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Hiya - I too had line twists on my very first AFF jump. Looked up - thought oh shit - then started to pull them apart as per the training - nothing happened. Pulled harder, and kicked at the same time - and hey presto it cleared - all excitement being the first jump. Confidence in being able to sort out a nuisance factor was great. Anyways - on my way home from the DZ I got a speeding ticket from the police...then on level 2 a week later I broke my ankle - thats when I started to think is someone trying to tell me to take up golf,LOL Merry Christmas, and blue skies to all

I started my AFF training here, and yes the UK weather is a nightmare and means that you can only jump on x number of days per year. To say this DZ is not interested in studentprogression is complete BS. I've now got my A license from this DZ - they had no issue with me doing my level 2 in spain whilst on holiday, and they welcomed me back after I had an extended break because of a broken ankle. Yes it's frustrating if the tandems go up alot more of the time than students who are restricted by weather conditions - but rules is rules - if you're not the patient type then skydiving in the UK is not for you - take up golf - or knitting, LOL All in all a professional outfit with attention to detail, safety, and progression of students at the fore in everything they do. Well recommended to anyone who wants too start skydiving - whether as a tandem one off, or a student looking to go solo. Thanks to all the guys there - Mike, Gary, Steve, Lloyd, Kim, Geordie et al.

Congratulations to you on this special day - good luck with everything in the future. Love from the all in the UK Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

We use an oil fired boiler here in the UK, and it's not even been that cold - but we haad to get it filled in time for the festive period, so I had a small 1096 litres delivered at a cost of £340 - about $550??? Just what you need this time of year hey! Ho ho ho- bah humbug Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Blinding - thanks for the insight Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Reading between the lines here on dropzone it looks like there are various difference between the uUK and US licences. To my limited and humble knowledge I believe that in the us you don't have to do a hop n pop from relatively low altitude to be awarded your A license. In the UK, we have 8 AFF levels (assuming you are following the AFF progression), and then a minima of a further 10 consolidaion jumps practising what we've done on the 8 AFF levels. As part of your consol jumps, you also learn different exits (centre float, rear float, unstable etc etc), as well as extending your understanding of canopy control (extending range, increasing accuracy etc etc). Sorry for being vague, but I don't know the USPA requirements for getting your A... Perhaps an instructor ho reads this could point out the differences. Many thanks. Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Here's the x-rays, sorry for the poor quality of the first one - I guess the Spanish Dr was in a rush LOL. X-ray 2 and 3 are post op and show the screws in place. This was taken after the staples had been removed. The photo was taken about a week after the op, and about two and a half weeks after the accident. Note the bruising to the lower foot and calf. Enjoy and learn from my mistake , good luck all . Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Just to send best wishes on healing to the woman involved in this accident - if you watch the video it sounds like the instructor is shouting pump the brakes pump the brakes... Do we conclude then that one brake line was unstowed? Or that she couldnt reach the toggles? I'm sure having to cut away on jump 10 must be emotionally difficult but then you surely must carry out canopy control tests on your reserve??? Just my newbie opinion (someone hand me a flameproof jacket). Hats off to her if she does get back up. Get well soon Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

I'm pleased my post has generated so much response - it's always good to get second opinions and to form an overall judgement call. Yes agreed as you progress towards completion of the A license, the questionof buying your own kit arises and some people do place orders once they've discussed wing loading, canopy type, new or used etc etc - it's just that in my case that's not the route I wish to follow... In my humble opinion I think it would be much wiser to walk before I run and so I anticipate making at least another 20 or so jumps before I place an order for a canopy. This does exactly two things - roughly doubles my jump numbers, and therefore doubles my experience. Much better to gradually downsize than to be under canopy thinking holy sh@t my descent rate seems high!!! I remember flaring the canopy, but I don't remember PLF'ing on the landing, even though I'd been repeatedly drilled on it & understood it thoroughly. And it doesn't matter whether it's your first jump or your 10000th - ultimately it is ONLY YOU WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR YOURSELF. Thanks for all your interest - I have the X rays, and will find a way of posting them here ASAP. Blue skies all (noo chance here in the uk LOL)... Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

