dominus 0 #1 April 6, 2008 I did my first tandem jump in later March and it was phenomenal. I signed up for AFF level 1 in late April and I can't wait. I know my instructors will be the ones who teach me everything I need to know, but I wanted to post my questions here too, just to see what you all have to say on the topic. I am not really concerning myself with the free fall portion yet because having two JMs with me will be all the comfort and guidance I need. But, the most questionable part I think will be canopy control and piloting my self to the DZ and successfully landing. I imagine there are a lot of things one has to do to land perfeclyt and get to the DZ as intended. How the hell am I suppose to manage all that on my own?! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hayfield 0 #2 April 6, 2008 Good questions. You will be shown the strategy for flying back to the DZ, setting up your landing pattern, and landing during the first jump course. You will probably have a radio on your helmet or attached to the harness with a coach or instructor "talking you down" from the DZ. Above all, listen to your instructors and ask questions about anything and everything you don't fully understand. And keep your head on a swivel when flying your canopy! Good luck and blue skies!"Remember the First Commandment: Don't Fuck Up!" -Crusty Old Pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stuntbabex 0 #3 April 6, 2008 landing was my biggest concern before doing my AFF1 jump. The instructors will tell you all about the landing patterns, wind, etc but if you feel you arent ready or you need more instruction, let them know!! Dont be afraid to ask lots of questions, even if you think they may be dumb ones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chubba 0 #4 April 6, 2008 Make sure you understand and feel confident in landing the canopy by yourself and don't rely on the radio, because in my AFF2 jump the radio malfuctioned and I was stuffed... I was waiting till later on (5 - 6+etc) before I started considering landing by myself. Long story short, downwind 1.2km off dropzone in somebodies backyard. My AFFI's did explain it all to me, but admist all the emergency proceedures and your first exit/freefall, landing was the last thing on my mind and I would just grab my toggles/float and wait for the instructor to say "alright, now if you can hear me, pull down your right toggle" and guide me 110%... bad move Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #5 April 7, 2008 Less worry... More do... Every skydiver had their first landing... Most live. Incident reports statistics show that, you need a small canopy and 1000 jumps, for landings to be dangerous. In all seriousness, student canopies are easy and fun to fly. You will be able to do it. There is another student who posted that he/she did not land correctly... Well, the simple solution is - practice in your mind the whole skydive you will be taught by your instructors and keep asking them questions until you are confident... Today I jumped with a student who was a bit nervous on the plane. It was his level 4... He rocked and we got much more "done" than planned... We docked in freefall and we made funny faces to each other. (I like sticking my tougne out in freefall)... He was laughing back in freefall... Then he pulled. And landed safely. He was not a superman or superhero... But he did great. You can too.... I have yet to meet a skydiver who is superhuman... So just take the first big step and show up at the DZ. If your FJC is in late april, go to the DZ next weekend and start watching and learning... Most skydivers will welcome you to their bar-b-que too... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shepp 0 #6 April 7, 2008 QuoteDont be afraid to ask lots of questions, even if you think they may be dumb ones. So True! The instructors that taught my first jump course back in March stressed over and over again that there are no dumb questions, especially in skydiving... the answer to a "dumb" question may just save your life someday. To the OP - I was in the same situation, but don't worry. The instructors will cover everything you need to know - things you wouldn't even know to ask about yet - more than once. Like some posters already mentioned, you'll probably be on radio for your first half-dozen jumps or so (maybe more if you need the assistance). This can be a huge comfort (was for me!). Good luck, you will absolutely love it! /SheppExperience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward. Accidents don't just happen. They must be carelessly planned. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pinkfairy 0 #7 April 7, 2008 Hi! Most students manage fine, even at our forested norwegian DZ, we rarely have to pick people down from the trees. (said the lady who had to be picked down from a tree like a ripe fruit). Just pay attention and take it very seriously, and don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Have a great second skydive and first on your own. It's much more fun and a much better feeling when you do it all for yourself, pull for yourself and land for yourself. Relax, you can die if you mess up, but it will probably not be by bullet. I'm a BIG, TOUGH BIGWAY FORMATION SKYDIVER! What are you? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dominus 0 #8 April 8, 2008 Thanks everyone for their replies. Thinking about it and reading what everyone has to say, just makes me anticipate the experience to come even more. I will be sure to post how it goes... even though it is dreadfully far away still (not until the 26th)! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #9 April 8, 2008 As was said earlier (it seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle)... Go to the DZ BEFORE your FJC...like THIS weekend. You will learn quite a bit just by being there, watching, talking to Instructors, etc. Just be aware...you are there to learn general things. Your FJC instructor and your in-flight Instructors will provide the detail on your AFF jumps and they will be the final authority on what you learn and do. Knowledge is power. Maximize your power. Knowledge builds confidence. Maximize your confidence. Skydiving is a life-long learning experience...get started NOW...the earlier, the better! Good luck and have FUN!My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dominus 0 #10 April 8, 2008 It's funny you brought that up that Popsjumper. It turns out the guy who mentioned going to the DZ before my AFF (tdog) works at Mile Hi, and thats where I did my Tandem and that is the same place where I will be doing my AFF. Small world huh?! I would really like to get down to the DZ before my FJC, but sadly I work almost full time (sat and sun every weekend) and am a full time student at a University up here Mon-Fri. I am looking forward to my availability clearing up when summer comes but until than my hands are tied. What does OP mean? Exploring the website I once found a section which has a bunch of definitions for all the vocabulary and acronyms, but I can't seem to find it anymore.... I bet it would explain what OP means there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VincentVL. 0 #11 April 9, 2008 original poster - you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrbiceps 0 #12 April 16, 2008 I just did my aff stage 1 jump on the weekend. It was unreal. I was very scared as we climbed out but once in the freefall i "screamed like a girl" all the way down. it was awesome being under canopy on my own and i found it very easy to control and the landing was no worries. cant wait until sunday for a few more stages. looking forward to trying to be stable in flight on my own. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
