Mockingbird

The term "funneling" rang a bell because I was looking at Callend's website (very interesting) last night. He teaches science and his website is all about physics and skydiving, and how people jumping together can get into each other's "burbles" (well, he used a more technical term but I can't remember what it is right now) and it can cause the person on top to actually fall onto the person whose burble he's in. That was the first time I'd heard "funnel" used that way and then Frenchy said "funnel a two-way"--- so I guess it's the same idea, huh? Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

What does "funnel" a two-way mean? Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Hope you got my last PM. There are three threads I started concerning my own woes. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1595455 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1712888 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1716835 Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

What a great read, Skylord. Your name fits you GREAT! Hey, I started at age 50... I'll be out at the Perris wind tunnel next weekend; I hope it instills the same confidence in me that it did in you! P.S. See my signature--"happy knots"? Happy knots are what I feel in my stomach when the door goes up--- I may be scared, but I'm ecstatic! Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Hey, you think YOU'RE having problems? I'm stuck on Level 4--- I've tried it five times! I turn left without intending to turn left! On the last one I went into a fast spin; my instructor disappeared from sight; I even pulled in a spin. Now THAT was fun. (No, really, it was, actually.) I'm not giving up. Ya' know why? It took me 50 years to discover the most exhilirating, exciting, incredible experience in the world--- there's no way I'm giving up on myself. I know what you're saying about the money. I'm in debt up to my eyeballs with all these AFF jumps. It's going to take me a long time to recover. However, I recently came to the realization that all this money I'm spending on Level 4 OUGHT to be spent on a plane ticket out to Perris to get in the tunnel and figure out my problem. So, that's what I'm doing. I just know that I'm going to come home with a big silly grin on my face and walk into my home dz and surprise the heck out of everyone! I can't wait. Keep us posted, OK? Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

CONGRATULATIONS, ANDY!! Great job! Good luck with level 4, and keep us posted! Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I answered "No." Rove did nothing illegal. He didn't "out" Plame. For one thing, she was "outted" in the early 90s by Aldridge Ames (sp.?) and removed from the field. She was no longer a "covert operative." She's had an unclassified desk job for over 10 years. I think it's just another attempt to make the Bush administration look bad worse. JMO.

By the way, I made the announcement a couple of days ago that I would be at Perris NEXT weekend for this big adventure, but it turns out now that it will be the following weekend--- so everyone (including myself!) will have to wait 2 more weeks to find out if I am "cured." Since I can't jump this weekend or next, I'm concentrating on my "Mental Training for Skydiving and Life" book by John J. DeRosalia... Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Hi, Shark. I was the original question-er, and my only problem so far has been freefall: not being able to maintain stability. So far I've always gotten good comments about my canopy control. As I mentioned to someone else, my problems seem to be: 1) tension and 2) turning, although last week the turning quickly became spinning--FAST. In fact, I pulled in a spin because my instructor was not able to stop me. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

