I did the "F" word 3 times on Tuesday!

[skymama 37]

Haha, I bet I know what you're thinking! Not THAT "F" word, (well, at least that's not what this post is about!). The skydiver's "F" word-FIRSTS! I did:
My first jump on a weekday
My first jumps to a closer landing area instead of the student area
My first sit-flying jumps!
I like RW an awful lot, but I must say, that sit-flying is pretty damn cool! I dragging one of my friends out to the dz to coach me, although it's usually not too hard to get a skydiver to go to a dz. On our first jump, he got me stable after the exit in a sit position, let go, and I started flipping all over the place! I'd lean back too far and go in a back-flip, I'd lean forward too far and go in a front flip.
Before our second jump, he told me to put my arms back behind me more, and to keep my knees to my tits. Oh, NOW he was speaking my language! Anyway, after he got me stable on the exit (he jumped behind me and put his feet under my armpits to give me some drag), he let go, and I stayed in the sit for the entire jump! We were just grinning at each other, both of us thinking "I can't believe it!" He did a 360, so I copied him, not even knowing how I did it at the time, and came back to him as my heading. I managed to do turns 2 more times. Then, my pattern was great and right on target for the new area, and I had a sweet landing on my feet. That was jump #40-my most exciting ever!
The third jump was a good kick-in-the-ass for me to remember not to get too big for my britches and think I am somethin' after sitting on my second try. We had a better exit, and I got stable quicker. I stayed in the sit for awhile, but when I went to turn, I leaned forward too far and went into a spin that I had a really hard time getting out of. In the middle of trying to fight it, I glanced at my altimeter and realized I was at 4000', where I had intended to pull! I used all my might, and threw myself onto my back, and then quickly flipped over to my stomach and pulled around 3000'. It didn't really freak me out too much because I never had any doubt that I wouldn't be able to get back to my belly to pull. But, it was a good reminder for me to keep altitude awareness while I'm concentrating hard up there. And, it's made me start looking into buying a pro dytter!
Andrea
"Up high, I feel like I'm alive for the very first time"...Creed

[Aviatrr 0]

Quote

My first jump on a weekday
My first jumps to a closer landing area instead of the student area
My first sit-flying jumps!

Cool.. Welcome to the dark side.. I assume you jumped at Deland? I'm out there during the week sometimes, usually a couple days every other week.. I work week on, week off, so I'm away from home every other week.. During my time off, weekday jumps are at Deland.. If you see a guy in a maroon/black Merlin freefly suit with tie-dye(same colors) stripes, say hi.. Rig matches.. My helmet says "Follow me to certain death" on the back.. I love sitting in front of the tandems If you know you're gonna be out there one day, drop me an e-mail.. I may be heading out also..
Mike

[mattb 0]

glad you've seen the light! freeflying is so much fun i've been neglecting my rw skils lately. hope you bought beer :)

[Donna 0]

Congratulations, Andrea! Sounds like you are having a blast! There has been a lot of talk on 'wreck' recently about spins. Keep in mind that you can track out of them if you can't stop it. Everyone always seems to agree that some kind of audible altimeter is a good idea for freeflying. Keep on having fun! Sounds like you're doing great!
Skies and fluffies,
D