'Avoid the ditch higher up'. That's the wisest response yet. That's just spot on. I guess the reason for me not doing this is that I was on an unfamiliar canopy on only my second jump, and that my combined downward and horizontal speeds freaked me out, much more than on my level one jump. Incidentally, the wingloading on my level one jump was a mere 0.69, compared with the 0.9 on this jump. Thanks for your advice - sometimes it takes a second opinion to point out the blindingly obvious. Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Thanks for the encouragement! I had the bug after my level 1. I had to get my license! Level 2: I had a normal opening, and was happy with canopy control etc etc, but I was aware that I was falling under canopy much faster than on my level 1 (just 6 days earlier). I had radio communication with my instructor, and he asked me to do a right hand turn apx 90 degrees or so. This put me downwind and increased my ground speed. I then was told to do another turn, apx 180 to the right, and was concerned with just how close to the ground I was. To avoid coming down in a farmers ditch I had to turn from my current heading, and I'm sure that I came down whilst still in this turn. My right leg took the brunt of the impact, but didn't cause me any pain - I was convinced I just had muscle damage, or bruising and that if I iced it up I would be able to go again later that day. Anyhows, I couldnt put any weight on my foot, and the foot / ankle / leg swelled instantly - of course the guys at the club knew instantly what I had done. The adrenaline started to run, and I ended up driving myself to hospital (not the cleverst thing to do I know!). I didn't jump again for a whole year - as I wanted to ensure 100% that I'd healed as much as I theoretically could. Then I repeated my level 2, and at 500 feet I became really quite nervous, I landed it all ok, and proceeded to swear, swear, and swear some more. I'd done it. I'd proven to myself I could do it. That was that - now I cant get enough. Feet and knees together, feet and knees together - repeat... Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Ha ha - like the phrase! Im on a PD 340 at present, as for my leg, I have 6 titanium screws to the right of the ankle, 2 screws to the left, and some bendy metal strip to hold the whole lot together. Feet and knees together - that suits me for now. My instructors recommend that if I stay at my current weight, that I should consider getting something like a 230 rig, so I'll get another 20 odd jumps under my belt and see how I feel. Then it's time to spend some money I guess Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Thanks for that.. .88 - that's pretty lame I guess. The biggest thing I learnt from the accident was that on every jump the person responsible for you is YOU. I'm still jumping a student 340, and am looking forward to downsizing to a more responsive canopy. It's all good fun. Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Hi All, I'm a newbie whose just got his A license. I did my level one in the UK, and made my next jump in spain. Foresight is a great thing, and I found out that jumping a 260 'chute is a whole world apart from PD340 - especially when you weigh 15st / 200 odd pounds. I guess I should have been more thorough in my research, before I made the jump. Anyhow, I've attached a couple of pics of my broken ankle from the level 2 jump for everyones amusement. PS can anyone give me an idea of what my wingloading would have been on the 260? Blue skies and be safe to all. Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Hiya, here in the UK, you have to successfully pass the 8 AFF level jumps, and perform a further 10 consol (consolidation) jumps as a minimum for getting an A license. As you can see, that makes a total of just 18 jumps, however most people have to repeat at least one or two levels (I personally repeated levels 4 and 5). Oh and just to mention I had a wild ride doing my consol 7 jump - unstable exit at 10000 feet, came out of a forward somersault on my back, arched but couldnt correct myself. Unfortunately I then started to spin - slowly at first, and then faster, and faster, and faster. I fell all the way to 4000 trying like hell to sort myself out. I was altitude aware and at 4000 feet I threw out. This had the effect of righting me, stopping the spin (thank god), but of course I had line twists (kicked these out no problems). I had to fight no to puke, and just concentrate on landing the canopy all ok. It was apx 3 degrees C on the ground,but I was sweating like a PIG. The very next day I went back up and did a fun jump with an instructor watching, great fun and that was that. 2 jumps later I'd got my A. Like I've been told numerous times - NOW THE REAL LEARNING BEGINS! I can't wait Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

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Hey hey hey. Who would have thought it? I've only gone and completed my A license - in the UK at Chatteris yesterday Friday 18th November. Sending big thanks to all at the DZ, especially Mike Rust and Gary Small for their encouragement and coaching. I can't wait to get back up and jump some more - hopefully tomorrow. Blue skies to all, be safe, have fun. Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Hey Wayne, nice one - congratulations on your A license. I've got four more jumps il I graduate, and the weather here in the UK is atrocious, but I'm desperate to get it done ths year, so that I can go to Spain over Christmas to get some more jumping in. Blue skies to yo, best of luck with your next goal. Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Hi ya, As soon as I'm licensed I'll make me way there! Thanks for the info - blue skies... Mike A Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Hiya Graham, I am doing my AFF at Chatteris, and hope to see you there soon - we're virtually at the same level (I've done 14 jumps now - 1 at Empuriabrava in Spain, and the rest here in the UK). Good luck with the rest of the course. I really hope to get licensed before the end of the year, hope you do too, so we can move towards FS1 then - LOL. Take care man, see you around! Mike Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Hiya, I just meant training in one country and then jumping in another. I think as long as the instructors are satisfied that you've successfully completed all aspects of the UK AFF course then you wont have any probems jumping in the UK at any club... Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932

Hiya, I see you're based in Cambridge - well the Chatteris DZ is near March in Cambridge. They're a friendly bunch, and very safety conscious. I can't recommend the DZ to you enough. Hope the cross country AFF is no problem for you. Best regards, Mike Out of 10,000 feet of fall, always remember that the last half inch hurts the most — Captain Charles W. Purcell, 1932