dthames

I stand corrected..... replace "Hop and Pop" with "Low altitude ticket". Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

Even before I learned to skydive, I knew tracking would be something of interest to me. If I do a hop and pop and the exit is 4000 or better, you can be sure it will be an exit right into a tracking posture. Something about a tracking exit is just fun for me. Saturday we had low clouds and hop and pops were about all we could do. I did a couple from a C-182 wearing a long sleeve fleece type shirt and jeans. I would not claim to be a high performance tracker dressed like that. GPS data shows my vertical speed lower than I had expected. I knew my vertical was slower tracking than normal belly jumps but under 95 MPH without a good suit, I was a bit surprised. I go into a normal boxman right before I wave and pitch, which results in a slight increase in vertical speed right before deployment. I enjoy looking at the data and trying to understand all of the reasons. I am sharing this for others that might be interested as well. CTRL + and CTRL - will zoom in and out with Internet Explorer if you can't read the graphs. Vertical speed in pink, MPH Horizontal speed in blue, MPH 5,000 exit, pull at 3,000 [inline jump1.jpg] 4,500 exit, pull at 3,000 [inline jump2.jpg] Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

I don't know what is normal but I was at Zhills 2012-2013 starting Dec 26 for 16 days. I mangaged to jump 14 of those 16 days. Several of those days were less than full days because of weather. Weekdays 9:00 AM until about 5:00 PM, 8:00 AM until about 5:00 PM on weekend days during that time of the year......If that information might help you. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

I'm sorry - but shouldn't an integral part of being a "new A License Holder", be knowing (i.e. read: TAUGHT) already how to gather up your gear upon landing, at least such that it is not all so inexorably tangled by the time you walk back to the packing loft with it, in the 1st place? But odd things can happen.... One windy and wet morning I was on the first load and landed way off. Trying to kept my canopy from getting wet and muddy, I struggled to keep it all in my arms for the very long walk around fields and barbed wire, back to the DZ. With all of the slipping and regrouping of the main, I had it well tangled when I got back. I did want to keep jumping but I was in over my head. I always pack for myself but on that day, I paid a packer to come get the thing untangled for me. I am sure I could have got it by myself but my time at the DZ is precious because I live hours away. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

I went to Zhills during the winter with just a few jumps, and went right to jumping. If you are not current you will need some refresher training. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

Consider building in some extra days for weather. I am not speaking about Spain, but in general. As a student it seem like weather/wind is the thing that often changes everyone's plans. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

It sounds like you are making good progress. I know AFF is popular but there is just something very attractive to me about learning it on your own. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

Tighten your butt cheeks to arch well. "Watch" the plane (really). Enjoy. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

I hope to be at Zhills Nov 29-30 and will be looking for someone to fly with. Thanks, Dan Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

what happens if you track up or down jump run and track into another group? My thoughts exactly. Recently I was visiting a DZ, joined a belly jump and the plan was "if you go low, go ahead and track away". I didn't speak up, but I thought I would rather stay and spend my time (properly) trying to get back up to the group....which I did. At breakoff, sure enough, there was someone about 200 feet below me heading in the same direction. Much better to stay close but not right under the group. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

When I was a student a 14 year old was packing the rigs. I didn't have a problem with it. Later when a female teen was also packing, I thought, "Is this a good thing?". I would encourage you be very aware of potential distractions. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

Being older and not very flexible I had problems maintaining a decent arch. After about 10 seconds I would flatten out and wobble. It made me sore in my butt and lower back, so I knew I was trying, but just not able to manage it. The instructors were reluctant to let me go and when they did they often had to grab me again. I was not happy with myself and quit for a time. Thankfully an AFFI that was about my age showed me some exercises to do and after winter was over I started all over on static line and did a lot better. I figured I could afford SL better than AFF if I was going to be a slow learner. But as it turned out, all was well and I think largely to being in better shape when I came back. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

Like davelepka said, skydiving can make you sore even if all is well. If you are in poor physical condition, work to tone and stretch every day. I am in my mid-fifties and that has helped me. I have had two “firm” openings and one of them made me sore. I have had several “rough” openings that jerked me around some. They were just rough, not quick like “bang”. It will get your attention like, “Now that hurt”. Try to learn something from it. Odds are it will happen again if you keep jumping. Did your opening hurt when it happened or did you notice later that you were sore? Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

