corpkid 0 #1 June 13, 2013 Had done 3 tandems over the years at Deland, and then got really busy with finishing my degree and my (rather insane) job. I had always loved those tandems and really wanted to go for AFF, but I realized I just wouldn't have time (or $$$). Fast forward about 8 or 9 years and I throw my 14 year old visiting niece and myself into the Orlando iFly tunnel. It felt like I never left the sky, and after my 2nd round, I was going stable and solo, and even turning on command. She also was super stable and flying solo. We loved it so much we booked a 10 min block to split for the next day and it just got better as I relaxed more. I decided I would sign up for AFF, and will be doing this next month. In the mean time, I've brought 2 other people for split 10 min blocks, hired Ari Perelman as a coach (and just completed my 2nd 15min session) and have gone a few more on my own, so I'd say I'm pushing about 50 mins in the tunnel and LOVING IT and can really see my progress (and my weaknesses). I like to say I'm collecting those flight DVD's as I have something like 8 now! :) I think what I love the most, is when you are in the chamber waiting to jump in, you aren't thinking about much but your upcoming flight, and what your instructor told you, and what you felt/saw on the last session, etc. And once you are in there, CERTAINLY not! It's very zen for me, even though I'm always adjusting or trying x or y or looking at the coach with a puzzled face (what the HELL is he trying to tell me!?) LOL. It's nice to be so focused on the exact moment you are in, which I think is rare these days. Plus, I love doing zoom ups and then fast belly falls from as I high as I can get in there trying to just barely miss the net on the bottom. A real rush! That all said - Name's Dominic and I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you around this awesome site and hopefully in the sky soon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingRhenquest 1 #2 June 13, 2013 Sounds like you've already learned one of the harder lessons in the sport -- relaxing makes you fly better! I love flying in the tunnel too -- just put another 12 minutes in yesterday, though nothing's quite like a sunset high pull out at the dropzone. Though everyone here says tunnel flying isn't much like skydiving, I think an experienced tunnel flyer like you is less likely to experience sensory overload on his early jumps. Just remember to keep an eye on that altimeter and pull a the correct altitude! Don't be all like head-down carving on your first jump -- AFF instructors hate that! Heh heh hehI'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #3 June 13, 2013 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
corpkid 0 #4 June 17, 2013 FlyingRhenquestSounds like you've already learned one of the harder lessons in the sport -- relaxing makes you fly better! I love flying in the tunnel too -- just put another 12 minutes in yesterday, though nothing's quite like a sunset high pull out at the dropzone. Though everyone here says tunnel flying isn't much like skydiving, I think an experienced tunnel flyer like you is less likely to experience sensory overload on his early jumps. Just remember to keep an eye on that altimeter and pull a the correct altitude! Don't be all like head-down carving on your first jump -- AFF instructors hate that! Heh heh heh HAH! Ari won't even let me get on my back yet. It's all about AFF at this point so belly down, stable, relax and have fun! And try to figure out what I'm doing wrong. :) My turns are decent but need work as I do pull my arms in a little. MAN that tunnel is very unforgiving, right? I'm just now starting to understand the wind better (beyond the obvious). I can feel it, and I like it. They were joking in the debrief about falling asleep on their backs in the tunnel and how comfortable that would be... "click moment" :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingRhenquest 1 #5 June 17, 2013 corpkid HAH! Ari won't even let me get on my back yet. It's all about AFF at this point so belly down, stable, relax and have fun! And try to figure out what I'm doing wrong. :) My turns are decent but need work as I do pull my arms in a little. MAN that tunnel is very unforgiving, right? I'm just now starting to understand the wind better (beyond the obvious). I can feel it, and I like it. They were joking in the debrief about falling asleep on their backs in the tunnel and how comfortable that would be... "click moment" :) Well feeling the wind is way beyond what most of us get on that first jump. Took me quite a while to really start feeling it, even in the tunnel. Since I really started noticing it, I've found a spot outside the window of my car where I can rest my hand in the burble of the mirror and have it be perfectly stable. If you try that, don't let it distract you too much from driving. It really is pretty neat. Maybe try it as a passenger... I got video from all my tunnel session and you can see a very clear progression. I still find it astounding to think that it's really only a couple hours in the tunnel and a couple hours of freefall to get me to this point. Something about your life being in danger really speeds the learning up!I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
