OSOK

What about just telling them to pull once in freefall?

My mom used to cry when I would tell her I was going jumping. Since I also work part-time at the dropzone, when she'd ask me if I was jumping I would say "dont know" and then I'd just tell her I did jump when I got back. She's kinda over the whole fear thing because I've shown her my videos... my first tandem and my checkdive. I'm sure the videos have helped a bit... but she still kinda freaks when we talk about it, which is something I avoid as much as possible. I think to a parent the whole "evidence" thing as in reports and articles is garbage. I know my parent's would feel better seeing me do the actual thing, have fun, and be safe... rather than showing them stuff that says skydiving isn't dangerous, which isn't true in the first place. IMO you should just go ahead and tell them that you've done the two jumps, had a blast, and want to continue doing it. You're a big girl so don't go "asking" if you can, just tell them you're going to, but make sure to do it in a very docile way. If done right it'll show them that you're not a little girl anymore and maybe put in their heads that you can take care of yourself skydiving. DISCLAIMER: I will receive private messages if you do any of this and it goes wrong, and we'll talk about it. But please don't hate me for it.

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm going to spend a few solo jumps just working on this until my neptune says a nice average speed... then jump again with someone and see how it goes.

I jumped with a fellow packer to work on my fall rate. We exited unlinked... the whole time he was below me. I was "arching" as hard as I could, and I could see him flat as a box trying to float up to me. I know I have a problem arching hard... for some reason it's hard to push out since I have nothing to push up against, like on the ground. I'm about 5'9 and my body weight is 140lbs. The dude I jumped with is heavier than me... maybe 10 pounds, at max. Also, I know weights would do the trick but I kinda don't wanna wear them if I need to work on my arch. if once my arch is good I still need weights, fine... but not now. Any pointers? PS: my average speed was about 111 mph

Thanks guys. I really can't wait to jump with all the great people at my DZ... I just hope they have A LOT of patience. Danny... you better get back soon.

Yes, another "got my A post". Finally, after the ton of hop-n-pop practice exits, and the actual hop-n-pops, I did my last (I had to do two of them) 3,500 jump and checkdive today. Let the fun begin!

At my DZ, I hear alot that it's not so much about landing a smaller canopy when downsizing, but it's mostly about being able to handle a mal on it. Of course, the landing of it is obvious that it'd require more skill, but just because you're able to land a 150 it doesnt mean you can handle nasty line twists on it.

After trying it 5 times, today I finally got cleared to do the hop and pops I need for my A license. I did the practice floating exit from 13,500 several times, and today I nailed it. So thinking about this, I thought... why me? What is it that I have/lack that gives me trouble with floating exits? And then in turn I also thought... how is it so easy for others, but then they have problems with other things? Some people it takes them a while to stand up their landings, others have a problem with diving exits, others problems with uncontrolled turns, etc. Every one of those scenarios, what do they say about our bodies and how different they are? Just wondering if anyone else has thought about this too.

Yuri. I wacth those videos all the time. It's amazing to see people getting forward motion 2 seconds after jumping into dead air. The videos have made me ask people at the DZ about their tracking style (as if they were wearing wingsuits) compared to a normal track position. Any thoughts?

It's no fun if we can't see the dollar amounts

Thanks for all the replies! Today I did my last coach where you chase the instructor on a delta and dock twice. I had to do it twice, but the tracking part was awesome :D Where does one start learning tracking techniques? Any godo books, websites, etc?

Hey all. I'm just seeking some opinions from those that fly birdman suits. Currently, the part of my freefalls I enjoy the most is the tracking... I like everything I've done, but I really can't get enough of tracking away on my coach jumps. However, I'm not sure if this might transfer over into wingsuit flying. Is there anyone out there that considers tracking a serious discipline and doesn't use a birdman suit (besides the BASE jumpers)? The only thing that might take me away from birdman suits is that you use more than your body to really fly... opposite to plain old tracking. I like the idea of being able to fly just with your body... not extra fabric on a suit. PS: I'm not considering using a birdman suit anytime in the near/kinda far future... so please no speeches about my low jump number

I think it's a very tricky subject, affecting everyone in a different way. Looking at such pictures might make one person realize that this sport is more dangerous than it seems, but then another might think nothing of them. If those kind of pictures can be the "line" that someone needs to cross to convince them that skydiving is not for them, then be it. It's better they get freaked out over a picture or video than seeing it in real life.

The funniest thing is when he says something like "they dont train you for stuff like when your parachute just isn't there!" ... moron

I like to put who I jumped with and the outcomes of the stuff I do (if i try a frontloop I like to write down how it came out).

Just out of curiosity... can you describe your "stuff it in the bag" part?

I've heard of the tailgunner mentioned later on, that's it. No idea if it's true or not.

Caelum, I failed IAF lvl 4 once and lvl 5 twice... problems with mainly my legs, etc. I seem to be doing ok now. Also, I know someone that didn't get his A license until like his 37th jump because he always had a problem spinning to one side, I think it was a lazy leg. Now he has around 500 jumps in one and a half year and is an awesome skydiver. I'm not telling you this to show you what might be wrong with your body position. I'm telling you this because in the beginning (probably in the future too) you'll come across things that you get "stuck" on, then all of a sudden get it. Only advice I can tell you besides getting video or tunnel time is you can try toetaps to make sure those legs are where they're supposed to be. Above all, listen to your instructors, you'll get it eventually.

I've seen this video... I've been told that the kid was supposed to be doing a static line jump.

Yea, right. (see picture below)

How did you clear the lineover? Weren't you thought to cut it away?

Well, I must say that after watching this I will always keep it fresh in my mind that if someone is caught up like this, the best solution is not to cut away instantly. I dont think I would've thought something like a reserve riser would be the one to get cut.

"If you can start a turn, you can stop a spin." -Ted Strong

Priceless.

I dont remember where I saw this... "If you love your job, you won't have to work another day in your life."