LVjayhawk15 0 #1 November 19, 2012 Novice is an understatement, but here's me: I've done 1 tandem and loved it-that was 2 years ago. I've always wanted to do more and stalled and stalled, then RedBull Stratos came up-reignited my fire and now im ready to do an AFF course! Stoked! I live in Vegas (if anyone on here lives here PM me and say Hi!) and work for a NASCAR school out here and love it. Can't wait to get my lisc and start jumping more often! In all seriousness- I WANT advice and tips!! What did you experience? How long before you think I should get my own gear (since I can rent from DZ for the day)? What was something YOU wish you had knew before your first class/solo jump/etc? Anxious!!!! Thanks in advance, since im sure I'll learn a lot here and hope to meet some people!!! --Corrie HI ALL!!!!I bust mine so I can kick yours. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jetbox 0 #2 November 19, 2012 Don't make the same mistake I did, make sure you understand not only everything they tell you to do up in the air, but remember to REALLY understand how to fly under canopy! My first jump and I had a radio malfunction! So with that said, welcome :) I'm incredibly new as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #3 November 19, 2012 Start at USPA.org,. You'll learn a lot. Click on "Become a skydiver" http://www.uspa.org/Default.aspxMy 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
FlyingRhenquest 1 #4 November 19, 2012 I had some vacation time that I had nothing to do with, and couldn't stand the idea of sitting around in my underwear like a slob playing video games all day. So I decided to learn how to skydive. First one was terrifying. I didn't feel so frightened, but I got a look at the instructor's video a week or so later and look way more scared than I remember feeling. I really don't know that anything can really prepare you for what you are about to experience. Just relax and go with the flow as much as you can and remember this isn't a competition. Don't be ashamed to admit you're afraid there either. It would actually be weird if you weren't, looking out the door of an airplane. I probably could have saved myself a couple of AFF do-overs if I'd know about the "indoor skydiving" wind tunnel ahead of time, and put in 15-30 minutes there prior to going. But the couple of jumps I probably could have saved myself cost about the same as that much time, so in the end it's kind of a wash. A couple of them were unavoidable in retrospect. I did learn not to try to get a big AFF student in the door and two AFF instructors out of a king air. This particular exit is extremely awkward. Once I was to the point where I could actually climb out, I could jump out of the king air. While they had me kneeling in the door, not so much. At some point around jump 4 or 5 I realized that what I was afraid of was losing my grip before I was ready to go, and falling early. And I realized that I had a parachute and was planning on doing that anyway. I think that was right after the point that I was completely convinced that this whole parachute thing would actually work and save my life. Once I realized that, I got a lot more comfortable in the plane and was actually able to relax a bit. They'll tell you to relax each time, of course, but this seemed like an unreasonable request during AFF level 1. Don't freak out of you have to redo some levels. Each jump teaches you something, whether you're ready for the next level yet or not.I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrouse 0 #5 November 19, 2012 >I was afraid of was losing my grip before I was ready to go, and falling early. And I realized that I had a parachute and was planning on doing that anyway. LOL Thats hilarious! Welcome to your new addiction! I too am pretty new to the forum and to the sport. I've done 2 tandems and 4 AFF's and then took a 9 or 10 year break due to life, job, blah blah blah. I'm sure if you go to your DZ and talk to the instructors they will be more than happy to help you with everything you need. Good luck and have fun! Lovin every second of it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #6 November 19, 2012 Welcome to the forums! before you get on the plane. And don't worry about buying gear just yet, you'll be downsizing your canopy size for a bit. 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
