gimpboogie

thank you, I'm honoured that your interest was kept till now! THANKS. BEER, one case of heineken, one case of corona FOR THE DZ who helped me do this all for the first time, and I was there for them for the first time... and a 5L keg of heineken for my home DZ. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

I apologize for the mistake on the names. It is John McCarthy the accuracy canopy pilot who was teaching me (and the DZ was Gan. owned by Mr. Tom McCarthy for freefall pictures on Tom's web site www.skydivegan.com Go to the pictures page. ALL photos there are courtesy of Dave hatherly. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

http://www.skydivegan.com/main.html Go to photos page. blueskies, -minna To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing and many more beautiful dives to come John! Blue skies, -minna To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

Thank you for the kind words. I'm pretty happy about it also. I had TONS of help from MANY people dedicating a lot of time, energy and $ to this. They ALL know who they are, -THANKS!!! YOU MAKE MY SOUL SOAR!! next jump T minus 48 hrs or so.... if Mother Nature permits. On Sun 27th I was to jump but the winds were gusting to 19mph grounding me, which was a very good thing because there was a lot of turbulance, and other issues other then the ground wind speeds. I watched the experienced jumpers at PST on Sun Apr. 27th and they were having bucking bronco rides under their canopies.... live to jump another day was that days motto. Were getting a Grand Caravan in T minus 21 hrs, but my jumping depends on a lot of things other then the availability of a plane and winds @ 15mph or less. So... my next one will be when it will be! To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

I cannot help but add in this thread something that is on my mind totally outside of this forum topic but deeply ingrained within my personal journey to skydive. On Oct 28th 2007 I had my most successful skydive to date, and on that day we lost Tonto-who was a pioneer in teaching paralyzed people to skydive. On Apr. 26th I finally had my first AFF and on Apr. 27th the skydiving community worldwide and specifically here in my home Ontario Canada lost a deeply loved and accomplished skydiver Ahmed. I dedicated my first dive to Eric-Tonto. He was on my mind prior to the dive and after the landing I looked up to the blue skies and said to Tonto "look at me fly now, THANK YOU !!!" for he had much email contact with my coach Angus at the beginning stages of my learning process. This is somehow significant enough for me to state here. I do not know why. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

my computer is crashed, using public ones so cannot upload any photos now but here is a link to my DZ forum where there are a few photos: http://www.parachuteschool.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=345 To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

the "final leg" of this project went as follows: 1) Angus wrote an "adaptive free fall program" for me to follow. Basically a 'modified' AFF skydiving instructional manual. 2) Dave and Angus checked and re-checked the rigging (of my pants) and continually are developing further modifications to the leg stability and landing safety issues (i.e. building some sort of a 'skid pad' on the butt of the "gimp freefly" pants for added safety for the critical tailbone area) 3) Skyventure NH donated a tremendous amount of support from tunnel time to dedicating their most experienced tunnel instructors to this project. FF stability was established in the first 1/2 hr block of tunnel time and Angus was confident of our ability to continue to the next step -1st AFF dive. 4) The tunnel experience 'astonished' the tunnel instructors (in that I was able to gain stability as fast as I did). This I credit to Angus doing 12 tandem progression dives, many discussions with Dave and the expertize of the tunnel instructors in teaching me the skills. 5) Angus felt my stability was 'solid' enough that he was prepared to jump with ONE AFF instructor on our first dive (*only him and Dave on video) but we decided to put safety 'in the bank' (*as Angus says, 'always make sure you have altitude in the bank') and recruited -on the recommendation of the DZO-Mr. Tom McCarthy, another AFF instructor (one who is known for his stability and thus he is called 'a planet of his own'-solid fellow in all possible ways) 6) Angus spent 1 1/2 hr sessions with me two days prior to our dive onrefreshing FF expected procedures, along with high speed and low speed malfunctions, and all possible important aspects of canopy flight. 7) Master Rigger Mr. Will McCarthy repacked my main AND reserve prior to my jump. 8) Champion accuracy canopy pilot Mr. Rob McCarthy gave me a one on one canopy control instructional session on the day of the dive. 9) Angus spent great amount of time helping me focus on the correct solo dive. To build positive muscle and mental memory for this dive. Dirt diving, visualization, what ever you want to call it but it was a 1 1/2 hrs worth of training per day for 5 days prior to this dive. Purely focussing on the way things are supposed to go, and the 'perfect' dive (if there ever could be such a thing), to build that into my mind. 10) On the day of the dive after about 4 hrs of preperations (for the rigging, repacking and canopy control sessions followed by private sessions with Angus on mental focus- I DO NOT want to ever have to pick up golfing, and mental focus is the key for me on this one.... the dividing line between those two sports) we were ready to dive. 11) We left the plane as planned @ 11,000f. First dive involved three practice pulls, with altitude awareness to a 5.5 'wave off' and deployment by 5,000f (my hard deck is 3,000f in this first dive). Initial assessment from debriefing shows that this FF section was fairly well executed with circle of awareness noticeable in the video, response to hand signals, and wave off at the correct altitude. There was some backsliding in FF which was evident from the video as well as my personal feeling of where i felt I was 'heading' (I felt like I was slightly pitching upward with my head and torso-need to work on correcting this with my arms) There was an issue during deployment of holding on too long to the pilot chute, which had the potentiality of becoming a malfunction had I not let go at the time I did, for Angus was ready to open the container since he saw the lines going up but no bag coming out. This is certainly an issue which MUST be corrected, thus this first AFF dive will be done again before we will continue on to the next step. 12) Canopy control was 'nice' according to the DZO watching and on the radio. Landing was in the bowl, and my log book states it was within 2M of target. 13) Leg straps worked fine and easy enough to operate that only minor adjustments are necessary. Over all, this was a good dive and leaves me feeling confident and positive towards redoing this dive (for the pilot chute issue). I feel confident I will succeed this task and move on in the next dive. I am very happy, and also quite glad to see that I landed within 2 M of target and the 7 min. 30 sec. FF time I've accumulated in my log book. More info will be available once a through analysis of the dive video is possible sometime soon. Blueskies, -minna To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

