skylord

Rosa, I can get the room, I was planning on staying there anyway... My room, my rules. For us guys, don't try to braid my hair or paint my toenails. Actually, that goes for the girls too! Just to make sure we don't double book, I'll wait until tomorrow to hear from anyone else who may have done the same thing. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Rosa, Remember the slab of beef in the meat market of love? Skylord will be there too!! On solo status! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

More correctly this would be a "thumb" up, right??? Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Sometimes I felt a bit rushed, too, but it wasn't because of my AFF instructors it was because I had a sense of being overwhelmed. Every instructor I've had has taken the time we both felt we needed to make sure I was ready for the jump. There was some stuff that was not covered, so I'd get on here, or make a point of finding someone to explain it to me. It really is not a matter of being "aggressive" per se, it is just a matter of being "assertive". No one can make you jump, and on my first solo, I was manifested on a 15 minute call. I walked away, and then came right back to tell manifest to place me on the following load. Why? I wasn't ready, and I had too many questions as to how I was supposed to do the logistical stuff. I would have been rushed. I've never jumped at Perris, but I've been up there in the tunnel and hung around. I'll defer to your greater experience, but I have NEVER seen people running around so busy that if you stopped them they couldn't take some time. Elsinore gets busy, too, but again never a problem if you needed something explained. I will say that sometimes experienced jumpers may take for granted how steep the early learning curve is, but that is when it is time for us students to speak up. When I've done that, all the time I needed was provided by my instructor. You are obviously very conscientious about skydiving, and that is good. Assert yourself a bit more, and remember the skydive is yours. Alone. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Wow, more parents like you make for a much better world. Thanks for sharing this story with all of us!! Bob Marks Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Ooops. "Testing", not "tasting" "Today's air traffic control services are provided courtesy of Jose Cuervo." Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

True, but then state's rights take over on the alcohol side, which is how that Northwest pilot and those America West pilots were arrested. There was another case two weeks ago with a private pilot who was arrested for being under the influence and while the eight hour rule could have been applied, the feds deferred to the state alcohol intoxication rules. Your point is well taken and very interesting, my friend. Let me check it out a bit more.......thanks! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

QuoteEy up peeps!Quote Is this english? Just kidding! I jumped a tandem in Mission Beach, Queensland, last August. 14,000 to the beach. Have fun, and I hope the weather clears for you. Did my grad and solo dives last weekend, it was worth every penny and effort! Let us know how it goes! Oy, oy, oy, and hold the beet root from my burger! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Eric, I'm treating this as cough syrup with codeine...(rare exception to the "I before E except after C" rule) I've spent the last hour combing through the FAA sites and the member only AOPA site, and I cannot find a single reference to codeine use. I do know that as an air traffic controller I MUST report to my supervisor if I take Tylenol with codeine, and I THINK I'm down for the next 24 hours. I do have a hard copy of the FAA Flight Surgeon's guidance on every drug known to the planet, but it is apparently not available online so I have to look it up in my office. Next, the "bottle to throttle" rule is still technically applicable, but ever since the advent of on duty alcohol tasting for us controllers, any test over .02 gets us pulled off duty. So, while I may be legal by the eight hour rule, if I am totally bombed at midnight, I could STILL bust the limits at 8 a.m. and be in big trouble. If this is important, PM me, and I'll look it up Monday with an answer that morning....... Bob I really am from the FAA and I'm really here to help! Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I am a potatoe chip yes I am, nope I am a spinning potatoe chip, I could not get stable I would have to repeat. Well I knew this would happen also, so back to the slush fund. I peform the dive flow but start to spin again (DAMMIT) right then Ed gives me the signal to look at him (holy shit is something wrong?) I stop chipping and spinning he also tells me this is a solo exit!! We cover the dive flow several times and then head out to the plane. Wow all the jitters came back knowing I was semi on my own. Same here. On my grad dive I was lined up with the wind sock pole right next to the student "X" on final. Cool. I'm going to graduate in the strictest sense of the word and get laid in the loosest sense. Poof, (OW, THAT FUCKING HURTS!!) Great story, sir! I love reading this kind of well written stuff! Congratulations, and I'm hoping to do my second solo this weekend........ Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Headed up to Elsinore today for what would be my first solo dive after passing my level 8 yesterday. I got there early, and just relaxed watching all the other loads go up. I bought two solo jump tickets (new to me) and headed over to manifest. They actually placed me on a load all by myself!! I geared up, and had Shawn do my gear check, after Betsy caught me with a twisted leg strap. That is so confusing sometimes!! The Elsinore gang is great, and while I was at the load staging area, Smitty (who was doing a tandem but knew I was on my first solo) walked over and had me assume the position. Full gear check again, and I had to close my eyes and touch the handles. I hooked up with a fellow solo jumper, and we coordinated our exits. I was a bit confused about load order on the plane, and Smitty helped me out. RWs first, then my new pal, me, and then the three tandems. Into the airplane. In a twist of fate, my Karaoke frustrated AFF-8 JM was sitting right across from me, firmly attached to his Tandem passenger. He started to sing at about 5,500. I asked him to hold off until hypoxia set in for the rest of us, but he kept going. The tandems tried to opt into hop 'n pops as his caterwauling (definition: schreeching as a cat in heat) dominated the airplane. Passengers dragging TMs to the door, and trying to have them jump through it while closed. That is how bad it was, folks. I kid, and after my traffic jumped, I was into my count (Out-In-Out) when I heard the TMs (only left with the video jumpers) ALL yelling "NOOOO!!!" The light got shut off. I got complimented for my awareness, and it was hiliarious on the video to see my reaction. Anyway, I was first out for the next run, but I had always had the Otter door opened for me by others. When the next tandem tried to open the door from the Otter front bench, I sat there in the rear bench position like a dumb-ass. They asked me to help, and I did, but I held my left hand on the inside bar which scrapped the knuckles there while I opened the door with my right. I exited, flew, and pulled. The loneliness hit me hard! This was the first jump I made where there was no one near me. And if they were, they had their own problems. Wow, what a jump! I had so much fun!!! All on my own little lonesome!!!! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Grant, Thanks. I re-read my post and decided I need to stop watching Jeb Corliss stuff with the idea that is where I'm supposed to be. I do tend to focus on the negative, and that is something that skydiving has brought to light for me, so now I need to deal with it. It is a "me" issue. I did have fun today on my first solo dive. This sport is probably one of the most underestimated out there when it comes to real skill, even the fine motor stuff. Many of you make it look so easy, that I'm fooled into thinking something is wrong with me when I'm not hearing Anya in my ears as I sky-trip the light fantastic. Wow. So I'm going to relax and chill. And jump. And jump. And jump. I don't care how many jumps it takes to get through to my A license. That isn't an issue. I'm having fun! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Well, what has been a far longer journey than I thought has passed another milestone. I traveled out to Elsinore today and passed my Level 8 jump. It is an accomplishment I cannot put into words for those who have never jumped, and I would rank this as high or higher than getting rated as a pilot or air traffic controller. Sweet! So, like I said over a year ago, I'll chronicle my jumps for those of you who are interested in reading my little musings. I did my recurrency jump just 4 weeks ago after some tunnel time with Shark. I passed, and was set up for my Level 8 dive until the sequence of Southern California storms delayed my next actual skydive. After running errands, I got to Elsinore about 1:30. I had my AFF-8 jump ticket from three weeks before, and handed it to Betsy who was running the jump board. I got assigned AC as my instructor. AC had me watch the AFF-8 video twice, and then when I walked out told me we would be on the load in 20 minutes. I got a bit of the heebie-jeebies, and tried to calm myself a little. Skydiving is so funny like that. I've got 14 jumps, but the willies still creep in sometimes. Arrghh!! We dirt dived, and then I geared up and headed to the queue area. We got in the exit simulator, and AC had me simulate the exit and then told me to stop what I was doing. Hmmm. He then had me stand motionless and describe to him what I would be doing in freefall. He told me I didn't have to do it physically just then, he knew I knew how to do that. See it in your mind, describe