My first solo

[PhillyKev 0]

Went to Cross Keys yesterday and did my AFP Level 1 after having completed my 3 tandems. I try to go during the week because it's less crowded, but it was fun on that beautiful day hanging out and meeting tons of cool people. Kelly, (who's I think froggy?) on here, for one.
Anyway...I thought I was hooked on the sport just from the tandems, now I'm even more so. Did my 60 sec. freefall from 13,500....great exit, good stability, perfect pull. Then I look up and watch the canopy inflate (damn it seems slow :-) Checked to make sure it was cool, released my brakes, tested steerability, flared..then spent about 30 seconds trying to find the dropzone. That was a little tough for me...didn't find it until I saw a plane on the runway. After I found it looked around, realized I'm all alone hanging from my own canopy and let out a WHOOP!! and started heading that way (at about 4000' at this point) and started heading for the holding area. I was last one out, so had a bit to go. Messed up a little and started my downwind to early. Ended up having to bleed off altitude on the base leg. Fortunately noone behind me so I could mess around in that area without worrying about traffic. Started my final (and had to bleed off a little more)...headed for the X and landed 10 yards past it! Perfect flare and stood straight up. Then remembered I was supposed to PLF so quickly dropped and rolled before my instructor noticed :-)
Anyway....think I'm gonna head back out there today and do level 2. Headed out to grab some breakfast then down to the drop zone I go.

[PalmettoTiger 1]

Kev, you rock. I tried to stand up my first non-tandem ride and it didn't work out (pictures here). Congrats on a successful jump and especially on having so much awareness during your first solo canopy ride (thinking about people behind you) - you've just taught me something!
Oh yeah... beer.
Blues, Squares,
PTiger
*insert sub-100 character sig here*

[Deleted 0]

you guys both rock!
that's sik. :)
www.medi.avs.net.au

[freefallfreak 0]

PhillyKev,
That was cool...have a great time...
FFF

[PhillyKev 0]

That's level 2 down...and another near perfect jump, I'm proud to say :-)
Got down to Cross Keys...not nearly as crowded as yesterday (even though it was even nicer weather), and was jumping almost immediately. Grabbed a sandwich on the way there, paid for my jump, then ate my lunch. By the time I was done they were calling my name. I go up and meet Mark, my instructor for the jump. He said, "Oh, you just jumped yesterday. So are you ready for a 20 minute call?". Nice...was almost as quick as a midweek late afternoon wait.
I gear up, review briefly, Mark talks me through packing his chute, draw my holding area and directions of travel...and it's time to load. During the climb to altitude, have none of the usual mild apprehension that I experienced each previous jump. Was just looking forward to getting out in the sky. Made sure to locate the dz during the climb to avoid the previous days mishap of not being able to locate it right away. Got to altitude, took another peak at the dz and got up in the door.
Beatiful exit and presentation. Was on the hill for maybe 4 seconds. By the time I was face to earth, already had my COE finished. Did my practice pulls, another COE, then started turning. 90 right, 90 left, COE...repeat until hard deck. Got the "extend your legs" signal once, but a thumbs up right after. Locked on my alti at 6 grand, waited for 55 and pull (uh wears the pilot, wears the pilot, oh...there it is). See Mark giving me a smile and a thumbs up as he passes below me. Had a clean canopy over my head, got control and had some fun. I was directly over the dz and had to crawl to get to the holding area. Got in the right place and started whipping that 300 sq. ft. sail around as much as it would let me. I'm definitely looking forward to jumping a smaller canopy! Did a few turns and flares. Then had some fun swinging it by turning hard right then immeditely left and flaring. Did that a few times until I was sufficiently bruised by the harness and started my downwind (at the proper altitude this time).
Got to the start of my base, made the turn and then again for final approach. Winds were light and shifting, so the windsocks were all going different directions. We had predetermined a NW approach on the plane to avoid any collisions. Headed for the X and overshot a bit, still not bad, about 30 yds. off. Flared a little too early, almost let up on the brakes but heard Mark over my radio yelling "hold it". Came down a little hard, probably could have ran it out but was poised for PLF so did that.
Overall, very pleased with both days. Wanted to jump again but just didn't have the fundage. Have to wait another 2 weeks for my next paycheck. But it's on to Level 3 I go!!