this tells me I'm definitely 'odd'. I didnt yet ever have fear, sweaty hands etc. tec. but the only time i feel 'uncertain' and vigilant is watching my altimeter while we are climbing and after 3,000f I start to relax with the feeling 'if all goes sh*t for sideways durng the plane ride, i'm safe t get out of this plane'. what is wrong with me that i do not have these other nornal fears? To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

thanks for the kind words, I'm not sure if I rock r not, but i do work hard, try to make calculated decisions with my coach Angus, and have faith that by the end of this season I will be joining the dark side and learning the jedi art of FF. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

Quote (either a 300 or another canopy Angus will jump with my gear before I do) /reply] This I think is important to reiterate The canopy will be chosen based on the fact that my landings must be smooth, slow and controlled. EIther a "big boy rig" with a 300, a tandem canopy (probably not) or some student canopy meant for a wing load of 300 lbs or so should really be considered for anyone starting to jump with lower leg dysfunction. paralysis to any degree in the legs require the landing to be taken as PFL's always but with a further consideration -legs needing to be out of the way of potentially getting caught under you in any landing situation. The canopy chosen should only be suggested by the most experienced coaches, and after consultation with the manufacturer and/or a Master Rigger. Same with any modifications, and 'additions' to fly pants (like mine and what Peter uses), or any other item you will have on you, while skydiving. My canopy is chosen by Angus, regardless of my body weight. I weigh in between 170-180 lbs, and as a typical student could easily start with a 280 and go down from there faster then I ever will. This is a different playing field all together, then a diver with leg use. whether I jump defined by conditions-winds, are determined by Angus regardless of what the typical student standards are. Next update will be the tunnel experience. -minna To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

