bluefingers

that's why they make us wear these horrific orange (really bright!) overalls that are at least six sizes too big (roll up sleeves roll up legs). can see they are only worn by students judging from the nr of times they have been patched, if at all. Nothing like a bit of ventilation Kerry

QuoteAgreed. One tandem does not a skydiver make. Show me an A-license and I'll show you a skydiver. Until then, he's just another whuffo (with way too much money and not much sense). Quote so what does that make a dope on a rope like me ? hmmm ....... *sigh* guess I'm gonna have to stay with parachutist till I pass my 20s dive exit

grrrr me too Got a friend who did one tandem, over a year ago. Now he's telling anyone who'll listen that HE got me into skydiving (utter crap, been wanting this since I was 6yrs old, watchin my dad jump in zimbabwe). And on top of it all, he is forever telling me how to land how to flare, how to control my canopy. What pray tell, does he know? Especially since he has not once ever seen me jump - go figure Kerry

Hi I did read Wendy's logbook - thanks for posting it! It feels so much better to know that I'm not the only one who has battled! I am counting hours until Sunday ,,,, Thanks for all the advice AFF - don't know if I can scratch the money together at this point but will chat to the CI. Muscle memory - has come up over and over so therefore, I am arching at every moment

HI Bringing up a really old post re S/Ls.... We exit like this, with left leg on the step, hop backwards ... I have often wondered what would happen with premature opening. WHen we did ground school we all had the same concern. WHen the plane is on the ground, you've got the wing over your head, and you feel as if the tail is right up your butt! But, it didn't bother me after the first jump. I crouched down low on that one, but after that I have "stood tall" .... One day we were in a borrowed plane which didn't have a step, so we basically had to stand on the wheel. One tiny little student got out on the wheel, only to discover the wheel brake wasnt on! She slipped forward betw wheel and strut. Fortunately she was so small she didnt hurt herself. After that I made sure I gave that wheel a good flick with my foot before standing on it!

WOW! I shoulda posted here ages ago instead of getting all despondent .... Thanks for the encouragement all Sangiro, Ferdi ... nearly fell off my chair when I saw some Afrikaans, maar ek bly in Durban en my Afrikaans is nie so goed nie, but after I read your post a couple times I understood Ferdi - I see you from Pretoria - didya come down for the Easter Boogie at PPC this year? I was the chick with a bored expression collecting jump tickets ... it burnt my butt big time to sit and watch everyone else having fun

thanks for that encouragement ... everyone at the DZ has been telling me this, but I have had a hard time believing it .... problem with being a perfectionist. IT SUCKS big time when you don't get it ..... roll on saturday .... it's going to happen soon ... I can feel it! Kerry

One good thing is that I am getting lots of canopy control practice!!! - would love to learn to spot. Must chat to JM. I'm always last out of the C182 because of my size ... and can't see a thing! Kerry

Hi all I'm a s/l student from SA. I have noticed that most seem to do AFF (believe me, if I could have afforded it, i would have gone that option). Anyway, I have 20 jumps, and have STILL not got past 3sec delay. First 3 s/l went well. Fourth one (drcp), landed in a tree. Went uncurrent (stoopid me). No task s/l, then drcps. Arch went to hell. Finally got to First freefall on jump nr 13 (lucky I'm not superstitious). Lifted a knee, flipped and pulled on my back. Watch the pilot chute bounce off my foot. Try again. This time, arch like a pigeon, pulled on my back. Rushed my drills. Back to drcp x 3. Back to 3 sec ... rush my drills, tipped nto my side. Repeat. Go back up same day, do exactly the same thing. D'oh! Uncurrent (double stoopid). This last weekend, I had to do ANOTHER no task S/L, and must do 2 drcps before I can do 3sec again. My question after this tale of woe - am I wasting my time? I enjoyed my last jump so much that I cursed myself for going uncurrent. I enjoy it. I can't wait for this weekend to get the drcps out theway. But at the back of my mind there's a little voice that chirps "maybe this isn't for you". Everyone at the DZ is so supportive, and tell me it's just a stumbling block, and once I get past it, all will be fine, 10 points for perserverance etc etc. But I see how other students progress and I feel like a right twit. What do you think? BF Kerry

I know what you mean. I jump student gear (S/L) and the rigs are huge on me, almost feels as if I am going to fall out. Even if I land on my feet, I still manage to get bruised, and am stiff for days, from the neck down. But I wouldn't change it for the world!