OH GREAT; now you're scaring me. I guess this is why I want to jump before I leave Perris next week. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Howdy Heidi . (I crack myself up.) Well, I took your advice, and it's now official: Major announcement here: I will be at Perris next Thursday and Friday. Awesome things have been said about both Skyventure locations (Orlando & Perris), but my decision was based on the weather forecast for each place. I don't know if I'll have time to make a real jump while I'm out there, but the weather is kinda' important in that regard. This is turning into QUITE the adventure. I'm playing hookie from work and EVERYTHING! Wish you could go again, Heidi! Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Do you mean it would help a tunnel coach if they saw a video of me making all my mistakes? I do happen to have such a video; it's shameful, I tell ya', shameful. But it doesn't compare to my last attempt at level 4 (this past Sunday) in which I spun so fast, my 'I' couldn't stop me and he got whalloped by one of my feet. He disappeared, I kept spinning like an old 78 record, so I pulled. THAT one was NOT on film... too bad. But... we both survived. (I don't know if I've gone totally nuts or what, but I actually thought that was kinda' fun... in a serious sort of way...) Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Ron, thanks for answering in detail; I had no idea how it works--- now I do. I'm shooting for the Perris tunnel first, because the weather in FL is supposed to be rainy thru July, and that would spoil my tentative plan to do an AFF jump while I'm there to see if I was able to fix the problem in the tunnel and transition to the sky. I just want to get in there ASAP. I hope Perris has some available time VERY soon. I can't believe I'm going to these lengths... Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Thanks for the note about Benno--- he must be one of those [refreshingly] modest types! But what you say is encouraging. I just know I can get this; I just need some concentrated time rather than 50 seconds per week! My head is thicker than it used to be! Thanks, Bob. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I can't find their names anywhere on the Perris website. Where whould I email them? Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Thank you, Benno! You are right about relaxing being difficult--- it seems like until I've actually relaxed, I won't know how. Does that make sense? My instructor says that I am making the skydive too mental (I'm thinking too much) and I need to relax and FEEL the freefall. That is Greek to me. That's why I know I need some concentrated time in the air (or tunnel) so that I can have a longer chance to get relaxed and a longer time to get used to how it feels to be relaxed. If I got the hang of it in the tunnel, would Perris actually let me jump for real to see if I can carry it over into the real situation (in the sky)? I will write both places and tell them my story--- but, in the case of Perris, should I write their AFF people rather than the tunnel personnel? (This world is very new to me.) Thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestions. I want to succeed at this--- I can't believe I'm considering going to these lengths to do so. I'm not what you'd call an extravagant person! Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I've tried Level 4 FIVE times now. I keep turning in circles due to a lack of symmetry... which is due to being tensed up (or so the theory goes... I don't know any more. All I know is that I'm spinning and I can't stop it, nor can I keep from going into a turn in the first place.) I decided after today's failure to pass Level 4 that I will not return to the DZ until I've been to a wind tunnel, because what little money I have (I'm sure most of us are broke when we're going through training, except for the really self-disciplined ones who actually saved up for training ahead of time) is being wasted and I'm not learning or progressing. (At least my canopy skills are being honed.) I don't know whether to go to Orlando or Perris. Their fee structures confuse me because of all the variables in both. I don't even know what to ask for. Does every segment of tunnel time include instruction? Is "coaching" the same as "instruction"? I'm so frustrated by not making progress. As I told my instructor today, I've never wanted to succeed at anything so badly in my whole life... and I turned 51 yesterday. Is there a particular type of training that I, as an AFF student, should ask for when I get in touch with these tunnels? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I never thought of that. Hmmm. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Hi, Mo. Regrettably, the closest tunnel is either in Orlando FL or Perris CA. I'm in TX. I figured the total cost (round-trip flight and tunnel time) to be in the neighborhood of $650!! I wish I could do it, 'cos $650 is the equivalent of only 5 AFF jumps! Most of my $$$ is going to repeat AFF dives (this Sunday I'll be attempting level 4 for the 5th time!)--- in fact, when I think about it now, it was pretty crazy of me not to have gone to the tunnel after failing Level 2. Hindsight is always 20/20. Oh well.... Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I appreciate all these replies---- knowing that my experience is normal will definitely boost my confidence from now on. THANKS y'all. ALW's physiological explanation, too--- it really helped to put my experience into perspective. It makes total sense. I just hope that I don't ever get to the point that there's NO rush of adrenalin. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I'm looking forward to meeting you out there!! Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I am grateful to know that it WILL diminish; I just hope it doesn't take long for me. Very frustrating. But I love jumping out of the plane!!! Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I only have 10 jumps. Twice I've experienced what I think is described as sensory overload, but on probably every jump except one, I haven't been able to think as clearly and to process information the same way that I do on the ground. It's like information up there just doesn't always register. Is this normal at my stage? My brother swears that I have ADHD, and frankly, I think he's right because I notice the symptoms myself at times; and I know I had a problem with it as a student. My brain is so active, constantly switching tracks. However, when I'm engaged in something I love, I'm able to focus very well... sometimes too well, in that I tend to analyze the heck out of every detail. Will being able to think and respond logically up there eventually become second nature? Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I am definitely trying very hard to pass--- I don't know how to try the right amount; I always try too hard. However, I'm not forgetting that skydiving is fun. Yes, I too think the tunnel would help a LOT. In the meantime, the video was a big help, and my dz owner was really sweet to not charge me for it (she said she would cover it). That was encouraging. But yes, I want to get to Florida and go with you to the tunnel. I'm not counting out that possibility just yet... Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Well, here's the update you asked for. Do those smilies get the message across? Yep, I will have to repeat Level 4 for a fifth time next weekend!! The good points about today's jump: 1) It was videotaped, 2) I pulled on time, 3) I landed a few yards from the target, and 4) I wasn't hurt. The video showed that the reason I keep turning to the left is that I'm holding my elbows and forearms too high & asymmetrical, and my head is down instead of up. It also showed that my legs are asymmetrical at different points in the skydive. So I have a lot to work on this week. My instructor wrote in my logbook: "Good exit and body position [he meant good body position on exit!]. Good altitude awareness throughout the skydive. Work on 1) keeping head up looking at horizon, 2) keeping forearms level 3) keeping legs evenly pushing on the air. Don't beat yourself up." So I'm gonna' work on my attitude this week as well, and not dwell on the negative but on what I need to do next time. Thanks everyone for thinking of me and caring about how I do. I hope all the other students out there had good jumps this weekend!