AFFI

Sounds like you are doing pretty good! What really makes a good skydiver though? To me it is someone who always remains teachable, continues to train for EP's and canopy piloting. the freefall stuff is cool, but all that comes with time. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Nick, as usual, another fantastic dissertation! Well done! Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Determining what "Quality" is can be subjective. Defining the criteria potentially doubly so. How exactly do you propose that those of "poor" quality be "weeded out"? That promises to be quite a large undertaking. At least encouraging others to put forth their best effort is infectious to those who have the desire to improve themselves. I have found it to be much more effective than calling into question the abilities of instructors that I considered less than acceptable in the quality department as I define it. I have ventured down that avenue with less than deseriable results. I am not saying that having knowledge that there may be some instructors out there that do not care about, or are not capable of giving “quality” in their instructional methods does not bother me, because it does. But leading by example is what I believe branches out further and helps to influence on a broader scale in my little corner of the world. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Yes, "c182" does refer to an a-i-r-p-l-a-n-e

Wendy is a fantastic skydiver and instructor, did you read her logbook? http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2902575#2902575 I know great instructors that had to do many repeat levels, it is not as unusual as you may think. When you get your AFF rating and after a few hundred student jumps you will have a different understanding. It is easy to armchair quarterback, but once you are in the foxhole fighting on the front line for a bit it is a different story. In my (experienced) opinion, I do not believe Scott needs more tunnel time nor needs to take time off (in fact, taking time off may be counterproductive in his case); it is just a matter of sticking with it. I can give this assessment about Scott because I have worked with him in person, he has got it going on, but he just has not realized that yet... Of course it does ... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

chances are that rated instructors have covered just about any aveneue you can think of. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I am wishing for one! It is a good skill to remain current on - so remember to continue to train in a hanging harness on a reqular basis, I still train in a malfunction trainer on a very regular bgasis! BTW, My last cutaway (I have only had 2) was over 6 years and 2500 jumps ago (and I trash pack)! I have a reserve and am itching to use it, just have not has a reason to. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Wendy, You are in inspiration! Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

"1. I still have the heart and desire to continue. Ever wanted something so much that you cant find the words to begin to describe how you feel?. 2. The instructor I have spent a lot of time with attempting to overcome the various hurdles I am encountering has not given up on me, (not yet anyway). 3. The student training program at my dz is among the very best (my own difficulties not withstanding), the entire operation is in fact among the best anywhere, imo. 4. The great friends I have made at the dz, are supporting me all the way. " Sounds like good reasons to cintinue to me... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I am not condemning or defending – but we cannot always make the save, that is why we train student to deploy on their own when things go to shit. At least the student got something out eh? Yeah, he sure did... he was a big dude though, would have made it very difficult for most instructors to get ahold of him. Nevertheless, he failed that level. Sometimes when we see something on video that looks difficult, it is in reality a million times more difficult when in the air with that crazy ass shit out of control student. I never had more respect for solo freefall instructors until I got to taste the bitter juice myself. Sometimes it is not so easy, sometimes it is impossible - that is why we train them to deploy once a certain amount of shit has been flung off of the fan blades... Still, my favorite type of skydive ever is a first release dive (better than night jumps, almost as good as raunchy sex)! Awesome adrenaline, spidey sense tingling like crazy! Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Tricky and potentially dangerous maneuver. “How Why and If Ever” is a great choice of words. Sometimes we gosta do what we gosta do! For me, (in hind sight) it is best to dress for success, and when we are outside of our envelope to get another instructor to work with a particular student. Still, sometimes we gosta do what we gosta do! An instructor with that much practical experience can often be proficient at tricks of the trade that walk along the knife’s edge; there is no substitute for experience! I would love to see that video to learn from... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I am not condemning or defending – but we cannot always make the save, that is why we train student to deploy on their own when things go to shit. At least the student got something out eh? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

that old thing is in pretty good shape, but yeah, I would look for some newer gear. But that is just me, I have seen peop[le jump older gear than that! My first rig was really old and outdated too (Old wonderhog with a swift 5 cell reserve with trailing brakelines)- the guy who sold it to me said "I gaurntee it will get you to the ground"! I put around 80 jumps on it till I found something better that I could afford. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I shot that video - she loved it and bought a second tandem! Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

and inspire other instructors to put forth more effot. Quality, and mediocrity is infectious. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

It is EASY to critique and condemn the training methods we see, especially if it does not fit into the format of our own personal philosophy. The fact is that there are really quality instructors, and some who are not up to or do not have the ability or do not care to get up to a high standard. It is easy to see deficiencies in the various training methods employed at the same skydiving school, but lets also keep in mind that there are few centers who develop a curriculum that is precise enough to standardize the training methods of each instructor in their fold and furthermore to develop a training manual for all of their instructional staff that keeps them on the same page. Also, there is the notion that not all skydiving students learn the same way so it is important to have a variety of instructors with different methods to reach out to a wider range of students. I am not saying I disagree with that notion, but a quality instructor will have the ability to be flexible enough to fit into a variety of personalities that enable him/her to be able to teach to a wide variety of students. Quality instructors tht have this ability are often times utilizing their God given talents in a profession that enables them to enjoy a higher quality of lifestyle. Not all instructors are lousy at what they do. Just like school teachers, professors, soldiers, some are good; some do not put forth their best effort. I learned years ago to keep my comments to myself, and inspire other instructors to be the best they can be by leading by example, by doing my best. I would re-think calling others out publicly, get your rating and lead by example because it seems that you may be one of the ones that care. Lead by example and more will follow the light that shines brightly and inspires by their outstanding quality, less will follow and be inspired by condemnation. There really are some good instructors out there. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I am going to write you a detailed letter concerning you inquiry, and will send it to you shortly. All I will say right now is that I understand you dilemma more than you could imagine. I send you a private message, look in the upper title bar near the "Forums" tab. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Will, You are an inspiration... Hope to jump with you again sometime. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Please allow me to re-write your suggestion: "Oh yeah, and you are doing aff you may want to" talk to your instructors and ask what they recommend while you are on student status. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

And how much time is added with the capture and why/how is that about to go away? If anyone else were telling me they were cranking out tandem edits in 3 minutes using DVNLE I would have trouble believing them but I know you have your shit together, so I will take your word for it. I would love to see one of your edits, the way it is delivered to the student, just curious... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

"Ever busted a bigmouth?" I just did, and all I had to do was look in the mirror. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Huh? What was that? I can't hear you over this ringing... Oh, maybe it was all the Judas Priest concerts... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Look who is calling the bible black. Just to be fair, ****** is not the only one that offers opinionated dissertations. Not pointing fingers at anyone, if more individuals would just sit back and read what they are writing and ask thenselves how others might translate what they are reading. There is a difference between offering an opinion tactfully and self righteous indignation. I know I am guilty of both, but it is times like this that remind me to think before I hit the send button... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Don't be frustrated, relax. Parachutes are handmade and each one has it's own personality. A hard opening can have devastating results, your sore back may agree with that eh? My hardest opening ever was on a parachute I had hundreds of jumps on, and I was scared of it after that to, so I feel ya! It's best to get it checked out, by someone who knows what they are doing. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I concur... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…