Student Learning Experience

[Luna 0]

I went for my sixth AFF jump on Saturday. It was a huge learning experience for me. This was my very first solo exit, and it was out of a tailgate plane (which I've been out of before, on a two-instructor harness-hold exit, though). The dive flow included getting stable within five seconds of exit, then performing 1-2 180 degree turns and 1-2 360 degree turns. As I was getting myself situated on the tailgate of the plane, I looked down and saw that my cameraman's heels were hanging off the edge of the tailgate. My instructor had told me not to hold onto the plane at all, and she was not holding onto me, so I didn't feel comfortable getting that close to the edge. As a result, I may not have been close enough to the edge. I gave my count and then jumped off the back of the plane. I hit my hands on the tailgate as I fell away, most likely as a result of not being close enough to the edge, combined with not jumping back far enough. As I fell away from the plane, I went into a complete de-arch, with arms and legs forward. This sent me onto my back, and then I starting tumbling over and over. Within about 8-10 seconds, I managed to make myself stable on my own.

Once I got stable, I checked my altitude and looked for my instructor, who was still not there yet. I went ahead and did a practice pull, then started on my
turns, even though my instructor was still not in my sight. I got confused, though, when I tried turning left but started turning right instead. This turn turned into a spin which my instructor stopped. After the spin was
over, I realized that I was not going to pass to my next level, and I was down to about 8000 feet, so I just hung out and waited to pull on time. After reviewing the tape, we determined that the spin was a result of having a very flat arch, combined with my left leg being slightly out and my left knee being slightly down.

A few things that I learned from this:

I really have to focus on arching on exit. I've had trouble with it all along in my progression, but without an instructor hanging onto me, it has become an immediate problem. I know how to arch, I just have to do it immediately on exit.

I can get stable after tumbling! On my own! That is a great feeling!

Even when I think I'm arching, if something is not going right, I probably am not arching as much as I can, so I have to really over-accentuate the hips-down.

A leg out or knee down will override what my arms are doing, and can cause a fast spin, so the best thing to do if I am spinning is to arch and check my legs.

I'm learning and progressing, which is going to mean having some times when I need to try things over before I get them. I do learn from my mistakes, though, so I won't have to repeat them too many times!

Just thought some others might benefit from my experience.

I'm walking a marathon to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Click Here for more information!

[CanuckInUSA 0]

Don't beat yourself up too much worrying about being totally stable on your exits. First off, unless you're doing a RW jump that needs to be stable at the very earliest moments in the dive, it's ok to be a little unstable as long as you have altitude on your side.

One of the reasons you (with your instructor's guidance) will be doing back flips on your upcoming training jumps is for you to purposely become unstable so that you learn how to recover. And believe me, the more you jump, the easier it will be to exit the aircraft and become stable at virtually anytime in the dive.

Good luck in your training and I hope you're having fun with the sport.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[fool 0]

What a great attitude! Keep up the good work!

S.E.X. party #1

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "f*#k, what a ride".

[weid14 0]

a little tip on the tailgate thing, it's not so much as a jump up, as a little hop back. (very little). don't be nervous about going to the edge, you're going to skydive one way or the other... also your de-arch may have been what caused you to hit the tailgate (ouch). Keep at it, you'll be fine

[Chief 0]

Hey Luna; never stop learning! Keep in mind that this was your sixth jump. You are doing great. It is apparent from your retelling the dive that you were aware of what was going on. Great jump!

[sangiro 25]

Luna,

Great post. There are plenty of people here (including myself) who's logbooks are riddled with unstable exits - even now! Don't beat yourself up, you'll nail it soon. Also, by writing your experiences down and articulating them you are probably helping a lot of other people even if only with their confidence. It's part of the spirit of skydiving to not only learn but also teach within your limitations. Thanks.

Safe swoops
Sangiro

[Michele 1]

Good job, Luna! Like everyone says, just keep on learning...and jumping...
Ciels-
Michele

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

[PhreeZone 20]

>There are plenty of people here (including myself) who's logbooks are riddled with unstable exits - even now!