it. He had me chill out, and just talk the dive while standing there. The skydive is in my head, between the two ears that a flight instructor long ago called a "defective headset seperator". The plane pulls up and in we go. Deep down inside, I'm scared. I don't know why. I've done this before, I'm still here and alive, but I'm scared. Then it passes, I'm in the airplane, scheduled to be the third out with a bunch of tandems and other AFF jumpers. AC chats with me about breathing and relaxing, which helps me tremendously, and then all I can think about is all the tandems and AFF jumpers are going to be watching me. Shark is on the load, and announces to EVERYONE that he doesn't want to put pressure on me, but this is my AFF-8 grad dive. Thanks, buddy! The whole plane erupted in cheers, yells, and thumbs up signs. Even the tandems! I gave the thumbs up back, thinking they are watching me, better not screw up, and then one of the TM's who knows me verbalized my thought for me. Good advice! I pointed out the 5,500 altimeter reading, and then AC told me to verbally tell him what I was visualizing for the skydive. I did that, including my thoughts that I'd be not stable during this dive, and how would I handle it. Relax, and arch. The enormity of what I was about to do keeps creeping into my conciousness and scares me. I'm jumping out, on my own in a new exit, deliberately de-stabilizing myself, recovering, and accomplishing the objectives. In the meantime, I discover that AC and most of the Elsinore DZ crew on board are apparently frustrated Karaoke singers, as AC leads the group into a most memorable (NOT good) rendition of "If I Were a Rich Man" from "Fiddler on the Roof". Shit. That was more motivation to jump than the worst fart load I've ever been on. Clouds are broken over the DZ, and I think to myself how brave I am to have ridden the Otter Stallion to altitude only to have cowardly Mother Nature intervene and make us all ride back down. Didn't happen. Karl found a very nice hole, flew us there, the green light is on, and it is time to jump. AC tells me to take a breath and relax. In SLLLOWWWW, hold it, breathe out SSSSLLLLOWWW. The first jumpers go out, I feel pretty good. Next out, there they go. I'm up. The plane is still full, and like that line from Ghostbusters, "You're scaring the straights!" I march toward the door concious that this is fun, I'm prepared, and everyone is wanting me to do well so they can have beer. The wind roars, I look down and point to the DZ. AC nods. I look at him for the check in. He tells me, "This is YOUR skydive!" I nod. Position, out, in, go. I'm outside the airplane again! I was expecting the worst, tumble, instability, crying for mommy, but here is what actually happened. I did the dive exit as trained. As I left the airplane, it was stable, on heading, and surprising to me. I didn't flip, flop, flap, or flep. (Sorry, I ran out of vowels). Wow, I did it!! OK, busy time. Tuck head and arms, and my front flip got about half way done when I got stuck on my back. I suck! Arch hard and recover. Barrell roll. Tuck the left arm, get on my back and the rotation stops. Crap! Tuck the right, extend the left, and I'm belly to earth yet again. 360 turn, done, but I was so distracted by the legally nearby clouds that I go off line for a few seconds. The rest of the dive occured, I did have a bit of spin I self corrected, and I pulled at the right altitude. I watched AC fly by me, and did my checks. I was depressed because the dive went far worse than my expectations. I suck at this. I suck, I suck, I suck. I know it. I suck. I ran out of time to do everything. But I pulled. I pulled stable, and I pulled right. But I suck!!!!! Canopy checks good, and I worked myself into a pattern of students. For some reason, they landed with a weak downwind, and I checked other jumpers and set myself up for a landing away from the lake. AC came on the radio right after I opened, but I couldn't understand what he said. Base, final, count 1, shoulders, count 2, flare, and a nice landing. I thought I blew the jump, but AC told me what I did right, and to just relax more. That will come. He came by a few minutes later, with outstretched hand. "You passed". I can't describe the feeling that went through me. So, to all of you who have posted, emailed, talked to, or PM'd me, thanks so much for all the words of wisdom and encouragement. Special shout out to Darcy, Shark, Randy, Rosa, Michelle, Rich, and so many others who have made an insane dream become such a special reality. Solo jumps tomorrow! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

