Inspired 0 #1 June 2, 2009 Hi everybody! I'm one of those people who lurk here, but seldom post. Actually, I've voiced my opinion on a couple of occasions (I tend to be very opinionated), but I'm not real sure how welcome those opinions were. Oh well. Anyway... my name is Don, and I'm about to embark on a new life adventure at the ripe age of 51. June of last year, five of my six kids bought tandem jumps for me (who just turned 50) and my oldest daughter (step daughter actually, who just turned 30). She said the best part for her was jumping out of the plane. That was the worst part for me. But once I realized my heart wouldn't actually explode out of my chest, and the sensory overload eased up a bit, I started to enjoy the skydive. In fact, I enjoyed it a LOT!!!! But once we landed, I couldn't decide if this was something I wanted to spend the rest of my life enjoying, or if I just didn't have what it takes to pursue such a high adrenaline sport. To be honest, I wimp out on most amusement park rides. I needed to try it again. Well, three weeks later, I was talking to my daughter's biological dad (we became good friends once we agreed that our ex-wife had exquisite taste in men), and after all of 5 milliseconds of twisting his arm, he agreed to make a jump with me. Unbeknownst to our shared daughter, her husband (my son-in law), secretly booked a second tandem for her as well. She was bummed that she couldn't jump with us (hehehe). So all three of us jumped on the same load, and, in the end, I came to the conclusion that this is DEFINETELY something I MUST pursue. Since then, I've been reading everything I could that is skydive related, listening to skydive radio, and watching skydive videos out the ying yang! On May 23rd, I made my third tandem jump at Skydive Chicago (my first two were at CSC in Hinkley), which was required by them before starting their AFP program. Actually, I'm glad they required it, because this time I had absolutely NO door fear, and I have a lot more confidence now. I also did an hour of wind tunnel time in Denver in April which really helps my confidence. (BIG thanks to Brad Cole and SkyVenture Colorado). So... long story short (if it isn't too late for that already?), On June 5th, I begin my AFP program! Yee Haw!!! Why does it feel like Christmas Eve when I was 5 ?!? I just can't wait to feel the wind in my face again! Anyway... GREETINGS ALL! Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grannyinthesky 0 #2 June 2, 2009 Welcome to a great adventure! I'm 58 and started skydiving last year and every jump is still amazing. I did my 300th last weekend. Have fun!!! "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeRMontagne 0 #3 June 2, 2009 Hello Don, better late than never, I'm 52 & just got my 20th jump in. These last two were G.F.F. self pulls and off radio too! The first (#19) there were three "youngsters" in the wide body C-182, a JM & myself. On the Way up 3500 to let the three out, this being their 1rst Jump course- jump, they looked pretty nervous, ( me too ) but I told them how old I was and wished I'd had jumped at their age. The JM smiled and it seemed to relax us all. They, myself & the JM had a really good jump and landings and as soon as they were debriefed they signed on to do their second jumps. It was a great day for Skydiving!Be Brave, embrace the fear, even if your not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbry 0 #4 June 2, 2009 Welcome,Don.I'm the quite one hereand very seriousBry -------------------------------------------------- Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!! D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #5 June 2, 2009 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
popsjumper 2 #6 June 2, 2009 Welcome to the world of skydiving, Don! Tunnel time? Wow! Impressive! You're way ahead of the game already. Yes, I'm of the older generation myself and I'm still kicking myself in the butt for taking a long lay-off from skydiving when I should have stayed with it from the get-go.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyPainter 0 #7 June 3, 2009 Hey Don...WELCOME TO THE SKIES! Old dog ..... I just turned 62, and am halfway through AFF .... age is a matter of relative experience only... you are as old as you feel like acting! Hehehe...makes me about 17! Stay with it, breathe and smile! Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lenzo 0 #8 June 3, 2009 Welcome to the sport don,you are never to old to do anything you put your mind to.I started back in the early 80s just got current this past year wish I never stoped but marriage and kids are expensive so I really did not have A choice.I know how you feel like A kid at christmas I feel the same way plus I recieved my B license this past week so it really feels good.Good luck with your training let us know how it is going from time to time. Smile,pull,land Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fossg 0 #9 June 3, 2009 Good for you, I will be 52 in Sept. and am planning on getting current as soon as I get back to the US for good. The best tasting beer in the world can only be found at a dropzone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inspired 0 #10 June 5, 2009 Wow, thanks everybody for the warm welcomes! grannyinthesky - I hope to bump into you at a boogie someday. Judging by the pace you're setting for yourself, I'll just look for the granny shooting headsdown video before swooping the pond. MikeRMontagne - I hope I do as well at going from being inspired to being inspiring! skydiverbry - ummm, yeah.... I've actually been enjoying reading a LOT of your quiet seriousness. skymamma - I have a REALLY BIG family, so my goal is to fill an otter with them one day. popsjumper - The tunnel time was because I'm really fond of cheating whenever possible. I have no intentions of telling the young ones about it. I'll just dazzle them with how quickly us old folk pick this stuff up. SkyPainter - Hiya older dog! So, I was hoping for a good 20 years in this sport. Should I be pushing for 30? Lenzo - Marriage and kids are what's keeping my daughter from joining me in this adventure. She says she'll be living her skydiving life vicariously through me till her kids grow up. Honestly, she seems as excited as me sometimes with every step I take. fossg - What is it about jumping out of a plane that makes beer taste so much better??? I noticed it after my first jump. