Currency after AFF

[Witelli 0]

I completed AFF and did my first solo on 7/31. I did 3 jumps that day, AFF6,7 and the solo. I was very nervous at the beginning of the day, but that subsided after my first jump since everything went well and I gained confidence in getting stable and all. #7 I had more confidence and didn't really worry much, felt more relaxed and did everything I was supposed to. Same thing on my solo, the confidence was building and all I did on my solo was practice pulls, I actually flew for @ 5 seconds with my hand on the hacky (I don't know what the plastic tube is called, so let's just call it a hacky) and was able to maintain a perfect heading. So, when I left that day, I finally realized I had it, like riding a bike...or is it? Once again, I'm getting nervous. Since I probably won't be able to jump until 8/25, which is our boogie and I have it etched in the calendar. My question is...Is that too long to go without jumping at my level? I think you become uncurrent after 30 days at my level and I'll be at 25 days. Will I be fine jumping out the back of the CASA (I've only jumped from a caravan)? I would have said definitely on 7/31, but as time goes by I start to get nervous again. Do I have the muscle memory yet? I'll probably become uncurrent every year with the weather in N.Y., and since I have 3 kids and can't really get away to keep current over the winter. So, my questions are...Is 25 days too long to do my 2nd solo? Do many people enjoy skydiving doing less than 50 jumps per year?

[panzwami 0]

IIRC, at your level (student, not yet A-licensed), you need to jump at least every 30 days to stay current, so you're right. If you feel uncomfortable jumping after that much time or think you may have forgotten something important, talk to an instructor or coach at the DZ before you jump. You'll probably want to do this anyway because boogies always have a million things going on and you want to make sure to get a good briefing before going up.

Jumping out of the CASA is a piece of cake. I personally think it's easier to get stable from a CASA than it is from a Caravan. If you have doubts about exiting, talk to an instructor before the jump.

It's a pretty good rule to follow while you're still a new skydiver: If you have a question about something, ASK.

There are no stupid questions.

[Elisha 1]

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Jumping out of the CASA is a piece of cake. I personally think it's easier to get stable from a CASA than it is from a Caravan. If you have doubts about exiting, talk to an instructor before the jump.

Oh, they're both easy. Try a cessna - getting setup on the step and strut and all. Those bigger aircraft spoil you.

[kelpdiver 2]

The step is easy. You can at least climb out and stand on your feet.

Try the side door on a 206. Need to sit on the edge and just shove yourself out.

[Orange1 0]

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Try the side door on a 206. Need to sit on the edge and just shove yourself out.

That's how i learnt static line, but you can dive out too (much easier!) - on your haunches in the door, and jump!

To get back to the original thread, witelli, you'll probably find yourself a bit nervous on the 1st jump of the day with a few weeks between jumps at your stage (i'm hardly any further than you) but you should be fine!! Potential problem with leaving that length of time is if you don't get to jump (weather, whatever) you may have to g\undergo recurrency training by the time you do get to jump again.

Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun.

[Jeth 0]

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So, my questions are...Is 25 days too long to do my 2nd solo? Do many people enjoy skydiving doing less than 50 jumps per year?

FWIW, when I was a student, I mostly went 2-3 weeks inbetween jumps, and only 1 jump each time. That made it harder. I would highly recommend getting back out there ASAP! I did so much better, and was much more relaxed, when I did more jumps, more often. Since you have only done 1 solo, I would definitely review things with your instructors if you are gonna be gone 25 days. At my dz when a newbie comes back from a layoff they have you do a coached jump as your first one back.

As far as the 50 jumps a year -- I'm sure there are poeple who do that. But for me, especially in the beginning when we're new and trying to learn, I think we need to go a lot more than that. I try to go at least every other weekend now. I'm sure there will come a time when I will cut back on my time skydiving, but not yet!

Anyway, good luck with your training! It feels awesome when you finally get that 'A'!!

"At 13,000 feet nothing else matters."
PFRX!!!!!
Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109
My Jump Site

[Elisha 1]

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The step is easy. You can at least climb out and stand on your feet.

Try the side door on a 206. Need to sit on the edge and just shove yourself out.

OK, I meant a 182 with the step & strut, not a 206 w/ cargo door.

The 182 where I did AFF had a nice wide step (around 10" x 10") with a nice abrasive pad so your foot wouldn't slip. The 182 at another nearby dz has a step half as wide with hardly any grip - easy to slip.

[Witelli 0]

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As far as the 50 jumps a year -- I'm sure there are poeple who do that. But for me, especially in the beginning when we're new and trying to learn, I think we need to go a lot more than that. I try to go at least every other weekend now.

This is pretty much what I plan to do, however we're seasonal at my home DZ in N.Y., I think they're only open from like March-November, maybe even less. Assuming 5 jumps on the days I go, maybe I could pull out 80 or 90 for the year. That wouldn't be so bad. I guess once I get my A, I'll have 60 days before going uncurrent. That only means 2 quick trips over the winter to a DZ that's open. It's sounding better already.

Thanks for the advice for my upcoming jump. If I feel comfortable, I'll go alone. If not, I'll just take a coach jump. I need coach jumps to get my A anyway right?