AFF-8, Done!

[skylord 1]

Well, what has been a far longer journey than I thought has passed another milestone. I traveled out to Elsinore today and passed my Level 8 jump. It is an accomplishment I cannot put into words for those who have never jumped, and I would rank this as high or higher than getting rated as a pilot or air traffic controller. Sweet!

So, like I said over a year ago, I'll chronicle my jumps for those of you who are interested in reading my little musings.

I did my recurrency jump just 4 weeks ago after some tunnel time with Shark. I passed, and was set up for my Level 8 dive until the sequence of Southern California storms delayed my next actual skydive. After running errands, I got to Elsinore about 1:30. I had my AFF-8 jump ticket from three weeks before, and handed it to Betsy who was running the jump board. I got assigned AC as my instructor.

AC had me watch the AFF-8 video twice, and then when I walked out told me we would be on the load in 20 minutes. I got a bit of the heebie-jeebies, and tried to calm myself a little. Skydiving is so funny like that. I've got 14 jumps, but the willies still creep in sometimes. Arrghh!!

We dirt dived, and then I geared up and headed to the queue area. We got in the exit simulator, and AC had me simulate the exit and then told me to stop what I was doing. Hmmm. He then had me stand motionless and describe to him what I would be doing in freefall. He told me I didn't have to do it physically just then, he knew I knew how to do that. See it in your mind, describe it. He had me chill out, and just talk the dive while standing there. The skydive is in my head, between the two ears that a flight instructor long ago called a "defective headset seperator".

The plane pulls up and in we go. Deep down inside, I'm scared. I don't know why. I've done this before, I'm still here and alive, but I'm scared. Then it passes, I'm in the airplane, scheduled to be the third out with a bunch of tandems and other AFF jumpers. AC chats with me about breathing and relaxing, which helps me tremendously, and then all I can think about is all the tandems and AFF jumpers are going to be watching me. Shark is on the load, and announces to EVERYONE that he doesn't want to put pressure on me, but this is my AFF-8 grad dive. Thanks, buddy!

The whole plane erupted in cheers, yells, and thumbs up signs. Even the tandems! I gave the thumbs up back, thinking they are watching me, better not screw up, and then one of the TM's who knows me verbalized my thought for me. Good advice!

I pointed out the 5,500 altimeter reading, and then AC told me to verbally tell him what I was visualizing for the skydive. I did that, including my thoughts that I'd be not stable during this dive, and how would I handle it. Relax, and arch. The enormity of what I was about to do keeps creeping into my conciousness and scares me. I'm jumping out, on my own in a new exit, deliberately de-stabilizing myself, recovering, and accomplishing the objectives.

In the meantime, I discover that AC and most of the Elsinore DZ crew on board are apparently frustrated Karaoke singers, as AC leads the group into a most memorable (NOT good) rendition of "If I Were a Rich Man" from "Fiddler on the Roof". Shit. That was more motivation to jump than the worst fart load I've ever been on.

Clouds are broken over the DZ, and I think to myself how brave I am to have ridden the Otter Stallion to altitude only to have cowardly Mother Nature intervene and make us all ride back down. Didn't happen. Karl found a very nice hole, flew us there, the green light is on, and it is time to jump.

AC tells me to take a breath and relax. In SLLLOWWWW, hold it, breathe out SSSSLLLLOWWW. The first jumpers go out, I feel pretty good. Next out, there they go. I'm up. The plane is still full, and like that line from Ghostbusters, "You're scaring the straights!" I march toward the door concious that this is fun, I'm prepared, and everyone is wanting me to do well so they can have beer.

The wind roars, I look down and point to the DZ. AC nods. I look at him for the check in. He tells me, "This is YOUR skydive!" I nod. Position, out, in, go. I'm outside the airplane again! I was expecting the worst, tumble, instability, crying for mommy, but here is what actually happened.

I did the dive exit as trained. As I left the airplane, it was stable, on heading, and surprising to me. I didn't flip, flop, flap, or flep. (Sorry, I ran out of vowels). Wow, I did it!!

