Jackpunx

For some reason I was nervous about this jump.. But it ended up being the best jump I have had so far. I have given my self room to not be disapointed if I have to do a level over.. so far I have not.. Its been a few weeks since my last jump and I think I felt disconnected a bit.. I talked to a buddy who used to jump.. I was pounding him for info and tips and this and that.. He laughed at me a little then told me some great advise and it worked for him.. I want to do everything perfect.. and I go over it in my head.. He told me.. If you need to do that.. go over your EP's .. Your body knows how to fly.. Just do it.. Don’t think about it... So .. I didn’t think about it.. and when the AFFI asked me if I had any questions.. I said.. Nope.. Im just hear to do what you tell me when you tell me to do it.. It worked out perfect.. My body made the turns.. I just thought left.. and there I went.. I thought.. hhhmm I want to stop here.. and I did.. then thought.. time to turn around .. and I did.. and was able to keep close and stable to my AFFI.. I was altitude aware and had a great canopy ride.. they dropped me down to a smaller chute... Im really excited about level 6.. I don’t know how I feel about getting kicked out of a plane.. but..LOL.. whatever.. I just keep telling myself its like getting tossed by a big wave.. I’ll come up for air when its over.. I wanted to do both levels this weekend.. but we got grounded because of wind after my first jump.. Cant wait till next weekend

you jumping this weekend.. Im thinking I may be there sunday

I havnt looked at the ground yet either

so you would say steering with your rear risers on your main is a good idea? does that pass a controlability check?

Now it makes sense to me.. thanks

Can you re explain that to me.. Not sure about all the acronyms as I’m new Thanks

I could be wrong but it sounds like your trying to come up with a cost saving way of getting your A. If that is the case consider all the other things that a school provides like equipment and experience actually teaching people to skydive. Im a student and couldnt imagine cutting corners while learning to skydive. I could be wrong.. but either way.. be carefull in what ever you do. Im having a blast and am looking forward to getting my A.. I hope you have the same experience I am having. if its just a question on the technicalities of getting an A license dont pay any attentinon to me.. Im new..lol

I dig your outlook.. I'll be looking forward to meeting someone like you at my DZ

sign me up for 2 of them

The tunnel is so similar to freefall you should not notice any real differences in basic mechanics. The biggest difference is you were probably relaxed in the tunnel and stiff as a board in the air. This is natural, the whole fear of dying from impacting the planet tends to make people stiffen up, combine that with the pressure of trying to “pass” an AFF level and a little stiffness is normal. The best thing I learned in the tunnel as an AFF student was to relax. It’s easy to say but hard to do. It makes one fly infinitely better than being tense. Keep it up, you’re going to get there. The tunnel is a great teaching tool to help you perform better in the air. thank you.. I feel a little better now.. at this point I dont want to go back in the tunnel until I pass AFF... It felt so different to me and I didnt want to get used to it.. Now It makes sense.. I can see it in my head now that it has been a couple days.. I think I'll be fine..

Can you guys point me towards anything instructional? AFF thanks

thanks for the congrats.. Looking forward to the next level..

that could have been it thanks

10 min was not a big impact.. but it was different from what I have ever done.. my body is not used to being in an acrch.. so I think that after a few min of that.. I used muscles that I have never really used.. but you are right.. I didnt streatch before ... It was early, cold and they put us right in.. I will streatch for sure next time. taking away the stress of being a beginner..is flying the wind tunnel and skydiving have the same input? meaning.. I felt like If I just (think left).. I would turn that way.. (in the tunnel).. while skydiving.. I had to twist my body much more.. or at least thats the way it felt.. how does it feel for you? thanks

I did the tunnel yesterday before doing my AFF 3 and 4. What a blast! by the time my session was over.. I was able to maintain heading, chase the instructor around , shake hands and some other stuff.. All and all it was a blast.. but then.. I went to jump.. I did my level 3 with out a hitch.. then level 4.. by that time I was soar from doing the wind tunnel for 10 min early that morning.. (I have muscles I didn’t know I had)..lol Anyway.. it felt a lot different.. I felt like I had more control in the tunnel.. While in the air.. I was able to maintain heading.. and pass the level.. but.. I felt stiff.. Maybe I was.. Not sure.. that’s my question.. is it that much different? or am I tripping a little Thanks Mark

