AFF3 and AFF4 - Passed!!

[Mad_Jasper 1]

Spent two days at ASC this week. Too cloudy to jump Tuesday, but my wife encouraged me to hang around another day and I managed 2 jumps Wednesday.

I have to admit feeling uneasy about jumping. I never could figure exactly why. My wife and daughter were unable to go... maybe that's part of the reason. Another reason was that I was lacking confidence in myself. Maybe I've been looking at too many Youtube videos.

AFF3 felt great. When I was released, I turned to the side a little, but got stable quickly and stayed stable the rest of the way. I also had a stable deployment. Flared a bit early because but my PLF was great. No bruises this time.
I almost didn't jump for AFF4. I was still feeling uneasy. When I told my instructor he told me he started filling out my log for AFF4 because he had confidence in me. I decided to jump. AFF4 was the most fun, but I never felt entirely comfortable. I never felt I was in danger of losing control, but never felt completely in control either. The deployment was hard. It was awesome under canopy. I spiraled much of the way down. At about 900 feet, I apparently got stuck in a thermal and gained around 250 ft in altitude. I was already lining up downwind and it really threw my landing off. I got a little too far downwind and fell about 15 feet short of the landing area. However, I stuck the landing. I felt that I did poorly and may not have passed, but my instructor said that I did well. He said most of my free fall was great, but there were just a few moments when I tensed a little and lost leg awareness. He said I corrected when necessary. He also told me that I got a little out of shape on deployment (most likely why it seemed so hard), but that again, I made the correction. On the landing, he said thermals happen to experienced jumpers and can throw them off. All in all, I feel a lot more confident and I'm ready for 5, 6 and 7 in a few weeks.

[The_Don 0]

Good job! I have a strong feeling you want to finish AFF at ASC. That is normal.

When you're done, feel free to visit SDA.

I'm there every weekend & I'd be glad to show you around. If you want we can even do a fun jump.


Don.

I am NOT being loud.
I'm being enthusiastic!

[Mad_Jasper 1]

Thanks!! I am considering finishing at SDA. I spoke with (can't remember his name) Tuesday when it looked like I was going home without jumping. I do feel very comfortable with my current instructors and that goes a long way, but it's just freaking difficult to get up there.

I've been checking around and SDA looks like a great place... I can't wait to get up there and try it out. Having my family with me is important and it will be much easier at SDA.

Thanks for the invite and I'll see you soon.

[The_Don 0]

You're welcome. See ya there.

I am NOT being loud.
I'm being enthusiastic!

[ozzy13 0]

[reply
I have to admit feeling uneasy about jumping. I never could figure exactly why. My wife and daughter were unable to go... maybe that's part of the reason.

[timmyfitz 0]

Quote

It was awesome under canopy. I spiraled much of the way down.

You are probably aware of this because I'm sure your instructor informed you. You need to be careful spiraling near 1000 feet with a student Cypress. If you spiral hard enough and exceed 29MPH decent, around 1000 feet the Cypress can fire.

Just a reminder.

[Mad_Jasper 1]

Thanks. My instructor did tell me about the potential for the Cypress firing. No spiraling below 2000 feet for me.