skylord 1 #1 February 28, 2005 Headed up to Elsinore today for what would be my first solo dive after passing my level 8 yesterday. I got there early, and just relaxed watching all the other loads go up. I bought two solo jump tickets (new to me) and headed over to manifest. They actually placed me on a load all by myself!! I geared up, and had Shawn do my gear check, after Betsy caught me with a twisted leg strap. That is so confusing sometimes!! The Elsinore gang is great, and while I was at the load staging area, Smitty (who was doing a tandem but knew I was on my first solo) walked over and had me assume the position. Full gear check again, and I had to close my eyes and touch the handles. I hooked up with a fellow solo jumper, and we coordinated our exits. I was a bit confused about load order on the plane, and Smitty helped me out. RWs first, then my new pal, me, and then the three tandems. Into the airplane. In a twist of fate, my Karaoke frustrated AFF-8 JM was sitting right across from me, firmly attached to his Tandem passenger. He started to sing at about 5,500. I asked him to hold off until hypoxia set in for the rest of us, but he kept going. The tandems tried to opt into hop 'n pops as his caterwauling (definition: schreeching as a cat in heat) dominated the airplane. Passengers dragging TMs to the door, and trying to have them jump through it while closed. That is how bad it was, folks. I kid, and after my traffic jumped, I was into my count (Out-In-Out) when I heard the TMs (only left with the video jumpers) ALL yelling "NOOOO!!!" The light got shut off. I got complimented for my awareness, and it was hiliarious on the video to see my reaction. Anyway, I was first out for the next run, but I had always had the Otter door opened for me by others. When the next tandem tried to open the door from the Otter front bench, I sat there in the rear bench position like a dumb-ass. They asked me to help, and I did, but I held my left hand on the inside bar which scrapped the knuckles there while I opened the door with my right. I exited, flew, and pulled. The loneliness hit me hard! This was the first jump I made where there was no one near me. And if they were, they had their own problems. Wow, what a jump! I had so much fun!!! All on my own little lonesome!!!! BobBob 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #2 February 28, 2005 Congratulations! It was a long road, but you earned it! (Shoulda posted this to your Level 8 thread) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travman 6 #3 February 28, 2005 The first jump after AFF is great. No one to impress, just do what you want to do. Take in the view a bit, then pull and fly your canopy around for a while. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ncrowe 0 #4 February 28, 2005 My first solo is one of my best skydiving memories...just the ride to altitude knowing this was "my time" to jump all by myself was great......of course i only have 60 jumps and I'm sure the day I stick my sit we'll be a close second "Don't Mess Around With the Guy in Shades- Oh No!!! " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drdive 0 #5 February 28, 2005 Way to go!! I did my first solo at Lake Wales in Dec. after finishing AFF and doing a few more coached jumps. My instructor/coach told me I was going up alone next time. He said the jump would seem like a long one, and with no one else to worry about and no skills to perform for the instructor, it did seem like a long freefall. Exited at 14k, did some turns and flips, wow, still at 10k, watched the scenery, really felt relaxed, it was great!! Loved your Karaoke story - laughed my ass off. Blue skies, Ed in Spokane"We saved your gear. Now you can sell it when you get out of the hospital and upsize!!" "K-Dub" " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kamih 0 #6 February 28, 2005 Congrats man I was also at that point very recently and that first solo is really a special memory for me. Now learn how to pack and get those A-license requirements in, cause solo jumps get boring after a while . Quote Full gear check again, and I had to close my eyes and touch the handles. Careful with that, handles will not necessarily be at the locations you think they are, while in freefall, and after opening. Always LOOK at what you're grabbing. Do it even when practicing so when you need it you will actually look and not pull on some other part of your harness. Have fun, and stop criticizing CA weather, at least you don't get 7 inches of snow every week . Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randy_H 0 #7 March 1, 2005 cool Skylord! Congrats, man! Now it is time to start working on that A license proficiency card! Blue Skies, bro!010010010110010101100001011101000111000001110101011100110111001101111001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian425 0 #8 March 1, 2005 Congrats!!!!! My first solo was just last summer. I have to admit it was a little scary leaving the plane alone. Once I was out, it was GREAT. Funny how long freefall seems when you have nothing to do. Have fun and be safe!!! The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LaDonna 0 #9 March 1, 2005 Congratulations!!! I did my first solo on Thursday, was very nervous when I got to the door, but soon as I jumped it was amazing. FGF#3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
