SpiritFingers 0 #1 July 28, 2006 So after 3 tandems within 2 years and just as long hanging out at the DZ I finally decided to go through with AFF. I'm currently on level 6 (after I failed level 5 twice). I'm not usually much of a forum fan but I've decided I could probably learn a few things from the folks around here and if not at least I'll make a couple of new friends. So I just wanted to say hi and thanks in advance to all of you for the answers to many stupid questions to come. Even though I've been around the sport for 2 years, there is still a lot I need to learn, so thanks again. Sarah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #2 July 28, 2006 aye! there are no stupid questions....there's just a search function, lol... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #3 July 28, 2006 You're a good example to follow!! I just need to be shown the door. . . .TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SmilingPhoenix 0 #4 July 29, 2006 Sarah, It was so great to see you pass level 5 last week. You really are an inspiration for a newbie like me! I can't wait to see you again (this weekend I hope!) and maybe some day soon we will both be good enough to do a jump together! You Go Girl! JeanBecause life is an adventure - it may not be the one you planned, but then it wouldn't be an adventure! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #5 July 29, 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
SpiritFingers 0 #6 July 31, 2006 I'm not sure how to respond to all here- but I'll try this... SkyMama, Thanks for the welcome. Jewels, Its much easier than it looks - just get on the plane and then youre committed - there is no turning back and you wont want to anyway. Jean, It was great seeing you this weekend. Did you make level 6..? What do i have to look forward too? Funny story: Just checked my bosses calendar and he's at Monterey right now with his sis doing tandems. It only took me 2 years to convince him. I'll give you the low down next time i see you. Have a safe trip. Sarah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #7 August 1, 2006 Thanks for the advice! It sounds solid and accurate. What's a little door fear when there's all that air to play in??? (Okay, I said that, but reality is somewhat scaled back. That door fear thing isn't pretty!)TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpiritFingers 0 #8 August 1, 2006 I agree the door still scares the s**t out of me... It sounds like you have plenty of tunnel experience (of which i am totally jealous) so you'll be fine in freefall... but i agree with others that are saying to start with a tandem. That will at least give you an idea of what to expect when you do it on your own. Its also a comfort knowing that you dont have to do anything the first time but enjoy the ride and experience. Let me know when you actually do it - i want to hear all about it. Take care. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #9 August 1, 2006 If only you didn't have to go out the door to get to the freefall part--oh, wait, that's the tunnel! :) I think a jump will happen soon, as something's gotta give! I can't live in this limbo and everybody on the web is going to be sick of hearing me talk about it if I don't shut up and jump--and I wouldnt' blame them!! Seriously, I am interested to see how different it is to fly in conditions where your wind isn't nicely controlled by some smiling guy in the booth. I suspect that the repeated instruction to "ARCH!" is in my future. One of the tunnel instructors reported that I am correct; they are turning up the wind speed and now I'm up to a whopping 60%. 60%. I guess I have a way to go!TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #10 August 1, 2006 60% ain't bad in the tunnel! The main difference b/t the tunnel and sky is just what you said--falling isn't controlled. However, in the sky, if the wind speed goes too fast...I guarantee you won't notice and you definitely won't fly up to the top and hit yourself on the ceiling. Lol. Well, at least until you fly with others, then you can see how fast you are falling... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #11 August 1, 2006 Not sure what my goal in the tunnel SHOULD be. I want to be able to fly with others! (Must go search the wind tunnel forum.)TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #12 August 1, 2006 Well, I do know (I think anyways), after you can do all the 10 things on the little certificate they give you afte ryour first flight in the tunnel, you should be able to fly with others.....not 100% sure though, so don't quote me on it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpiritFingers 0 #13 August 1, 2006 wow, you are so much more advanced than i am. I'm not even at the point of thinking about my personal fall rate. All my instructors are adjusting theirs to accommodate mine. Its all things you learn in time. I'm usually not one for giving advice but i myself got some great stuff a couple of weeks ago from an instructor. And with your experience you may be able to relate to this: because i know more about the sport than normal students, i tend to overthink things way to much. I have too high of expectations for myself and thats slowing me down. It shouldnt be this hard. And its totally true. Once i slowed my mind down just a bit i was able to have a much better time and had my best skydive. It worked for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpiritFingers 0 #14 August 1, 2006 I know nothing about tunnels. So does that mean if you complete a tunnel course you dont have to go through AFF...? this is one of those stupid questions i was talking about. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #15 August 1, 2006 Oh, no, I meant in the tunnel only. If you do the "tunnel-training" stuff (those 10 things), then they will let you fly with others in the tunnel. In the sky, you still have to go through AFF, and then get your A licesene before you can jump with your friends. My bad for the confusion... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpiritFingers 0 #16 August 1, 2006 This tunnel thing sounds interesting - i should try it sometime... Is it very different from actual free fall? I thought it was used more as a tool to fine tune your skills post AFF. Now i need to find the closest one and see what i can do. Sounds fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #17 August 1, 2006 There's nothing like the real thing! I.e, actually jumping out of the plane. But, the tunnel is useful. Takes out a lot of the stress and adrenaline from the actual jump and lets you focus on skills. It's almost "cheating" because you learn so fast. Even if you only do 5 minutes (equivalent to about about 7 or 8 skydives) will tremendously help out in the sky! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Jewels 0 #18 August 1, 2006 Quote All my instructors are adjusting theirs to accommodate mine. i tend to overthink things way to much. I have too high of expectations for myself and thats slowing me down. It shouldnt be this hard. That's the problem--last week, my instructor couldn't adjust his fall rate to accommodate me, which stinks. I promise you, I am not that advanced! As for overthinking, I am the QUEEN and I so completely know where you are coming from. That's one of the things I love about this--thinking is your enemy. It's good to have a place to shut down and feel it out instead of engaging in analysis-paralysis! (Let me clarify--I know you have to think sometimes, and particularly when you are doing actual jumps. I just mean that letting your body work on the skills instead of your brain is more effective.)TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Jewels 0 #19 August 1, 2006 It's hard for me to be too strong on this one since I haven't done my first jump yet. I know that general opinion is that the tunnel is great but the Real Thing is where it's at. However, I have to say that I LOVE (and jealously protect) my tunnel time. I would tell you to do it in a heartbeat.TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
Jewels 0 #18 August 1, 2006 Quote All my instructors are adjusting theirs to accommodate mine. i tend to overthink things way to much. I have too high of expectations for myself and thats slowing me down. It shouldnt be this hard. That's the problem--last week, my instructor couldn't adjust his fall rate to accommodate me, which stinks. I promise you, I am not that advanced! As for overthinking, I am the QUEEN and I so completely know where you are coming from. That's one of the things I love about this--thinking is your enemy. It's good to have a place to shut down and feel it out instead of engaging in analysis-paralysis! (Let me clarify--I know you have to think sometimes, and particularly when you are doing actual jumps. I just mean that letting your body work on the skills instead of your brain is more effective.)TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #19 August 1, 2006 It's hard for me to be too strong on this one since I haven't done my first jump yet. I know that general opinion is that the tunnel is great but the Real Thing is where it's at. However, I have to say that I LOVE (and jealously protect) my tunnel time. I would tell you to do it in a heartbeat.TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
