Vapor 0 #1 January 15, 2004 One day short of uncurrent and equipped with some new eggnog-based PLF padding, I return to the DZ. Shaky and hypoxic on the first load up; my JMs in their infinite wisdom have insisted on a coach jump. Rear float exit; I'm unstable, lose about 3K swimming. Finally arch out, dock, get level, dock. I'm always surprised at what a difference just eye contact and a nod from the JM makes in my confidence. Debriefed and back up on the next load. Turning the Maw of Hell back into just the door simply requires yelling 'woohoo!' as loudly as possible on exit, I find. No instructor. No pressure. No load of AFF tasks to remember. Just...flying. I literally can't remember a feeling that compares with this. Backloop? Sure. Barrel roll? Piece of cake. Flat track? You got it. The usual head-down spasto-track is gone. The usual 'sky-dreidel' maneuver after trying to turn is nowhere to be found. Again: flying. Altitude aware, in control, and flying. Clean pull, soft opening, not a cloud in the sky. Flared a bit high but stood the landing, first time. Made a proud beer offering and grinned all the way home. Here's to the kickass JMs at SSM and all y'all for helping a newbie sort things out. I love this sport. Off to hunt down that A... blue skies! W ---------------------------------------- 'Of course it hurts. The trick is not *minding* that it hurts.' - T.E. Lawrence Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blahr 0 #2 January 15, 2004 Quotethe Maw of Hell I hate it when I'm on a load and I discover that, rather than the door I was expecting, the aircraft is instead equipped with the Maw of Hell. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vapor 0 #3 January 15, 2004 I shamelessly stole that from Skylord, and I hope he can find it in his heart to forgive me. But it's great, and true...hopefully not for too many more jumps. W ---------------------------------------- 'Of course it hurts. The trick is not *minding* that it hurts.' - T.E. Lawrence Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #4 January 15, 2004 What kind of plane is that where you typically see the Maw of Hell? I think in the old-style 182s I only see the Kitty Door of Terror. -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vapor 0 #5 January 15, 2004 Otter! Big, beautiful, stand-up-and-swan-dive Maw of Hell. 182: Kitty door of Hell T-Bo: Dodge Neon Sunroof of Hell C-130: Supermarket Loading Dock of Hell AN-124: Oscar Awards Stage Entrance of Hell ---------------------------------------- 'Of course it hurts. The trick is not *minding* that it hurts.' - T.E. Lawrence Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WILDBILLAQR 0 #6 January 15, 2004 We had a plane once which had a "Maw of hell" for a door. Roll up w/ no bars & to far back to reach the wheel. We still managed to launch a 5 way funnel out of it---------------------------------------------- "Thats not smoke, thats BUCKEYE!!" AQR#3,CWR#49 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benny 0 #7 January 15, 2004 QuoteOtter! Big, beautiful, stand-up-and-swan-dive Maw of Hell. 182: Kitty door of Hell T-Bo: Dodge Neon Sunroof of Hell C-130: Supermarket Loading Dock of Hell AN-124: Oscar Awards Stage Entrance of Hell I know I'm spoiled as it and a KA are the only things I've ever jumped from, but the Otter door seems small to me. I always have to get in this goofy position on exit and i feel like I'm just wedged in that damn door. I'm only 6'1", what gives? Never go to a DZ strip show. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #8 January 16, 2004 Well, lo and behold. . .I am not the only one to steal style and substance for my writing from Skylord. . .I am sure he will forgive you. On AFF level 8 and my first two solos, the "Maw of Hell" turned into the "doorway of opportunity". . .it was an awesome feeling. . . It'll happen, just jump as often as you can on any particular day - it is amazing how multiple jumps make that door less imposing. . .________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #9 January 16, 2004 Where's all this "blue sky" you are referring too!????? Send some my way, would ya please. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vapor 0 #10 January 16, 2004 "Only 6'1"?' Treasure those three inches you got on me, my friend. For us hobbits (especially hobbits who did AFF on a T-Bo) that Otter door is like the Arc De Triumphe. ---------------------------------------- 'Of course it hurts. The trick is not *minding* that it hurts.' - T.E. Lawrence Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blahr 0 #11 January 16, 2004 Quote that Otter door is like the Arc De Triumphe. Dont you mean the Arc De Triumphe of Hell? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vapor 0 #12 January 16, 2004 Start a self-congratulatory thread, end up with an 'Things Of Hell' thread. I think we're approaching talkback level, here. Okay, so, an actual newbie question: where should I be pulling, around now? I'm what you might call conservative, and getting more so with all the incident activity of the past week. These first two solo's I've been dumping at 4K... ---------------------------------------- 'Of course it hurts. The trick is not *minding* that it hurts.' - T.E. Lawrence Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skylord 1 #13 January 16, 2004 QuoteI shamelessly stole that from Skylord, and I hope he can find it in his heart to forgive me. But it's great, and true...hopefully not for too many more jumps. Sure, you're forgiven! I'm flattered.... Great story, and I am looking forward to getting past that damn door thing..... BobBob 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
