Machiavellian 0 #1 June 14, 2010 I started my AFF course this past weekend in NJ. I have been sayinbg for the past few years I was going to go. Finally pulled the trigger and loved it. I look forward to learning and absorbing all the information I can!! Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
100LL 0 #2 June 14, 2010 Great!! welcome. i just started AFF last weekend as well, but weather has kept me grounded since then. Hopefully i'll be able to get up soon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airathanas 0 #3 June 14, 2010 Welcome to skydiving! I live in Texas right now but I grew up in NY and learned to jump at the Ranch. Blue skies!http://3ringnecklace.com/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #4 June 15, 2010 Welcome to the forums! 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluetwo 0 #5 June 15, 2010 I'm totally new too, but welcome!! Hope it keeps on being fun for you and you have time to keep on learning._______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Machiavellian 0 #6 July 10, 2010 So I got my welcome to skydiving the other day. On my second AFF of the day on monday, I threw my pilot chute. As i counted as it opened, I realized I was turning. Stopped breathing as I looked up to find one of the brakes was unstowed, so I was turning in the direction of the one still stowed. Grabbed both and flared to find I was okay. I can't wait for this onday Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Machiavellian 0 #7 July 18, 2010 So earlier this week I learned when NOT to flare. As in not as my feet hit the ground, lol. The ground came up quicker than I was expecting. I have a sore tail bone but otherwise unscather. I went back up the next day and nailed my landing by standing up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim_32766 0 #8 July 19, 2010 QuoteSo earlier this week I learned when NOT to flare. As in not as my feet hit the ground, lol. The ground came up quicker than I was expecting. I have a sore tail bone but otherwise unscather. I went back up the next day and nailed my landing by standing up Sorry to hear of the landing lesson, but glad to hear you are ok and back in the sky. Yes, the timing of the flare is very important, and it can take several jumps with the same canopy to start to get it consistently right. Most of us get a few grass stains and bumps as we progress along the learning curve. As others will tell you, it's a good idea to open relatively high and really learn the flight envelope of the canopy. That practice will help develop more of a "feel" regarding how the canopy will behave. You will find that different canopies vary greatly in their responsiveness and strength of flare. Blue skies!The meaning of life . . . is to make life have meaning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Machiavellian 0 #9 July 29, 2010 SO I jumped again Monday. Jump started off strange. Instructor lost one grip and got extended. It caused us to end up on or backs. I rolled out as he got his grip back though. Everything went well after. And for the first time, I felt completely comfortbale under the canopy. I was doing sprial turns, S turns, quick lefts followed by hard rights as I got to my landing pattern. First time I came in at the correct altitude for my pattern. I had been coming in early. Excited to go back up monday Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #10 July 30, 2010 QuoteI was doing spiral turns, S turns, quick lefts followed by hard rights as I got to my landing pattern. If your instructors say it's OK to do those maneuvers, that's fine. And if they've already discussed with you when it is - and is not - safe to do them, then this post isn't needed. Spirals and S-turns can be safe at some times, but at other times they can be less than safe because they might risk interfering or colliding with other canopies in the air with you. If you haven't already had this discussion with your instructors, you should probably do so, and then follow their advice. Also, some DZs do not have specific rules about spirals and S-turns, while others may specifically discourage them. Find out about this if you visit other DZs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inspired 0 #11 July 30, 2010 QuoteI was doing sprial turns, S turns, quick lefts followed by hard rights as I got to my landing pattern. That maneuver, if done incorrectly, will cause you to lose line tension and spin you into line twist right quick. I practice it pretty often myself, but only up high, not as I'm about to enter the pattern. I would STRONGLY urge you not to try anything out on your own without first discussing it with your instructors. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites