Exits for students

[Groundbound 0]

Yes I could wait for my instruction this spring but why not ask a few questions now?
I have watched a few movies and it seems like any exit posture is possible (in the last hour I have seen standing, sitting, face-foreward or not, head first, flips).
So, do most of you think I will exit the airplane facing the airflow, standing, (with the tandem instructor behind me of course)?

Do we just lean out on the signal, or give a little hop or what?

I am hoping I won't have to go inverted or do any rotation before the canopy is open (and especially not AFTER the canopy is out!)

Actually my preference, if that plays even the slightest significance in the whole thing is to go out butt first and head a bit higher than feet. What are the chances of that happening?

I am getting excited about the jump, can you tell?!

[SkiD_PL8 0]

If you your instructor aware that you do not want to flip on exit I am sure you will not. It will make it much easier for them to do that if you do you job and arch like you are told but even if you get sensory overload and forget they can most likely prevent a loop. As for the exit it will depend largely on what type of plane you jump from and which instructor you jump with.

Greenie in training.

[BIGUN 1,323]

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Yes I could wait for my instruction this spring but why not ask a few questions now?

Yes, you should wait for your instruction to ensure that you get the correct information. Skydiving is a performance-oriented sport, which means one should watch and do. If you start learning the wrong thing off the internet, you'll start doing on your own. If you do on your own and learn bad muscle-memory techniques, that'll mean just that much more your instructor will "haves to unlearn ya." Please be patient and waits till ya get in front of your instructor. And, stop watching bad movies...

Edited to add: since you appear enthusiastic - feel free to go to http://www.uspa.org/publications/SIM/2005SIM/SIM.htm and learn right from the manual.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[Liemberg 0]

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Please be patient and waits till ya get in front of your instructor. And, stop watching bad movies...

[anarchistic mood]
Nah - learn as much as you can on the internet!
Be prepared!
Keep watching them bad movies!

Let that instructor work for his money!
[/anarchistic mood]

Sorry - happens sometimes.
You think I got a naughty streak somewhere?

"Whoever in discussion adduces authority uses not intellect but memory." - Leonardo da Vinci
A thousand words...

[Smeger 0]

Are you from the US Groundbound? Cause I'm a complete newbie to skydiving as well. I'm confused as to what AFF stages you go though in the US. In the UK the first level of AFF is a solo jump with two instructors beside you, giving signals to help correct your arch. You also have to do three practice pulls to show you know where the rip-cord is and obviously check your altimeter and pull at 5000ft after giving the open hand signal at 5500ft to indicate that your going to open. It isn't required that you do a tandem before starting the AFF. I have done 3 tandems so far, planning to do a fourth this summer then the AFF shortly after (if the weather is good and I have the time and money ). Is it compulsory to do a tandem jump for AFF in the US? (DZ.com RULES ).

[Groundbound 0]

Smeger I am in the US. but have no idea what you are asking, sorry.
Back to my post, there is no way I am going to be able to sit still and not at least learn some of the lingo, and some safety before my SIM book arrives. That is my nature. When I learned to be a sailor, I tracked down every piece of info I could and read read read like nuts before I got near the dock. I have to say my instructor was pleasantly surprised with the advantage it gave me. I know there is a lot of concern that internet learning will kill a fool but I also find these days there is a lot of people out there willing to step in and correct bad info. And I am a 'skeptical reader' anyway.... I do not take anything I read esp on the net as gospel. My hands on instructor is The Chosen One, I will Follow and Obey their procedures when the time to attend my classes comes!
Thanks

[Smeger 0]

Can only speak from my experience, which is VERY little lol , but if your doing a tandem jump (strapped to the instructor), you'll hardly have to do anything. All that will be asked of you is to keep your head right back, cross your arms and fold you legs back between the instructors legs on exit.
I jumped from a side-door exit standing position, so I don't know about a smaller plane where you have to sit first. A buddy of mine did though and he had to sit on the side of the door and then pretty much do the same thing while the instructor rolled forward into the freefall.
I found it really helps if you arch back and try to touch the back of your head with the soles of your feet lol. That way you get a comfortable position for the instructor, so he can do backflips on exit WAHOOO!!!
We did three backflips from 14000ft on my third tandem, although I think it was only ment to be one lol. (DZ.com RULES ).

[RedassSkychic 0]

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And I am a 'skeptical reader' anyway.... I do not take anything I read esp on the net as gospel.

Good!! that's the best way to do it, because there really is alot of good information out there if you can sort through the bs. If you read your SIM it lays out for you the different categories and what you will be doing in each, but you will probably have questions. In my opinion the SIM is not very clear for skydivers with little to no experience.

As for this question, what kind of jump will you be doing? Your exit will be different for tandem, AFF or static line and for the type of aircraft.

-Morgan

[Groundbound 0]

Morgan I hope to do a tandem first, based on time available (birthday jump)... and my personality. Of course this may not happen because the info is based on 'internet sources'!!
;)

[Foggy 0]

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Yes I could wait for my instruction this spring but why not ask a few questions now?

Patience young Jedi . I am reluctant to tell my students about DZ.com until they have approx.500 jumps or so as there is a potential for information overload . As a student skydiver, your best source of information is your instructor. This website is a good resource but there is no real way to differentiate the well intended advice from what you really need to know. i believe Tom B. mentioned a couple of books. Probably a better source of information for you at this time.
As for your concern about exit technique, ever stuck your hand out of the car window at 54.5mph? Most jump aircraft are doing about 90mph across the ground so the relative airflow is actually parallel to the ground (known as relative wind) so the exit is planned to get best presentation into that airflow. Your instructors will teach you the best way to do that according to the type of skydive you are doing, (Tandem, AFF or Static line).
I have seen you posting other queries so I have an analogy for you. If you had a medical issue, you could research online but actual concerns would be better addressed with a trained medical professional

Don't pull low (unless you are!)

Foggy

[BIGUN 1,323]

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You think I got a naughty streak somewhere?

Just a little

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.