Sounds like a freeflier I did an intentional unstable fliping exit the other week with my camera suit just to play, I forgot about the wings and it showed when I tried to get stable, it caused me to do another flip. I had completely forgot what an unstable exit was since I'm usually freeflying ot doing camera jumps. So just if you don't think others still have stability issues.. it does'nt mean they don't.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Jessica 0]

Quote

I had completely forgot what an unstable exit was since...

Since you did one with me a few weeks ago at SGC? Folks, don't let freeflyers be floaters on RW exits -- they'll spread their legs and take you head down without even realizing it. I have it on video.

Good job, Luna.

Quote

I can get stable after tumbling! On my own! That is a great feeling!

That's the best part of your post. This is a BIG step. Yay!

Skydiving is for cool people only

[Spy38W 0]

Quote

Folks, don't let freeflyers be floaters on RW exits -- they'll spread their legs and take you head down without even realizing it. I have it on video.

Hehe, that happened to Tami Carbone a couple of weeks ago, they built a beautiful 4 way headdown round, unfortunately, they were trying to belly fly.

--
Hook high, flare on time

[Scrumpot 1]

Gotta love Casa Boogies at the Point! ...Woo-hoo!
Go on Luna. Sounds like you've got all the "right stuff" (and attitude). ...We'll be looking to meld you into our "fold" (as evil as that may be ) soon enough.

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[TheBile 0]

Quote

Also, by writing your experiences down and articulating them you are probably helping a lot of other people even if only with their confidence

That is so true. My confidence has increased greatly since joining this forum. When I started my AFF I thought I was really crap at it because of my inability to fall stably after only 3 jumps. After reading the experiences of other AFF students like Luna, I realised that the things I was doing wrong are all part of the learning process and that it's perfectly natural to drop a knee here, backslide there and spin when you don't mean too. Knowing that these are common occurences for students and that they have been overcome tells me that I too will be able to get it right (eventually) As a result I can't wait to get back up there next summer.

Gerb

I stir feelings in others they themselves don't understand. KA'CHOW !

[Luna 0]

Thanks to all for your words of encouragement. Thought I'd let you know how attempt number two went.

I had a much better exit out of a King Air this time, being a bit unstable, but no inversions this time. While I was still not quite stable yet, I realized I was looking at the ground, picked my head up, and got stable instantly. That's the first time I've had a realization like that about my head being down. That was good. Making progress. The rest of the jump, I was very stable, good body position, but was not able to execute my turns. Turns out I was pushing my arms down instead of tilting my body. I knew how to do it, I just wasn't executing properly for whatever reason. But, all-in-all I feel really good about this jump. I made a lot of progress from the last one, and learned even more, and that is all I can ask for. Next time I'll pass this level! Thanks again for your encouragement!

I'm walking a marathon to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Click Here for more information!

[Beachbum 0]

don't worry about those turns ... my instructors told me that I would reach a point where I just thought about it, and I'd turn ... did so pretty quickly ... and you end up doing them with your legs/feet more than your arms/upper body .. I wasn't even aware of making the transition until someone pointed out that I was turning using my feet ... LOL.

As long as you are happy with yourself ... who cares what the rest of the world thinks?

[masher 1]

Sounds good.

I'm on the static line progression table, and I had problems with exiting stable. I have no problems regaining stability, its just leaving stable.

My CI just changed my exit from poised on the strut, to a dive exit. I was stuck on the delta posn as I couldn't get stable fast enough to complete the stage. After the dive exit, I got it don in two jumps.

Once I get the box position hardwired, I'll go back to a poised exit and see if I can get it to work.

I'll have no trouble doing my backloops, as I have done a couple already on my exits; I didn't arch soon enough, and I rolled over. I regained stability straight afterwards though.

Its fun :)

--
Arching is overrated - Marlies