skyjumper1988 0 #1 May 19, 2009 After several weeks of delays due to weather I did my first AFF jump (first time I ever jumped) last sunday. The weather was a clear sky with 3-6 mph winds. I was the first to arrive at the airfield and was ready to get geared up and go. After we geared up Me, My 2 instructors and my video photographer got in the plane and took off down the runway. During our climb to 12,000 feet my stomach started to get sick and by the time we reached 12,000 feet I fel like I was gonna throw up. After we leveled off and got over the airfield the door came open. My instructor climbed out onto the strut then i climbed on the step and put my hand out first to reach for the strut but then quickly pulled it back due to the wind and then I remebered I was supposed to put my foot on the step first then grab the strut, after I did that my other intructor got on my left and there I was standing outside of the airplane at 12,000 feet with both of my instructors haveing a firm hold of my leg straps by this time I had forgotten all about my stomach and was trying to focus on what was about to happen. I did my exit sequence and I made the jump. During the exit i felt no sudden drop like you do when you are driving down a hill in a car It felt awsome! After I got halfway stable the instructors gave me a few hand singals and then they gave me the singal to start my 3 practice pulls. I had a hard time finding the pilot chute handle but I was able to do 3 without going out of control. After i did the practice pulls my instructor gave me the pull signal and before I know it I was under canopy. I then proceeded to scream in joy and excitement for about 5 seconds! Then I realized i had not even looked up at my canopy to see if it was oky. After I made sure it was a good canopy i had to take a deap breath and take in the view for a few seconds before i released the breaks. After i started to come off my high and looked at the view for a few seconds I released the breaks and started to focus on my landing. They started to talk to me on the radio and guided me in for the landing before I know it they had me lined up for final approach and I flared for the landing. I landed on my butt but i did not care. After I landed it took me a few seconds before I could get up. After I got up and they helped me get my pararchute together. We jumped on the golfcart and drove to the hanger. It was a awsome experience and I owe a big thanks to all my instructors. My next jump is scheduled for may 30th. i passed level 1 but i am a little nervous about starting level 2. I still have alot of things to work on. I did not due as good as i was hopeing but i am sure it will get better with more jumps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaGimp 0 #2 May 19, 2009 you will get better dont worry, the problems you had in the air are mostly due to excitment/nervosness. the more you jump the more relaxed you will feel in the air and be able to concentrate more on your tasks in the air.....which is why lvl 1 is heading, altitude, check left, check right rinse repeat....very minimal for you to remember, as you progress in lvls they will add a few things into the rotation keeping all the original tasks. Congrats on your first jump though, i still remember mine 3000 jumps later..."Professor of Pimpology"~~~Bolas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy0689 0 #3 May 19, 2009 Sounds like you had a great jump! Congrats and welcome to the all-consuming obsession! Now get out there and do it some more! Make sure you keep your nose buried in the SIM. It helped me with ground training before the progressive levels of AFF and with boosting confidence. Another thing that helped a lot, if I may, was visualization. I took about 5-10 minutes off to the side by myself before each jump to visualize the dive flow from start to finish.Andy I'll believe it when I see it on YouTube! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyjumper1988 0 #4 May 19, 2009 Thanks you guys for your replays. I am looking forward to my level 2 jump. I am hopeing everything willl go a little slower for the next jump now that i know what to expect. I'll have to post the video of my AFF level 1 later when I get it. On my level two I am supposed to do leg drills and team turns with my two instructors but my stablity was not very good and my practice pulls were not to good eaither so we will see how level 2 goes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
