Bill_K

I just did a little digging around... ya I'm bored and would rather be at my home DZ watching the clouds right now... Anyway, some 'info' on them for ya. Wowa, more of the same. Bottom line, if it sounds to good to be true... it probably is...

Do you do RW? One thing to keep in mind is when you use positive leg pressure to stay in a formation it will require less of it or your going to be driving the formation or driving through it. Watch your closing speeds, for the first little bit when you extend your legs to close on a formation you will be going faster. Though that will probably only last a jump or two. You can increase your range a good bit with them too. I.e. to slow down. If you point your toes out to the sides and drive down a tad combined with some arm pressure to arrest the forward drive you can really pop 'up' on a slower moving formation. Talk to a coach they can probably show you what I mean. Hard to describe in words. For some real fun, go out on a two way, take a left forearm to left forearm grip and both people drive your feet out like your tracking, or right to right, in any case you'll spin like a top. Lots of fun!!

I'll be there!! Can't wait!

I belive that it is.

This is what I did for my A. First from 5500, then second from 3500. What I also did on the 3500 jump was to jump my first unassisted pack job. Did not really plan it that way, and only realized I was doing this on the ride up. Breifly considered not doing it as I had some concern about my packing skills, but once the got the door open, I just said to myself, "Hope it opens..." and out I went. Was a real confidence builder, that jump. That's exactly how mine ended up too!! Wild.

Ah, if I'm by the door... I open it!!

That exercise worked well. I think pushing the forearms down and out helped keep me from sliding back. Last weekend I'd been holding them up at ear level. This time I was able to stay where I wanted all weekend, getting the angle I was looking for. Here's a photo I took using that position with the wings. I remember that chick. Nice pic Chris...

Thanks, I knew that XP did, but honestly had never messed with it much. Now that I have a reason to, it just so happens that I'm on Vista so selfishly my focus is on that.

I've been doing a little leg work on my own too. I thought that I would share a couple of the sites that I've found. They might be helpful to some. First, vista ships with Movie Maker, so I figured there would be some hacks out there that would find ways to make it do cool shit. Sure enough: Movie Maker Forums While poking around there I found this guy's website. Talk about some cool stuff, to me at least. I'm starting to think that with a little leg work that I can probably make WMM do most anything that I want. XML is not to bad to play with and there are some SDK's to play with... anyway, I digress. Blaine's Movie Maker Blog. He's got one pretty dam cool effect for putting one clip over top another. I'm sure that we could have some fun with that one. And still another site that I've found with yet more stuff for both Vista's WMM and XP's WMM. WMM Source I think for now that I'll save the $50-$200 on other software and see how far that I can take this using the tools at hand. I can buy a lot of jumps with that money for now.

Yep, try and get more than one each outting. In this sport MORE really is BETTER!!! That will also help build confidence and get you over the jitters. In time the first of the day won't feel so rough. I know for a fact that I still get them when it's been a few weeks between jumps. Some of the people I jump with either know me well enough or just sense it and on the ride up start cracking jokes and giving me the hand signals to relax.

As much as I can get!! :) Sometimes that is more than others. With time you'll see it so often that you'll realize when it really is close and when it just seems close, when it's safe and when it's not. Best thing to do is get with a coach or instructor and express your concerns and ask how 'you' can improve, change, learn, etc. to make it safer for you and in turn for other skydivers that are in the air with you. Take charge of your learning. Now that your off AFF you get to really start learning. The end of AFF does not mean that all that stops, that's when it really ramps up and starts in earnest!! BK

Welcome to the sport and to dz.com!!

Mac!

Ok before somebody jumps me for not using the search feature; I did.

Congrats!! It comes with time. You'll figure out when you can make more points and when not. If you only planned one run through the dive flow and you did it, then you did just fine!!

I just hope we can avoid the drift racing videos and japaneese commentary this year. Hmmm, I guess I missed those, but at times was pretty... well out of it...

LOL, now that's the spirit!!!!!!

It took you till Friday? Fuck, you got it lucky man. I was wanting to jump come Wednesday. I am in my 4th year in the sport and I really would rather just be at the DZ right now. I jump every weekend and often 4-5 days a week and can't get enough. So, depending on who you are... it might not get better, you might just keep wanting more. Sorry

I hear that you might get an.... how do we say it... altitude advantage if you show a little something to your pilot on the ride up. Try it and let us know how it works.. Your statement about it being a family... yep, it is. Now think of all the funny little things that you do with your family that you would never dream of doing outside of them. Yep, that's what we have in skydiving too... fun eh?

Na that's a weekend of jumping. Lets see that's 26 jumps... 8 on Friday, 9 on Saturday, 9 or 10 on Sunday... bam your golden!! Geez I wish... I've only had one weekend in my time jumping even close to that, but I know guys that I jump with that put down numbers like that every week it seems like. Hang in there you'll get there. I started my AFF in November and did not graduate until the following Apr. Spent many, many a day at the DZ watching others though. It goes a lot faster once you get through AFF. I promise!!

Hmmmm, closing in on my 2nd year in the sport now and well lets see, it's a Friday before a 3 day weekend here in the US and all I can think about is when I can get to the DZ and start jumping... Soooo, I can totally feel ya there. As for going to other DZ's hell yes you can. Once your off your student status you can and dare I say it, should go to other DZ's once in a while. It's a great way to learn and meet a lot of really f'n cool people. Stay safe, have fun, laters...

Don't forget your friend who picks up "off" jumpers.. Lucky bastard... That had to be one site to 'see' Saturday afternoon for Jes's 400th... yummmmmmy

Can't wait, been looking forward to this one since last year ended. Bring it on!!!!!

There is a GA Tech locker-room type room at Skydive ATL and I see GA Techies there pretty much every weekend. Come on out, I'm sure you'll run into some of them.