Any suggestions for my first solo

[lawrocket 3]

I just graduated AFF (Level 8) and I am now cleared to go solo. Yes, I bought a case of beer (Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, to be exact).

I'm thinking on the next jump of just falling stable to whole time, no maneuvers. Just to relax and enjoy, and not be overwhelmed.

Any suggestions for what to do? What did you all do for your first solo dive? I'd be interested in hearing suggestions and stories.

Jerry

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

I'm thinking on the next jump of just falling stable to whole time, no maneuvers. Just to relax and enjoy, and not be overwhelmed.

That sounds like it'd be a great idea, fun, relaxing and peaceful, what more could you ask for. If you wanted to, do a some sort of crazy exit you haven't tried before to start you off in a jovial mood in the dive.

What ever you decide to do, be safe, smile and have fun!

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Michele 1]

I forgot to let go with both hands at the same time. That hurt. And then I fell stable and for what seemed like an incredibly loooooooooong time.

Just get out and play - enjoy yourself for the first time with no-one else in the air with you. Really look around you. And really watch your altimeter.

OH! And congratulations on graduating! WAHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOO!

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[darkvapor 0]

Well, falling stable is very important thing to be able to do, but I think it might be a "waste" of a jump. Go up there and fly around, even if its not perfect. Do a tumbling exit (just tuck yourself into a ball)and get stable fast after it. Fly around, practice tracking. Don't worry about how it looks or if everything isn't perfect. Just relax and have fun. That's what its all about isn't it? It's also a great confidence builder after you know you can get stable after tumbling and you know that you can be able to perform simple manuevers on your own. Also, after you get a few solos down, start working on your A license requirements. You pick up some bad habits flying solo right after AFF (things like wide turns, wild fall rates, and constant back slides). Getting a coach jump or two soon after AFF is a great way to learn fast. The faster you can get your A license, the sooner you can jump with experienced (experienced is the key word) jumpers and that's where the real learning takes place.

But also be safe. Be altitude aware. Ask questions if you are unsure. Get your gear checks (which won't be as stressed when you are jumping solo, but they are just as important, if not moreso).

--Correction: Have you done your hop'n'pop yet? Many DZs make your first jump after AFF be a hop from 4500ft or so. Talk to your jumpmasters. see what they recommend. After all, they know you best.

Also, I originally recommended doing a tumbling exit. However, at this point, I think it would be more wise to work on exiting the plane stable as well. However, after you feel confident doing that, do some tumbling exits, not only are they a hell of a lot more fun, but excellent practice getting stable.

[dropdeded 0]

My first solo was pretty much a no manuever jump,just a little tracking.It was such an unbelievable experience being in freefall,alone.What a rush.
Enjoy it.

dropdeded

------------------------------------------
The Dude Abides.
-

[Lolie 0]

On my first solo, I had someone go up with me and take some still photos while I just geeked the camera and enjoyed myself. It was a blast, and I got some great photos! (Thanks for the pix, Douggs!)

-Miranda
you shall above all things be glad and young / For if you're young,whatever life you wear
it will become you;and if you are glad / whatever's living will yourself become.

[Scoby 0]

My logbook entry for my first solo is, "I exited the plane in a stable exit. I practiced my stable arch, 360s, and toe taps." Everyone said the first solo would be the "longest jump you'll ever make" and it really is true. It certainly will be strange having nothing you must do. This is your first chance to just get out and look around. Enjoy it! After that, you'll have a bunch of new things to start learning.

[bobsoutar 0]

Sure just go for that. Maybe pull a bit higher so that you can enjoy a longer ride down - nice time to reflect! Congrats anyway.

[jumpy 0]

Do whatever you like dude

[Chief 0]

Congrats to you! Just have fun, be safe and do what ever floats your boat. I remember my first solo, I had fun doing what I wanted and not having to worry about an instructor's dive plan. Saty safe and keep aware.

[falxori 0]

even if you decide to have a "no maneuver" jump, from what i remember , you'll find yourself repeating what you've learned and checking that you still have it right.

just remember your altitude, jump run direction (don't track into someone else's space) and so on...
have fun !

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[Jessica 0]

There's no such thing as a wasted jump. I was talking about first solos with a bunch of skydivers this very weekend -- we all confirmed that we were so relieved to be away from the pressure of AFF that we just fell like stones for 60 seconds, no manuvers, just watching the sky and enjoying ourselves. We all remembered it with a lot of fondness.

There's plenty of time to practice later. If you feel like just falling, just fall.

Skydiving is for cool people only

[Ron 10]

Quote

Any suggestions for what to do? What did you all do for your first solo dive?
I'd be interested in hearing suggestions and stories.

My first suggestion is Don't bounce!!!

I would recomend a Low solo....also find a small Cessna DZ and learn what most people never learn...To spot.

Ron

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[billvon 3,006]

>What did you all do for your first solo dive?

Wow, just makes me realize how much this sport has changed. My first solo was my first jump; had to climb out and exit on my own. My first solo freefall was #10 (I was a problem student.) The first time I saw someone else in the air it was really freaky. Times change. Nowadays, solo jumps and low exits are the new things you experience after student status.

[wmw999 2,459]

Quote

My first solo was my first jump; had to climb out and exit on my own.

What he said. But I did a recurrency jump last year. My suggestion? Plan something easy and relaxing, then do it. That way the plan is part of hte jump.
Suggestions on what to plan? 360's and 180's with good ground awareness; maybe a back loop coming out on heading, again really noticing what's down there. If you're working on being aware of what's around, you can make a couple of sets of turns and a couple of sets of back loops last the whole dive.
Remember -- you're not doing it right if you're not smiling...Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[KATO33 0]

My first solo i think I just got out and looked at the plane for as long as i could kinda cool falling back to earth. rolled over did some turns and tracking.

Just enjoy the no pressure long Skydive

Congrats!!!!!!!!

Blue Skies Black Death

[skycop 0]

I'd have to say try an unstable exit, just flail out the door, lay on your back and do the "dead bug" or something. After that arrrrrcccccchhhhh...........hard, get stable, and enjoy the ride!!! If you get stable quick, flail some more. It just helps you get more comfortable in freefall.
But the bottom line is at this point in your jumping career, don't get too far out of your comfort zone yet.
JUST MAKE SURE YA PULL AT THE END.......that's the most important part of the skydive!
Blue Skies
J

"Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

[jimmytavino 16]

If you are accustomed to exits at 13,500ft. or 14,000 ft..... just be sure that your 3,500 foot
solo............. doesn't turn into.........
"a SO LOW" ...
Be sure to keep track of your altitude as you get bookin' along.....
"This ain't no party ,, this ain't no disco,, this ain't no foolin' around".......
Wait a minute,,, we're talkin' about Skydiving here !!! It IS a party,,,, it IS a disco.... it IS some foolin' around"...so have fun!!!!!

[wmw999 2,459]

By the way, you DO understand don't you that after all this, we expect a very detailed description of what you didWendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[lawrocket 3]

Yes, ma'am. Will do. Might have to wait a couple of weeks, though. I've got a fair amount of head congestion right now. I hope it clears!

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[masher 1]

I think I've had one non-solo dive (I'm on the static line table), and that was because my instructor came out with me just to have a look at me.

Not that I've had a chance to try anything yet, I'm just trying to pass the training.

I don't know what I'll do for my first jump after graduating. That said, just falling and looking and not having to worry about having to do anything sounds ok to me :)

--
Arching is overrated - Marlies

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Quote

If you wanted to, do a some sort of crazy exit you haven't tried before to start you off in a jovial mood in the dive.
What ever you decide to do, be safe, smile and have fun!

Like Dave said. What I urge fledgeling up-jumpers to do on solo dives is just do something off the wall out the door, then recover and check out the scenery. I am especially fond of the old "jump out the door and grab your left foot" move, or just a regular old cannonball.

Chuck