AFFI

Texas is a pretty big state... no more details?

Where are you?

You probably are doing great for someone with 26 jumps, it certainly sounds like it. Good accuracy does not need corrective S turns on final. More later… Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Why does she not want to do a tandem first? I work in a tandem progression method; my first preference is to take a student out on a first solo right after they do a tandem, like within an hour after. This way they are acclimated to the current wind conditions and more comfortable in freefall. And that is a working tandem where they are taught, not just taken for a ride. I have taught in the AFF method as well and have never had a first jump student injure themselves On the other hand, I have never done a tandem, and I know many many many skydivers who started out AFF that did not start with a tandem. . Many... As in a whole bunch... I so not know exactly - which is statically "safer". There was a thread about this recently if you want to do a search, there is a search box in the upper right hand corner of the browser window for this site. There have been incidents with AFF and tandem. If she receives good instruction and is a heads up girl, all should be fine. What DZ is she jumping at? Let us know how it turns out. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

And I take no longer than 3 minutes... Like throwing a hotdog down a hallway! And fuck what everyone else thinks, you do what is best for you, it is a free country (Canada is free right?)...

What a great question. I am looking forward to reading comments, first thing that comes to mind is there are so many different types of training programs... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Googled: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1114 http://www.firstflight.org/shrine/joe_kittinger.cfm Need more? Go to google.com and enter COLONEL Kittinger in the search box... Ummmm, then press the enter key, of click on the search button... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

In my limited experience, knowing what I know concerning skydiving training - if my mother or loved family member wanted to take up skydiving, I would insist they go with tandem progression, beginning with 2+ tandems, and not "joy ride" tandems but working tandems mind you, that is followed by an ISP type training program. The program I teach in utilizes such a progression, 2 tandems (teaching tandems, not carnival rides) followed by an 18 jump solo training curriculum that is well designed with well maintained aircraft, well maintained late model student gear, 130 acre landing area surrounded by fields. Our graduates are where I was in terms of skill level and knowledge when I had around 150-200 jumps and not only in freefall skills which is secondary, but most importantly in EPs and canopy piloting skills… In my opinion, I believe that I work in the very best training program in the history of skydiving (www.skydivespaceland.com)… Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I always wear a condom when I skydive, just to be safe...

I do not believe it has anything to do with fear, more to do with knowing ones own limitations and selecting a path in life that best promotes safety and proceeding with ones lifestyle in a manner that is responsible for every individual. Certainly, this person’s path and the course they are deciding to pursuit may not make sense to anyone else, but if that is what it takes to better ensure personal safety, then who are we to condemn such a course of action? For instance, I have never done nor will I ever do a tandem as long as I can skydive for myself. As far as I am concerned, tandems are for pussies and old ladies, but I would recommend tandem progression to just about anyone who wants to take up skydiving simply because it is a very good and safe method of training for many/most individuals. So is it a fact that tandems are only for old ladies and pussies? Nope – just in my world, hence, if what was best for me and my personality applied to everyone in the world, there would be no tandems, just hardcore military-esque training, no student radios past the 3rd solo and required training and testing to renew a license every year that encompassed emergency procedures and life fire exercises under canopy including a successful 180 degree turn @or- 150’AGL, because this is how I go about my own personal training. I train like I do everything in life – hardcore… Fortunately, I have learned to teach others how to skydive with much more understanding to the variety of needs that differ from each and every individual. The first couple years, I was pretty hardcore with students, but I have learned that empathy and understand breed safer skydivers in the long run and that took accepting that not everyone learns and trains like I do and that what is best for me (my way) is not best for everyone… I do not know if I am a great, or even a good instructor, but I do the best I can so I can sleep well at night and if everyone’s opinion of who should and who should not be allowed to skydive or would likely be dead before reaching 100 jumps applied, I would have never progressed to the point of having the privilege of being able to teach others how to participate in this wonderful sport/lifestyle. This sort of condemnation causes me to think of Gollum - man I wish Frodo would have killed that sorry little bastard, yet he (Gollum) ended up saving mankind! Yeah I know, it is just a story, but isn’t everything? If anything, I applaud the OP for doing what is best for their safety and not caring what anyone else thinks… BRAVO! Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Hun fun and stay safe. Remember to say hi to Scotty for me... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I believe that this is different for different personalities.. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

