AFF 4&5 8 Hours Past and Still Learninng

[Ducky 0]

Wow... I'm still a bit overwhelmed, the high is far from fading. The same intense feeling off accomplishment, the emotion as if I have conquered something still overwhelms. It has been attempted countless times and still now rods can describe, yet I will continue to try.
This my first post, I’ve been lurking for a few weeks and just wanna thank everyone who gives there time here for feeding my hunger for info. I started my AFF progression in mid September and have been slow going due to $$, but am hoping to Graduate in 2 weeks. I did levels 4 and 5 today. I jump at ASC in Georgia, though I have nothing to compare it to I like the place and the instruction is great. I am long winded and tired also thought iwouldn’t completely bore you to death so I’ll post Level IV tonight and V tomorrow night.
Anyways...... Man o Man did I learn alot today. I learned a few lessons the hard way, the obvious ones the instructors drill into our heads that we take seriously, but don't grasp the true value of until we forget them. I learned others from watching my video 20+ times and counting, the first few cuz I thought it was cool (this was my first vid) and the remaining cuz I am picking apart my jump. I learned even more by doing the best thing I think a student can do; (besides pull of course!!!!) ASK QUESTIONS. So here is how it went>
Level IV—I have the dive flow burned into in my head like, no way its gonna be a mental slip today. Only physical screwups can hold me back. My instructor has a level 5 ahead of me so I hang w/ them to get a lil extra info in. She is an IFF student, so this is only her second solo, she stands up a beautiful landing before a very aprrectiative crowd, so I’m sweating more now the pressure is on and I don’t even have my gear yet! Blah Blah Blah. So up in the Otter, new plane for me, its been King Air til now, 14,200 and we climb out I feel great I’m pumped, up, down, ARCH!! Um arch? Umm still Arch what the?!? ok finally there is the earth (ain’t she purty from here??) LESSON 1 -- My impatience caused us to stabilize very slowly, I forgot I had legs and they were flopping like Jack’s ponytail in the wind. Finally we seem stable, Jack moves to the front Alt check, he gives me the nod and releases. I dip a shoulder look and round I go I stop dead on 90, dip shoulder look and back I go nice stop. I do a really wus ass forward movement and Jack grabs me. Everything is ok now. Alt check, release here I go um and go and gooooooooo I stop at 90 but drift off like I’m running from Jack. I stop for a sec Turn 90 back but is more like 120 and I pass Jack again. I recall he told me If at any point I was not exactly where I wanted to be, just stop, put my d$%k to earth and get good hover control. I do this ( its 6400) and decide I would really like to see jack about now so I start back around and here he comes. We hook up and I figure dive is over I look at my Altimeter and its says 6600 then 5700 then 6800 then 5200 what the I give question look at Jack and say screw it, wave n pull. I feel my best and most stable pull sequence, I am consciously holding my Arch I SEE jack falling away watching my chute deploy. I had planned to count for 5 before checking for anything cuz on my last dive I looked to see my pc go away and I nearly flipped with it. Man I feel good, my freefall sucked, but I haven’t thought about that yet so I look skyward expecting a perfect canopy cuz my pull sequence was perfect NOPE. Line twist alrighty then kick n kick n kick ok good to go. From here down all goes well, nice play time, great approach and almost stood it up just needed another inch of toe room.
Jack passed me. Hunh?? How?? that sucked. His words “I wanted 2 good turns, started and stopped and one forward movement, deployment by 4500, you did that. The rest was just me coaching you and us havin fun.” OK if you say so. He was conditional though we were going right back up for my level 5 and he was counting on me to nail it…. I'll be back with the rest Tomorrow

[mountainman 0]

Sounds pretty awesome man!! My wife and I did AFF this past summer and it is great. Just keep up with it and just remember the 2nd most important rule to skydiving: have fun.
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http://www.JumpinDuo.com
"oh no. Not another one"-Alienangel

[Michele 1]

Hey, Ducky! Congratulations! And yes, the high is far from fading.
Good job, and great awareness as to why what happened did happen. I don't think I was aware of anyone until about level 5, when I saw my jm below me as I opened. And that was weird! And yes, sometimes JM's pass us when we are not sure we should be passed. But remember, they are the ones who know what we're doing, not us. That's why they make the "big bucks!" Trust them. Looking forward to the next installment!
Ciels-
Michele
"What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky".
~e e cummings~

