Namowal

Thanks! I suppose so, but the container that holds them is pretty flush with the helmet edge, so it's not like it's a knob waiting to snag something. Of course, I'm no expert so maybe I should stay out of this debate. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Thanks to everyone for their support. [ url http://tailotherat.blogspot.com/2011/10/skydiving-duck-aff-5-part-two.html]Here's the latest entry, with a video.[/url] (Note that my hair is tucked safely away this time!) My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

As I've plowed my way through weekly AFF lessons, it suddenly hit me that I'm only few lessons away from dives involving sit flying, flips and barrel rolls. These sound intimidating! (Well, I'm a bit of a chicken) How difficult are they to master? (I'd opt to practice them in the tunnel, but with the exception of sit flying, it sounds like a good way to smack into the wall!) Anything I can do on the ground to prepare for them? As always, I'll run any advice I get by my instructors, just in case. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

I put the bomb guy in as a reminder that, while the drop isn't as scary as it used to be (for me), I shouldn't get too complacent either. It's a fun ride, but I need to remember I'm not at Disneyland and should always be alert as to what's going on. Sort of a "Have fun, but pay attention!!" reminder. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

[Joke that will only make sense to those old enough to remember 1985]Frankie? Is that you?[/Joke that will only make sense to those old enough to remember 1985] ***Every one of those "glitches" gives you experience and helps you relax the next time. Good point. I suppose repeating levels is more like custom training as opposed to "You dummy! Fail!" Obviously I need to devote more time to mastering the level five tricks. Plus I've learned a few things not to do. ***Sounds like you're doing just fine. Keep going and keep the cartoons coming. I really enjoy them. Glad you like them. Thanks! My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Here's my latest jump. It was supposed to be AFF level five, but it was a mess! Skydiving Duck: The Big Spin Let's hope I do better this week. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Thanks! My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

I should have been more clear- the wonky legs are causing stability problems. I'm assuming the instructor was more concerned with safety than how slick I looked- and when I mentioned I live near a tunnel, said instructor suggested I spend some more time in it before I retried the AFF level. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

I know that trick. I call it "no place like sky".

As I work my way through AFF (and practice in the tunnel) it seems one of my problems is leg position. It's beyond "too wide" or "two bent." I often have one leg higher than the other or one leg sticking out too far. What drives me batty is it doesn't feel like I'm making these errors, but I am. (I've seen some video evidence!) Tunnel time is helping, but another part of me thinks "You've had over 30 minutes of tunnel time and you still can't get your legs in gear? This is getting silly!" Is there anything I can do to fix this? (I'll run any advice I get past my instructors before trying it out in the sky.) My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Hey! He's stealing my act. p.s. Thanks to everyone for the friendly words and encouragement. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

And in one piece! My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Here's my latest post: Skydiving Duck: Arch Nemisis (AFF Level 4) My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

I'm steering this a bit off topic, but I have to agree with this. As frightened as I was to try skydiving, the notion of me on my deathbead thinking, Dang, I should have tried skydiving. Now I'll never know what it's like bothered me more. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

That's part of the problem. He knows about my blog. Other than that I've been rather sneaky about when I'm jumping so he doesn't worry. I jumped last Saturday (AFF 4) and am working on the drawings. I jump again this Saturday (weather permitting). My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

I've suggested a tandem a few times but he's not interested. Maybe I'll convince him to visit the DZ.

Hi, When I first started skydiving (I'm half way through AFF), my dad was supportive off my new hobby. Now that it's clear that this isn't a temporary phase, he's suggesting that I "slow down," that weekly AFF attempts are "too much, too soon," and has hinted I "try other new hobbies". I've tried to tell him that frequent lessons are a good thing, but he doesn't believe me! Since I'm in my forties and on my own, he can't keep me "grounded," but I feel like I'm being a rotten kid for worrying him. Any suggestions as to how I should handle this? My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

I used to worry about people disliking me, but it doesn't bother me much anymore. It just doesn't seem that important. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Well, it's sorta true. I'm awkward, clumsy, and nervous. A true fish-out-of-water at the DZ. This only makes me more determined to learn skydiving. Not that I expect it to make me a swan, but I don't want to fall into the trap of "I'm to nervous (or awkward or clumsy) to skydive so I won't bother leaning."

Actually I've taken serious liberties with the equipment, and am rather surprised nobody's called me on it sooner. Part of this is because this was originally drawn for friends who didn't skydive, and part of it is cartoon shorthand. For example, the cartoon of me about to do a tandem exit with "Captain Backflip" doesn't have me connected properly. And at least one of my AFF exits pics has an instructor holding each grip with the wrong hand! That being said, I'm impressed that the "loop" grippers caught your attention not so much as an error but as a safety hazard. If you can glance at a situation (real or hypothetical) and think - that would be dangerous because... I think you have the right mindset. At least in my opinion.

I notice in that vid that you had a lot of hair flying around in freefall. Please discuss the significance of this with your instructors. Thanks for pointing this out. Actually I noticed it too and, fearing it might get tangled with the risers on deployment, bought myself a little skullcap style hat to tuck my hair into. It fits under the helmet and works great (I tried it with my AFF 4 attempt) no more flying hair! As for how I did on level 4... ...stay tuned. :) My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

I noticed there's a podcast out there aimed at skydivers. I figure it's aimed at experienced skydivers as opposed to students. As a noob (just passed AFF 4 a few days ago), would I gain anything by tuning in? Or should I stay away until I master the basics? p.s. As a student, I do what my instructors tell me, so I won't be trying out any maneuvers or techniques mentioned in the podcast. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

Thanks! My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.

I sense a pro-duck bias. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons.