Slappie 9 #1 August 27, 2001 I started Saturday very early. The alarm went off at 6am and I was up and out of bed by 6:15am waiting on my whuffo gf to get ready. It seemed as though she was in the bathroom for hours. It was actually only 15 minutes. I was going to the DZ for my level 4 jump in the AFP course. IT was going to be the first time I wasn’t held onto by my jumpmaster. I had dreams the night before of leaving the plane and tumbling down to my end and forgetting everything I was taught. It was awful. I finally got in the shower and started going through the jump in my head and the fear wasn’t to bad. We drove to the DZ it was only 30 minutes away but felt like it was 200 miles away. I was flying down the highway at 80mph trying to get there and make the first load to get this jump out of the way!! We made it to the DZ, I rushed into manifest to get on the first jump run. I didn’t make it. I felt a tinge of bad “karma”… The first load went up, I went over got my student rig and started my check-out and flight plan. Got it done. Went to the Pro-Shop and decided to go ahead and buy my altimeter. {bought the Alti III}… and a pair of goggles. Ok, that was refreshing and made me think to myself “ok I’m on my way to being a skydiver!”Went back and sat with my whuffo gf. She could see I was nervous I was on the next load. Got the 10 minute call. So the first load was out. All the sport flyers came in and 3 of the tandems landed safely. {remember I had a bad feeling about this load} Then the last tandem was coming in for landing I was looking away and heard a “CRACK” like a major league baseball player hitting a jaw dropping fast ball for a homerun. I spun around and could tell where the sound came from. The young lady I was with said look out there and pointed in the direction of the tandem the student was on the ground and there was a group standing around. Well he had landed way wrong and dislocated and snapped his ankle badly. I ran to my truck and retrieved my golfing umbrella to run out and keep the sun off this poor fellow. None of us out there talking to him, trying to keep the guy from going into shock had no idea how bad the break was. The ambulance shows up and starts to check his injuries. The lead paramedic couldn’t find a pulse in his foot. So we all were “ok what now?” He decided to call in LifeFlight. Come to find out that if they couldn’t find a pulse or get blood to his foot he could lose it. The fear of injury came through me like a wave. I was shocked at how bad this poor fellow had injured himself on his very first tandem ride ever. I pushed it away and knew I needed to concentrate on my own goals and objectives this day. Injuries happen in this sport and I knew they can be serious. This was my first experience as how serious they can be. Life flight showed up the whole DZ was up and you could feel the tension in the air. Quiet a few first time tandems were waiting to go. The DZ was on a shut-down waiting for Life Flight to load and all emergency vehicles to leave. About an hour after the landing everything was back to normal. Well as normal as it could be. I was fighting the fear of a bad landing back with a whip. I was on the next load!! I used fear as my friend to help me concentrate on my next jump. I was leaving the plane on my own for the first time. I was both excited and scared. I knew I was going to ACE this jump like the three before it. Got suited up, boarded the plane. On the ride to Alti all I could hear in my head was the “CRACK” it kept repeating over and over. I closed my eyes and ran through the jump in every detail as sweat was pouring off me in buckets. My JM seemed to think I was way to nervous and told me to RELAX little did he know I was sweating from the beer the night before. Well it was fear and the beer I didn’t admit to the fear though. We got to altitude the sport flyers went out like lil bullets. I was the last one on the plane with my JM he nodded to me “READY, SET, GO!!!! I was OUT!!! Yahoo!!!! I did it!! I preformed every objective without one signal from my JM!! I ACED IT BIG TIME!! Perfect landing pattern started to flare too early but I didn’t care I wanted to land and jump for joy!! I DID IT!! Sat with my gf beaming in confidence and accomplishment. Went to debrief with my JM. He was all smiles I was impressed at his confidence level in my performance. So I decided to got manifest for my lvl 5 jump.Level five was going to be ok it was upper body turns. I did my pre-flight checkout. Fear was there but my confidence level was keeping it back in it’s spot. I found out I was wayyyyyy down the list. The DZ Was flooded with tandems. So I sat back read the SIM’s, talked to whomever I could and relaxed going over and over the last jump smiling.My Jumpmaster yelled across the DZ hanger and told me to get my gear on. I wasn’t READY! I went over and started suiting up got everything on, then “CRACK” hit my thoughts again like a rocket! I was already having difficulty in my landings. So it was just a reminder what could happen. My JM Kris came over before the loading and we went through the jump then he asked me “so what do you want to do? I was amazed and shocked that he was that confident in my FF Ability. So instead of the floater exit he decided to