skydivermom

I just got my own rig and I'm always concerned about a misrouted bridle. That scares me to death. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Well, these two guys have been so outstanding in my short skydiving experience. Most of you know the one to my right, WaltAppel. He has gone completely out of his way to teach me so much in this sport, and he's also become a wonderful friend. The man to my left is my instructor, Robert Rocke. He is just known as Rocke, and that's what he's been to me throughout my training. He's been very stern with me when I've stepped out of line, but he's just as quick to tell me how proud he is when I do right. His encouragement has been invaluable! WaltAppel has introduced me to a man that I know will be the third, extradordinary influence in my skydiving adventure. He is a master rigger named Bill Lee (he and Walt are best friends). I've only met him once but I feel as if I've known him forever. I cannot WAIT to learn from him, and get to know him better. There is really not just ONE thing that makes these guys great. I can basically sum it up by saying....these men are willing to share both their passion for the sport as well as their knowledge. That's an incredible gift for a newbie like myself. THANKS GUYS

I have been given the priviledge and honor of a master rigger taking me under his wings. My good friend, Waltappel, set it all up. This man, Bill, is Walt's best friend. Walt called me up last Saturday night and strongly urged me to meet him at Bill's house. I'm so glad I didn't turn the invite down. This guy is an absolute genious, and I am going back Thursday for a complete packing lesson. I'm sure he can show me the psycho pack as well as how to pro-pack better. I'm just very excited for this opportunity. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

***Is your canopy going to pack smaller if you quote from the bible? __________________________________________________ Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

***(skydivermom is hot too, but don't tell her *I* said that!) __________________________________________________ She'll never find out

I understand just how you feel! Spotting is right up there with packing Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

***scissors..................... __________________________________________________ Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

What you did was NOTHING compared to what our oldest jumper (who happens to own the plane too) did. He's also a rigger....and you should have seen how he put the canopy in the bag. I seriously thought he was joking at first. The funny thing is, Rocke said it would have opened just fine I've had the priviledge of a master rigger taking me under his wing...so I KNOW I'm gonna be just fine. This guy is incredible. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Thanks a bunch Deuce! Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Thanks for the help...and I always run EVERYTHING by my (static line) instructors before putting them into practice. They have told me, though, that there are a lot of ways to pack Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

That is awesome! I will try that...thanks a bunch! Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Oh goodness no....we'll be happy to get 85K for it. Thanks, Tigra, that really is a relief. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Well, we've lived here six years and are moving about 300 miles because my husband's job offered him a transfer. Thanks for the info...and good luck with your sale as well. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

***Skydive conservatively, learn all you can, force yourself to err on the side of caution, and keep your ego out of the way, and you'll be fine. __________________________________________________ This sums it up better than anything I've read so far. Thanks Jeffrey. To the original poster: My mom was there when I made my first jump (a tandem). My sister made one with me that day so Mom got to watch both of her daughters glide to earth. She LOVED it. When I decided to continue, she was understandably nervous - but for the most part she is absolutely thrilled to see me enjoy life so much...and after only 28 jumps, I still struggle with fear and the reality that something COULD happen. I think that is what keeps me alert....and it also keeps me from getting complacent. P.S. Something did happen on jump #7....When I let go of the plane, I smacked my nose on the step. Had I not been alert and a little fearful going out the door, I probably would not have done as well as I did on the dive. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

What is a psycho pack? Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

I did a search on this topic but am not having much luck. We are in the process of selling our house and my husband mentioned paying taxes on what we get from it. I had heard (not sure where) that if you buy more real estate within the year that there are no taxes due on it. I certainly hope this is true. Can anyone elaborate or point me to a website? Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Okay, I finally have my own rig....and it's just great! I've already packed it three times at the dz (with supervision) and twice in my living room. I'm getting it in the bag okay, but I know it needs to be smaller. I realize this will come with practice, but was just wodering if you guys/gals have any tips to make a smaller/neater fit in the bag. I'm definately going to repack it at the dz before I jump again. I still want that security blanket of someone watching me do it. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Ron, I hate that this thread has become what it has. Still, in spite of that, it's been helpful to me. I appreciate you taking the time to present the information. It took me several pack jobs to feel confident enough to do it by myself, and I still have much improvement. So I'm sure it will take several times to spot before I feel confident with that...but it's nice to have the information. You know, skydivers are really few and far between, we have to stick together. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Crap Lisa! That had to suck. Sorry you got hurt. Yes, I suppose I should expect a few more off-landings while I'm learning to spot. I'm sure there was some luck on my side on Sunday. Unfortunately, screwing up is part of learning. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

The cows were the funniest part to me. They watched me do my daisy chains and gather my canopy, and then started following me. I knew they just wanted food, but I stopped and told them "unless you guys are giving me a ride back, you have to stay here". I swear they all stopped. It was CLASSIC! They don't scare me because my grandma always had cows. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

***Why did you land off though? Wansn't a spotting error I hope __________________________________________________ It was actually pretty funny. The spot was great...the jm put me directly over the airport because we all got out at 4200. I did not pull stable so had to deal with line twists, by the time I found the dz, I was too far to the right to make it back. No big deal, I just picked a nice big field full of cows to land in. I loved how they all stared at me when I landed

I think Shreveport (if I don't have my cities mixed up) is close to my area. I jump near Beaumont...about an hour away from the LA border. It's a really fun, small dz. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

That sounds awesome. You just live a couple of states over. I jump about an hour from the Louisiana border...and someday I'll go boogie-hoppin' (when my kids get older). Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

***I have tried to teach people how to spot and unless you stay with Rons "look out of the door and guess" their eyes glaze over. They don't want to know about freefall drift, wind speeds and direction, wind shear, forward throw, etc. __________________________________________________ I think I am in a minority because I am interested in that information. I actually want to learn how to do this and do it well. Equipment does fail and you can't rely soley on it. Early on under canopy, I made myself learn how to tell if I was going up or downwind without looking at the windsock. That served me well when I had my first off-landing and couldn't see the windsock. I still landed right on the windline. Of course I still look at the windsock, but I know I'm not totally dependant on it. That's how I would like to eventually be with spotting skills. I want the satisfaction of knowing I CAN do it...and of course it could save my life. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Well, this sport has helped make me a different person, so I think I'm much more fun to hang around with than I used to be. I don't even buy beer (religious issues/alcoholism in family) and have had no problem at all. I just buy whatever soda they ask me to. There has been no issue whatsoever with it. So far, my experience hanging out with other jumpers has been wonderful. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28