That's true, you are actually flying a pressure level (uniform barometric setting to a "standard" day for temperature and pressure), hence Flight Level 180, etc..... Since traffic only 500 ft. underneath you is flying a pressure altitude (barometric setting corrected to sea level) IF the altimeter setting is under 29.92, FL180 is unusable for ATC separation, since someone flying at 17,500 could smack into someone at FL180 if the altimeter was 29.42. I'm pretty sure I haven't got that backwards. Anyway, on the 30,000 (FL300) HALO jump issue, DRVSM is exclusionary for non participating aircraft. The exceptions are Heads of State, military, and Life Guard flights. It MAY still be possible in the future to get up that high again if the operation is willing to take the trouble to get an Altitude Reservation (ALTRV) through Central Altitude Reservation Function (CARF) of the FAA's Command Center. They aren't set up to do that yet for civilian parachute drops.Here is the link if you're bored. Bob Marks http://www.fly.faa.gov/Products/Information/CARF/carf.html Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Ding, ding, we have a winner. We (the FAA) implemented Domestic Reduced Vertical Separation Minima last month. Above FL290, we used to use 2,000 ft. altitude separation, now for "participating aircraft, it is 1,000 ft. I am no longer a center controller, but the altiudes affected are FL300 to FL 410 (I am pretty sure). As was already pointed out there are special aircrew and equipment certs required to be considered "participating". I doubt many skydive planes have the requirements met. I would think there would be a waiver of some sort rather than a blanket prohibition on non participating aircraft being in DRVSM airspace. Let me check a little more with my center compadres and I'll be back in a jiffy... Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Lenny, In my thoughts and prayers. My sister had similar surgery back in the 60's done younger than Esau. I'm sure you've got the best lined up. I really don't understand the distinction with being awake or not making a 50% difference. I'm a pilot and air traffic controller, and lazy eye runs in my family. I lucked out in that I never had a problem, but as long as it is cleared up he will have no problem learning to fly (there are numerous one-eyed pilots) and as you know there are even blind skydivers. The biggest thing is the physical therapy AFTER the surgery. My sister never did the exercises and ended up having three surgeries that kept shortening the muscle on the weak side. I don't mean to sound over bearing, but you NEED to make him do the eye exercises. That is the key after the surgery. The most recent treatment I heard is that they actually inject botulism into the dominant eye and muscle to kill the muscle tissue on the strong side. Anyway, all my best to young Esau. We're hiring a bunch of air traffic controllers over the next ten years, it is a great career, and we'd love to have him come on board if he loves aviation! Take care, Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Here's my two cents. You don't "fail" levels, you do more jumps because all of us learn at different rates. You only fail if you quit permanently. You have to gain the experience and confidence in order to progress, and from my very, very limited experience as an older person getting into this sport, going 8-0 in AFF was way too fast for me. I've repeated 2, and 6. I wasn't ready, and I KNEW it both times. Now I'm on my 15th jump, which will be my AFF-8 dive. I feel confident and comfortable. It took me longer to get there. That doesn't make me a shit, but spending extra time early on will pay dividends later. Relax, have fun, forget the snot (although your pix are on the internet already). Not really, I'm just teasing you...... Looking at each jump as pass/fail will drive you crazy in an environment like skydiving. It will only make you more tense. Get out there, talk to your instructors, listen to them, chill, and it will come. I'm referring to the skills, not the snot. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

All, Thanks for all the support and encouragement. I did brave the weather conditions and headed up to Elsinore to learn how to pack a parachute. Bill came out, and we spent the rest of the day together teaching me how to do this daunting task. Really, it was not as complex as I thought, although as some of you mentioned you really have to watch some of the critical points. I was surprised at some of the physical exertion it took, especially with getting the chute in the bag, stretching rubber bands, double looping, getting the bag in the container, etc..... I really broke a sweat. Bill broke the tasks up into four separate sections, each of which I had to show proficiency in before moving on. Then it was time to put the whole concerto together. I did good once, broke for lunch, did good the second time, and then busted my third attempt when I let the chute come out of the tail wrap while trying to get it in the bag. I didn't self i.d. the problem so it was start again. Third time was the charm, and I did pretty well. The actual practice really helped with my concerns, and Bill told me this was a good jumpable pack job. Whew! But I need to jump it. Gulp! I learned so much today about equipment, and although the weather sucked it was not a wasted day. Thanks again to all of you for your support! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Shark, Well, it looks like a certainty now, since I did the class today with Bill. And he told me that he'll save it just for little ol' me to jump. Problem is they may have to use it for the Brit students that showed up today. If so, I pack another one and jump it. Even if not for my 8, then for my solo. However, I must quote from the beer rules: "Whithersoevereth a jumper maketh one sky flight of initialeth uniqueness that actually is initialeth uniqueness twice or even thriceth, yea and verily shall that be considered the same uniqueness so in that the sky flyer is not put into ruptcy of bank." I'd love to buy beer twice for the same jump, but hey, I didn't make the rules up. Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

QuoteOne of the things that will help a lot is if you can visualize what is happening on opening. Quote Yes, I can do that. I am typically screaming and thrashing in terror, and I can do that while I'm packing if you think it will help. All kidding aside, this is a good point. I have always looked up as the bag comes off my back and pulls me upright. I can see it turn into a ball, the slider appears from the bottom, and I see the nose grab the air and open. I think I'm getting over concerned about the technical details with what are A, B, C, D lines. Grommets, kill lines, ugh. I'll probably head out to Elsinore tomorrow in a row boat and do the packing class. We are getting drowned out here in one of the wettest seasons I've seen in my life. The verdict is that doing it is the best. I've got it. I'll learn how to pack and then charge $100 per pack job. Yeah, that's the ticket!! I'm going to be rich! Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it, and I'll let you all know how it goes!!!! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I'm getting chased for my money again. This was a onetimelimitedofferbaseduponmanufacturer's suggestedretailpriceOtherlimitationsapplySeedealerfordetails. Thanks for all the info, it is overwheming. I now understand that one purpose of my skydive is to ruin someone's perfect pack job. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

QuoteAs someone in a similiar position to you, all I can say is practice. Do you have your own gear? "Chopper", No, not yet. Thanks for the encouragement. I will remember this as I sob myself to sleep in my pillow. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I've been trying to patiently wait out the funky SoCal weather we have been getting for almost a month now. In the meantime, I've done my AFF-6 recurrency jump, and I am now waiting to do my AFF-8 jump. I have gotten past most of the door jitters, I'm pretty sure. I did a five minute stint at SD Perris in the tunnel just yesterday to keep me up to snuff. I'm trying to economize the weather scenario and the fact I can't jump when the visibility is 1/8 of a mile or the wind is above 50 knots. So I got the P.R.O. Pack video, and watched it in advance of the required class for my A license. Holy crap. I have now watched it three times, and frankly it scares the living shit out of me. I will screw it up, A lines, B lines, do this, flake the nose now, not later, clover the slider, kill line this, not that or you'll get a pilot chute in tow, roll this left, but this right, careful of the grommets, spacers, steering lines HERE, not THERE, this will give you a line over, arggh!!! We might as well re-release the video as "Mr. Bob's Sucky Pack Job and First Reserve Ride". The video was great, and the pros who pack my chutes are my heroes and will be recognized with beer, especially after I saw what goes into packing a well prepared chute. It was very professional and I'm probably reacting to too much info, but I just was overwhelmed with what goes into correctly packing a parachute. Is there hope for me, and I will pay well for someone else to jump my pack job!! I kid, but boy is there a lot to remember. What are your experiences and advice, besides "Pull High". Bob Marks Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I was in Queensland last August, and jumped Mission Beach with Merv the Perv. Also went Scuba diving on the Reef. Australia is one of the most beautiful countries I've ever seen. I think the Mission Beach thing is tandem focused, I don't even think they do student instruction. Good luck on your endeavors, let us all know how they turn out!!! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Nice job! I just had my AFF-6 recurrency jump, and am going out to Elsinore this weekend for my grad dive, so now I'm qualified to give advice. Not really, so the following is a gag: I noticed that you did not have a relaxed pinky extension. The key to stable freefall is to have your little finger out there in a kind of Dr. Evil way. Relax, think Austin Powers, and you'll be as qualified as me to give advice. Kidding aside, that was a good jump from my perspective, hang in there and thanks for the post!! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman