npgraphicdesign

"What if you get scared half to death, twice?" - Larry the Cable Guy I felt the exact same way when I started. I only have 4 jumps so I am as noob as they come. But, in terms of overcoming the fear? Just do it...it's the best way. I first did two tandems, and that (in my opinion) is a good gauge of whether you'll enjoy going solo. Yes I was scared/nervous, still am...but it's the best feeling in the world. Well...almost. Go to a good dropzone, pay attention, ask questions, learn, and jump! Good luck with making a decision and jumping!

Hang on... lemme raise my prices real quick! http://www.skydivingstills.com/keyword/cpi-aerial#331184114_xnF78 And congrats! Dave Oh that's a NICE photos. I think that will suffice...

Well i finally passed my B category jump...on my third try!!! I want to share a few aspects of my dive w/ the rest of you so that anyone going through same ordeals can benefit from the error of my ways.. Exited the plane, didn't freeze this time!!! maintained altitude awareness, COA, hand signals understood/processed, etc. Puiled on time, saw the airport / my JMs chutes & and started playing around. By about 4K, i haven't heard anything from the radio, and realized that it's probably not working. So I attempted to make it back to the airport. By 3k, I was still far enough away and realized I wasn't going to make it back, so I started searching for another spot. Transferred my landing pattern ok, came in and landed well. 1. Waited to long for the radio assistance and lost time & altitude, thus wasn't able to make it back on time. I attribute to not just the time delay, but also lack of experience in canopy piloting. 2. Didn't establish my orientation soon enough & lost time 'cause of that as well. 3. Lost my goggles while trying to find my way out of my landing area...(Jim, I owe the DZ a pair of goggles! ) What I learned: - Don't rely on the radio. The batteries were dead, so screw you Energizer Bunny! - I now know that I can transfer the to another area & land the chute on my own if I can't make it back to the drop zone (at least in normal conditions.) I can't stop the feeling of adrenaline today! I know it's just my B jump but I'm psyched that I learned from my mistakes, and most importantly, was able to land on my own.

Congrats!! That's great....do you get a pie in the face? Or is that 1000? ;)

N/A

Well we're still a year away...and I hope by then I"ll have my license...so at least I can jump. Don't about all those other rascals.

http://npgraphicdesign.com/myphotos/skydive2/ This was a short journal entry I did about my first AFF2 jump. I learned a lot from that jump, the first and foremost bit of knowledge being DO NOT CRASH INTO TREES Thankfully I got of pretty easy, and I had to repeat it because i hesitated when pulling and missed my target altitude by about 1000feet. The 2nd time I did my AFF2, I froze completely, and only 'woke up' when it was time to pull, and I still pulled late, about 700 feet too late. Going back to my recurrence training memorial day weekend and starting to jump again. I learned that there is no shame in repeating jumps. Yes it's more money and time, but wouldn't you rather get it right, when a potential mistake could be very very costly? So while I was beating myself up about having to repeat AFF2 a 3rd time, I'm not any more. Looking forward to jumping again!!!

Hey guys!! Well I'm hoping that by June next I'll FINALLY have my license. I took a break for 3 months and picking up my AFF again memorial day weekend. Yeaaaaa!!!! Here's my question: If all goes well, I'm going to design conference next year in Austin, Tx. I want to get there a day before and take a bunch of fellow designers jumping...even if it is only Tandem. One of them even wants me to push him out of the plane with a well placed sneaker in the back. Are there rules against that? So are there any good places around Austin, or within a respectable driving distance? I don't want to drive too far...but about an hour or so is doable. Thanks Guys!! Wish me luck on my license continuation...hopefully I can get past my AFF2 this time... And Doug, Dave and all of you who want to make wiseass comments about me crashing into trees...sheddap.

