icemaker

My personal vote would be for the tandam method. Yes, the first one was a fun jump. I took almost 30 days after my first one to make sure that I wanted to learn how to skydive. At each level I had to perform a number of tasks had to do my reading, answer question before and after each jump. This did not stop when I went to two AFF inst. then one. I watched several static line students no thank you sorry visions of the line wrapping around my neck were dancing in my head. It is your personal choice as to what method you choose to learn how to skydive. Do not give into peer pressure to do a certain method if you are not comfortable with it. Then after you get your A remember you will always be a student and can learn from someone else. Now I have only been doing this for a couple of years and only have just over 400 jumps (and my D). Go to the 4 way camps, tunnel camps, take extra coach jumps, go to canopy camps. Have fun, and be safe. ps: I think that night jumps should be required for the D. (I just have to wait for enough darkness so I can jump at night again.

I have a soft bag that I carry on my rig with all the time. It's a infinity. I put my helmet in with the checked bags and the only other thing in my gear bag is my log book with uspa card & cypress card, wrist alt, chest alt, and backup head gear. I have flown on Alaska, Northwest, American, United, Southwest and never had a problem. I have even been selected as the person for extra security. I just remove my log book and have all my documentation ready. Most airport personal will have questions but most just ask to see my cards and I am good to go. Be polite, this is not the time to cute with your answers. Save it for the beer tent and fire pit.

I am so glad that I have my D. I have NO want or need to do hook turns for a swoop landing. I could see even more people getting hurt having to do this type of landing for a license requirement. I would like to see more canopy skills incorporated into the A requirements. The current BSR for students with pull alt give them time to perform more skills with their canopy. Remember you cannot teach common sense. However there are some skills that are almost impossible to do under student canopy. For example front riser turns, I did not have enough strength in my arms. I can do them now but only have gotten comfortable with them after going to a canopy camp and playing up high. Heck I even like to use my front risers to help get a little speed when landing. At my age I know that I am not 9 feet tall and bullet proof. Been there with the broken bones, concussion and other various injuries from other sports (ice skating, downhill skiing, water skiing, ect).

When I told my Mother that I had my "A" she just said that " your did always loved jumping when he was in the army-101 airborne." I send her photos and video. Mean while my sisters and brothers think I have lost my mind. You can pick your friends but, not your family.

I made my first tandem on June 19, 2001 I will hit 400 plus on the the 19th of this year.

I had wanted to do this since I was very young and went to an air show and watched them jump in. Almost two years ago a gentleman that worked in the same office complex that I know came down to sell me a ticket for a drawing. The fourth prize was a tandem jump. I said this is what I want to win. He said really, Would you like to make a jump? I said yes! He left and came back in about 15 and handed me a card and said here are the directions to the DZ be there on Saturday at 9:00 for training. I ask him so what are you an instructor? He said yes as a matter of fact I am. I will take you up on your tandem. Well in about two weeks it will be two years since my first jump. I am about to reach 400 in total jumps and have yet to get the smile off my face. I love this stuff! Icemaker

I just got back home today from tunnel camp #47 in Orlando. I can highly recommend it. The staff at Sky Venture and the Arizona Airspeed were top notch. I only had time to do the three day basic camp. Camp cost is $1100.00 then I spent close to another $1000.00 on evening tunnel time with the Airspeed coaches. I am all ready planning on going back when I can do the entire 6 day camp. If you have any question check out www.tunnelcamp.com it is a pretty good web site with up coming dates. icemaker

Yes, cold weather sucks!!!! Currently it is 5 with 45 mph wind. You figure out the wind chill on the ground. Looking forward to the end of the month and a business trip to a warmer place. Drop Zone is only an hour away. :) If we do not get snow and it warms up a bit we may be jumping by mid April. The good news is that we are getting about 5+ min a day in daylight. YES!!!! Icemaker