[freeflir29 0]

Ain't it COOL!
"and I'm not easily impressed...Ooohh look...a blue car!" -Homer Simpson

[Ducky 0]

Part 2
Just to add a few things that should go along with part one. I was speaking of lessons learned yesterday.
In my level IV jump I learned several valuable things:
There is a lot going on in freefall and it is difficult to keep up with it all and be conscious of your form and. I would suppose after much more experience you learn to this automatically, but it is something I still have to think about all the while keeping up with my Altitude and Heading and trying to complete the dive flow.
I found myself taking a slightly different attitude about my AFF progression. Its not an inexpensive venture and the time invested is not always easy to come by ( I live 1.5 hrs from the DZ). For these reasons I have always felt even more pressure I suppose to pass each level with no repeats. When my Level IV didn’t go so smoothly I began to rethink this, do I really wanna pass by the hair of my chin or do I wanna ace this thing? I wasn’t scared by the jump just disappointed, I don’t see this course just as a list of compulsory exercises I need to complete to convince someone to let me go solo. To the contrary, I want to really learn each aspect of each dive, the how and why are very important to me. So when I did the minimum required to pass level IV, but could not repeat the same moments later in the same dive I considering that it would be good to do it again. When Jack passed me I questioned it for a second, but to know Jack you’d probably slap me for questioning this guy. He is so thorough in all aspects of his instructing, the attention to detail before, during and after the dive is uncanny. I can honestly say I have had few teachers in any discipline, school or otherwise with his competency. So I realized that I was ok to move on, but as Jack told me be sure to absorb what had happened and use it in the next dive.
I had asked jack earlier before the dive about doing video, I wanted to have one made if nothing else for a souvenir and he suggested that I save my $$ and if problems arose at some point that I spend the money then. Well we both felt now was an obvious time to get vid, so before we prepared for level V, I set it up.
I also for the first time felt a difference in canopys and felt like I really liked the one I was under. I jumped 209s on my first 2, and a 189 on my third. Today I jumped a 150. I’m a small guy 5’11” 140 so I guess that’s still a good safe size for me. I just like the way it felt, seemingly more responsive and fun even.
In addition I had another minor malfunction, a line twist. Nice to see what it was like and know that I can handle it.
I think some of my issues in the freefall may have been relative to my frequency of jumps I have been pushing the 30 day rule on the first few and I have decided that’s just too far to go. You may be mentally prepared, but you body tends to forget. You lose your edge a bit.
So to continue as promised my level 5…
AFF Level V:
Well after my not so great 4 I tried to oust any feelings of discouragement and focus intently on my plan. Jack told me that I seemed to have the turning concept down, but that I got lazy with my arch. So I decided I would think about my arch and feel my turns. The dive flow being identical to IV just 360s instead of 90s there was no worries on remembering it, only the execution. It was mentioned that I could take a second to wave or smile for the camera guy, but I said I most likely would not in order to concentrate on what I was doing. The flight to altitude was uneventful other than the fact that my level of concentration was fairly intense, so Jack gave me one last reminder that he’d fail me for not smiling. We climbed out at 14 and instantly things felt better, I was much more patient this time, to the point when jack released me I was still locked into holding my form, “Pelvis Down, Pelvis Down” over and over in my head. I went right slow and steady, in the vid it looks great the camera guy is just above me and yous see a very controlled steady rotation and stop dead on my mark. The forward movement in slow but steady, Jack is right there but for some reason he does not grab on we drift apart slowly, but work back to each other. I like that part WE worked to each other, not Jack chasing me. My slow fall rate makes Jack worked extra hard to