Learning Before Jumping

[PinPointer 0]

Trusting an instructor is not one of my strong points. I have an oppositional tendency to do the reverse of whatever I am told to do. So Self Instruction is probably a better route for me.

Maybe maybe if I am going out the right side of the aircraft, I can push off more forcefully with my right leg, to get a forward push, away from the tail. Maybe crouch, and roll forward, and push off with my legs as I start to get pulled by the wind from the plane. Maybe take a running leap from the left side of the plane, toward the right side and out the door.



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[grannyinthesky 0]

I had a feeling that is what you had in mind. I think you should strongly consider the possibility that you are not ready to learn to skydive at this time. IT IS NOT SAFE TO SKYDIVE WITHOUT COMPETENT INSTRUCTION. I am very serious and gravity is deadly serious. Even with my 6 jumps, I can appreciate how challenging it is to learn to skydive with good competent instructors. Please reconsider your desire to learn to skydive until you are able to follow the directions of your instructors.

"safety first... and What the hell.....
safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy

POPS #10490

[labrys 0]

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Maybe maybe if I am going out the right side of the aircraft, I can push off more forcefully with my right leg, to get a forward push, away from the tail. Maybe crouch, and roll forward, and push off with my legs as I start to get pulled by the wind from the plane. Maybe take a running leap from the left side of the plane, toward the right side and out the door.

Listen up. None of the things you're considering are likely to lead to anything but disaster. Each DZ's instructors know it's aircraft and the best methods for student exits. Those methods are proven and lead to the best possible student exits

Your odds of a tail strike are astronimically low compared to the mayhem that's going to occur if you attempt to fling yourself out the door like a flailing cat over a bathtub trying to avoid a problem that doesn't exist.

I strongly suggest you get hands-on instruction. If you're really the type who can't be taught in person, then skydiving might not be a good idea right now. If you just need someone to talk to and ask questions about jumping without the pressure of dealing with an instructor in person feel free to ask here in the general skydiving forums or gear forums.

Watch for answers from people with their profiles completed and instructional ratings listed for the (hopefully) best answers. Keep in mind that most dropzones vary in equipment, aircraft, and training methods so what one person says is correct might not be the way it works if you go go get training in person.

Good luck

Owned by Remi #?

[PinPointer 0]

I guess I have a few questions I can research before getting coaching and training.

* How do you pack a parachute?
*What do you look for when inspecting a packed parachute?
* How do you use weather reports and navigation maps to guide the selection of a location for jumping to a targeted jump zone?
* What methods of jumping out of the plane can be used for various situations?
* How do you steer or guide the chute, once it is deployed?
*What are the methods of placing your feet when landing, under which conditions?



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[skymama 37]

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* How do you pack a parachute?

There are a lot of steps. You take a class from a certified Rigger and they'll tell you.

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*What do you look for when inspecting a packed parachute?

The Rigger will tell you.

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* How do you use weather reports and navigation maps to guide the selection of a location for jumping to a targeted jump zone?

An instructor will teach you that.

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* What methods of jumping out of the plane can be used for various situations?

An instructor will teach you that.

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* How do you steer or guide the chute, once it is deployed?

With the toggles. But, An instructor will teach you that.

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*What are the methods of placing your feet when landing, under which conditions?

If you think you're going to crash land, you do a PLF. An instructor will teach you that.

Get the picture? Seriously, the AFF way of instruction has worked for thousands of jumpers. I'm sure it will work for you too.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[labrys 0]

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* How do you pack a parachute?
*What do you look for when inspecting a packed parachute?
* How do you use weather reports and navigation maps to guide the selection of a location for jumping to a targeted jump zone?
* What methods of jumping out of the plane can be used for various situations?
* How do you steer or guide the chute, once it is deployed?
*What are the methods of placing your feet when landing, under which conditions?

You're pretty much asking for all the information someone needs to be a licensed jumper. Way too much information to write here.

There's a first jump course video for sale here:

http://www.downtoearthrigging.com/Video/tabid/55/Default.aspx

Or you could just rent Fandango

In the immortal words of Truman Sparks:

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Okay, you'll be coming out here and doing a stable fall facedown, frog modified.

Out here comes the static line. lt goes from this to here.

The pilot chute opens, pulling the bridle out, and then the main canopy will be open.

And then you'll be down here, looking up here for the WDl indicator.

