mctyeire

"Is there a cure for this?" I've read all the research. There is no cure for this affliction, but it is treatable. You must complete a training sequence, purchase gear, and fly it as often as your finances, work schedule, and significant other will tolerate. Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

exactly right.

Welcome to skydiving and the forums! Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

A C182 climbout is like foreplay with adrenaline... Welcome to the forums!

Having only recently completed AFF and the requirements for my A license, I am hardly qualified to be giving advice on skydiving. With the understanding that you are researching many sources and soliciting the advice of skydivers more experienced than myself, I offer the following personal experience and opinion only as a beginner's perspective. (Get used to the disclaimers if you're gonna skydive

Hello and Welcome, José! Don't worry about your English. Some of the best instruction I have received was from a Brazilian skydiving instructor. People with an intense mutual interest will find a way to communicate. Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

Welcome! Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

Welcome and Congrats on yer "D". I just got my "A", and hope to visit Skydive Carolina soon... Ever jump at Carolina Sky Sports? Know any Brothers there? Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

Welcome! Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

Be sure to inquire into your DZ's beer rules. These usually become effective with your first solo jump. Once you're hooked, the incidentals are all insignificant. The experience of vertical aviation is priceless! Be sure to come back and tell us about your first jump. Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

Welcome! Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

"Such nice people here . . .feels like home!" I'm still astounded by this element of the sport skydiving scene. What you describe is a worthy end in itself. For us, I suspect it is a byproduct of the intensity of our activities and our dependence on one another to be safe and learn while we play in the sky. Welcome! Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

I'm not sure reason is consistently applicable to skydiving...but I struggled with the same issues you're having. I’m not an expert, just a beginner in this sport, so the following is just a humble suggestion from my own limited personal experience. I am assuming your first jump will be a tandem. (If it is not, maybe you can get the gist and modify specifics as appropriate.) Ask yourself the following questions, before you commit to the jump, and at least one more time before you go up in the airplane: Am I prepared to trust the Tandem Master to do this dive and not screw up in a big way? Am I prepared to trust the fabric and webbing and stitching in this crazy rig to not break and let me fall? Can I remember and do the (relatively minimal) stuff they tell me to do? Remember, like skymama said, “you're just along for the ride!” (Consider any other questions of this form that the rational mind may come up with.) Finally, do I really place a positive value on the experience of jumping out of an airplane, given everything I know or think I know about it? If the answer is YES to each question, then tell your questioning rational mind to shut up for a little while and go have a good skydive!

Do not underestimate the importance of a regular supply of cash to buy lots of jumps and new skydiving gear. Congrats and welcome! Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

Congrats and Welcome! Yeah, I know what you're talking about, and enjoyed your "ramblings". I'm experiencing a similar newbie progressive euphoria syndrome. Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

Welcome! I purchased a rig before I was done with AFF (very recently). Found a lot of info in the dropzone.com forums, talked to my instructors, of course...but mostly solicited the opinions of a few local riggers. Those guys are the real gear gurus, and will take care of you with regards to safety. Have any used gear you are considering purchasing inspected by your rigger. Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

Welcome! Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

Hello again, John. The rig (an early-90's Vector II with a docile main canopy) is perfect for me right now. I had Relative Workshop add a BOC pouch and an RSL. They were amazed to see a vintage container in such pristine condition. I'm all set for another hundred jumps or so, while I attack the learning curve and consider all the options for a first new rig. Then maybe I'll pass the robust Vector II along to another beginner. Been packing the main for about 15 jumps now, and haven't even seen the reserve canopy yet... I'll look for you when I visit Raeford. Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

Yep, I’ll do a weekend at Raeford soon. You jump at DeLand? I was there about a month ago, doing very pleasant business with Relative Workshop… toured the impressive PD shop, met some nice folks at TSO-D… and had lunch at the DZ. Next time I’ll be jumping… see ya then! Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

Hello, All! I got my "A" license proficiency card stamped yesterday. The basic joy of skydiving is what addicted me (and everyone else, right?) In only 30 jumps, I've seen such a variety of people, disciplines, styles... aircraft, dropzones, atmospheric conditions... evidence of enough depth and breadth for a lifetime of precious experiences. Many thanks to all who helped me get to this level. I am still just beginning...and looking forward to continuing the learning and intent skyplay with all of you! Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

I'm also 32 and recently addicted, experiencing the same distracted state at work, also wondering how I missed all this years ago... and wondering how to stay married now that the affair is begun... Blue Skies Chad Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude...

I just had a wonderful time at Skydive Space Center. I went there as a level 3 AFF dropout, refreshed and finished the AFF sequence in one weekend, and made much progress toward my A-license the following weekend. The instructors are highly skilled skydivers and patient, effective teachers. Manifest is friendly and helpful. They went out of their way to assist me with the advance planning and execution of my trip. The riggers were incredibly focused and patient with me, both in sorting out some issues with assembling my first rig, and in teaching me to pack my own main. (I was not a particularly fast learner…) The other skydivers were also very friendly and helpful. There is an extremely high level of organization and safety consciousness, yet the atmosphere remains pleasant and relaxed, which eases the learning and anxiety burdens on a beginner. The bunkhouse is a tremendous resource to travelers, and it’s very cost effective (which means more money for jumping!). The aircraft are just beautiful machines. In my time at Skydive Space Center, I observed many tandem jumps, and would recommend this dropzone to anyone considering a tandem for themselves or as a gift. The video flying and editing skills of these people is most impressive, so do not forgo this option. Overall, the experience was overwhelmingly positive. I jump-started my stalled skydiving endeavor, had a vacation experience I will never forget, and made some friends with whom I intend to visit again soon. Blue Skies! Chad H. Phillips