skyyhi 0 #1 January 12, 2004 First off let me preface this to say I am now a SOLO STUDENT. . .I have decided that this title means. . ."all stuff learned in AFF is sucked out as soon as you go up without an instructor". I am on the ride up still unsure about which exit I will do (I know I have to get out the door but dang, I would like to do it with style. . .so the solo student before me does a count (did you get that one. . .SOLO STUDENT COUNTS HIS EXIT). For some reason I found this to be ABSOLUTELY hilarious. . .I was the last one out on that load and so I set up in the door for a front float (no count for me) and just let go. . . For the first time in my VERY SHORT skydiving career, I didn't arch on exit when doing front float, flipped over on my back, got myself righted again, did a front flip and ended up on my back again, etc. . .finally decided it was time to track, wave off and pull. I was pretty much all over the sky. . .quite uncharacteristic for me. . .FUN, yes. . .but very uncharacteristic. Note to FreeflyGoddess. . .you were so right about not arching. . .it feels WAY better on the back. When I landed I was laughing so hard I was almost in tears. . .one of my instructors asked me what was wrong. . .I just kept laughing and said. . .BRAINFART. Great day for skydiving, but I think I will plan a little more next time. . .Anyone else just completely brainfart on a student solo? It was kind of like IM FREE SO I AM GOING TO DO WHATEVER I WANT. . . Just had to get that out. . .too funny________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elfanie 0 #2 January 12, 2004 Oh how I wish I'd been able to do that my first solo-off-AFF jump! Instead...I "ready, set, go"'d myself...arched...and in freefall thought, "ok..now what? Back loop? *does a backloop* ok...nobody could see that...so now what...HUH? I'm still at 9K??? What am I supposed to do??" and kinda watched the needle drop slowly.... I found that I do not LIKE solo jumps...I almost dislike them. I love love love jumping with people...kissing my husband in freefall...turning points with my packer...even funnelling the exit with a fellow skysister (or funnelling the exit with Freek from Wisconsin this past weekend)...I love jumping with people.. but jumping by myself? I get...lonely. heh. -------------------------------------------- Elfanie My Skydiving Page Fly Safe - Soft Landings Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #3 January 12, 2004 QuoteI found that I do not LIKE solo jumps...I almost dislike them. I decided on my second jump that I don't really like solos either, but my second solo was MUCH better than my first. The funny thing about the first jump is there were NO coaches or instructors on the plane. . .only 3 solo students and a bunch of freeflyers. I was the LAST one out of the plane. . .a very strange feeling. . .________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #4 January 12, 2004 I love doing a solo sunset jump, going into a stand and slowly spinning around. It's a beautiful end to great day of skydiving. On my first solo I pretty much did the same thing you did. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StearmanR985 0 #5 January 12, 2004 I had a coached jump Saturday where my brain stopped working. I jacked up the exit, flipped a few times, screwed up my RW work (got on coaches back in his burble, doh!). Then after breaking away and tracking I pulled too low (at least for me), screwed around under canopy before realizing I was goin to have trouble getting back to the grass so I flew ACROSS the landing pattern and jacked up the approach of all those behind/above me. For those of you that were in Lodi on Saturday, I was the moron in the bright red shirt that screwed the pattern, sorry, it won't happen again. Oh, and I slid on my butt in the mud upon landing with no jump suit on. On a positive note I did learn many things NOT to do on a skydive. I was very disappointed that day but now looking back I can laugh at my "brainfarts". And it gives me something to work on next time. By the way, congrats on your solo!!! Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paige 0 #6 January 12, 2004 QuoteI love love love jumping with people...kissing my husband in freefall... Kiss passes are so much funTunnel Pink Mafia Delegate www.TunnelPinkMafia.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NZL60 0 #7 January 12, 2004 hehe.. I like going solo although I'm sure I'm probably picking up some bad habits. My first solo was as thrilling as my first jump... no pressure, no instructors nagging at me.. so what did I do? Arched, Practice Handle Touch, several altitude checks and just grinned all the way down. Who said Kiwis can't fly? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 0 #8 January 12, 2004 I went too went totally unstable "intentionally" on my first solo jump off student status, I was so happy to not be having to follow a diveplan with a instructor watching that I wanted to be on my back, Multiple back/front flips, to try a barrel roll and try to keep it going.... AHHHH the freedom of flight!!!! ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414 Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kai2k1 0 #9 January 12, 2004 Darcy, I was just like you on my first solo. I thought about what exit to do and i was still arguing with myself when i got in the door. I got poised, then i set up for a diving exit. then I just said what the hell and walked off the plane. I got tossed around by the relative wind and found upon my back laughing my ass off. I finally righted my self and was still at 12.5k.. I spent the rest of the dive watching my alti till 4k then I waved off and pulled for a beautiful sunset over the DZ. There's no truer sense of flying than sky diving," Scott Cowan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McDuck 0 #10 January 12, 2004 Actually, I was just the opposite. On my first solo jump, everything that had been pounded into my head all those previous jumps came into clear focus once I didn't have to worry about performing for an instructor. Everything made sense in a way I dreamed about before then. Wait, maybe it WAS a dream. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricaH 0 #11 January 12, 2004 I def understand!! On my first coach jump, I went out the door like a 2x4, flipped & everything. My coach was like WTF, you HAD perfect arch... I was just so scared to not have someone stabalizing me on exit that I forgot that I already knew what to do. On my first SOLO jump, I did the count "up, down, out"... very goofy. Then i came upon some light puffy clouds & they FREAKED me out!! I thought they were going to hurt & you could see just how fast you were falling. I was certain my alti was broken, almost pulled @ 9K !! but was afraid of the tandems behind me... luckly i got that out of the way. 2nd solo i couldnt decide to dive or do a poised exit. so i dove out facing into the prob blast... not sure what happened exactly, but i ended up on my belly . i LOVE nice calm do what ever you want solo dives. unless i do more than 3 in a row - then they're BORING!! If I don't wanna do one & don't feel like jumping w/ anyone, I ask to manifest so I can pull round 8K - then you can have canopy fun!!! just look out for the HUGE tandem canopys below you. There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kramer 0 #12 January 12, 2004 Darcy, you cracked me up with this shit. At least your brain fart wasn't big enough that you forgot to pull. -Kramer The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #13 January 12, 2004 QuoteI was just so scared to not have someone stabalizing me on exit that I forgot that I already knew what to do. I definitely was not scared. . .just FAR too relaxed. . .I didn't have to "perform" for anyone but me. . .and it was freaking hilarious. . .I was so glad I was the last one out and no one had to see me. . . Some things I learned about myself yesterday. . . 1. When it comes to skydiving, I am now fearless. . .not exactly sure if this is a good thing yet. 2. There is no such thing as unstable or out of control, it is really only momentary lapses in judgement that cause unfavorable body positions. . . 3. When you jump out of a plane on your own, you really should have some sort of a plan in mind. 4. It's really cool to be one of the first people out (I was second out on my second solo). . . 5. I really need a protrack or prodytter or some other such audible. . .as I have this tendency to enjoy freefall so much that I have a feeling that someday I will "forget" to check my altitude until I realize the ground is really close. This hasn't happened yet but I know me. . . 6. When landing, fly the canopy until it ACTUALLY stops. . .it is amazing the difference that makes. . .made much better landings today because of that knowledge. 7. Going off radio is probably the BEST thing I have ever done for my landings. I had to rely on myself and found that I could actually trust me to make decent decisions. . .________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jen1129 0 #14 January 12, 2004 Darcy, congrats on your first solo! Add me to the list of people who don't like solos. It might sound cheesy but this is such a unique thing that we do, and I love getting the chance to share it with other people. I don't think I've done more than one or two solos since I got my A license. Heh, I agree with your comment about going off radio. I didn't know I was going off radio until Doug informed me, when I was at about 3000 feet under canopy, "nice jump... you're on your own, see you on the ground." I swore at him from the sky, then proceeded to land just fine on my own. I would have never given up the radio if it had been my choice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #15 January 12, 2004 QuoteDarcy, you cracked me up with this shit. At least your brain fart wasn't big enough that you forgot to pull. It was pretty funny while it was happening too. . . On my second jump I jumped out in a sit. . .held it and then back flipped out of it. The rest of the dive was playing with body position to control descent rate. . .a much smoother dive but not NEARLY as fun. . .lol________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #16 January 12, 2004 QuoteHeh, I agree with your comment about going off radio. I didn't know I was going off radio until Doug informed me Mark just said on level 7 AFF that he was not going to help me unless I was doing something REALLY stupid - so I didn't get radio for that one. . .and then on Level 8 AFF Rich had the radio but he and his student landed way out, so he came on the radio and said I was "on my own". Good landings there too. . . Jen, as soon as I get my A we will have to plan some jumps together. . .see you soon. . .