The harness test for these adaptive free fly pants has been conducted. findings: *asides from the video posted proving we can take this all too lightly sometimes... these are the edited out parts of the instructional video. Luckily I trust my life with these coaches.. findings: straps need to be repositioned to below the knee. stirrups are necessary to keep the pants down while pulling up the legs for landing position. its easier to pull down then up, we needed to change the angle of approach on the leg straps. From pulling them up, to pulling the straps down at the chest harness. using a properly fitted harness would have given some comfort (given the bruises it seems that it was a bit excessive bruising from what Angus said) grippers on jump pants are a good idea after all!! especially for AFF students who don't have use of their legs. the harness does not fit inside the same pair of pants which fit FF friendly size (snug) when it was used outside the pants. We tried to fit the leg straps inside the harness, like we originally planned, but the fact that these pants fit me snug originally, left it too tight for the leg straps inside. Options being to widen the pants, or slots for the leg straps on the outside, we chose the latter being easier, cheaper and faster. when doing your emergency procedures make sure your AFF instructor does not have your reserve handle. have fun, but always remember this is not about having fun,this is about training your mind to save yourself when it becomes necessary. And it becomes necessary each time you enter the plane on the ground. Angus told me, that each time I go up, it is to be with my safety gear (I have a kit of gear he wants me to dive with.. for off landings: a cell phone-since I cant walk back to the DZ, a medical info badge-i.e. if I land somewhere knock myself out and a local shows up finds out I can't walk they might think I just broke my back.. meanwhile I just need a lift to the DZ to my wheelchair) and with a checklist in my mind that I go through... a big part of that includes a) telling the pilot and each occupant in the plane what altitude I'm leaving at.... letting everyone know I open at 5.5 (must by 5) is necessary also. b) rehearsing my mind through the dive as we did this weekend on Sun. for hours. It is all about awareness. of altitude and surroundings. "where are the others" was the most common 'check' going through our dirt dives right after altitude checks. proximity to DZ IS ESSENTIAL for a paraplegic skydiver. I do not want to land too far from my wheelchair. not across a ditch at least, or beyond cow pies. furthermore, there is the idea of what to do with the parachute once I'm down, and bring it back to the DZ, the packing area... a bag. I need to jump with a large plastic bag tightly inside my special pocket with the medical ID etc. into this bag I place my canopy and then roll along the ground OUT of the landing path, then towards the building. these are the little things that matter much but often are overlooked. Tandem progression was different. I was attached to him, flying my big bus I will fly alone and need to bring her back safe and clean. (either a 300 or another canopy Angus will jump with my gear before I do) enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pYcnAggFG8 To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

Angus and i just finished our harness hanging with my new pants (which I think I posted pics in my thread) Once that video is edited I will give the details of our experiement, what worked what needs to be changed in those pants (a few adjustments are certainly necessary) but over all we are now very ready to go to the tunnel and start flying, 20 more days! yah! an hour a day... for a long time To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

me 2 don't own a car or drive well so catch a ride with one of the 3 of us here from my drop zone. One guy, one car .... the rest of us, bumming. $40 gas each trip. 4 to 5 hrs each way depending on weather. sleep with my sleeping bag at the DZ on a couch hopefully, or in my wheelchair, but usually I stay with Angus-my coach. He can fit me,my wheelchair, his parachute, and my gear for the weekend in his little smart car... drove me home once even! To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

Hi Rob, Great to see you on board at the DZ dotcom. My coach Angus and you know each other I think. Perhaps you'll be glad to know I'm going into the wind tunnel in a month to try on my FF pants. We did not use your modifications on the harness for tandem progression, but also I have hip flexors so jack knifing was not our worry. As for stability in FF, we will find out in less then 2 months how it all went. blue skies, -minna To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

Hello, welcome. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

that was what I feared I was looking at. My legs had so much momentum that while Angus has legs straight (im imagining trying to stop the rotation-thus his comment about not being able to stop the 1st one) mine are halfway up to my chest, bringing us into the second flip. No control outside of some hip flexors. Like squeezing my butt cheeks together, and while doing that can recruit the side of my hips, running down the side of my leg so if you were to watch me doing it, you'd see my legs move about 2 inches toward each other as I sit here and flex my hip muscles as hard as I can. Hope that was a description giving enough understanding. So, no weight bearing beyond perhaps it was 12 lbs PT said last time.... then my legs buckle out from under me. I was thinking that is what was happening, after looking at it more carefully. It IS an important clue to me, if I understand anything... to what will happen when I commence any movement outside of belly, side slides, is that tracking will be difficult with my legs fixed at optimum stability in FF.. as will precise flips (it seems that this will be the case in subsequent flips). I believe I'll learn to sit fly, but the head down I was thinking a different method then the typical. legs are fixed at the knees at an angle. both together -thighs facing the ground. To counter balance that, I was hoping to put both arms back, as if riding rear risers. I would have hoped that would create the symmetry. But it might cause forward movement with unstability developing quickly. I shall see at some point surely, yet also want to think it out all. As Angus now has sent me instructions on tunnel drills and our AFF progression drills. Basically am to memorize each step, of each dive in each section of the program. starting with the tunnel skills. I have 5 weeks to memorize it all. We will hang in the harness, dirt dive them each over the next weeks. Weekends at the DZ dirt diving all the AFF dives.... obsessive perhaps, but Angus is willing to join me, and he believes in muscle memory as I do. I want to learn, and learn well. am 'smashed up' enough all ready want to become a good skydiver even if i have to ride that bus for canopy for the rest of my life, i'll just start to focus on accuracy with it. Yet my true love is in the FF. which is why I am so critical of the video, and wanting to know what is happening, why and is there anything i can do about it. or is it something to adjust my altitude goals around. (If I realize Im going to end up with a 2 for 1 each time I try to flip, or the side slide will eat up 2x the alt. for me to find stability... then I want to be prepared ans accept 'that's life' at least I'm flying To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