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeRMontagne 0 #11 June 5, 2009 Don,your a real gentleman, and what a coincidence, I've promised my fellow Skydivers, localy and now"on-line" ,should I be blessed with a (multi-million dollars) Lotto winning I'd bring in a Twatter ( That's what Twin-Otters, are affectionately called, up in Artic Canada ), for free jump, week-end.Be Brave, embrace the fear, even if your not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #12 June 8, 2009 Quote p... I have no intentions of telling the young ones about it. I'll just dazzle them with how quickly us old folk pick this stuff up I like it!!!!!!! My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inspired 0 #13 June 11, 2009 Winning your first lottery... I think you'll owe beer too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inspired 0 #14 June 11, 2009 Tunnel time paid off. Finished my AFP level 1 and 3 on Saturday. Skipped right over level 2. I was hoping to do more jumps, but the weather got in the way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lenzo 0 #15 June 11, 2009 The funny thing is now while your training and eventuly when you get your license you will become an expert at predicting the weather lol. Smile,pull,land Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
millertime24 8 #16 June 11, 2009 Quote The funny thing is now while your training and eventuly when you get your license you will become an expert at predicting the weather lol. Thats true. Like when you forget to bring sunscreen you can bet it will be so blistering hot that you end up looking like a lobster. Or on the flip side if you only bring a blanket, shorts and t-shirts you can bet that it will get so cold at night that you seriously entertain the idea of sleeping in the running car.Muff #5048 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inspired 0 #17 June 13, 2009 Quote The funny thing is now while your training and eventuly when you get your license you will become an expert at predicting the weather You know, I asked a few people if the weather would clear, and most people wouldn't say. My instructor told me that if the guys at FOX who make $200k/year couldn't get it right, what makes me think he could. He had a point. The big toe on my right foot aches whenever it's about to rain. Unfortunetely, nothing hurts when the cloud cover increases, or the winds increase, so I guess I'll just have to be ready for anything. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inspired 0 #18 June 13, 2009 Ok, the part about the weather that day that pissed me off was that it seemed to be taunting me. I was already manifested for a load to make my first jump. All the other students except two of us had already made their first jump. We had our gear on and were ready to head to the loading area when we were told that we were being pulled from that load because of weather. The tandems were still flying, but AFP students couldn't. I was pissed. Later, when the weather cleared a little, we got put on two other loads. First, the other student that didn't get to jump, then me. He made his jump just fine. I got my gear on and was waiting in the loading area with my instructor when the Otter pulled up.... and shut his freakin' engines off! It had started raining again, so they were shutting down. My instructor joked that maybe next time we would make it all the way up to altitude, then have to ride the plane down. So... I finally got to make my first jump, but from only 9k. My instructor said that now, maybe I'd quit all my bitchin' . I totally lost altitude awareness and got 'THE FINGER', and I wanted to blame it on the weather and the lower than normal altitude drop, but the fact is, it was my nervousness and racing mind that made me simply forget to check my altitude. I'll still officially blame the weather, but I know better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeRMontagne 0 #19 June 13, 2009 Hello Don, sorrry to read about the problems your having getting on loads that you've manefested for. I can relate some what from similar experiences last year( and beging this season ) .and how it can affect the out come of a jump.We get ready for a jump, then there's a change and then during the delay, apprehension builds, this clouds the thought proccess's. Then when we do get to jump, it goes awry, and end-up failing that level, we think (use your own expletive) ****! I just blew $100. or more and have to re-do that level. I don't understand "the finger, did the instructor have to pull-out the pilot?Be Brave, embrace the fear, even if your not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grannyinthesky 0 #20 June 13, 2009 I was waaaaaay too familiar with student weather woes. I did my first AFF jump Thanksgiving weekend and by the end of April, I finally did my eighth jump. It was really frustrating... watching experienced jumpers jump when I couldn't... watching tandems go up when I couldn't.... blue skies and the plane down for maintenance. You name it, it caused me to not be able to jump. It's the way things go in skydiving for students. Now, about a year later and over 300 jumps, I have a lot more understanding, but I still don't like it when weather gets in the way of my fun. It gets better once you have your license, but then you have to be responsible for making the decision to stay on the ground instead of an instructor doing it for you. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #21 June 13, 2009 Remember this phrase: it's better to be on the ground wishing you were in the sky then to be in the sky wishing you were in the ground. The next time your instructor keeps you on the ground you should be thankful instead of bitching about it, he or she is just looking out for your well being. Use the opportunity to watch the canopies of the people who are jumping and see what the winds are doing to the canopies, watch how the jumpers may be changing their inputs and landing patterns and just get used to the weather ruining your plans. It's going to happen a lot! 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
OlympiaStoica 0 #22 June 15, 2009 That's a lot of tunnel time -- it will serve you well with your AFF training. Welcome to the sport. O Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