Hey guys, Just did my 2nd AFF Category B jump (1st repeat) and in some ways it was worse and better then the first. First time, I was nervous because the plane ride freaked me out, i became nervous on the actual pull at 5500, missed the mark, and had the JM guide my hand to the pull handle. This time, I was ok about the plane ride, but as soon as we exited and i did my COA, i completely froze. I mean, put me in a freezer and i couldn't have frozen in a worse way!! I completely forgot the practice pulls, altitude check, hand signals (which came in a barrage at me, but I completely blanked!!) ...in the end, i missed my pull altitude again, but reached for the handle on my own, and pulled around 4500ish, and had an ok landing with a somewhat late flare. A bit bummed that I have to repeat the jump again, but at the same time, i know why, and what I need to fix. But how do you get over that feeling of disappointment, and moreso, the feeling of nervousness? I think my mind went into overload because of what I was doing (hello skydiving? It's nuts I tell youse) and forgot all that i practiced. Any advice guys?

Well the answer is simple: The trees got in the way.

Sheddap Dave. Yes you will see me again. Just not hanging out in the tree. And i wasn't really hung up in the tree, i just hung the chute on the tree then PLFed into the branches n thangs below. And I don't feel bad now.

Thanks Chubba. So you've landed into the treeline before? How'd that go?

First...and hopefully last.

Do you jump out of a DZ in CT? I need a few hundred more jumps before 10ways..give me a few yrs.

The 206 is fine. We just happened to jump out of the 182.

Whoops...thanks Broke! Fixed in my post as well.

Hey guys, Did my 2nd AFF jump today, which resulted in a PLF and some up close and personal meeting with some tree branches/bushes. I'm ok, and did a little write up here, just because it was a good learning experience. Check it out. http://www.npgraphicdesign.com/myphotos/skydive2/ The radio person was great in helping me, and my instructors rocked as well. I am actually glad to have had such an experience early on.

Thank you!! :) Can't wait to go again.....got the bug...

... which is not really a good joke/idea. As a beginner you simply should stick to what's been told you to do. Ask your J/M's why.

Good luck!! Great weather and blue skies to you!

Where do I sign up ? A carton of beer though, that better be one awesome kiss :) So if I jump out at 25,000+ feet, is there enough time to join the mile high club?

You're about as helpful as a parachute on dry land.

hey..thanks for the congrats! I jumped with Kristin and Matt. They rock!!!!

So what's proper protocol in terms of making your first jump, getting your license, etc? Do you bring a case of beer, or food, or..? I plan on bringing some drinks regardless next time i dive, seeing how everyone shares food/drinks/etc..but was wondering if there's any S.O.P. in terms of camaraderie amongst skydivers (for new skydivers that are starting the sport)

wooohooo!!!! Made my first skydive...absolutely phenomenal...beyond words!!! So to sum it up, i got up right to the door, had a rather half-hearted 'up/down' exit, but the arch was good. Even the inside JM was surprised, as apparently my position at the door was too crouched. Did my COA, practice pulls, then surprised the hell out of one of the JMs by doing two more practice pulls at 7k-ish. he thought i was pulling! Fooled ya man!! Then i relaxed....locked on, waved off, and pulled a bit too late (a little below 5k) becuase i didn't realized how fast 5500 would come up after 6k. Was a bit nervous on the way down, did some 360s, turns, etc..but when i started getting lower..i was coming it at 3/4 toggles, and did a bit of crabbing across the landing zone. Hence i turned in a bit too late and landed a few hundred feet away from the 'desired' spot. The radio guy told me to flare a bit early, so i plopped on the ground rather then glide in. Also a bit of confusion. One of the reasons why i started drifting a bit in the beginning is that one of my JMs told the radio guy that my canopy was red/white/blue, so he was looking for it and couldn't find it. The when my JMs came down, they told him that my canopy is actually blue/yellow. But it was good all in all. I was de-briefed and told what i need to work on (and some of it i realized myself) and was given the OK to go to the next level! ...and i'm hooked!!! WHOOPS!!!