OK, busy time. Tuck head and arms, and my front flip got about half way done when I got stuck on my back. I suck! Arch hard and recover. Barrell roll. Tuck the left arm, get on my back and the rotation stops. Crap! Tuck the right, extend the left, and I'm belly to earth yet again. 360 turn, done, but I was so distracted by the legally nearby clouds that I go off line for a few seconds.

The rest of the dive occured, I did have a bit of spin I self corrected, and I pulled at the right altitude. I watched AC fly by me, and did my checks. I was depressed because the dive went far worse than my expectations. I suck at this. I suck, I suck, I suck. I know it. I suck. I ran out of time to do everything. But I pulled. I pulled stable, and I pulled right. But I suck!!!!!

Canopy checks good, and I worked myself into a pattern of students. For some reason, they landed with a weak downwind, and I checked other jumpers and set myself up for a landing away from the lake. AC came on the radio right after I opened, but I couldn't understand what he said. Base, final, count 1, shoulders, count 2, flare, and a nice landing.

I thought I blew the jump, but AC told me what I did right, and to just relax more. That will come. He came by a few minutes later, with outstretched hand. "You passed". I can't describe the feeling that went through me.

So, to all of you who have posted, emailed, talked to, or PM'd me, thanks so much for all the words of wisdom and encouragement. Special shout out to Darcy, Shark, Randy, Rosa, Michelle, Rich, and so many others who have made an insane dream become such a special reality.

Solo jumps tomorrow!

Bob

Bob Marks

"-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

[bodypilot1 0]

Congrats!





Keepin' it safe!
Ed

www.WestCoastWingsuits.com
www.PrecisionSkydiving.com

[Smeger 0]

Thats AWESOME man, congrats. You described the story really well. I'm hopefully doing the AFF in the summer, you've helped inspire me lol.
Don't get too over confident now you've passed, although I'm sure you won't. Have fun buddy and stay safe. (DZ.com Rules ).

[Scrumpot 1]

I love reading your stories! ...Great perspectives to share. Ahhh.... the memories (although now long since dark & clouded )

Sounds like it was a GREAT jump to me, and CONGRATULATIONS!

The only piece of advice?...

Quote

I suck at this. I suck, I suck, I suck. I know it. I suck.

GET THIS OUT OF YOUR HEAD!
And I mean this LITERALLY. It will only hold you back. Accentuate and build upon the positive. Acknowledge the "errors" (although I did not "see" any -REALLY- from your description of this dive) and learn your techniques to correct them. Then go up again, correct them, and RE-ACCENTUATE THAT as ANOTHER POSITIVE!

-You are on your way! ...Good for you!! Congratulations again skydiver!
Blues,
-Grant

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[Superman32 0]

That's totally GREAT

Inveniam Viam aut Faciam
I'm back biatches!

[skylord 1]

Grant,

Thanks. I re-read my post and decided I need to stop watching Jeb Corliss stuff with the idea that is where I'm supposed to be. I do tend to focus on the negative, and that is something that skydiving has brought to light for me, so now I need to deal with it. It is a "me" issue. I did have fun today on my first solo dive.

This sport is probably one of the most underestimated out there when it comes to real skill, even the fine motor stuff. Many of you make it look so easy, that I'm fooled into thinking something is wrong with me when I'm not hearing Anya in my ears as I sky-trip the light fantastic. Wow.

So I'm going to relax and chill. And jump. And jump. And jump. I don't care how many jumps it takes to get through to my A license. That isn't an issue. I'm having fun!

Bob

Bob Marks

"-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

[Scrumpot 1]

I know exactly where you are at. For the record, for @ my 1st 100-200 jumps I did EXACTLY the same thing myself. In retrospect, I realize now that the only thing it accomplished (telling myself that I continually sucked -whether I really did or not mind you! ) is: held me back.

If I can help you to realize that earlier than what I ended up "putting myself through" as a result of my sharing that with you, then GREAT! The sooner you "release" from that, the sooner you will also ALLOW YOURSELF to progress. It's a miracle occurance (or at least it was for me) for sure.

I do love your perspective on all this. Continue to learn all you can. Try not to be too self-critical and have FUN! (while being "safe" of course). After all, isn't that what it's all about?
Blue Skies,
-Grant

coitus non circum - Moab Stone