stay with me. Alt check and release again I go left 360 with a lil hesitation half way round, but I make it back and move in again. Alt check and around once more I’m smiling from ear to ear at this point. Man I so nailed this We dock the final time at 5800 I lock on at 55 and pull at 5. Another good pull sequence, not perfect in Jack’s eyes I later learn and see for myself on the vid, but not bad either. So I’m open, no twist this time, wow what a beautiful I stop to think, its near 70 degrees and sunny on the 2nd of December! I feel great flying this thing more relaxed, but thinking about the task at hand now. I wanna stand it up, I wanna feel my approach rather than being so mechanical about it and checking my altimeter every 10 seconds. I play a bit and setup 1,000 ft and down wind we go, 500 dead on my mark, left 90 cross wind, corner of the field a lil high so overshoot and loop back. I turn into the wind perfectly lined up for where I wanna be, the field is packed a full load on an Otter adds a few people on the field compared to a King Air load. No worries I’m good. I see my spot its all me baby. Jack gives a “Arms up feet together, go for it” call on the radio (his last words while I’m I the air*) Here I come in and down, whoa this is fast, REAL fast, flare? No its way too high… now?? Oh Shit!!!! FLARE!!!!! Splat!!!!!!! OUCH!!!
“Are you ok man? Stay down, don’t try to get up” (Jack’s first words now that I’m planted on/in the ground). A group of guys about 20 ft away are asking if I’m ok, no one is running to me that’s a good thing, I hate that. I like a lil time to check myself over if I get hurt before I have the amateur paramedic tryin to treat me. My knee and my ankle and my foot, my whole damn lower right leg hurt but not terribly. I decided it would be wise to get to my knees and at least give a thumbs up so onlookers can breathe. I’m still smiling though. I know my legs not broken I can probably walk, haven’t tried yet, but man I don’t wanna buy beer. I nailed that dive, the landing SUCKED, but I nailed my turns it was a beautiful thing. The camera guy comes walking up with Jack they both ask if I’m ok, the camera guy remarks that he was following the wrong canopy so he didn’t get it on film, I’m relieved he saved me the embarrassment, but angered my screw up was not captured for my to observe/analyze. I’m to my feet now, not too bad actually, it’ll hurt in the morning but I’m still smiling. Jack is smiling to (rare for him, lol) He was like “man how many times did we do that?” I laughed “awesome” he replied 3 times and looking great all the way. We walked in he debriefed me on the dive as we filled out my log book I was beginning to feel the pain a bit, but being the tough and not limping. We made notes in the book about both dives weak and strong points, to which I added a few of my own. I have a crappy memory so all this helps. I am a bit sore, nearly couldn’t walk when I woke this morning, have a bruised knee and really sore ankle, but will hell fine and be good as new in a few days. A lil Advil and some rest ought to do it.
Lessons Learned in level V:
Well first off, I can do this, simply put. I’ve got volumes to learn, but I CAN DO THIS.
Trusting in my instructor and proceeding brought me through the bumps and into a great place. The amazing thing we do called skydiving is just too great to get discouraged about or stress over. Don’t get me wrong I take it very VERY seriously, but like Jack said if you forget to have fun you fail, maybe not the level, but yourself.
I was reminded of something we are told over and over and all of you have heard it a million times… the skydive is not over until you walk in the building. I was not careless, just a lack of experience caused my late flare and smack-down, rather than the graceful touch-down I wanted.
Being a person who loves to write this is the first time I have really put anything down to paper about my dives and I think it will be a recurring event. It’s a great tool. I have recalled my dives more vividly here than I did an hour after they happened. What better learning tool than a record of your srewups and your triumphs?
And one last thing I wanna thank all of you. I have lurked here for awhile and your wisdom of and passion for this sport is a great help. I plan to graduate this month, hopefully 2 weeks, so if you can make it out to ASC I’m bringin the beer!!!

