Returning after winter?

[100LL 0]

Just started jumping last summer, so i figured this was the proper place for my questions :)

Anyway, i was wondering what i can expect to experience when i get back after this winter. I managed to get up to ( but not jump ) my level 6 AFF jump. I have not jumped all winter, cause that's just crazy with the MN winters up here, but i am wondering if anyone has any experience with how easy it is to get back to being comfortable in freefall and such.

Hopefully i dont have to drop back to the beginning again :(

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

This is more of a S&T question, but it's up to the mods to move it and I'm not one

[url http://www.uspa.org/SIM/Read/Section5/tabid/168/Default.aspx#970]SIM 5.2[/url ] covers recurrency, but it only talks about a 30 day layoff.

The upper midwest presents it's own set of challenges, winter layoffs being the worst.

I do a coach jump at the beginning of each season. Usually a short delay and a high opening so that I have some extra time under canopy to "knock the rust off". It has always been more of an "Oh yeah, this is how it is", and after a couple seconds of freefall and a few turns and practice flares under canopy most of it comes right back. I still take it very easy and conservatively for the first few sessions, and my "wind tolerance" is pretty low for some time.

Safety Day is a good place to start. I think it's more valuable to those of us who have the long winter layoffs as opposed to the folks in Florida and California who can jump all year.

I'm guessing that your instructors will have you do some sort of "review jump", based on what you have already shown you can do.

Plan on a comprehensive review on the ground, to include EPs in a hanging harness. I would think that where they put you in the air would depend on how well you did on the ground.

I doubt that you'd have to go all the way back to the beginning unless you have forgotten everything

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[wildfan75 1]

If you did AFF at Skydive Twin Cities, they offer free retraining in the spring to returning students (or at least I'm 99% sure they do). You might have to repeat a level, or two, but shouldn't have to start from scratch.

Ultimately the best thing to do would be to contact the dzo or an instructor from your dz. They can give you specific details in regards to what you've done and what they would have you do when you returned in the spring. I know a lot of instructors and dzo's in the MN/WI area. If you need help getting in contact with one of them in the off season, send me a PM, I'll probably be able to facilitate communications.

[fencebuster 7]

I concur that it is pretty DZ specific. The longer you have been off, the more conservative your instructors are likely to be. At my DZ, you would have a good EP session in the harness, drilling to perfection. After you had completed EPs, you could expect a thorough brief of some sort of step-back review skydive -- possibly some sort of a hybrid Cat D/E with harness hold exit, depending on what your log book showed about your progression prior to the lay-off. Your instructors will guide you on the recurrency; they know you best and they know what is likely to be best for you, given your experience and your progress before the layoff. Good luck with it! Next winter, head to one of the boogies in FL or AZ. It is a great way to meet people, fly with more experienced people organizing jumps and learn about the sport.

Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208
AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I
MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger
Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

[100LL 0]

thanks for the advice guys. Ill be looking forward to getting out there, and this time being able to get in more than one jump every few weeks since i took the advice of others and decided to save up enough to get my A license in one stretch instead of one jump at a time when money allowed.