If making a tandem is what you need to acclimate yourself back to skydiving mode, then that is what you need to do and there is no shame in that. Even though it is somewhat uncommon to many experienced jumpers to make a tandem after laying off for a few months, this may be exactly what you need to maximize your safety. Hell, I know really good AFF instructors who needed 12+ tandems and 30 student solo’s after that, so it takes what it takes for every individual… I cannot think of anyone better than Scotty to get you acquainted with canopy control again (tell him I said happy birthday). Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Advertising photography/photojournalism. I owned all my cameras and lenses, including wide angles, prior to even beginning skydiving. In keeping with the current topic: My intent of making this inquiry was going to be to make a point concerning making “every camera flyer act as their own private contractor”. Phreezone made some good comments as to why it is not a good idea to throw tandem students to the “contractor dog pit”. So I will leave it alone, enough said... But – After the direction this thread has taken and the nauseating volley of debate between * and * I certainly would not want to further water the seeds of indeterminacy. By that I mean, often times a good and enlightening thread of information can get bogged down when vague and not very well established lines of thought get caught up in a tempest of unnecessary deliberation concerning who said what and what exactly that meant which invariably leads to ruffled feathers – what could be accurately referred to as the “I” factor. Knowing and respecting both parties in this particular torrent, I read every word seeking out the enlightened conclusion, but was left feeling more like I just watched a wrestling match, which I am not a fan of, so I am just left with a vivid and profound insight into how I can better my decision making about when to put my dog in a fight because it is worth it, and when I should just let the other person have the last word (so perhaps that is the enlightened conclusion )… Go sharks eh??? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Aint that the truth! Great post N... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

"All my video/stills equipment i already owned for my every day job." And what is that everyday job? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Here is a PM I got today... Username: joyce10 http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?username=joyce10; Calling For Help, Hope this mail meets you well, please permit me to introduce my self to you, my name is Joyce Anthony,I am 22 years old, the only child of Late Mr. Anthon,y who was a famous cocoa merchant based here in Abidjan , the Economic capital of Ivory Coast ( Cote D'ivoire). I am seeking for your assistance to help me transfer the sum of ( $10,500,000.00 ) Ten Million Five hundred Thousand United State of American Dollars that I inherited from my late father to your bank account . I am willing to offer you 10% of the total fund as a mode of compensation after the transfer for your time and effort. All the necessary documents concerning this fund is intact. please get back to me asap through my private email address (joyce_anthony03@yahoo.com) more details concerning this fund and I will equally send you my photos so that you will see and know whom I am. Waiting for your cooperation. Yours Faithfully, Joyce Anthony. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Yes - practice... Don't take offense to this, but you ONLY have 600 jumps... Yeah, that is a lot, but you are really going to get it dialed in over the next several hundred camera jumps. You are at the point of fine tuning, and there are a lot of different philosophies, it will require that you just make a lot more jumps and get it dialed in for yourself... What kind of suit are you wearing? What size are your wings? What kind of attachment points do they have? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I have had a decade and a half of production work experience in 3D animation, digital post production and graphics. Having negative things said about ones work in production is just part of the daily grind; it is a big part of being in that business. Certainly, not everyone is going to like any given production, no matter what it is or how much money is spent on its creation. Some artists in production can be quite sensitive about their work and overly defensive when individuals do not like certain aspects of their efforts. Over time, they either grow out of it or do not last doing production work… Sure it is a lot of work, but so is laying bricks – there is no need to accept someone shaming you for stating negative problems you may be experiencing or expectations you may have had that were not fulfilled – that is just part of the deal. Some will like it and get a lot out of it, some won’t – it is a great investment of $100 for some, for some it is not… I worked with Douglas before and found that he is very professional and open to suggestion, and he understands the business quite well. He has supplied enough samples of the production to allow people to review and decide if they like it before they purchase it (don’t see that everyday), so any individuals this product will not appeal to will not be disappointed after viewing it because you should know what you are getting before you get it after reviewing all the information available on the VASST website. More than fair and upfront... So don’t feel bad or a need to defend yourself for any of the comments you made, if someone don’t like it, they can talk to their therapist about it… Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

And welcome to skydiving - did you enjoy? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

can u post the pictures you are describing?

I have lost a LOT of weight in the past 18 months battling these damn spinal tumors, but before all that shit began I was a 230 out the door and 6' tall (now I am 180 and only 5'10"). Shot great tandem videos with any configuration between my fat ass and any tandem Inst/Stud pair they would match up. Had a few different suits for different scenarios. Of course, I have had a lot of practice, but once I got the jumpsuit(s) figured out for my exit weight my product went from acceptable to really good. Early on, when I first aspired to fly video for pay, most of my fun jumps that I paid for were to practice on tandems. I probably have at least 50 jumps where I went out and shot tandems at my own expense, I just couldn’t bring myself to shoot crappy videos and get better at the students expense. There are no excuses to be able to go out and shoot great tandems. Be safe, dress for success and practice a LOT... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

So you are still on student status? How many jumps you up to now? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Not really - I have more hardware in my back than Lowes and do not have a large range of movement, but I can still get steep enough to hide the drogue with the tandem students face center frame. It is all a matter of practice and having the right jumpsuit to support you in freefall while hanging on the wings. I use my wings for all kinds of maneuvering (along with he rest of my body), and to get very steep when the situation calls for it… Practice practice, practice… Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Yup, although I do not employ one, Rawa is a good helmet. It does not matter who makes it as long as it is safe and gets the job done. To plug the Norman Kent DVD again, he goes onto a lot of detail about this issue. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…