Low number jumper intro, and questions (long)

[mnealtx 0]

Howdy all,

I've been a long time addict, made my first jumps 10 years ago in Czechloslovakia. Did a static line progression from USPA instructors and racked up a total of 20 jumps over about 18 months. I've got probably 5-6 mins freefall time, and did some no-touch relative work on my last 3 jumps, which were 60 second freefalls. I also received a Czech equivalent of an "A" license.

I've been out of the sport since 95 and now am looking at possibly getting back into it, especially since SWMBO (also known as the wife) is wanting to try a tandem (that's what "kicked off" the renewed interest). She's planning on at least one tandem ride in October, when I'm back home on vacation. If she likes it, she's wanting to get into the sport.

I work overseas (US military base in Kosovo) and only get back home a couple times a year for two weeks. There's no place for me to jump over here that I know of, and it's a moot point anyhow, since I work 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week.

I know I'm hooked - I daydream about jumping every time the weather is nice over here, and it's only gotten worse since she and I spoke about it last week. I've spent the last 4 days reading through this site and hitting all the equipment manufacturer's sites.

Here's the questions:
1. If I can find my logbook and perhaps make a check jump, would it be possible to do an AFF jump on the same load as her tandem, and perhaps fly with the tandem? I'm definitely going to pay for the video for her tandem jump, and think it would be really cool to have us both on video. I also know that there is no way that I would be cleared for a solo jump - I'd just like to get close enough that we're both in camera.

2. Seeing as how I can only get home a couple times a year for a couple weeks at a time, is it even feasible for me to get back into the sport?

Mike

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[AggieDave 6]

Doing AFF on the same load would most likely be possible.

Going with the tandem pair is not. Generally speaking, TMs want to see atleast 500 jumps and a level head (i.e. know the person well) before they let them "lurk" a tandem.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[piisfish 140]

As Aggiedave said... certainly not able to fly with a tandem with 20 jumps... and a 9 year break...
It's a cool thing you want to come back, and your wife wants to have a try. Check with the DZ you want to do this at, talk with them, get back in activity NOW.

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[mnealtx 0]

Hi, AggieDave (and piisfish) - thanks for the quick reply!

I figure when the time comes I'll ask, or perhaps one of the members that's on the Skydive San Marcos staff can chime in. I know it can be a safety issue, but I'm hoping it'll be possible, especially with two AFF instructors hanging onto me.

I know I've seen it done before, maybe in one of Norman Kent's films? Maybe it was a Wally Gubbins - I can't recall. On second thought, that may have been a pair of tandems that docked up.

I'm not wanting to fly the whole way with the tandem, just get close enough at one point for us both to be in the video for a few seconds.

Mike

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[nightjumps 1]

Quote

I'm not wanting to fly the whole way with the tandem, just get close enough at one point for us both to be in the video for a few seconds.

This is not going to happen. The most you will get is on the same load. It's a safety issue. 20 jumps and 9 years is the same as starting over. No AFF or Tandem Instructor that I know of is going to let you guys get anywhere close.

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

Quote

I'm not wanting to fly the whole way with the tandem, just get close enough at one point for us both to be in the video for a few seconds.

This is not going to happen. The most you will get is on the same load. It's a safety issue. 20 jumps and 9 years is the same as starting over. No AFF or Tandem Instructor that I know of is going to let you guys get anywhere close.

If you just want to be in the same video, that should be possible. Both places I've trained at send the AFFs out right before the tandems. So her video guy can cover you seting up and exiting, getting a bit of your initial freefall, then climb out for her jump. Maybe you can land at nearly the same time, but that too should be talked over with the DZ.

One of the recent (and rare) tandem fatalities came out of this sort of situation. The jumper was videoing his mother on a tandem and collided with her quite hard. That can't be easy to live with.

[mnealtx 0]

Thanks, everyone, for your inputs. I greatly appreciate it.

Well, it was just a thought - if it can't happen due to safety issues, then it can't happen, and that's that.

I'd be cool with catching the AFF exit and then her whole tandem, though - although I'd probably pay for video for both jumps anyway - good coaching material, for me, at least.

I'm really looking forward to this - she was always really cool about going to the DZ with me. Now that she's lost weight, she's wanting to see what it's all about.

On to my other question: With the info I've gotten from y'all, I'm heading back into this as if I've never jumped before - full ground school and everything.

With the points stated in my initial post, about only getting back a couple times a year for 2 weeks to jump, should I seriously get back into the sport?

Hmm... I wonder if I can get the MWR folks to set up a skydiving program here at Camp Bondsteel, like they did in Stuttgart? ;)

Anyone know of any jump clubs in Macedonia/Kosovo?

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[slotperfect 7]

I have done it before . . . the husband making his first AFF jump, the wife making her first tandem. The AFF got out first, followed by our tandem. If you only pay for one video, it should go with her. He can film both exits, her freefall, and both landings. Great plan.

If you get to Ft. Bragg/Pope AFB, I can help you have it happen at nearby Raeford.

Arrive Safely

John

[mnealtx 0]

Thanks, slotperfect - I appreciate the thought.

We actually closest to Skydive San Marcos or Spaceland, I think it is? The one in Houston.

San Marcus is about 60 minutes away, Houston about 2- 2.5 hours. We actually live just barely south of San Antonio, just outside Loop 1604. Well, SWMBO and the kidlet live there... I'm doing contract work for .mil and am currently in Kosovo...

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706