Tandem Progression Jump #2

[sanes7 0]

I made my 2nd Jump today, and it didn't go nearly as well as the first jump. I had a good exit, and was very aware of my altitude. However, during freefall I did something to induce a spin. My instuctor said it had something to do with my legs and also my head. I was still aware enough to wave off and pull at 5500. I was just wondering if this is sort of normal, and is it usually corrected on the next jump. any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Mike Sanes

[BIGUN 1,488]

Sanes,

Please fill out the rest of your profile. What type of aircraft did you exit from, please.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[sanes7 0]

It was a cessna 182

Mike Sanes

[BIGUN 1,488]

Mike,

182's can be a bit on the difficult side to exit with a tandem. I would venture to speculate that you did a diving exit. If that is the case, then yours and the TI's body are sideways to the relative wind for a second or two while you're both getting into your arch.

If you should happened to have stuck a leg out, dropped one down, bent at the waist, etc., then its possible that's what induced the beginning of the side-apin.

While in the door, be sure to keep your head on your TI's shoulder and as soon you rock forward to leave on the count, make sure to aggressivley snap your body and legs into the arch position as instructed.

I would encourage you to go over it with your instructor again several times just to get the muscle memory down before your next dive. I'm confident s/he will work with you to ensure you're more successful on the next dive.

On a separate note, please don't be too hard on yourself about what happened and do your best to correct it, put it behind you and focus on moving forward. No matter which method of instruction is chosen, most every student had one or more things that needed to be corrected at some level - myself included.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[op5e 0]

"However, during freefall I did something to induce a spin. My instuctor said it had something to do with my legs and also my head."

I would talk to your instructor and ask the questions you need to ask to change the words "something" to I need more work on my legs being not symetrical or I have a tendency to tilt my head to the left when I find my body moves to the right. It is only your second jump so you may be still getting the sensory overload.

I had the problem when I did a spin I brought my legs in. It took me a few jumps to work out why I was always drifting away form my instructor, but it was because I didnt put my legs back when I stopped spinning. All I am saying is if you have questions, ask your instructor. Think about the aero dynamics and think why this would occur. If you do not understand talk it over with your instructor. I went into spins on my first few jumps as have a few of my friends. Sometimes instructors just want to see if you can identify you are doing it and attempt to correct. Sometimes you may have to repeat a stage, but either way it will be fixed with time.

Oh to answer your question, I would asume it is normal ( i doubt everyone has perfect body position ). You might not fix it in one jump, sometimes it seems worst because you are thinking about it too much. But if you have a brain and learn from your mistakes and listen to your instructor I am sure it will work itself out. But all this is coming form a newbie like yourself.

Enjoy the big blue and do not give up.