed, pin check, etc.. Don't worry, I wouldn't try anything funny up there.

I'm definitely still a student. I am (or was) under the impression that I was on my own for this, but would have to find an instructor to sign the logbook afterwards. Or did you mean I should find an instructor to go over the dive plan even if I don't officially have someone assigned to me? That will be an experience, both going up and the way down! My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Thanks guineapiggie101! Say, how did your first solo go? Are you really 100% unsupervised? I know the drop and landing are solo, and you have to put the info in the log book etc.., but does anyone check with you about your dive plans? Not that I'm planning anything weird...

Thanks, mrubin. I've gotten to the point where freefall actually seems fun. (Don't worry, I still keep an eye on the altimeter!) My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Here's the AFF level 8 cartoon: http://tailotherat.blogspot.com/2011/12/skydiving-duck-aff-level-8.html I still can't believe I passed it. Whoohoo! My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Yep. I agree with some of you who said it's one of the easier exits. Looking forward to trying it again! My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

I've had trippy dreams since I was a kid. I must have been dropped on my head. p.s. working on the level 8 cartoon now... My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

I felt bad for the Oven Goose until I remembered how those @#!! things used to chase me around the park when I was a kid. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

This might scare your cartoon fans heh heh My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Thanks for the tips. My dive exit actually went fairly well. Not that it was graceful, but I didn't tumble over or end up in a weird position. Oh, I had a few thoughts about the Door Monster when I got near him. It'll be in the next cartoon installment.

I guess your wish worked because I had fun. As for the Gänsespringen, what happens to the goose. Does he become a mascot? A pet? A meal? Or does it vary? My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Thanks, Austinxflight, Skyjumpenfool and Abedy! We'll see how I do today...

So far that's been the case! I wish I had less time between this jump and my last one (car trouble and weather kept me grounded the previous two weekends), but I don't think I'll be too rusty. Good point! Thanks for reminding me.

Sorry for the delay between posts. Bad weather and car issues have kept me grounded the last few weeks. I'm hoping to take care of AFF level 8 tomorrow (Saturday). In the meantime, here's one of my older cartoons, based on a nightmare I had. I drew it before my skydiving days, but it does take place up in the air, and there's some (brief) free falling. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Pretend you're a still-gets-nervous AFF student (that is, me ) who has to do level 8 soon, complete with the dive exit. How tough (and how intimidating) is it compared to other AFF exits? Part of me thinks "Dive head first out of the plane? Are you nuts!?" and part of me thinks "Well, it has to be less awkward than getting into position for the float exit." Also, is it similar at all to diving into the tunnel? The tunnel instructor had me enter that way the last time I practiced there, and I seemed to get the hang of it. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

I'm defiantly in your camp here. My earliest jumps scared me silly! I'm still new at this, and still get scared, but the idea of never jumping again scares me more than the idea of jumping. I didn't ask, but now that you mention it, yes. And hear I thought "skyhook" was only a RSL device... My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

He could really sing, couldn't he? Too bad I can't sing. I'd love to sing Tosca's last line: "O Scarpia, avanti a Dio!" every time I left the the plane! My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

I'm with ya on that! The music always makes me cry. Jen Turandot is one of my faves too. As is Tosca.

I like it. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Wow, thanks for all the responses, everyone!

Just curious... Is there any reliable online reference that shows each step of the preflight check (Check the reserve pin, make sure reserve pin loop isn't worn more than ten percent, reserve ripcord cables movement in housing etc..?) Even better would be some counterexample images to show what trouble looks like (for example "this pilot chute bridle routing is incorrect because..."). I've seen the check live many times, but some extra reference would be cool (assuming it's reliable!). My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

I found them helpful too. I think more in pictures than in words so I always appreciate any instructions that show what to do, instead of just telling. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.