A few more important quotes. '"mperative that the student is able to perform low speed landings" (much more critical for those of us with leg disabilities) "to select a parachute that is larger than a conventional training parachute, such as a tandem parachute. Do NOT take chances with parachute size!!! I share this because some have shown interest in trying these things. Yes I encourage everyone to reach for their dreams, live happy lives and engage in meaningful activities. I stress the importance of waiting for someone else to be the "guinea pig" trying this out, and learning from their experiences, then going to the most qualified instructor you can find. ps This document, once it is completed, tested to prove correct in the specific methods of instruction will be available in some format to those interested. -so far I have shared MY EXPERIENCES, but Angus is the one writing up the manual

Angus has been developing a Adaptive Free Fall Program document, which is not near publication yet but I think this is important to state now. EVERYONE, Angus writes: "under no circumstances should it be considered the definitive document. There is no substitute for experience. Only HIGHLY qualified and experienced instructors should attempt to train disabled students for solo freefall. " You must read the experiences I have, as a guideline for what can happen. Taking into consideration that some non-traditional methods, such as using an advanced skill as butt sliding on landing, are necessary in some instances. It is critical you understand the increased risks involved and subsequently the importance of employing ALL safety measures available, as well as utilizing tandem progression while practicing safe landing procedure. Trying a butt slide on your first AFF without working on it with your instructor in tandem format is extremely dangerous. I can testify to it: I tried to flare at 30f the first time , without Angus I could have been smashed up. Be well, remain safe and have fun, -minna To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

ok -thinking too much, I'll accept that. As for what my coach said it was something to this effect: Yes the second back flip wasn't planned and I couldn't stop it either. (probably not the exact words). I KNOW Angus is an exceptionally good skydiver (have to be, in order to be a world record holder, G-2-C1) and if he thought it was critical (which it was not we just exited from 10,500f 1 sec prior) would have found a way to stop the flips.. or.... something. In that dive, we were together so I knew I could rely on him if I could not do it. So I take his " I couldn't stop it" as either -it didn't matter if we stopped it at that altitude-lots more altitude in the bank still or -was not trying very hard to stop it, to see if I could. After all it was the dive where I needed to 'do it' myself throughout the dive. Perhaps I'm over analyzing that one situation because a) I'm doing something riskier then tandem progression and want to be aware as possible. b) I do not want to "fail" (I do not mean going in, or smashing myself up_only). It is important that this works out. I'm a former International level athlete, competitive training always meant 'analyzing to death" all our video footage of races and some training. c) perhaps the "butterflies" are migrating back my stomach, and are not flying in formation yet and I'm a bit more nervous then I think I am.... Being a 'perfectionist" doesn't necessarily help with the over analyzing part. Probably what I need to do is "let it go" for now, trusting that have I altitude awareness, will be diving 2 altimeters, and have lots of altitude in the bank before my 5,500f deployment. Thanks.... I'll try to stop obsessing on how to correct it, I'll figure it out once I'm in AFF and experiencing it... easier to try to understand what happened, I would imagine. Be well, -minna To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

Hi, In anticipation of my upcoming solo dive I've been scrutinizing one 'situation' which occurred in my 9th dive with Angus. In this video http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=JWtiQyGVJl4&feature=PlayList&p=F31C6728656266C7&index=2 in time frames 1;14-1:16 I see that legs seem to have quie a bit of momentum coming down from the 1st backflip, pulling Angus behind me through the 2nd backflip. In 1:14 both of our legs are parallel to each others, but by 1:16 my legs are 90 degrees farther into a flip them Angus' are. Our legs are then 90 degrees to each others. Am I correct in thinking that this clip would indicate that potentially I will always require more altitude for everything in FF (except perhaps straight belly flying) if my lower body sort of 'swings' like that when I try any flips and even potentially transfers from sit to belly (I might end up with momentum pulling me into a flip instead). Which, if it happens I'm fine with but certainly need to calculate this into my dive plan if it is going to be a regular thing. When it happened, we did not plan for 2 backflips and Angus nor I could not stop the 1st one but the 2nd was steady easily. It did not frighten me in any manner, only thoughts were in my mind to arch continually and hard regardless of wether I went for a 3rd flip. In that regard I am anticipating to utilize extra altitude at all times, and also want to better understand what is happening. What are your thoughts on a) what is happening in those frames 1:14-1:16? b) head down, would it be possible in my case (I'm always thinking of that, because I really would like to fly head down -a lot ) To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

