Scoby 0 #1 July 5, 2002 As a student jumper, I always dreaded having to learn how to pack. However, with most of my A license requirements met, I needed to learn how to pack. I asked my DZO about it and he said there would be a packing class on the 4th of July. My friends and I got up at an ungodly hour for a holiday (5:30 for me) and headed out into the desert. I assumed the place would be mobbed, but boy I was wrong! I've never seen the DZ so empty, even when I came on a Friday. There was not a single jumpmaster to be found, and only a handful of upjumpers. It was a gorgeous day, with bright blue skies, light winds, and seeminly infinite visibility. It was brutally hot though. It was painful to be inside learning to pack. We learned how to propack, even thought we were using f111 canopies, since that's what's likely what we'll do when we own our own gear. Anyway, to make a long story short, I was surprised by own easily it came to me. I can barely refold a map, but I learned how to pack with ease. Perhaps that is because an incorrectly folded map won't kill me, but I digress... Anyway, the proof is in the pudding, and I was eager to try it out. It was to be a trio of firsts, as I was jumping my own pack job, jumping out of a new plane (Cessna 172), and downsizing a step (to a PD210). Alas, it was not to be, as a couple of people arrived and we had enough for a King Air load. We got to altitude in a hurry with the half-empty plane. I had very little trepidation, though, as I felt I had learned well. I was last out, so I counted to 8, shouted my thanks to the pilot, and dove out. It was so nice to be out in the warm air, seeing mountain range after mountain range, and a fleeting glipmse of the ocean. I practiced my maneuvers and marveled at the ground rushing towards me. I pulled at 4500' and had the softest opening I have ever experienced. My friend, who jumped out two positions ahead of me, saw me snivel below him. I had line twists, but kicked out of them easily. I did my control check, which was frightening! I didn't expect the canopy to react quite as quickly as it did. However, I had plenty of altitude to play with it and, once I adjusted to the responsiveness, found it a pleasure to fly. I set up my landing pattern and really started to notice the speed once I was down to 1000' or so. However, it felt reassuring to not be as much at the mercy of the wind. I turned to final wondering what it would be like to land this thing. I was rewarded with a great flare and a beautiful landing. All in all, it was a great day! I learned a lot, I added two jumps to the log books, and I have now completed nearly all my A requirements! I am so stoked! Also, I am now confident that I can pack for myself and that I'll be able to handle a 190 when I buy my own gear. Now all I need to do is a get a few more things signed off and I'll be ready to go. My friend and I are itching to take a canopy control class as soon as possible. I hope you all had a safe and happy 4th! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rgoper 0 #2 July 5, 2002 BEER! and congrats! admit it, was it just a little "scary" jumping that "first" pack job? --Richard-- "We Will Not Be Shaken By Thugs, And Terroist" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoby 0 #3 July 5, 2002 Quoteadmit it, was it just a little "scary" jumping that "first" pack job? Rightly or wrongly, I was confident that I had it sussed. I'm always ready to admit my fear, and perhaps I should have been scared, but I really wasn't at all. Actually, that's not true, I had a moment of doubt when I reached for the PC, but it was fleeting. I didn't have the courage to look up and watch it opening, though! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #4 July 5, 2002 Congrats.....I never had to go through that anxiety. I was a S/L student so the very first time I made a skydive it was on my own pack job. In fact...for the longest time I would be nervous if someone else packed it!! Now...I don't so much care how it gets packed.....as long as it got packed. I do prefer to pack it myself. I get the "best" openings that way....but packers usually do OK too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rgoper 0 #5 July 5, 2002 QuoteI had a moment of doubt when I reached for the PC, but it was fleeting. you, sir are now an "official sky diver!" good man. it only gets better. Blues:--Richard-- "We Will Not Be Shaken By Thugs, And Terroist" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobbes4star 0 #6 July 5, 2002 congrats, were is the beer!!!if fun were easy it wouldn't be worth having, right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TEB6363 0 #7 July 5, 2002 Quotecongrats, were is the beer!!! That was three firsts!!! Where is All the beer??? Good Job and Congrats!! Once the plane takes off, you're gonna have to land - Might as well jump out!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoby 0 #8 July 5, 2002 The beer is coming, rest assured. I wouldn't be able to get away with this. However, nobody stuck around at the end of the day, so I owe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #9 July 5, 2002 Oh, yes, packing for your A license and jumping it. I remember that day, because that was the last time I packed by myself! It was actually kind of sad today....I dropped my rig off with the packers and my friend called me a name and told me to pack it myself. The head packer said, "no, no, we like Andrea coming in here. Let her stay!" Haha, I have a feeling I'm funding someone's European tour or something like that!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