Dallas looks to be about 3.5 hours. If your profile jump number is correct, Dallas would be good, as Glideangle stated. https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Skydive+Dallas,+Whitewright,+TX&daddr=Shreveport,+LA&hl=en&ll=32.944149,-95.059204&spn=2.756548,4.894409&sll=32.971768,-95.069212&sspn=2.755685,4.894409&geocode=FVFm_gEd9GRB-iH8SvlFQ1LRuSnlPUnXdohLhjH8SvlFQ1LRuQ%3BFWBL8AEdXXxp-ikf6ZgXjSoxhjHdnKSHFiy9Lg&oq=skydive+dal&mra=ls&t=m&z=8 Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

I could not jump because of wind. I went home and showed my wife and then later my son the steps of getting to the exit position, the exit count, the dive flow, checking the canopy. I had went through it several times before I went to bed. To me there was some benefit of the overnight wait. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

I was taught, arch, legs together, feet together, feet on butt, arms against my sides, pitch, stay small, fly on your belly, and wait for inflation. I also have been pulling my legs up with knees slightly toward chest as I am stood up. It sounds like you have working system already. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

Here are some things that helped me. 1. Learn what part of the parachute is what. Is this the nose, the tail, the right, the left, ......what am I holding in my hand right how.. 2. In addition to the videos, I visited the web sites of several parachute companies. I downloaded their manuals and studied them. A picture here or there can create an eureka moment. I tried to first learn what I was doing (trying to do) and then learn how to do it. I tried just imitating someone but without understanding it was a waste of time. Learn the details of the objective and then learn the skill of how to carry it out. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

I was able to do FFC at the school at the Dallas DZ. It was really nice that the school had the suits on hand. I drive a long way to the DZ and renting a suit myself with my limited access to the DZ would have not worked out nearly as good as the setup that you and Gordon came up with. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

Brian, Thanks for sharing that. It is always good to continue to be reminded to enjoy where we are and to not bite off more than we can chew. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

I really like that closing shot from the ground. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

You might consider reading, http://www.dropzone.com/gear/Detailed/482.html It gives a good understanding of how the canopy flies, among other things. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

Seems sort of odd that they don't make a container that a 190 will fit in. I would go with a different company to get the proper main. But that is just me. Correction - I bought new and wanted a smaller rig (Wings have stock containers listed that fit 190-210's) Anyway if you can afford new, great. I think there is too much emphasis on buy used, with the unsaid implication being that you will want to downsize soon. My only comment would be at 16 jumps you don't really know what type of canopy you will enjoy and have been worth waiting to try out a couple of different models first. I was being a bit cynical because 1.1 WL right off student status is a “downsize” and I am sure you will be fine right up until you get hurt. If you want to pursue performance landings I am sure you will be fine. If you want to stay healthy and keep jumping, a 190 (even if the container is larger) might be a choice you would also be happy with. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

Seems sort of odd that they don't make a container that a 190 will fit in. I would go with a different company to get the proper main. But that is just me. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

I have visited other DZs with the same goals/needs. So, "go", visit other DZs. Ask the DZ (or look at their web site) if they have load organizers for the discipline and skill level that will fit you. You might find several new friends also working with the organizer. If no load organizer, go do a solo jump. Get out to the loading area early and look for other solo jumpers. “What do you have planned, are you looking for someone to jump with?” would be my normal question. Always be willing to give and take, providing help if you can. Back in the packing area, listen as other jumpers talk about their jumps and what they are doing next. If you find someone doing the type of jumps you want to do, and can do, introduce yourself and ask if you might join them. Tell them the truth about your experience level and skill level. If you have to rent gear, you might want to shop around a bit before you visit. Make sure you know what you are getting into. Some places have costs that make it a lot better of you do a full day of jumping, where 2 or 3 jumps might be rather expensive, per jump. Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”

My big canopy "bean bery bery good...to me". Instructor quote, “What's weird is that you're older than my dad!”