[Ducky 0]

Just a quick question for AFF students or anyone in the know:
What do the 6th and 7th jumps consist if (diveflow) at your DZ??
On my 6th ia am expected to do a backloop and regain control, spot the DZ by 7000ft and track for 3 seconds.
My 7th is supposed to be: Solo exit, backloop, 360 right, 360 left, tracking for 3 seconds, another trach if time permits and of course BUY BEER! lol anyways just curious

[rgoper 0]

duckey:
go to skydivehouston.com and check out there AFF program, it has detailed information, and expectations of each AFF level jump. i did not utilize the IAD, or AFF programs, I Utilized The Tandem Progression, and AFP program, lot's of difference. hope this helps!
Richard
"Gravity Is My Friend"
except for today, were grounded by weather!

[Michele 1]

At Perris, level 6 was, I suppose, a lesson in instability, and how to regain control. It would seem that they have a unique way of teaching it. You go to the door, cross your ankles, lean over, grab the back of your legs, and then they PUSH you out. Then, you're supposed to hold it for a brief count to 5, and then arch. Once stable, you then track. I was petrified, but got through it, and now think that was one of the most fun levels I had.
Level 7 was simply fall rate control. Matching fall rates and keeping heading, up elevator, down elevator.
We also have a level 8, which is barrel rolls, and more tracking. That's our grad jump.
Hope it helps. I suspect it is different from dz to dz, although I don't know.
Ciels-
Michele
"What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky".
~e e cummings~

[Ducky 0]

Thanks, for your help. I am still a little suprised that the AFF progression varies from place to place. I would think that it would be a little more standardized. I guess all the programs have good coverage of the basics though.
Another question I have is about Riser Turns and Spotting: My paperwork (which may be a lil outdated from the DZ) mentions that these are taught starting in level 4 though, I have not had an instructor mention word one about them. From everything I have observed in my plane rides it seems that spotting is left up to the pilot.
Just thought i would mention that our AFF is only 7 levels though they strongly recomend/require that your 8th jump be a hop n pop at 3500 ft. I'm somehow not looking forward to that.
Thanks agian for your help,
Chris

[Michele 1]

Riser turns and spotting should be started. Ask your instructor about it, and ask for it to be included in your lesson for that day.
As to it being standardized, I think the requirements are the same, but the way to meet/teach those requirements differ. For instance, your level 6 has you go unstable by initiating a backloop, right? Mine had me pushed out the door to get a wildly unstable thing going on. Worked for me.
As to the hopnpop, yeah, it is unnerving. It was not a requirement for us, but I chose to do it for several reasons. Getting out of the door at 5 rather than at 12,5 is unnerving, but what if the plane had an emergency? I need to know that I can get stable and pull really quickly, and the only way to do that is, well, to do that. It is actually a funny story (I wrote it up here. Run a search for "A hopnpop, trees, and water. I took my water training that day, too).
Like everything else in this sport, it is scary, until you've done it once. I have no thought that I might hesitate if the pilot tells me "out, now", and we're only at 3, or 2,5, or 2......I'll just go.
Grit your teeth, choose a nonwind day, and go to it.
Ciels-
Michele
"What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky".
~e e cummings~

[mnischalke 0]

Welcome to the addiction.
Go to the USPA website and either download the new SIM or order it from the website. It's long and if you print it out, be prepared to keep loading paper in the printer. I ended up using a copier to burn it front and back for a thinner book.
Learn to spot. It can save your ass no matter if your instructors find it important or not. Know the airspace and what's around your dz. I started watching from the back door of the otter on jump #4. When you understand the winds, the jump run and where you can and can't get out, you will be a better skydiver for it. You may find yourself on a load soon and be expected to spot. Every jumper will be relying on you.
Riser turns kick ass. I use the rear risers as soon as I have a good canopy above my head. I don't touch the brakes until I am clear.
Have fun and flow my friend!
mike

[rgoper 0]

observe ground winds before take off, obeserve them constantly as they change. don't be afraid to ask the pilot about head winds at altitude. DO NOT, after you get off of student status depend on anyone but yourself for spotting, if your not happy, have the pilot do a trunaround. and always open high, if you think you can't make it back for whatever the reason. one more thing, in the event head winds at altitude are above 10 mph, give a few more seconds of seperation so's not to invade anyone else's airspace. be safe, be responsable for your oun "big three" and pin checks! don't be afraid to ask questions. as far as landing, no matter what, be positioned to land into the wind at 250', no later, map yourself an "X" on the ground and try it. also remember, a downwind landing sliding on you butt is better than a low ground turn, no low ground turns, no matter what, they kill. no radical spirals under a 1000' under canopy until you get a few jumps under your belt, the last thing you want is an underloaded canopy to stay stationary while you are doing the turning, i've seen it, itz fugly! be safe, take care.
Richard
"Gravity Is My Friend"