GLIDEANGLE 1 #1 July 25, 2007 I finally earned my “Learners Permit”... my A License!-Many thanks to my AFF instructors @ Skydive Dallas: Mike V., Jeff H., Ernie L., Derek “Goat”, John C. “Sniper”, Johnny K. -Additional thanks to my SDU coaches @ SDD: Jennie H. (who is patient beyond description), Michael N., Johnny K. -Thanks to William whose free and spontaneous guidance helped me break through a persistent and scary problem I was having when tracking. (Gig’em Aggies!) -Thanks to Kevin K for the video and the help. -Thanks to Rob Laidlaw for the coaching on landing accuracy… without that I would never have gotten my license this weekend! -Special thanks to my packing instructor, Laura K, for always being upbeat and encouraging… She never missed an opportunity to tease me about my geeky spectacles. Not to worry…. That evening I gave away a case of beer. It is amazing what 12 cold Coronas and 12 cold Shiner Bocks will do for a guy’s social standing! The next morning I woke up and wondered… “OK, I have my license… Now what? How do I fit in with the other jumpers and get on loads?” I should not have worried. I had been in the hanger fewer than 5 minutes when Mark took me under his wing and pulled me into a 7 way jump. The group understood my situation, gave me an easy slot, and made it fun. After that jump Brett pulled me into more successful jumps… a six way and a four way with block transitions! Before the day was over Brett and this group of charming jumpers had guided me through an unlinked exit eight way for SCR ……ON MY FIRST DAY AS A LICENSED JUMPER! Thanks to all who jumped with me Sunday… you were fun, patient, and didn’t complain when I funneled the exit on the last jump. Yes, I know that SCR calls for TWO cases of beer … one for drinking and one for wearing! I suspect that the Labor Day Boogie @ SDD will be the occasion for my initiation. I look forward to learning lots more: --CReW: I have been told that my personality will fit in well among CReW dogs. (What exactly does that say about me?) --Jumping from different aircraft: helo, ballon, rear ramp, etc. --Odd exits: Horny Gorilla, Magic Carpet, etc. --Hoop Dives --Night jumps!!!!!! (I don’t have enough sense to be terrified of this...yet.) --Cross country under canopy --Tracking dives I went home happy, tired, and sore (16 jumps and some lousy “novice-in-no-wind" landings). Thanks to all who made this possible. I apologize for any names I failed to mention! Blue Skies!!! Jim McGrawThe choices we make have consequences, for us & for others! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #2 July 25, 2007 Congrats, Jim. Welcome to the world of skydiving. Damn...SCR already...how cool is that??? My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,488 #3 July 25, 2007 WooHOOO!! Way to go!!!!!!! Dear God, you trusted your life to them guys?!?!?! Them CRW dogs will suck up to you any way they can to get more dogs to jump with them - don't believe them. Wait until about November to do your SCR ceremony... Congrats on all your accomplishments!!! Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerRamjet 0 #4 July 25, 2007 An SCR at 45 jumps! Congrats! ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
upndownshop 0 #5 July 26, 2007 Nice job. Congrats! Must be a great feeling. Those are great people to be around. I was lucky enough to see them just a couple of weeks ago. Welcome to the sport and what a great way to get started. J Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
