Jeth

Hey there, I had problems with level 4, too. I failed it once because I was turning, and I lost track of alti and my instructor had to pull for me! My position was okay, but I just kept turning and couldn't get back around. I was trying so hard to turn back that I forgot to check my alitmeter. On my next jump all I did was RELAX. Seriously, this makes such a huge difference. I took a huge breath, exhaled and let the wind just blow me into a good arch. It was amazing, but it was like POW! I was stable. I wasn't turning, I wasn't chipping, I was FLYING!!

No shit! I just bought my first rig and now I'm getting the willies that I'm gonna lose it before it even gets broken in! Ok, positive thoughts.... my rig will be with me for many years....

Hey I am in a similiar situation. I did 10 jumps in my progression from June to September. But now I have to save up more money to finish. I was bummed about taking a break, too, worried about losing currency. (forgetting everything I've learned!) But I figure even if I have to repeat 1 level, I will still be better off when I come back in the spring cuz I can finish AFP and then I have the whole summer & fall to work on my skills and jump with people. (Not to mention I will have the money for the rest of my training so I won't have to only jump twice a month like I was doing before!) As it turned out, I hurt my knee on my planned last jump of the season, so I was out for 8 weeks anyway. Of course, now I'm better and the weather is stil nice in November, arrg! But I'm still holding out for spring so I can come back then and plow through it and then enjoy jumping all summer!

My 1st TM was awesome!

Hi and welcome!

Ok weird I got the same score Me, too. 64%. I can live with that.

Hi Emily! Welcome!

I totally agree! I am just a student, but I have been frustrated with the lack of instruction on canopy control. In the syllabus, there are objectives for freefall and under canopy, but in the prep and the de-brief, the canopy stuff isn't even mentioned! These are the skills that will save my life, I can't believe they don't emphasize them more! I have even asked my instructors questions about flying the canopy and always get a "you'll figure it out" or "it depends on the wind". So far in my progression I am supposed to have done braked turns, deep yellow turns, caution stalls, and S-turns, but not once have my instructor asked me about doing any of those things while I'm under canopy. And yet, I've passed every level. I guess I just have to take it upon myself to try to practice these things and hope that I am doing them correctly. One great thing about this program is that they video all our jumps. But apparently they don't count the canopy ride as part of the jump, cuz that part isn't video'd or critiqued like the freefall. It really should be if they want us to learn to be safe under canopy. "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Exhilarating, rewarding, peaceful, inspiring "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Ditto here. I swear way too much. It just comes out! I don't even realize it until some parent gives me a dirty look. One of my worst moments was when I was in college, applying to be a camp counselor at a church camp. The interviewer asks me something about my childhood and I answer with "Well, shit, I remember this one time...." I knew I had fucked that one up about 3 seconds after I said that... But really -- whats the big fuckin deal?!? They're just words! People need to lighten up. "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

I agree with this. It is a license requirement, and I can't believe how many people do it the one time for their license, and then never again. I REALLY want to learn how to pack. I was informally taught and have observed lots and can't wait for my official packing class. I think to pack for myself will give me more confidence, as well as allow me the time to better inspect my gear. As a matter of fact, I am bummed that I will have to keep renting gear and therefore won't be able to pack it. I wish I had my own gear so I could practice, practice, practice. I'm sure it will be hard/frustrating at first, but with practice I will figure it out so then in the future I will be able to jump anywhere and will be more confident about my gear. JMHO. Not sure about that. You don't need to know how to change your oil to get your drivers licence but you should know how to pack a parachute before you obtain your skydive licence. You are putting your cars life in the mechanics hands to a certain degree when you allow them to change the oil for you. You are putting your life in the packers hands to a certain degree when you allow them to pack for you. Most importantly, if the oil change sucked and your car pisses out it's crude on the highway, you get a warning light and you pull over... no such luck with the packers mistakes... you gotsta deal with 'em in real time. Not critisising those that use packers (I pack for myself), but peeps with many jumps that don't know how to pack... laughable. "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Geezus! This is freaking me out just hearing about it!! I can't imagine what a horrible feeling that would be to be hanging there and realize that the pilot doesn't see you and is about to take the plane down. Aaaaah!! I'm so glad to hear you finally got yourself free. So that was after he had closed the door and started the descent? Geez... "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Hi and Welcome!

I shudder at what I've spent on skydiving just in the last 3 months! (Since I started) Let's see.. it comes to about $1836. Thats just for my 10 AFP jumps and rental cars to get to the dz. I still need to pay $1030 to finish AFP. Then, of course, there is the money to buy a jumpsuit, altimeter, helmet, goggles and a rig. If I can't get a rig next year, then I'm gonna be spending $50 a jump x 50 = $2500. Yikes! Oh, wait, this thread was on what we make. Ok, I make $70,350. So thats only 5% of my income on skydiving. (Not bad!

I was wondering about this, too. I was taught to "GET RID OF 'EM!!" (My instructor was very adament about it, as if she didn't want us even considering keeping them.) And thats how I practice my EP's -- Look-grab-look-grab-peel-pull-throw-peel-pull-throw. So I'm sure when the time comes, I will do it just like that. But I hope that if and when I do have my first cutaway, I won't get any shit when I do what my instructor told me to do. "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Whaddaya mean "already" hooked after 20 jumps?? I was hooked after my very first one!! Anyway, welcome to the forums and good luck getting your A!

17 for me (he was 20). He was so sweet and patient. I ended up marrying him 8 years later.

I don't think its about giving specific advice. It's like what LiLa described -- just telling your stories of your experiences. When I am really nervous it helps to hear about others experiences. How they did on the level that I'm on, or what tips helped them find the right flare height, etc. I don't take it as overriding my instructor, but a lot of times I'll get a tip from someone else, then I'll ask my instructor about it and it'll be something that he didn't mention but agrees with. I like to talk to the newer-than-me newbies, too. When those AFP 1 students come out of class, they are so nervous. I like to tell them about my AFP 1 where I landed in the corn.

Hi there!

If they have tandem progression then just do that. On the 2nd tandem you absorb so much more about what is going on and how to do things. I'm very glad I did 2 before going into AFP. Also, ask a lot of questions and try to do as much as possible on your 2nd jump. If you do things right that will give you more confidence for going into AFF. Good luck! Jeth "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Way to go!

Welcome to the sport! Ain't it grand?

I gotta second this sentiment! I am so glad I did tandems before my AFP. I, too, look forward to the day when my jumping will be as fun and relaxed as my 2nd tandem. AFP is very stressful for me, but I know there will be a day soon when it will all be worth it. I wouldn't know that if I had never done a tandem. (BTW, my program requires 2 before AFP and you learn alti awareness, exit positions, and basic canopy control/landing patterns.) "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

It is much easier to arch w/o a TM on your back, but you can still do it. The main thing is just to keep your legs up and out. I made the mistake of arching my back really hard, but didn't think of my legs or hips. You want your hips to be the lowest point, so you just push them out (down). It will be a lot easier and make more sense as soon as you start jumping solo. On my 2nd tandem I controlled the exit, checked alti and pulled. So as long as you do that and don't curl up into a ball you'll be fine. Have fun! The 2nd one should be much better!

Hi Grandpa, I was just curious how it went this weekend. Did you go to the DZ? Did you jump? I hope you had a great time if you did.