My second AFF - Yahoo!!

[jimshred 0]

Well its been over a month since my first AFF jump. My ankle finally healed up. I kept it wrapped up and then worked out in the gym to get it back to normal. It is good as new.

Meanwhile, during my time off I bought a few instructional videos. One was Fly like Pro, second was Basic canopy Flight, and another was Breakaway. These helped me learn more about canopy control, landing, and preparing for malfunctions. I also studied several forum posts on landing since this has become my biggest worry. I would suggest reading posts by Spizzzarko and Deuce. Deuce had a good suggestion on visualizing the 12 ft spot for flaring. Go to this thread for more info on landing http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1721172;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

So, anyways, I returned to the DZ on Friday evening after work. I had to battle through two huge traffic jams and drive 60 miles to get to the DZ. I was almost ready to turn around and give this up. But I finally made it. I was expecting to have to repeat my Cat A jump since I didn't jump for over 30 days. But the instructor gave me the go ahead for Cat B. I was a little more nervous when I heard that. We then went over the new maneuvers I had to do. One was forward motion and the other was a 180 deg turn. Then the instructor quizzed me on malfunctions which I was glad he did. I hope he quizzes me on malfunctions before every jump. I passed his quiz and asked more questions. Then we went over the flight plan and landing. I asked him more questions on landing. He also suggested trying the accuracy trick when higher up. But I felt that was a little too advanced.

I then waited outside while they packed things up and for the otter plane to return from a load. It was a beutiful evening sunset with almost no winds. Finally, the other instructor came out and jokingly said "Are you Jim? Come on, you wanna live forever?". We suited up, practiced the jump from the door and then boarded the plane. I was more nervous now than my first jump. I wasn't sure if I had rehearsed the dive-flow enough in my head. But I didn't want to put pressure on myself to succeed and pass a level. I wanted to relax and have fun. But relaxing is still hard for me do right now.

Finally we got the 13000' and I went to the door. Door fear came back once again. I just grabbed on to the handle bar on the top and did my count down and jumped. Exit was good but I didn't get in correct body position with the relative wind which is initially coming from the opposite direction of the plane. After 2-3 secs I stablized and checked alt and JM. Then I forgot what to do next for some reason. My JM gave me the signal to do a practice-ripcord-pull and then I remembered everything. I then did a forward motion which was awesome, I really felt myself move and was dragging the JM's off to the side. It was fun. I then recovered and proceeded to do a 180 turn. I twisted my shoulders and over shot a little. The turn went fast. My instructor said I dug in too aggressively.

I then got to 5-5 and pulled. Canopy opened up and I looked up after 4 secs. I noticed the lines were twisted about 2 or 3 times. But thankfully it all untwisted by itself. Although, I was ready to grab the risers and untwist them. I am just glad that I was "aware" during time of deployment. I think that is a good habit to get into.

I followed the flight plan a lot better this time. I actually had confidence. On my final leg of the landing I had partially brakes on but then remembered that in order to get a good final flare I must come in at full speed so I just raised the toggles and focused on the area in front of me instead of looking down. I then noticed the right spot to flare and started flaring, trying to keep it as dynamic as possible. My feet touched the freshly mowed grass and I slid for a little bit. I thought about standing up but my knees were bent too much and I was leaning too far back. I slid on my butt a little and then rolled over to get off my butt. The landing was done, I got up and yelled out a big YAHOO!! The other guy who landed nearby was laughing at me. I was so happy and I felt on top of the world. I was really pumped up then. I can't even describe the feeling after a successful landing, it was awesome.

My instructor said I need to work on stabilizing after each maneuver in freefall and that I overshot on my turn and that I need to work on my arch during exit. He said that I could have stood up the landing but it is ok that I slid it out and rolled over. He then passed me and said I was ready for Cat C where I get to freefall alone for the first time *whew*. It just keeps getting harder and harder.

I hope I can repeat this good landing in the future and that every other student can experience a good landing. It is the greatest feeling in the world.

Also, I suggest skydiving in the evening just before sunset. The air is cool and crisp and there are almost no winds. It makes for an incredible view and enjoyable experience.

Be safe and have fun.

______________________________________
"Find your passion, find that thing you love, and, well, get out there and do it" - Jeb Corliss

[skydivermom 0]

GREAT JOB! I am so glad you had a good landing this time. I really admire you doing AFF. I am doing static line because AFF overwhelmed me!

I actually did my second jump yesterday and everything went well until the final landing approach. I made a left turn because I freaked out. I know better than to turn below 200 ft.

I landed into the wind, did a great flare and landed like you did, sliding on my behind. Although I did a turn I shouldn't have, it was a great feeling to have done a good flare and not have one of my ankles hurt. The reason I got away with it is because I was flying a huge canopy (I'm 115 lbs and 5'1). I guess that's why they make students fly the big ones.

Well, I'm just so glad you didn't give up and that everything went well. It must be a great feeling to be able to freefall for so long and not go unstable. My JMs keep telling me my arches are great so I hope that continues and when I actually go into freefall I won't screw it up! Good luck to you and be safe.

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[jimshred 0]

Thanks, and Congratulations on your landing. As everyone says, any skydive that you can walk away from is a good skydive.

And believe me, I felt a little overwhelmed when going up in the plane. Even though there was only two new maneuvers I had to do, it still felt like too much. I guess it was just nerves.

Be safe and have fun.

______________________________________
"Find your passion, find that thing you love, and, well, get out there and do it" - Jeb Corliss

[Malta_Dog 0]

Congrats for your first jumps, guys. I still remember clearly my whole AFF progression and my first solo... and this was one year ago. Those memories are really burned into my brain.

Stay safe, have fun and don't be afraid to ask questions (there are no stupid ones) to your instructors.

All your dropzone are belong to us!!!!111!

[Plokkum 0]

Thanks for the good read ;)
I enjoyed it and it makes me anticipate my first jump (next monday wooohoooo) even more :D

And congrats for being back in the skies again!

Weee, got my AFF :D

[divegoddess 0]

Sweet Zombie Jesus you signature is funny. I'm gonna make a t-shirt our of that. I'll put the general from the nintendo game on the front, and the back will say All your dropzones are belong to us. Hmmm. I don't know how well that will sell. Most people don't really get that.

ANYWAY congrats on your jumps you guys. I'm doing my second jump ever next week. MAN! am I excited. Especially because it took me so long to get the $$$$ and it's all I've been thinking about. Blue skies and soft landings.
~Amanda

[Andy_Copland 0]

I think it shows guts that you had a bad landing on your first and linetwists on your 2nd (even though you didnt need to yank your risers) and your still pumped, good job. 2 of my landings made me crunch up a bit in pain (swearing while waving that i was ok) so i've taken to sliding on my bum anyway . I dont look especially cool when im sliding on my arse but at least im ok, only thing is my last jump i flared, got in slide on your arse position and landed like an angel, was gutted i wasnt ready to run with it lol

1338

People aint made of nothin' but water and shit.

Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

[skylord 1]

I love that sig line, too! Or is it zig line??

Somebody set up us the dust devil.

Otter 14, make your time.

Thread hijack over.

Bob

Bob Marks

"-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

[skylord 1]

Congratulations! AFF moves along pretty quick, and I remember feeling overwhelmed, but it really is a dynamic program. When it moved too fast for me, it was self correcting: I didn't get the tasks done so I did another jump on a couple levels.

Nice write up! Keep us all posted on how it goes!

Bob

Bob Marks

"-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

[JoeG 0]

Quote

I then did a forward motion which was awesome, I really felt myself move and was dragging the JM's off to the side.

Forward motion was awsome for me too.

Quote

It was fun.

I find the less I worry about it and the more fun I try to have the better I do. It really is magic!

_________________________________________
"Knowledge is Power!"

[jimshred 0]

Good luck on your skydive Plokkum.

This sport can be highly addictive.

Let us know how it goes :-)

Be safe and have fun.

______________________________________
"Find your passion, find that thing you love, and, well, get out there and do it" - Jeb Corliss

[jimshred 0]

I remember that nintendo game. It was a japanese game that didn't translate very well to english. I'd like to see that t-shirt.

Good luck with your skydive.

Be safe and have fun.

______________________________________
"Find your passion, find that thing you love, and, well, get out there and do it" - Jeb Corliss

[skylord 1]

Sorry mods, last hijack. Here's a link to the video that came out about the hilarious translation of that game, that will clue everyone else in on some of these posts.....

http://frogstar.com/aybabtu/aa-video.asp

Bob

Bob Marks

"-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

[Plokkum 0]

thanks, jim! I will!
Keep us updated on your jumps as well - you are a good writer

Weee, got my AFF :D

[jimshred 0]

Thanks Bob, I've read some of your other posts. They are hilarious.

I see you have that door fear as well. At the dropzone I go to we only have the otter for the summer, then I have to switch to the cessna where we hang on a wing strut. I fear those cessnas.

Be safe and have fun.

______________________________________
"Find your passion, find that thing you love, and, well, get out there and do it" - Jeb Corliss

[OSOK 0]

Hey I can relate to that fear at the door.

I've only jumped twice, and both jumps, the scariest part was taking the kneeling down baby-steps to the door while hooked up to the instructor and just being there for the few seconds before jumping. Everything else has been cake.

I can't wait to go jumping again (possibly this weekend) and then the tandem part can be over and done with.

What happened on your first jump, jim?

Edit: nevermind, found your post.

[skydivermom 0]

Quote

I fear those cessnas.

I did my first 4 jumps (includes 3 tandems) from an otter then switched to SL at a different dz. It is more unnerving to hang from a Cessna, but I found for me it seems easier to get into the arch position from a Cessna. The scariest part for me is when the instructor says "climb out and hang". I'm always worried I'm going to lose my grip before he tells me to go. It is fun though once you let go!

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28