My A-License Check Dive

[FliegendeWolf 0]

No shit, there I was. I dove out of the plane two seconds after my instructor and immediately flipped on my back. When I regained control, I found the instructor and swooped down to him. When I reached him, I tried to dock but swung all the way underneath him and landed on my back. When I finally got off of my back (I've been on my back before and never had trouble getting belly-to-earth), I did a right barrel roll, and then a left barrel roll in which I ended up transitioning to a head-down position which it took me about 6 or 7 seconds to get out of. Finally, I started a left hand turn, but by that point I was at break-off altitude, so I tracked. At 3500, I threw my pilot chute, but I must have still been in a track because I got slammed harder than I realized was possible. The whole ride down my crotch was screaming where my legs sat in the harness.

I always choke on the jumps where it counts. The instructor said I was so freaking tense that I could not ride the wind fluidly, which was why I could not get off of my back or out of the headdown position.

He did, however, compliment me on my altitude awareness, noting that even when the whole dive went to shit I was able to break it off in time and pull on time (and he said my canopy control and landing were very nice). I also felt confident in swooping for the first time on that jump. I just can't get the hang of those diving exits...

So, he prescribed a strict regimen of coach dives before I try for my license again. I was hoping to get the license before I moved, but it looks like I'll still be working on it in Boston -- Muenkel and Jess, how are the coaches/instructors at Jumptown?

A One that Isn't Cold is Scarcely a One at All

[Muenkel 0]

Sorry to hear that Steve, but as I am learning very quickly, every jump is very different.

The instructors at Jumptown have been excellent from what I have experienced. Most of them have a shitload of experience. Check out their website at www.jumptown.com

Chris

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Chris

[skydyvr 0]

Quote

I always choke on the jumps where it counts.

I'm in kind of the same position as you -- every time I invest in a coached jump, I blow it by wasting half the freefall on a bad exit. All of my solo jumps go perfectly, of course.

. . =(_8^(1)

[Casie 0]

Think positive & try & relax. You'll get it next time

~Porn Kitty
WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts!

[juanesky 0]

Sorry to hear that.

It seems that your were not able to relax on your way down. Jumptown is a great place, home of legends such as Lew Sandborn. or D-1.

You will get it in no time, just make sure your logbooks are in order and go there as much as you can.

I welcome you to the region, and let you know that there are plenty of interesting DZ's around the area, and jumptown is one of them.

Good luck and blue skies!

"According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon

[andy2 0]

just examine what you did wrong and focus on solving that. On the ride up to altitude stay relaxed and calm, meditate if you have to. Then get out the plane and do what you know you want to do, kick ass! You will get it, just focus.

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let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[sinker 0]

oh man, sorry to hear that... just let it steel your resolve though to kick ass next time... ask Muenkel-- he's been there...

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[Rebecca 0]

Sorry to hear that, dude. BUT, you did have a nice landing, which, personally, makes an otherwise not-so-great skydive pretty okay. Bummer about the opening- I had a little bit of a slammer yesterday, too, after opening in a semi-track.

Just take everything one step at a time, and r e l a a h x. It'll all come together before you know it.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[txblondie 0]

I failed level 5 the other day on my first solo exit for basically the same reason--I got all tense because I didn't fall into position immediately and I was spinning like crazy. So, I never totally got calm enough to finish the dive properly. Same thing, I managed to wave and pull on time and had my best landing yet.
It was weird, too, because on level 4 I somehow did a little flip, which should have tensed me up more, and I still managed to relax and have a kickass dive. And these two jumps were on the same day.
The only advice I have, still being in AFF, is the same thing my instructors keep telling me--JUST RELAX and have fun with it. It shouldn't feel like work.
Good luck, I'm sure you'll get the next one!

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Blondes do have more fun!

[jessd 0]

Steve - the instructors at Jumptown are awesome - as are all of the people I have met up there. I am not too sure when I will be jumping again. But, don't beat yourself up about your jump. I'm sure you learned something from it and that will help you on your next jumps!

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away..."

[katiebear21 0]

Did you get that on video? Sounded cool!

My check dive sucked too AND I have it on video! I never went headdown though - that's fairly impressive!

I'm sure you'll be fine over the next few dives. Sometimes a jump like that helps you concentrate and relax and gets you right back on track! Keep your chin up!

Katie
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