let me do a diving exit. I thought to myself “ok this is going to be fun”. We loaded and got to alti I went through the jump again like I have done every time before huge breaths and relaxing thoughts “YEAH RIIIIIIIIGHT” hehehehe The others left the plane an then it was my turn. Last again. We got to the door my mind is racing telling me not to go. My only thoughts were of the jump and what I had to accomplish. Then the nod came and the READY SET GOOOOOOOO!!!!! And I jump out of the plane like superman!! I WAS A RUSH!! Got my stability and faced off. Still no signals. Got the ok for my goals and preformed then without a hitch! Then he pointed to the ground and told me to track! On my lvl five dive my JM tells me to track! I hit the track for 6 seconds waved and pulled! WHOOSH! The canopy was out and I had done it again. Landing pattern was perfect very little assistance on the landing came in and flared perfectly standing up. I hit the ground started screaming and jumping. I had done another lvl and was still able to stand and the “CRACK” sound never again came to my thoughts.Stayed at the DZ to have some beer with one of the graduates. LOL He was a trooper. James went up on his lvl 15 the hop-n-pop left the plane had a perfect canopy then did a 360 and started to soon to go back in the other direction and induced line twist. The lines came up around his neck and he had to cutaway and ride his reserve in for landing. He hit the ground gathered up and came back shaking like a leaf in a 50 mph wind. Took his rig off and to packing and geared up for the very next load! I was thinking “WoW this guy is going right back up” I thought ok if it was me I’d probably do the same thing. We drank his cases.. hehe he had a few to buy. Went home and got some sleep, it was a restless sleep. Woke up around 10:30am and decided to go try and get one jump in. Headed to the DZ took longer Sunday then Saturday. Arrived, manifested, then Kris came over and asked me again “what you want to do?” I said I need to hit my objectives, he nodded and said ok this time we’re going to dive again. I thought “Yahoooo I love that exit!” then we would do my leg turns. {ACED UM AGAIN} Do two docks, missed the first time and back tracked about 90 feet came forward again pretty fat and “BAM” locked on. Got the thumbs up again and a point to track away in a 180 from the JM. Got stable turned the heading 180 and took off, another 6 seconds and I was under canopy again!! This time I was under a Sabre 170 instead of the 190’s I had jumped before. I thought wow this is even better. A lot my control and faster. Started my landing patern and waited for the radio to crackle with instruction. I heard nothing… Decided “hey man your going to have to land this by yourself one day.” Did a perfect pattern came in and flared just at the right time and a soft stand up landing!! I screamed and jumped again!! I HAD COMPLETED LVL 6 with extras!!! Waaaahhhhhhoooooooo. Sat around awhile and my next load was on a 20 minute call. Kris came over again and asked the same thing again. He suggested a SIT-FLY exit! I though killer! Ok. Then he suggested some back flips and some more docking and a track. I was thinking “Is this guy crazy or am I just doing so good he has enough confidence in my abilities that we can do more then I’m supposed to on these jumps?” I shrugged it off. Got up to alit.. GAS MASK TIME someone let one rip you could heard a couple miles away. Everyone left. I was last again. I like being last. Got in position for the sit-fly exit. READY SET GO!! I left the plane in one of the worst sit-fly exits one could do. LOL I loved every second of it. Got stable moved over to Kris. Got the signal to do my back flip. We did one at the same time except his looked 100 times better then mine. Checked alti, got the sign again. I nailed this one! Came in and docked got a huge smile and two thumbs up then the signal to track. Whooooooooosh I was off again flying away from Kris. Landing was even better then the last one still waited for the radio but all I heard was my whuffo gf on the beer line screaming YAY BAYBAY!!!!! Kris had already gotten to her and told her how good the dive was. I was walking on air when I walked back to the Packing Room to dump my rig. We stuck around and watched some of the sport jumpers and a “Scotty Way” hehehe you have to know Scotty to understand. Left the DZ with a smile on my face from ear to ear. Trying to remember what I was so scared about yesterday morning. I felt like I was a skydiver and I was going to be good at it. Trust me I’m not letting it go to my head. I’m using the confidence and fear in conjunction with each other to make the next few lvls better then the lasts and try not to make little mental mistakes.Blue Skies!http://www.geocities.com/scollins77057/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicagoskydiver 0 #2 August 27, 2001 Congrats Slappie! Keep kickin' ass! You have the best JM, I know because Kris was my JM for most of my student jumps! Keep it up!Hackey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #3 August 27, 2001 Good for you. It's super hard when you see an accident, or hear an accident! Good work, great jumps, and great landings!Congratulations, and keep on keeping on!!!!! ciels-Michele"What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #4 August 27, 2001 Congrats Slappie....I'm proud of you. Keep it up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jumperpaula 0 #5 August 27, 2001 I heard about the broken ankle, didn't hear they called Lifeflight. 3 years in the sport and never seen an airlift. Glad I wasn't there. About the student cut-a-way...I hate to hear about students with reserve rides. As big as those student canopies are, it's weird to me that he could induce line twists by doing spirals. I also heard they had TWO cutaways Saturday, any idea who the other person was?? Fly Your Slot ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #6 August 27, 2001 Yea Jumperpaula...The first cutaway was the student, the very next load it was Josh Poole one of the Video Studs Blue Skies!http://www.geocities.com/scollins77057/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jumperpaula 0 #7 August 27, 2001 Josh Hill or Michael Poole?? Michael has the beard . Fly Your Slot ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #8 August 27, 2001 ok DuH! It was Josh I had the last names mixed up sowwy JPBlue Skies!http://www.geocities.com/scollins77057/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rainman 0 #9 August 28, 2001 Great story Slappie!Very well done! Do you jump 190 sq. ft. chutes during AFF??? Keep up the good work!Ramon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Slappie 9 #10 August 28, 2001 QuoteDo you jump 190 sq. ft. chutes during AFF??? rainman, I am 175lbs+25 for gear so I load a 190 at about 1.05 the 190 is what I started on and did 4 AFP jumps on it. Then Sunday my JM liked my landings and we discussed what size canopy I will probably fly after I graduate. So he suggested downsizing to the 170sq Sabre. I load it at about 1.2 now and I'm doing well. Blue Skies!http://www.geocities.com/scollins77057/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rainman 0 #11 August 28, 2001 QuoteI am 175lbs+25 for gear so I load a 190 at about 1.05 the 190 is what I started on and did 4 AFP jumps on it. Then Sunday my JM liked my landings and we discussed what size canopy I will probably fly after I graduate. So he suggested downsizing to the 170sq Sabre. I load it at about 1.2 now and I'm doing well.Although lots of people downsize before they get their A-license, I've been jumping a manta (280 sq. ft., loaded at approx. 0.75) until I had my license...I've only made one jump on a merit 210 so far, which was almost as exciting as my first ever skydive....I think it's like comparing a garbage truck to a sportscar.Are Dutch DZ's being overly cautious or is your DZ very progressive??Ramon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Jumperpaula 0 #12 August 28, 2001 I'd call it progressive. All zp student mains and boc pilot chutes. I started on a rip cord with a spring load pc - Manta 210 only a few years ago. Can you say pilot chute over the nose?? Fly Your Slot ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Stumpy 284 #13 August 28, 2001 Thats what I started on last year - had to do 5 BOC conversion jumps after I had my A licence so used a ripcord up to my 17th jump. Didn't realise there was any other way!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Jumperpaula 0 #14 August 28, 2001 It's Tandem Progression though. They help pull the ripcord on the first three Tandems, then transition to a rig with a boc. Fly Your Slot ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Stumpy 284 #15 August 28, 2001 So is the first "unattached" jump done with a BOC rig? Does this still have two instructors?. Is this the normal progression in the US or does it vary from dz to dz?So many questions - sorry! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Slappie 9 #16 August 28, 2001 The first of 15 Jumpmaster jumps are on a BOC only the first three of the AFP course are the students held onto on the third jump the JM lets the student go. There is only one JM during the jumps. They progressively get more and more technical with goals to achieve with each jump. IE: upper body turns, forward movement & docking, barrel rolls, different types of exits, front and back flips... basicly they teach you the basics of FF so if in any situation you find yourself you can control the situation and get stable to pull your main. If a JM at any time feels you are not ready to progress to the next level they can make you repeat a level until you have done it. It's a very progressive process and the DZ I'm a student at is top notch and the JM's are some of the best. I feel so safe and my skills are gaining faster then I had even imagined. The course is the same from DZ to DZ depending if the DZ is using the AFP course. AFP = Advanced Freefall Program, it is 2 tandem jumps done with in a 2 week period followed by a 4 hour ground school course on safety and mals. Then the first two jumps the JM is in contact 100% of the time during FF you pull your BOC and have radio assistance for landing. The third jump is a release where the JM releases you and you stay stable in FF and on heading. From 4 on it's a total release you jump and preform your tasks and move on to the next level if the JM thinks you're ready. The JM's are videoing the whole FF so you can debrief witht hem and go over anything they see your doing wrong or things you may need to work on in the future.Blue Skies!http://www.geocities.com/scollins77057/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Zennie 0 #17 August 28, 2001 All the instructors, current and past, who have taught AFP have nothing but good things to say about it. They feel that as a general rule it turns out better, safer skydivers than other programs. I went through it and thought it was a very good program. Of course I have nothing to compare it against.