Divinfool

I posed that same question a few months ago..... http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4169936;page=unread#unread I just sent in my "A" license completed...I'M 51. If a DZ says you are too old and you feel you still got it...go somewhere else. Don't deny yourself the chance to experience this awesome sport. I dig this stuff so much, I spend most of my days dreaming about my next jump...not to mention the great friends I have made. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Don't forget to give my tickets an extra rub Cyndi... I really need a new suit or a canopy lol Fear is the thief of dreams.....

I regret I got this mortgage that sucks me dry each month...who said real estate is such a great investment Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Congrats! Nothing like the first solo...no pressure to perform, just have fun. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

We got a great deal at my DZ..... any cost of rental gear for the first 30 days after AFF graduation can be put toward the purchase of new or used gear at the gear store. Once you put $ down on a rig, you never pay for rentals as long as you keep putting $$ into the plan (and you got like 6 months to pay it off). I got a great deal on a new 2010 Mirage container that will hold a 130-170 main. I have progressed to a 190, but I plan to keep jumping on rental gear until I get to a 150, then buy a new or nice used 150.....I can still use the container later if I decide to go to a 130. Seemed to be the most logical way to purchase. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

I'm a sucker for a lost dog...got two rescue pups myself. No question they are my best buds! Fear is the thief of dreams.....

One of the things that confounds me is the fact that so many folks at my DZ smoke.... IMHO this sport is far too cool to die young and not enjoy it until you are an ol' fart. My addictions have always been geared more toward things that excite me..... Good luck kicking that expensive and unhealthy habit! Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Sounds like you are near the "crap...what do I have to do or sell to buy myself a rig" point..... not ALL addictions are bad! I'm right where you are...just finishing my "A" requirements and loving every jump. I have been in the process of looking at used rigs, new rigs, combinations of new and used, buy on time, canopy sizing, canopy choice etc etc etc.... I'm more confused now than I was before. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

I seldom forward and if it seems possible, I go to snoops.com ...they have a pretty good handle on the BS thrown around on the internet. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Everyone feels like that...I say do the AFF. No time like right away. Remember...if you follow the safety instructions that you have been taught...IMHO this is a very safe sport. They would not let you out the door unless they believed in your skills. I also notice even the seasoned veterans on the ascent are visualizing the jump..... I find it relaxing to zone out at about 7-8k I slowly.... visually walk myself through the entire jump from exit to landing....then take a breath deep into your lungs...think about how exciting the next few minutes will be. I like to remember how fortunate I am to be able to do what very few other people get to experience. By that point you are ready to do another 10 point check and secure your helmet etc. Don't let your mind overcrowd the fun your are getting ready to have! Blue Skies brotha! Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Looked like they had toilet plungers sticking out of their heads.. Art?...hummm...guess I am not refined enough to appreciate it. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

25 year for us.... got to be ready to forgive even when it's not your fault! My wife is awesome; honest and trustworthy... fortunately, not nearly as crazy and extroverted as me. She had been married before and had an arse for a husband... guess she jumped from the fire to the frying pan. lol Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Good job...it's all downhill from here! lol Get used to it...my whuffo friends don't want to hear about it anymore either....but they love the videos for some reason. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Wish I could make it....but I'm gonna do the raffle. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

As a kid I was facinated by parachutes... I used to make them by cutting a giant garbage bag in an exact circle using a felt pen and a string (like a compass). I'd attach lines in 8 places and a fishing weight to the string. I'd throw that thing until my arms hurt. One day I decided to sneak into the local stadium and throw my parachutes off the top... I must have gone up and down that stadium a hundred times. As a young adult, every time I saw someone under canopy....I'd say. Man I gotta do that... after I got married and had two kids... I was still facinated but never could afford it. On my 50 birthday my daughter (21)... handmade a card for me with a picture of me jumping out of a plane...with the words "this time you get to go...whenever you are ready"... my son, daughter and myself did a tandem...and I was totally hooked...driven might be even a better word (obsessed? lol). After only doing 17 jumps, I can't believe how much I love this. I really feel like I was meant to do this. Kinda corny, but all true. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

1. Whats your name? Michael 2. How old are you? 51 3. Why did you decide to start jumping out of airplanes? Aug, 2011..it was the one thing I had not done that has almost obsessed me for years. 4. Are you single or taken? Married 25 years (only once- to the same person lol). 5. Do you have kids? 2 awesome kids (both in college) 6. What do you drive? Yukon XL 4wd 7. Have you ever done a kisspass? nope 8. Where do you live? Central Florida 9. Do you have any pets? 2 Rescue Pups and some fish 10. How many jumps do you have? 13 11. What color eyes do you have? Blue 12. What is your nationality? Granddad was German, Grandmother English...Grandfather Scottish....Grandmother Jewish... Me HEINZ 57 Mixed breed like my dogs..lol 13. Have you ever dated someone you met off the internet? Nope 14. Favorite Movie? Platoon...The longest day....Arthur (70's version) 15. What do you do when you arent skydiving? Driving boats, SCUBA Diving, spearfishing, Yardwork (mamma says I better). 16. Have you ever BASE jumped? Not yet 17. If not... do you want to? My testicular mass is not large enough yet 18. Do you have siblings? 2...one here, one watching over me 19. Where do you want to travel to the most? Austraila 20. What's your favorite color? Blue 21. Where was the last place you flew to ( not skydiving )? Alaska Fear is the thief of dreams.....

At my DZ there are military guys out there doing 10 or more jumps a day practicing canopy skills and team landings...I think they are Rangers. What a great job...until you have to do it "for real" Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Good info from the veterans here...thanks. I will be doing mine in the next week or so... this information helps to make it less stressful. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Well written and entertaining! I'm not sure of your age, but don't let too many days go by before you start AFF. I only wish I had started when I was younger. I did a tandem on Aug 7 without any intent to do AFF...within 2 weeks I was enrolled in ground school and even took 3 days off work to do it (I've only missed about 6 days of work in the last 5 years). Best decision I ever made. After only 13 jumps....I now realize this is the sport I was always meant to do (and I've done almost every sport my mom told me not to!). Good luck in your training and if you are like me, you will be spending lots of time on DZ.com and praying for blue skies. Mike Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Ditto... acting looks lame...action video looks great. That being said, I'll still pay to see it. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Oops.... Thanks on the congrats.... All that fuel smells the same to me... but for some reason when I'm smelling diesel fuel it reminds me of getting prepped for a skydive and my heartrate increases! I love this sport. Wingsuit? That looks insane.... I'll concentrate on safe docking, tracking , canopy control and landings for now, but I rule nothing out. lol Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Read carefully... I never mentioned the DZ. I do not wish to malign anyone. But I did feel as if I was not treated fairly. I have no dog in this fight. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Did AFF in 8 jumps....but have since done 4 more. Man I love the smell of diesel fumes in the morning! lol Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Wanted to update this post.... I just completed my AFF and now have 13 jumps. Many huge thanks to the instructors at Skydive DELAND. You guys are true professionals. Great DZ...great aircraft...great instructors. The other Florida DZ that rejected me because of age will soon be seeing me jumping at their DZ...just ONCE for spite! Fear is the thief of dreams.....

You will love Deland...very student friendly, great instructors and great aircraft. Fear is the thief of dreams.....