And you'll also check for Mae West.

lf that's not there, you need to check here for four panels and a hole.

When you come down, you'll find the peas, you'll land here and get in this position.

Except you don't wanna do that. That's trouble.

What you want to do is get right here, come around here, fold up...

...and do a toggle and jettison, and always watch the horizon, okay?

Owned by Remi #?

[Broke 0]

There is also IAD as well

Divot your source for all things Hillbilly.
Anvil Brother 84
SCR 14192

[gimpboogie 0]

* How do you pack a parachute?
follow the instructions on the leafleft that came with it when you buy one.


*What do you look for when inspecting a packed parachute?
what ever the leaflet tells you,if it doesnt teach you how to use the parachute,
try taking it to your closest dropzone and find an
first jump course, you'll learn a couple of basic things.

* How do you use weather reports and navigation maps to guide the selection of a location for jumping to a targeted jump zone?
i think there's a web page for that

try to check it out, and then if in doudt, to back to that dropzone with your chute, and ask the instructors to teach you those things...
they do that sort of thing over there.


* What methods of jumping out of the plane can be used for various situations?
if your exiting a commercial plane you entered to go someplace, and its an emergency exit, and your flying with that parachute you bought in the first step,
any method will do, try not to go for a head first orientation if you can help it.
otherwise, if its a plane you entered with the intention of jumping out of it,
go back to that dropzone, and ask that instructor,you
ve propably figured out the drill by now...keep going over to that dropzone you chose, and the instructors there will have answers to anything you can think of regarding parachutes flying them jumping out of planes or landings.



feet,.. hhhmm...
I wouldn't know, mine are paralyzed so I just tie them up and hoist them up high. :)
out of the way of my landing.

To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

[Jumpinjojo 0]

In the last year i have done both RAPS ground school & AFF, the first thing i have been asked by my instructor is "Am i TEACHABLE?" The answer needs to be YES if you want to be a skydiver.

Your just filling your head with all sorts of stuff you really don't need to worry about at the moment as like others have told you YOUY INSTRUCTOR will train you on everything you need to know to make your 1st jump. If the instructor isn't happy with you then he will not let you jump.

I did love your ideas on how to exit the plane :D lmao they was mint.

Hope u jump soon m8 rather then read about it.

[kschilk 0]

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Watch for answers from people with their profiles completed and instructional ratings listed for the (hopefully) best answers. Keep in mind that most dropzones vary in equipment, aircraft, and training methods so what one person says is correct might not be the way it works if you go go get training in person.

Good luck

I'm thinkin' the Fish Commission is gonna' be peee-yissed...he's waaay over the creel limit!

"T'was ever thus."

[BerryBoy 0]

I didn't read all of the posts, but I'll give you my 2 cents. Keep in mind that I've only had one tandem and one observation ride.

Before I even jumped, I too tried to explore the sport from the ground--which isn't easy. What really helped me decide is reading "JUMP: Skydiving Made Fun and Easy" by Tom Buchanan (2003). It's a pretty recent publication, a fun and easy read for novices, and answers most questions you'll have at first. I would highly recommend adding this to your list.

Another suggestion would be to make an observation ride up to jumping altitude with other jumpers. You would get great exposure to what actually happens before and during the exit without actually having to jump. I found my recent observation ride SO helpful and fun in many ways. Because I can't commit enough time to safely participate in the sport, I decided I could at least ride up and get use to a few of the elements.

Anyways...best of luck!

[labrys 0]

I'm not sure why you are directing this to me....

Owned by Remi #?

[Baksteen 84]

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Trusting an instructor is not one of my strong points. I have an oppositional tendency to do the reverse of whatever I am told to do. So Self Instruction is probably a better route for me.

You have issues with trusting a certified instructor, but not the advice you can come across any old how?

Of course, you are to keep using your common sense, but you'll have to trust someone at some point.
Sorry my friend, I am all for improvement through education, and I have said before that wasting time on twenty trolls is worth it if we can help a single genuine newbie, but the time has come to call BS on you.

EDIT: I have followed this thread during it's development, this is not a comment I make out of thin air.. my gut feeling.
But I'll happily be proven otherwise.

"That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport."
~mom

[BerryBoy 0]

I'm not...my bad. I clicked reply on the last post, which I read...that happened to be your's. It was intended for PinPointer as just general advice.