--------Zennie"I know the pieces fit. 'Cause I watched them fall away..."--Tool Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Donna 0 #18 August 28, 2001 I learned at an older, more conservative dz. We had the typical 7 levels of AFF. We used big F111 canopies, either a PD340(over 200 lbs), a Raider220 (if you were under 130 lbs.) or a manta 288 for most people. When I took the course last year we had hip mounted ripcords. This past winter they switched over to BOC ripcords. They decided they wanted you to learn the same position you would later be using but still worried about unstable student pulls with a BOC throw out. We also have S/L so that may have entered into their thinking too. I really like the sound of all the levels in your AFP program. It seems like you get to work on a lot of stuff and get a nice base down. With more levels you get more chance to work on what you've learned. I like the idea of throw out right away because then you don't have to deal with the transition. I was very nervous about my first throw out but it went great. While on student gear I did once pull on my back and my canopy still opened fine. I had riser burn across my arms and face but was very glad I ended up with a good canopy. I'm not sure what would have happened there if I had had a throw out. I liked jumping the manta. All my landings were very gentle even when I miscalculated my flare. Now I jump a Triathlon 190 which is still quite conservative considering it's underloaded (1 : .85) Initially I was flaring ok and the landings were soft. Then last weekend I flared too late and not enough and I got slammed. I'm still hurting from it and I'm very glad I was not on anything smaller. I know it was my mistake but I'd rather make them on something a bit forgiving. I've heard the Northeast is on the old way, more conservative side. We had a canopy control class with Nancy LaRiviere from Jumpshack which was wonderful and she is on the bigger is better side, too. I agree with most of the way I've been taught but like Zennie, I have nothing to really compare it against. I think I would have liked to do an AFP type program..... but without the smaller canopies!Skies,D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Slappie 9 #19 August 28, 2001 Donna they also have the bigger canopies, I'm just flying one I like and am doing a very good job of it. They have the 210, 230 and a 280 for people to learn on if thats what is comfortable to you. But the whole idea is to load the canopy at a 1.0 Blue Skies!http://www.geocities.com/scollins77057/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
Slappie 9 #10 August 28, 2001 QuoteDo you jump 190 sq. ft. chutes during AFF??? rainman, I am 175lbs+25 for gear so I load a 190 at about 1.05 the 190 is what I started on and did 4 AFP jumps on it. Then Sunday my JM liked my landings and we discussed what size canopy I will probably fly after I graduate. So he suggested downsizing to the 170sq Sabre. I load it at about 1.2 now and I'm doing well. Blue Skies!http://www.geocities.com/scollins77057/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rainman 0 #11 August 28, 2001 QuoteI am 175lbs+25 for gear so I load a 190 at about 1.05 the 190 is what I started on and did 4 AFP jumps on it. Then Sunday my JM liked my landings and we discussed what size canopy I will probably fly after I graduate. So he suggested downsizing to the 170sq Sabre. I load it at about 1.2 now and I'm doing well.Although lots of people downsize before they get their A-license, I've been jumping a manta (280 sq. ft., loaded at approx. 0.75) until I had my license...I've only made one jump on a merit 210 so far, which was almost as exciting as my first ever skydive....I think it's like comparing a garbage truck to a sportscar.Are Dutch DZ's being overly cautious or is your DZ very progressive??Ramon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Jumperpaula 0 #12 August 28, 2001 I'd call it progressive. All zp student mains and boc pilot chutes. I started on a rip cord with a spring load pc - Manta 210 only a few years ago. Can you say pilot chute over the nose?? Fly Your Slot ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Stumpy 284 #13 August 28, 2001 Thats what I started on last year - had to do 5 BOC conversion jumps after I had my A licence so used a ripcord up to my 17th jump. Didn't realise there was any other way!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Jumperpaula 0 #14 August 28, 2001 It's Tandem Progression though. They help pull the ripcord on the first three Tandems, then transition to a rig with a boc. Fly Your Slot ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Stumpy 284 #15 August 28, 2001 So is the first "unattached" jump done with a BOC rig? Does this still have two instructors?. Is this the normal progression in the US or does it vary from dz to dz?So many questions - sorry! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Slappie 9 #16 August 28, 2001 The first of 15 Jumpmaster jumps are on a BOC only the first three of the AFP course are the students held onto on the third jump the JM lets the student go. There is only one JM during the jumps. They progressively get more and more technical with goals to achieve with each jump. IE: upper body turns, forward movement & docking, barrel rolls, different types of exits, front and back flips... basicly they teach you the basics of FF so if in any situation you find yourself you can control the situation and get stable to pull your main. If a JM at any time feels you are not ready to progress to the next level they can make you repeat a level until you have done it. It's a very progressive process and the DZ I'm a student at is top notch and the JM's are some of the best. I feel so safe and my skills are gaining faster then I had even imagined. The course is the same from DZ to DZ depending if the DZ is using the AFP course. AFP = Advanced Freefall Program, it is 2 tandem jumps done with in a 2 week period followed by a 4 hour ground school course on safety and mals. Then the first two jumps the JM is in contact 100% of the time during FF you pull your BOC and have radio assistance for landing. The third jump is a release where the JM releases you and you stay stable in FF and on heading. From 4 on it's a total release you jump and preform your tasks and move on to the next level if the JM thinks you're ready. The JM's are videoing the whole FF so you can debrief witht hem and go over anything they see your doing wrong or things you may need to work on in the future.Blue Skies!http://www.geocities.com/scollins77057/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Zennie 0 #17 August 28, 2001 All the instructors, current and past, who have taught AFP have nothing but good things to say about it. They feel that as a general rule it turns out better, safer skydivers than other programs. I went through it and thought it was a very good program. Of course I have nothing to compare it against.--------Zennie"I know the pieces fit. 'Cause I watched them fall away..."--Tool Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Donna 0 #18 August 28, 2001 I learned at an older, more conservative dz. We had the typical 7 levels of AFF. We used big F111 canopies, either a PD340(over 200 lbs), a Raider220 (if you were under 130 lbs.) or a manta 288 for most people. When I took the course last year we had hip mounted ripcords. This past winter they switched over to BOC ripcords. They decided they wanted you to learn the same position you would later be using but still worried about unstable student pulls with a BOC throw out. We also have S/L so that may have entered into their thinking too. I really like the sound of all the levels in your AFP program. It seems like you get to work on a lot of stuff and get a nice base down. With more levels you get more chance to work on what you've learned. I like the idea of throw out right away because then you don't have to deal with the transition. I was very nervous about my first throw out but it went great. While on student gear I did once pull on my back and my canopy still opened fine. I had riser burn across my arms and face but was very glad I ended up with a good canopy. I'm not sure what would have happened there if I had had a throw out. I liked jumping the manta. All my landings were very gentle even when I miscalculated my flare. Now I jump a Triathlon 190 which is still quite conservative considering it's underloaded (1 : .85) Initially I was flaring ok and the landings were soft. Then last weekend I flared too late and not enough and I got slammed. I'm still hurting from it and I'm very glad I was not on anything smaller. I know it was my mistake but I'd rather make them on something a bit forgiving. I've heard the Northeast is on the old way, more conservative side. We had a canopy control class with Nancy LaRiviere from Jumpshack which was wonderful and she is on the bigger is better side, too. I agree with most of the way I've been taught but like Zennie, I have nothing to really compare it against. I think I would have liked to do an AFP type program..... but without the smaller canopies!Skies,D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Slappie 9 #19 August 28, 2001 Donna they also have the bigger canopies, I'm just flying one I like and am doing a very good job of it. They have the 210, 230 and a 280 for people to learn on if thats what is comfortable to you. But the whole idea is to load the canopy at a 1.0 Blue Skies!http://www.geocities.com/scollins77057/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
