saramorgan

That's what I learned @ my home DZ. Where I am now, it's always 'What's the separation?". So I look& count @ the same time. It can be hard sometimes to re- think the basics that I was taught. I am glad I said something , this is how we learn!

We make the slider keepers with an elastic band (and 2 peices of 2" velcro, and a small piece of binding tape )that goes around the reserve flap, right up @ the top of the flap. Not too tight, so that in the event that you must cut away once it's stowed, it would pull off of the reserve flap easily, and float away w/ the main. And when the reserve deploys, if in fact the p/c or reserve did catch on the keeper, the keeper would be pulled off of the reserve flap quite easily. I am not a rigger, my husband is and we both really like this way. He has had a # of chops and I have had 2 using the keepers like this and we have never had, or heard of a problem w/ them.

So are you saying that the 45 degree angle is actually unattainable, it may look like the previous group is 'there', but they slide down the hill & then start dropping straight down? What would be a better way to explain in a simple way the separation issue? That we want enough sep. that each group can turn & track for 5 sec. without getting in someone else's airspace... That standard count out of an Otter is 5, out of a CASA is 3, and if the uppers are strong the add more on top of that? Thanks, I'm learning , I am trying to keep it simple.

Simple things: always do your gear check in the same order, always touch your handles in the order you will use them/practice your EPs, know your gear, pack for yourself, don't let people push the fear they have on to you, take care of yourself/ speak out when you see something that doesn't look right. Never be afraid to ask a question.

I think what they mean is that "Once you find out how much fun it is... You will see that you don't want to land any other way." They prob'ly aren't being patronizing, I know- I get that too, but I'm pretty sure that's what they mean!

I am a huge fan of walking down my brake lines(starting from the canopy

Hi. Something that helped me a lot was learning how to look out, and really relax my eyes- so I'm not really focused on anything-just looking straight out, and trusting yourself to know how tall you are, and letting your peripheral vision tell you when the ground is coming up to meet you. Good luck!

Hey- relax! When you stick your head out of the plane, you should see the group that just left @ a 45 degree angle before you leave. True there are a lot of variables, but try to keep it simple.

One of the coolest things about learning S/L is that you have to really face your fear and do it yourself! Let's see you AFF babies climb out and let go-alone!

I try to get students used to counting out loud and with fingers, so they don't rush through the count too fast.

Yep what it comes down to is what the reserve can handle.

We make slider keepers, just a couple peices of velcro and binding tape. Slips over the reserve flap, no kill lines, just roll it up tight and stow it behind you. I love this personally- it works great!

If it was my rig, before I jumped it/ as soon as she is done.