jumpdr 0 #1 June 15, 2006 Hi there, I've already posted on a couple of threads but thought I should drop by here and say hello. The title of my thread refers to the fact that I'm currently on my fourth attempt to get into this sport, second attempt at AFF! I can't remember why, but skydiving is something I've always wanted to do - I think it's just the whole 'flying' concept. Anyway, the first attempt was back in 1997 when I spent a weekend doing groundschool but the weather precluded jumping. As I was at Uni and the dropzone was 2 hrs away, I never even got to jump. Second time was in 2001 when I got to go on a military basic static line course. I managed 4 jumps in 2 weeks (again because of the weather) and managed to sprain BOTH ankles on a no-wind rough landing! Third time was in Florida in 2003 at Skydive Sebastian attempting AFF. I repeated level 4, then had to repeat level 5 (crap body position) and was just getting more and more frustrated, so decided I'd go back another day. I would have gone to play in the wind tunnel at Orlando, but it was the one week they were replacing the engines!! It's now 2006 and I'm working in Cyprus (as a military doc). The weather's perfect for jumping and the dropzone is 5 minutes away. I did my AFF level 1 a few weeks ago and am hoping to get another couple in this weekend. I managed to get 10 minutes in the Airkix wind tunnel in Milton Keynes (I'm a shareholder too!) in March which really helped my confidence as I was flying straight and level and managing turns, slides and controlling fall rate. Once I graduate AFF, the plan is to do some RW for skill progression then I want to get into camera flying and I'd love to play with wingsuits one day. In a few years, once I'm a trained GP, I'll be specialising in Aviation Medicine so I can start combining work and play! Blue skies! Grant Forgot to add the URL of the movie of my first jump! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #2 June 15, 2006 Welcome to the forums! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gofast_ER 0 #3 June 19, 2006 it can be frustrating. I have never been in a tunnel but have heard some good things about it. Don't give up and have fun! I may not agree with what you have to say but i'll defend to the death your right to say it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpdr 0 #4 June 19, 2006 Yes, the tunnel was a big boost to my confidence, the fact that I could keep in one position without dearching and going unstable, which was the main thing that had been worrying me. Banged out levels 2 and 3 this weekend, onto single instructor and no contact freefall next. Had a scary moment on my level 2 though - after about 4-5 line twists, my slider got stuck about halfway up the lines on one side only and no amount of pumping released it. I was VERY close to cutting away, but after trying turns and flares decided I could land it, despite the very slow spin at full drive. In the event, it cleared spontaneously about 800ft as I was coming in to land - I can't tell you how relieved I was!!Skydiving is more than a sport and more than a job: skydiving is pure passion and desire which will fill a lifetime. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpdr 0 #5 July 2, 2006 Well, I've managed to complete levels 1-8 in 8 jumps, graduating AFF today! Beers on me! Consols next... Skydiving is more than a sport and more than a job: skydiving is pure passion and desire which will fill a lifetime. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