1st, please understand that my words are from that of a complete novice and someone who will use the tunnel as "someone just learning". I live in Ontario, merely 6 hrs from the Niagara tunnel. I'm going to NH tunnel with my coach (he has been skydiving a long time, his licence # is D472 and he is a world record holder so I trust his opinion and experience). He told me directly that the tunnel in Niagara is not good for skydivers. It would not be good for a novice. Perhaps someone who is not intending to use it as a learning tool, either a tourist or perhaps a skydiver bringing a friend/family in there for a "fun" time would be a good purpose for that tunnel. To me it is critical there is clean air, air flow is consistent and simulates FF as close as possible. Being complete novice, if I was to go into a tunnel such as the one in Niagara, I would be fooled by that experience and my AFF free fall will certainly be nothing like that tunnel experience. I would stretch to guess that going into a tunnel which does not give me a free fall experience as close as the real thing would be potentially dangerous. For I would not be prepared for "the real thing". Personally, I too would love to go to the one in Niagara, it is half the distance to travel, in Canada (no border crossing hassles... I'm still waiting for my passport to come) and propably the trip will be much less costly, giving me more $ for "the real thing"... but skydiving is not a sport where i would skimp on anything as important as these first critical dives that are coming up. Once I have been diving for a while, I'm sure I would not even think of the Niagara tunnel as an option... sorry for the long winded approach, but what i really wanted to get across that ESPECIALLY a beginner should be learning in the most optimum conditions... skydiving is not forgiving for too many 'oops" moments.. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

Hi TK, I think your the same fellow my coach Angus has been talking to. If so, good to 'cyber' meet you. Were going into the wind tunnel with Angus and FuzzyDave next month. I posted a thread in this forum, and have a photo of the pants the rigger made to help me remain stable. We will use knee braces that lock in 11 different angles. The optimum angle will be determined in the tunnel. Angus will have some update for you I'm sure by end of April. We will have plenty of video also. Be well and remain strong, -minna To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

Thanks Wendy. They are nice pants, with zippers and velcro their the best! Yes I am anticipating this. Been preparing for a lifelong project, and being on the eve of trying out something that no one has done yet(that I've heard of yet.. Lonnie and I talked one day that propably the only para's regularly skydiving or BASE jumping solo (not counting tandems in this case... although I certainly consider tandems to be skydivers). Certainly there are several folks with disabilities skydiving, but from what I've been reading the only one who has the need for, and has created his own, FF pants in order to maintain stability, is Peter Hewitt. Peter and I started talking many months ago about this, with him sharing much important info with Angus and myself. Recently a paraplegic went to a wind tunnel with the same hopes as myself. Their stability in the tunnel was not optimum, and the subsequently planned AFF is now on hold. That recent development overshadows this wind tunnel trip, with my pants. These pants are definitely different the Peter's pants (his has a mesh type material like you see on the pilot chutes in the place my white material is), and the buckles and webbing for hoisting up the legs once under canopy ready for landing, is different then Peter's system. I do not know what adaptations the other para who went into the tunnel had. Peter of course was a skydiver (as are other 3 paras whom I know to skydive and BASE jump) I was told that makes a difference, since knowing what the dive is supposed to be like is a benefit. I can see that being the case, yet also I think that diving as a para is very different then a person who has use of legs to some degree or another. Perhaps the fact that I have never landed on my feet, and my perspective on the word is from 4 feet high, I might have some habituation to these low level situations. Does it make sense? My 'vision' typically of the ground is from 4 feet high, I almost feel like it is about where I flare. I am vigilant in the forefront of my mind, the fact that my landings will have to be as perfect as I can make them... each time. There is much less room for error then a standing individual who by nature has 2 to3 feet more altitude to play with. It may not sound like much, but it is, when you think of falling on your butt. Weve been toying with various ideas for a skid plate of some sorts for the pants. I think I will go with a back and tailbone armor sort of like I have see some parkour/freerunners use now, and wakeboarders etc. If I can find a very lightweight, flexible and secure one I will definitely invest in it. What I would really like for my butt and lower back is the stuff downhill skiers have in their suits. The suit is flexible at all times except during sudden impact at which point the suit becomes rock hard armour. Very useful for swoopers perhaps also but certainly would be the idea component for me. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

Thanks for sharing in my excitement. This has been a calculated decision for me, thinking of it for 3 yrs before beginning the process. It feels like the eve of something big in my life right now. Doing something that has taken me yrs of mental preparation. I was not sure if this would be possible when i started thinking about it, but was certain that if it was possible, I would find out. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works