steveorino
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Everything posted by steveorino
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I earned ny TI 2 years ago and have done a little over 420 of them as well. Yesterday I gave up several tandems so I could do 2 AFF jumps. They rocked! -- tandems are fun, but my new addiction is definitely AFF! steveOrino
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Okay, ask BIGUN if you should ever coin check me ... anywhere ... steveOrino
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Congrats steve! When did you take up skydiving out of interest? Static lines from 77-80. I was on a Halo/Scuba team in SF, but ets before I went HALO. BIG regret .. I took back up skydiving in 2001 at age 46.
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I just earned my AFFI from Michael Wadkins w/ xcelskydiving.com. I'm 53 years old. How many of you AFFIs got your ticket after 50? steveOrino
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I guess, but what does AFFI precourse imply if not "preparation"? And what does AFFI course imply if not "evaluation"? BTW, back on thread topic (blocking the drift, and giving signals ....) My recent experience with Michael Wadkins of Xcelskydiving was the most informative experience I have EVER had in my 8 years of skydiving. Nuff said! steveOrino
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It is not a lengthy evaluation. It is a "pre-course" to assess your strengths and weakenesses, and give you good input so you will be ready when you take the course .... Just like Special Forces pre-phase was to the "Q" course. My SF prephase was 2 months long (June-July '77) Some guys who were higher ranked and came from Ranger Battallions and the 82nd had considerably shorter Pre-phase. Do you think those who earned the Green Beret by attending Pre-phase longer than those who attended shorter ones did not earn that beret/flash? Same analogy applies to Precourse candidates who pass the AFFI course. steveOrino
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(To echo the others...) I don't know why they call it a "pre-course", when it's really "the course," since "the course" is really "the exam". Why don't they just cut the shit, have a true course, and then have a true exam? I really don't get it. I can't follow your reasoning. Here is mine. In 1977 I went to Special Forces Pre-Phase. It prepared me for the "Q" course. Was the Pre Phase hard? Yes, was it helpful ... well I passed the Q and hundreds of others didn't. I see AFFI Pre Course as the same. It helps. Will you pass the course just because you went to the pre ... no. I was well prepared for BOTH pre-phases/courses in my life. We'll see if the second one helped as much as the first. steveOrino
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I would -- but no video (the videographer I'd want on the load is taking it with me). I will say this. He will test you beyond your abilities. He will humble you!! I have never seen a flat spin go that high high that quick ... one word,WICKED!! One thing sticks out about Mike. He is a GREAT teacher. I know the old school said be ready when you get there, but what is the problem with someone spending time with you in a 2 day pre-course and improving your skills dramatically? After those two days you will ready if you apply his knowledge. Heck, even if you flunked you'd be a better skydiver. If you want an easy AFFI Evaluator, you better not get Mike Wadkins! But if you want Great instruction from someone who will treat you with integrity, Mike is your man! steveOrino
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I can relate. Michael Wadkins of www.xcelskydiving.com was you AFFI CD and mine too. (I'm taking it this week) He has given me a lot of confidence and improved my skills already in the pre-cert. I hope I pass the course ... steveOrino
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Dave, I'm 53 ... and counting. I work out 4 days a week plus the skydiving on weekends (Cessna). I do stretch a lot ... nothing designed, just simple stretches. Plus I lift light weights to keep strong. I have cut out process sugars for the past 4 months and while I'm no svelte, flat-belly twenty-something, I can hold my own. steveOrino
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LOL! I thought so too! steveOrino
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I voted "okay" but thought was between okay and great ... it was a good movie. I laughed a lot. SPOILER ALERT! I thought it was better when he was the drunk super hero -- and went rather flat when he "cleaned up". steveOrino
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It's July 2nd -Time for my Annual Post! 14 Years This Time!
steveorino replied to ACMESkydiver's topic in The Bonfire
I'm around. I read the forums, but I seldom post. Back to your regularly scheduled program. steveOrino -
It's July 2nd -Time for my Annual Post! 14 Years This Time!
steveorino replied to ACMESkydiver's topic in The Bonfire
Congrats! The picture of the Rangers when the black beret was earned was awesome! On a more marital note, I'm fortunate my wife has stuck with me for thirty-four years! Yep, 34! steveOrino -
much to do about nothing steveOrino
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eat breath mints. When I was vidiot, the previous TM had breath that would stop a water buffalo. I pitied his students. steveOrino
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My hands are in the toggles, but if he drops one and tries to flare with one ... that is what I'm talking about. He will most likely create a turn. steveOrino
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Rob, I bow to your experience, but waiting until 30 seconds before flare to ask them to release toggles sounds like a recipe for disaster. Case in point, the student I took up who released one toggle 100 feet off the ground to wave at friends. It took me until almost flare time to get his other hand OUT of the toggle. steveOrino
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I haven't respond so far because it seems so many are so concrete in their belief that it appears some judge your character and ability to be an Instructor if you differ with their opinion. I have had several close calls from students who stopped the flare at chin level and I had to over power them to save my life and theirs. The worst was a guy who dropped one toggle at 100 feet to wave at his friends/family. All these people were properly trained of the landing procedure and managed good practices up high. Now I make a judgment call on each jump. If I feel they will compromise our safety I ask them to remove their hands from the toggle and concentrate on lifting their legs up. I try to give them every opportunity to learn about th canopy ( I talk about the pattern, and explain what I'm doing as we go) but I refuse to compromise my safety (and theirs) if I feel they will not flare properly. Yes, it is a judgment call, but I'm okay with that. steveOrino
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Beach Boys said it best ... Well East coast girls are hip I really dig those styles they wear And the Southern girls with the way they talk They knock me out when I'm down there The Mid-West farmer's daughters really make you feel alright And the Northern girls with the way they kiss They keep their boyfriends warm at night I wish they all could be California I wish they all could be California I wish they all could be California girls The West coast has the sunshine And the girls all get so tanned I dig a french bikini on Hawaii island Dolls by a palm tree in the sand I been all around this great big world And I seen all kinds of girls Yeah, but I couldn't wait to get back in the states Back to the cutest girls in the world steveOrino
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First, I can't imagine being a TI at 350 jumps. but hey I guess you're special. I out fly my bad students and wear FF pants that give my legs more surface. I seldom waste time trying to correct a flailng student, but I do weight 230 #s I do tell them to try and touch the back of their head with their heels. That simulates an arch and is easier to remember than arch, head up, legs up. steveOrino
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I'll quote my 28 year old daughter ... "You only live ONCE, but if you do it RIGHT, once is ENOUGH!" steveOrino
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I usually wear a semi hard hat. Mainly because it houses the protrack. In the summer sometimes I attach the protrack to my sunglasses. However I see a few scratches on the top of my helmet and it makes me wonder. steveOrino
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Female Tandem Master Needed for Commercial
steveorino replied to birdtrick's topic in General Skydiving Discussions
Check out my photos of Donna Wright in my website (www.xtreme-visuals.com Go to stills and year 2005 steveOrino -
Bingo! Well said. steveOrino