It was suggested that between 3/4 I get some tunnel time.. so we went early and did it for 10min each.. It was a blast, by the end of it I was able to chase the instructor around, do handshakes, keep my hand on my pull cord and change heading, change my drop speed and a few other exercises.. all and all I got pretty comfortable in there.. Our instructor Rocked!. Then I went and did 3/4. 3 went flawless. I did my COA , was altitude aware and made my turns. On level 4 I went up with one instructor. It was a lot different.. it felt like it took longer to stabilize (no training wheels).. I felt more like a kite.. lol.. So when we stabilized I did my practice pull, checked my alt and she let go!.. OH CRAP..lol.. What a trip. Although it was very cool... I was so excited and a little overloaded that my legs were a little floppy and started me on a turn.. I felt it start to gain speed but I countered it and got back on heading with my instructor.. I was a little frazzled and along with my instructor I felt I had a loss of altitude awareness. I did lock on a 6k and pull at 5.. but I really should have been checking it a bit more often. I did the landing with out radio assistance and nailed it.. it was killer! I’m pretty comfortable with my landing patterns and when to flare. I felt stiff and now am pretty soar like I have used some muscles that I have never used before.. I think the wind tunnel got me a little.. So when I did 4 .. I felt kinda stiff and not at all like I felt in the tunnel or on the previous level.. It messed with my head last night a little.. but then I went to sleep and dreamed about it.. I think I got a grasp on it now that I have slept on it.. My instructor passed me on to my next level as I was able to maintain a heading and pulled at the correct altitude. BTW .. she rocked! I don’t know if you can ask for specific people.. I guess it doesn’t matter .. all my instructors have been killer.. But I had a lot of fun with her. Have any of you done the tunnel and felt a little messed up as a result of it? Is it really that different than diving? Or was I just soar and stiff by the end of the day. Thanks Mark

I was looking for you out there.. did you end up staying home as a result of the storm? Hope all is well

I was fiddling around with my tracking on a solo today and tried this to see what it felt like. I dearched my hips a little and brought my shoulders down as if I were trying to cup some air beneath me while tracking. I didn't have a point of reference to tell whether I sped up forwards or down, but something happened. I did it twice in the dive and both times my lips and cheeks started flapping around like a dog with his head out the window of a car. So I guess I sped up... just don't know whether it was forwards or down. B, it was good to meet you this weekend.. Looking forward to practicing this.. looks like a blast

I did my first jump.. and I did notice the camera.. It was a blast.. a little embarrassing.. You can see the brain overloading.. but once I got past the circle of awareness and 3 practice pulls it was all about the camera and enjoying the rest of the ride before lock on and pull.. Its totally worth it.. it made my second jump so much easier.. They say you should go through it over and over in your head to burn your procedures into your brain.. well.. being new.. I needed the vid to see it.. My second jump was waaaayyyy better and I enjoyed it even more if you can imagine that.. it felt longer and like I was actually in control.. it was because of having the vid that I was able to visualize it in my head.. Im doing level 3 and 4 this weekend.. and probably some wind tunnel.. if I run into any trouble getting through the next couple of levels I’ll video again so I can see where Im at.. Good luck.. If money isn’t an issue.. go for it.. You only have a 1st jump ONE time Mark

Wanta' trade? Ours is good right now, so maybe I can sucker you in before the big blow!!! your in luck.. Blue skies today.. the wind is low.. Not sure about the DZ.. as Im a couple hrs away.. should be nice this weekend

you have 8 DZ's that are close to you?

I hope the weather clears up.. its pretty crappy out right now..

Oh yea.. sorry to hear about that storm coming .. Stay excited about it.. when the skies clear .. you'll be a jumpin mofo what program are you looking to take? and why?

Im new and Jim (gemini) from texas suggested I come out... I'll be there sunday to do my aff level 3-4.. Hope to meet some of you then Mark

a supportive spouse with a good job