Viking 0 #1 August 7, 2001 On my lvl 4 jump i would start chipping when i would try to do some turn i would arch like a SOB and it would go away but i couldn't turn for shit. is there any advice you guys can give or a video i can pick up ??Remember when Sex was safe and skydiving was Dangerous? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #2 August 7, 2001 I had the same problem....several different things were causing it for me. First off, when it starts, take a deep breath and look out at the horizon and relax, that will usually fix it. If not, check your legs. Not just that they're even with each other, but that your knees (not your feet) are shoulder width apart. I tend to let my legs come together, keeping them wider gives you better stability.cielos azules y cerveza fría-Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #3 August 7, 2001 Smile. You're trying too hard. Relax and smile and you'll find that most of that will go away.If not, listen to Kev. pull and flare,lisa----I am a nobody. Nobody's perfect. Therefore, I am perfect! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phastasphuk 0 #4 August 7, 2001 ...and ALWAYS look where you want to go/turn...cause you always end up where you looking...it's an universal rule!chris"but hunny, I'll be away from my chute 5 weeks too..." -chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #5 August 7, 2001 Since you live in SoCal, I feel I should recommend going to the wind tunnel over in Vegas and spend some time in it.. Not much - maybe 10 minutes total, if that.. Even though the Flyaway tunnel is not the most realistic thing in the world, it will help you with the basics.. It also helps that you have a coach right next to ya helping you out.. All I can say to stop the chipping....relax.. I know, it's what everybody says - but how do you relax when somebody is trying to shove a planet up your ass? It's just something that comes with experience.. I honestly do believe that the tunnel will help - and you can get like 15 minutes of tunnel time for the price of(or less than) one single JM AFF level..Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #6 August 7, 2001 is there a wind tunnel in Socal or do i have to drive to vegas for it??oh and about the legs together thing i think that be it b/c i tend to keep my legs together too. i wish i had gotten that damn video!!! oh well this next weekend i will get the video and hopfully figure it out. thanx guysRemember when Sex was safe and skydiving was Dangerous? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #7 August 8, 2001 Relax man!!! that is like mike said hard to do as everyone is pushing you out of a plane...but it really does work...MarcHere I come to save the day!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #8 August 8, 2001 Vegas for now. There's supposed to be one going in in Anaheim at a big new sports complex within the next couple of years; we'll see.Quoteb/c i tend to keep my legs together tooHmmm...I've always had a problem with keeping my legs together... Oh, wait, that's not what you meant....pull and flare,lisa----I am a nobody. Nobody's perfect. Therefore, I am perfect! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy 0 #9 August 8, 2001 As mentioned by several people already it really helps to relax. But the question is how? I found that relaxing at the same time as exhaling a big breath of air to really help with the relaxation. Exhale, relax, arch - the arch will be relaxed rather than hard. Try it on the ground a few times, you may be suprised as how tense you were - at least I was...Cheers,NewGuy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #10 August 8, 2001 QuoteExhale, relax, arch - the arch will be relaxed rather than hard. Try it on the ground a few timesEven better, try it on the plane. After you don your goggle and helmet a couple minutes before exit, close your eyes, take a deep breath through your nose, exhale slowly through your mouth and visualize a nice relaxed arch. Do that a couple times. I'm always real keyed up as we get closer to exit time and notice that my hands are clenched etc. Doing this really relaxes you and makes for a more enjoyable freefall.cielos azules y cerveza fría-Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RemiAndKaren 0 #11 August 8, 2001 My technique for mental prep and relaxation in the plane. This is what I was using, and then taught again when I took my Coach 2 courses.Mental rehearsal of the entire jump at 2k (dive, points, setups, keys, track, pull, emergency procedures)Again 2/3 up (6 or 9k depending)Then once I gear up completely (helmet, zips...), relaxing with 3 deep breaths, inhaling by nose, exhaling by mouth, controling the exhaustDuring the 2 minute warning, a quick rehersal of just the points.The relaxing method is what I always use (when the stress is high), and suggest others use (or at least give a try)Remi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #12 August 8, 2001 Quote but how do you relax when somebody is trying to shove a planet up your ass? ROTFLMAO, Mike!! That was a good one for the middle-of-the-week-three-days-before-skydiving-slump.Andrea"Up high, I feel like I'm alive for the very first time" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #13 August 9, 2001 Quote is there a wind tunnel in Socal or do i have to drive to vegas for it?? As Lisa said, Vegas is the closest to you right now.. They say there will be one in SoCal at the sports complex, but I have no idea if that's really a go - and if so, does anybody know when it's scheduled to open?I think the drive to Vegas(what, 4 hours each way? Make a weekend out of it!) would be worth it.. You will not only be able to sort out your chipping problem, you will be way ahead of the game for your future AFF levels when it comes to turns and such.. If you buy 10-15 minutes in the tunnel, the coach will likely get ya doing turns(using both arms and legs), fall rate changes, stability excercises, etc... Just be sure to request a coach that is also a skydiver, and tell 'em your problem.. I think they're all skydivers out there, and some of 'em are instructors out at Gravity Zone Skydiving.. Like I said, it's not totally realistic, but it's enough that it will definitely help you out..Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #14 August 9, 2001 Quote Hmmm...I've always had a problem with keeping my legs together... Oh, wait, that's not what you meant.... [butthead voice] Uhh, hey baby.....what are ya doing this weekend? [/butthead voice] Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #15 August 9, 2001 Quote ROTFLMAO, Mike!! That was a good one for the middle-of-the-week-three-days-before-skydiving-slump. Actually, that came from a camera flyer friend of mine that many of you have heard of....Jan Davis from Lodi.. Her quote was.. "There I was in freefall, minding my own damn business, when someone tried to shove a planet up my ass!"Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rendezvous 0 #16 August 9, 2001 I had an issue with spinning on my level 4. Got into a tumble because I was trying to fight to correct thespin. Doesn't work. Mother nature is much stronger than any of us. What nailed it for me on my next jump on level 4 was that I submitted to the wind with an arch and simply focused on loosing the tension from my arms, legs and body. I automatically came back into a belly to earth position and held it with stability. I know it's a bit weird to be talking about relaxing when you are plunging down to earth but hey ! it works. Don't focus on getting it right. Just try enjoying the fall. breathe, smile, arch, look at the horizon and don't fight the motion. Just lie there still and relaxed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jenky 0 #17 August 9, 2001 I had a fair amount of oscillation (bobbing) on my level 3 and I thought I would reach harmonic frequency and explode. In addition to the advice you have already been given, the cure for me was letting the fingers/hands/wrists go completely loose. I was coached to do this on my level 5 jump and it really worked. Just like steering dampers on motorcycle handle bars, flaccid hands and fingers absorb, and dampen, oscillations and shudders. Practice it on the ground, but be careful who you are around when you are rehearsing your limp wristed style :-)Hope this helps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
larry 0 #18 August 13, 2001 Since I’m new (15 freefalls) I don’t know all the jargon yet. I was wondering if potato chipping is referring to a spin or the bobbling caused by being stiff as a board. I know relaxing can cure both. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #19 August 13, 2001 Quotethe bobbling caused by being stiff as a board. Larry, it refers to the bobbiing due to being way to stiff...and a spin wont stop just from relaxing, some students get out of control because they relaxed causing there legs to get out of sync with one another and causing a flat spin...MarcBecause I fly, I envy no man on earth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VivaHeadDown 0 #20 August 18, 2001 I would suggest going into a head down possition...but sometimes your JM's make you repeat a level if you cork out of it so it can be risky. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbbilly14 0 #21 August 19, 2001 Viking, If you've not already corrected this problem, spinning and whatnot, I experienced this on my first few solo student (if that even makes sense-AFP instructor with me but not docked) jumps. I found myself spinning uncontrollably (later watched the video and I spun 13 times, I shit you not, 13) and was scared to hell. I finally thought to just HARD arch, as if I had first exited the aircraft, and it solved the spinning immediately. Try it. It works. Billy"Son, you've got a panty on yer head!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #22 August 19, 2001 hey billy i don't think you want me to arch really hard unless my jm are sporting weights or headdown skills!! Remember when Sex was safe and skydiving was Dangerous? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbbilly14 0 #23 August 21, 2001 Viking,As this is my first checking of posts, I am not sure if you passed or not, but CONGRATS if you did!!As for your hard arch, I didn't mean the tear-drop you are so good at!Billy"Son, you've got a panty on yer head!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites