BobB 0 #1 July 23, 2003 What qualities inspire your appreciation of your "favorite" instructor and/or mentor? As for me (AFF training): I have been most impressed with this one particular instructor, who.... When I was so concentrated on proper form, TLO execution and dive flow... Got me to relax. Not in the skydiving sense, but in the overall sense. His attitude toward everything impressed me immediately. His appreciation for life made me reevaluate my own perspective on things beyond skydiving. He is the one who suggested a more informal aircraft exit, without so much technicality. I was apprehensive, but he assured me that he'd be right there with me, and he was. After that skydive, he offered to do another with me. He stated the dive flow and I became nervous. Diving exit, front flip, barrel rolls and tracking. I trusted him and rehearsed the dive flow on the climb out. So there I went, out the door superman-style, front flip, barrel rolls and tracking. He was right there. Encouraging and smiling the whole time. Somebody never doubted that I could do it, and it wasn't me. Thanks man!! Yes, I know it is snowing. No, we are not putting the top up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #2 July 23, 2003 Bob is talking about Paul Rafferty, five time 8-way world champion and general "great guy." I doubt he really knows Raff's real deal because he is simply "one of the guys who works for me." That said, Raff is the consumate instrucor, besides being one of my best friends in the world. Bob was lucky enough to have Raff as his AFF/I on his last three jumps. Bob came out to the DZ today and dropped off his two cases of beer. One for standing up his last few landings and the other for getting signed off to Cat F and self supervision. He is not sucking here at Raeford. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CLBroadhead 0 #3 July 23, 2003 'Kinda weird that you aren't wearing a shirt, but I think that the issue of mentors is a very important one. I am a newbie and I sought a mentor who helped me escape my type-A personality and enjoy the sport. Praise Skratch! Sometimes the experienced guys forget how we amateurs come to know this sport. I've discovered that it is super-helpful to watch people land and ask people tons of questions which might annoy them but help me understand the language and rules. I regret huddling over my work in the student hanger, when I could have been watching the packers or landings. Just some advice for the newbie AFF's who wait forever. With all that time, you should watch. I took naps on the lawn, which we needed, but I should have watched the last loads. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SadSue 0 #4 July 23, 2003 Connie rules !!!!!! She loves her job... shes got this shit faced grin evertime she jumps. its contagious Thanks for great training in Byron... I hope i get to grow up one day and be just like Connie in de sky! oh man.... Hope you don't get Banned! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