Jumperpaula 0 #12 August 28, 2001 I'd call it progressive. All zp student mains and boc pilot chutes. I started on a rip cord with a spring load pc - Manta 210 only a few years ago. Can you say pilot chute over the nose?? Fly Your Slot ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stumpy 284 #13 August 28, 2001 Thats what I started on last year - had to do 5 BOC conversion jumps after I had my A licence so used a ripcord up to my 17th jump. Didn't realise there was any other way!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jumperpaula 0 #14 August 28, 2001 It's Tandem Progression though. They help pull the ripcord on the first three Tandems, then transition to a rig with a boc. Fly Your Slot ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stumpy 284 #15 August 28, 2001 So is the first "unattached" jump done with a BOC rig? Does this still have two instructors?. Is this the normal progression in the US or does it vary from dz to dz?So many questions - sorry! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #16 August 28, 2001 The first of 15 Jumpmaster jumps are on a BOC only the first three of the AFP course are the students held onto on the third jump the JM lets the student go. There is only one JM during the jumps. They progressively get more and more technical with goals to achieve with each jump. IE: upper body turns, forward movement & docking, barrel rolls, different types of exits, front and back flips... basicly they teach you the basics of FF so if in any situation you find yourself you can control the situation and get stable to pull your main. If a JM at any time feels you are not ready to progress to the next level they can make you repeat a level until you have done it. It's a very progressive process and the DZ I'm a student at is top notch and the JM's are some of the best. I feel so safe and my skills are gaining faster then I had even imagined. The course is the same from DZ to DZ depending if the DZ is using the AFP course. AFP = Advanced Freefall Program, it is 2 tandem jumps done with in a 2 week period followed by a 4 hour ground school course on safety and mals. Then the first two jumps the JM is in contact 100% of the time during FF you pull your BOC and have radio assistance for landing. The third jump is a release where the JM releases you and you stay stable in FF and on heading. From 4 on it's a total release you jump and preform your tasks and move on to the next level if the JM thinks you're ready. The JM's are videoing the whole FF so you can debrief witht hem and go over anything they see your doing wrong or things you may need to work on in the future.Blue Skies!http://www.geocities.com/scollins77057/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #17 August 28, 2001 All the instructors, current and past, who have taught AFP have nothing but good things to say about it. They feel that as a general rule it turns out better, safer skydivers than other programs. I went through it and thought it was a very good program. Of course I have nothing to compare it against.--------Zennie"I know the pieces fit. 'Cause I watched them fall away..."--Tool Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Donna 0 #18 August 28, 2001 I learned at an older, more conservative dz. We had the typical 7 levels of AFF. We used big F111 canopies, either a PD340(over 200 lbs), a Raider220 (if you were under 130 lbs.) or a manta 288 for most people. When I took the course last year we had hip mounted ripcords. This past winter they switched over to BOC ripcords. They decided they wanted you to learn the same position you would later be using but still worried about unstable student pulls with a BOC throw out. We also have S/L so that may have entered into their thinking too. I really like the sound of all the levels in your AFP program. It seems like you get to work on a lot of stuff and get a nice base down. With more levels you get more chance to work on what you've learned. I like the idea of throw out right away because then you don't have to deal with the transition. I was very nervous about my first throw out but it went great. While on student gear I did once pull on my back and my canopy still opened fine. I had riser burn across my arms and face but was very glad I ended up with a good canopy. I'm not sure what would have happened there if I had had a throw out. I liked jumping the manta. All my landings were very gentle even when I miscalculated my flare. Now I jump a Triathlon 190 which is still quite conservative considering it's underloaded (1 : .85) Initially I was flaring ok and the landings were soft. Then last weekend I flared too late and not enough and I got slammed. I'm still hurting from it and I'm very glad I was not on anything smaller. I know it was my mistake but I'd rather make them on something a bit forgiving. I've heard the Northeast is on the old way, more conservative side. We had a canopy control class with Nancy LaRiviere from Jumpshack which was wonderful and she is on the bigger is better side, too. I agree with most of the way I've been taught but like Zennie, I have nothing to really compare it against. I think I would have liked to do an AFP type program..... but without the smaller canopies!Skies,D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #19 August 28, 2001 Donna they also have the bigger canopies, I'm just flying one I like and am doing a very good job of it. They have the 210, 230 and a 280 for people to learn on if thats what is comfortable to you. But the whole idea is to load the canopy at a 1.0 Blue Skies!http://www.geocities.com/scollins77057/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