________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdgregory 0 #17 January 12, 2004 When I did my first solo I kind of had some similar experience in that I was not sure what to do. I decided that I was going to do a front flip and a backflip and some turns and then maybe if I had time another front flip and then pull. I was the last one out of the plane and when it was my turn I realized I had forgotten to plan my canopy plan as far as my pattern and my thousand foot area. I got panicked but did my floater exit and went on doing what I planned but nothing seemed to go well so I gave up and was still at around 9000 and thought, like you, now what? So I located the DZ and then stared at the sunset until pull time. Flew my pattern fine and realized I had blown my first solo. But in all honesty I had a great time. I have done seven solos now and I have come to realize that solos are all about the exit and the veiw. Have tons of fun with the exit, try different things. I use solos to experiment with different stupid flips and rolls and body positions and at around 8000 I just relax and enjoy the spirituality of the moment. I really prefer to jump with people but I like to end the day with a solo. On solos I do not have to worry about performance things only safety and the moment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeNReN 0 #18 January 12, 2004 Solo jumps can be very relaxing....you can go with no real agenda.....just "air out" and enjoy the FF "Note to FreeflyGoddess. . .you were so right about not arching. . .it feels WAY better on the back. " You should try a "ride the slide exit".....exit back to the relative wind in a semi sit (lazyboy) position... after a several sec (once off the slide).....tuck your arms in flip over and arch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #19 January 12, 2004 QuoteYou should try a "ride the slide exit".....exit back to the relative wind in a semi sit (lazyboy) position... after a several sec (once off the slide).....tuck your arms in flip over and arch That sounds fun. . .I did the (lazyboy) sit exit on my second solo. . .(by the way, that IS my favorite way to exit the plane so far), but I didn't do the tuck your arms in part. . .just parlayed it into a back flip. . .then arch. . . On a side note. . .I am having WAY too much fun. . .I really thought I was hooked before, now its worse. . .oh, well. . .I may have to take up a second job to support my new "drug" habit. . .lol. . .________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdgregory 0 #20 January 12, 2004 My favorite exit right now, I do not know what it would be called is to sit with your back to the door, pull your legs up to your chest and wrap your arms around your knees and roll backwards. Then hold it for as long as you can or until you need to pull whichever comes first. I usually get about seven rotations and gotta it go. It is a hoot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #21 January 12, 2004 Thanks Sean. . .I will have to give that a try. . . Sounds fun. . .________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Push 0 #22 January 12, 2004 Remember that you're falling much faster when doing backloops. Faster than a sitfly. Don't do them on a hop and pop. Have fun -- Toggle Whippin' Yahoo Skydiving is easy. All you have to do is relax while plummetting at 120 mph from 10,000' with nothing but some nylon and webbing to save you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #23 January 12, 2004 QuoteRemember that you're falling much faster when doing backloops. Faster than a sitfly. Don't do them on a hop and pop ROFLMAO. . .Thanks, I will remember that. . . you guys crack me up. . .________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #24 January 12, 2004 when I was starting out, I really enjoyed doing a few solos. It felt so good to just get used to the sky & relax without being evaluated. Also, I had all these trippy thoughts while I was in freefall, because skydiving was still a novelty for me & it just blew my mind that I was skydiving. While in freefall I imagined that the gods of the Sky and the Earth were silently staring at me in disbelief that this tiny, fragile mortal would actually have the audacity to challenge them in this way. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Push 0 #25 January 12, 2004 I didn't realize there was anything funny in that? waves a finger in front of skyyhi's face, waiting for her to start laughing -- Toggle Whippin' Yahoo Skydiving is easy. All you have to do is relax while plummetting at 120 mph from 10,000' with nothing but some nylon and webbing to save you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
