Muenkel 0 #1 January 22, 2002 This past December I made two perfect tandem jumps for the first time in my life. I can honestly say, I had no nerves...not even a queesy stomach. The landings were absolutely perfect. My second tandem, we went out backwards and completed four somersaults and our spins were much faster. I know all the credit goes to my tandem master (Mike at Skydive Space Center in Titusville, Florida). Since this was such a positive (exhilerating) experience for me I have gone ahead and booked my AFF course for this May back at the Skydive Space Center. I don't know if I am reading too many testimonials, but it seems there are alot of hairy moments during certain AFF levels. Are there actually uneventful AFF experiences...meaning, people who have gone through it and nicely progressed and graduated? Am I only reading about "exceptions" to AFF experiences because they are more intesting to read about? I am planning to allow for 12 days in Titusville to complete my AFF, is this reasonable or am I setting my standards to high? Thanks for any info. Don't you hate when work interferes with skydiving? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Albatross 0 #2 January 22, 2002 No a smooth AFF progression is fairly common but so is getting stuck. Out of my 3 friends who did AFF we had 1 repeated level and it seems that the less time between jumps the easier it is. However, I do have another friend who repeated one level 7 times. It seems to depend mostly on what type of body awareness you have and if you can relax. Good athletes seem to have an easier time of it in general.God bless us and God Bless AmericaAlbatross Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #3 January 22, 2002 QuoteGood athletes seem to have an easier time of it in general.I'm uncoordinated as hell (the rude could acurately say "clumsy"), completely unathletic, and got thru AFF in 7 textbook jumps. (I suck NOW, but that's a different post.)I really think it's completely unpredictable. Enjoy the anticipation, and don't spend a lot of time worrying. Pet me! I'm harmless and cute! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sebazz1 2 #4 January 22, 2002 Know the dive flows.............Be prepared before going to the DZ..................Visualize your jumps over and over and over..............Breath relax.................Have funSebazz......... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ducky 0 #5 January 23, 2002 I made it through in 7 trys. One thing to realize, at least from my experience is that each usually gives more than enough time to complete the required task. It is inevitable you will have a few screw ups, but perfection is not required. Just be as mentally prepared as possible. Someone else mentioned visualization and thats a good tip it REALLY helps.As for having enough time.. heck i think you might could get your A License in 12 days my friend.Good Luck!!!!!!!!Kwak Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #6 January 23, 2002 I had to repeat level 4. On my first try, I was spinning and spinning and spinning. Not very fast, but out of control. Eventually the JM docked on me straight ahead of me and we got the spin stopped and I pulled. I ended up landing WAY off the airport in someone's front yard. That was because of some low clouds that came through... I couldnt see the airport and the guy with the radio couldnt see me... till it was too late. After all that though I could still honestly say it was the funnest jump I had done yet. Even when things don't go perfect, its still skydiving and its still fun. Don't take it too seriously and worry so much about passing each level on your first try. Just go with it, have fun, and you'll be more relaxed. Relaxation is one of the keys to learning to skydive, so it'll really help. If you were able to relax and enjoy your tandems, you shouldn't have any trouble with AFF. After all, you've already jumped out of a plane without wearing a chute. What's more extreme than that?Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,088 #7 January 23, 2002 >Are there actually uneventful AFF experiences...meaning, people who have gone through it and nicely progressed and graduated? >Am I only reading about "exceptions" to AFF experiences because they are more intesting to read about?I've taken up perhaps 1200 AFF students, and roughly half of them progress with either no problems or minor problems only. The other half have to repeat a level. Sometimes, once in a great while, we have someone who takes 30 jumps to get off AFF, but that's really rare.-bill von Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #8 January 23, 2002 You folks are great. Thanks for taking the time to post your words of wisdom. I relooked at my tandem videos last night and the smile on my face was of pure exhileration. As far as I am concerned, May cannot come fast enough.Don't you hate when work interferes with skydiving? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #9 January 24, 2002 Quote I know all the credit goes to my tandem master (Mike at Skydive Space Center in Titusville, Florida). That would be Mike Maguire.. Good guy, pretty experienced, has his head on straight, and definitely knows what he's doing.. Unfortunately, he's not an AFF instructor - I think he'd make an excellent one.. I think he's planning to do the AFF-I course, but not sure when..Quote I am planning to allow for 12 days in Titusville to complete my AFF, is this reasonable or am I setting my standards to high? If the weather cooperates, you shouldn't have a problem..Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #10 January 24, 2002 Hi Mike,You're right it was Mike Maguire. Very level-headed guy and definitely knows his stuff. I am not sure if I would have become so psyched about skydiving if Mike was not my tandem instructor. I think I am driving him a little nuts though with all the questions I keep emailing him.Anyway, you're right, Mike is not an AFF instructor. I think Yoshi is going to be my instructor. I will be down there May 2nd to the 13th (praying to the weather gods). If you can, stop by and introduce yourself. If you want also, email me at cmuenkel@hotmail.com. Maybe I can hound you with questions!!! Do us newbies bug the shit out of you experienced folk?ChrisDon't you hate when work interferes with skydiving? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sebazz1 2 #11 January 24, 2002 Hey tell Yoshi and the Nardi's hi from Sebastien in Cal. Are you sure it's Mike Maguire and not Chance Maguire? Greg Nardi the new DZO there was my main side JM on my first jump. And hi swife Patty is sooo cool. Damn I'd love to go visit those guys.......Seb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #12 January 24, 2002 Yes, I'm sure it's Mike.. Chance is a TM/video/rigger at Skydive Space Center, Mike is a TM/video/coach..Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #13 January 24, 2002 It is definitely Mike Maguire. I don't recall meeting anyone named Chance. All the people at Skydive Space Center were very cool and nice. That is the reason I am travelling to Florida for my AFF and not doing it locally.Don't you hate when work interferes with skydiving? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #14 January 24, 2002 "Hey tell Yoshi and the Nardi's hi from Sebastien in Cal. "I just emailed them and told them hello for you.Don't you hate when work interferes with skydiving? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
msdeva 0 #15 January 24, 2002 One thing I never understood until I had about 40 jumps:Prop - Up - Down = Ready - Set - GoI was very nervous in the door my first few jumps - until I realized the worse that could happen is that I fall out!!!! Then it was smooth sailing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sebazz1 2 #16 January 24, 2002 We do - Out In Arch...............Seb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
msdeva 0 #17 January 24, 2002 Out In Arch - That makes much more sense... but I still never realized it was the 'count'.I think on L2 I did Prop-Up-Prop-Down-Prop-Up-Down!!!!I was trying to get the Prop-Up-Down perfect instead of realizing it was a way of communicating.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #18 January 24, 2002 "We do - Out In Arch"They want you to look at the prop so you have the proper attitude when you leave the plane. IE facing into the wind....Yes...it is kinda funny watching some students "Do a little dance" in the door till the JM's get tired of it and just yank them off the plane. Now that...is funny!!! "I got some beers....Let's Drink em!!!"Clay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #19 January 24, 2002 Well.... that works great on 95% of planes but how about stuff like Skyvans and Casa's? I've only heard prop up down ARCH!!! on those.... anyone ever hear differently?I want to touch the sky, I want to fly so high ~ Sonique Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #20 January 24, 2002 "on those.... anyone ever hear differently?"I think it's just Ready-set-go off the ramp..."I got some beers....Let's Drink em!!!"Clay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
msdeva 0 #21 January 24, 2002 i would have done much better on a casamy favorite exit now is a grab-n-go Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ducky 0 #22 January 25, 2002 Too Funny...The day of my FJC the first 2 guys up really screwed up the exit so the rest of ass got seriously schooled on the whole exit count thing. We must have down 100 exites each out of the mock-up. Over n over I went to sleep saying Prop-Up-Down-Arch..Kwak Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick 0 #23 January 25, 2002 I was very nervous in the door my first few jumps - until I realized the worse that could happen is that I fall out!!!! That is sooo funny, I'm going to remember that for next time I'm in the door.Nick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sebazz1 2 #24 January 25, 2002 It's so important to start the jump right. The student only has 55 - 60 secs to learn as much as possible. I something goes wrong on exit (like a bad count) it takes a third of the skydive for most students to move on. I make my students do the mock up thing over and over and over. I usually appologize ahead of time then they thank me.Prop - Out - In - Arch......................Yeah Baby!Seb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #25 January 25, 2002 QuoteI make my students do the mock up thing over and over and over. I usually appologize ahead of time then they thank me.I will never, ever forget that sequence. In the otter: Right hand, left hand, right foot, left foot, check in, check out, prop, up, down, ARRRRRRCHPet me! I'm harmless and cute! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
