RopeJunkie

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Hee hee, you wanna see the smile on my face! Had the best day EVER yesterday jumping from the PAC 750 XL that flew in from Cark. Oh... my... God... what an awesome plane! Finished up in the evening with a hop 'n' pop from a Cesna 182 which is more what I've been used to. What an awesome day! Many thanks to my instructors, Mike and Phill, for all their hard work hanging onto me. Also Chappy for his great instruction and Nicky for flying the Cesna on the last lift. Can't wait to crack on with some consols now. :-) Am a very happy bunny. :-) G. :-)

All true of course, RAPS can be very frustrating, especially repeating jumps. Ask most RAPS students how many DPs they've done and they'll probably cry. :-) I have now been convinced by several people that AFF is the way ahead, and I hope to start AFF soon, weather permitting. Still, RAPS was mega good fun, and although freefall progression may be elusive, you can still develop better canopy control and landing skills each jump, so not wasted time. Also a great way for Uni. clubs to learn to jump together in large social groups. Going up on a load with a couple of friends and watching them exit on their first couple of jumps from 3500ft is all good fun. :-) Perhaps the most obvious thing about RAPS is that you're on your own from day 1, so you need to be well up for it and confident too. I am feeling a bit more flush now, so I've decided to go for AFF and hope to get jumping propper by the time the nice summer weather arrives. Hopefully be doing consols in warm and gentle breases, but hey, this is the UK, so who knows. :-) Preparing to join the "my car should keep going 'till it's next MOT" club. :-) G. :-)

Think is common for several Unis to cluster 'round a DZ. Peterlee regularly has students from Durham, Newcastle and Teesside. Not enough DZs though so some of you're in for a long drive. :-) If you are itching to jump, and can't wait to save for AFF, then consider the PAYJ system (Pay As You Jump, aka RAPS!) ;-) I'm lovin' RAPS. Not in a hurry to get licensed, and can't afford AFF. Had a really nice jump on saturday at Peterlee. Wasn't interested in progression, was just bustin' to jump out of a plane. I so couldn't wait to do AFF. Haven't got that sorta self discipline. :-) G. :-)

This is a link to a BPA document on AFF training which outlines the process: http://www.bpa.org.uk/training%20manuals/AFF%20MANUAL.doc I can't afford AFF right now, so I'm doing RAPS static line instead. I'm enjoying it so much now, I think I will probably try and stick with it no matter how tempting AFF becomes in the summer. :-) Have you considered a static line course? You get to the same place eventually, and it's a lot easier to spread the cost especially if you're at Uni, even if you end up paying the same amount eventually by the time you reach Cat 8. I'm paying around 40 quid a jump. G. :-)

Ah yes, the "pucker factor". Most familiar with this. :-) If I do a couple of jumps in a row on the same day, it's definately easier. First jump is always worst. It usually helps a bit if there's first-jump SL students on the plane with me who're more scared than me. Then I feel much better. :-) Would be cool to wear one of those pulse-meter logging watch thingies fit people use. Then see what the graph looks like and label the peaks, 'getting on the plane', 'door open', 'getting out of the plane' etc. :-) Someone must've done this already. G. :-)

Cool, cheers for the info. Canopy control's really something I'm wanting to explore more now. Trying not to get too focused in on just the jumping out the door bit and the other skills I have to learn which tend to take over your brain a bit as a student. Just as important to be landing where you want each jump even if you're still on radio. Even if you stuff up a DP or whatever, it's still not a wasted jump, 'cos you still have the canopy ride remaining. It's like walking out of one classroom and into another when your canopy opens. :-) I appreciate that students shouldn't be overloaded with technical details of flight at an early stage, but I have a fairly technical background, so I'm comfortable and interested in digesting information about the physics of flying a canopy. For me it's not just how you slow yourself down before landing, it's actually a very enjoyable part of jumping. :-) I guess that's the great thing about a RAPS SL course, you get plenty of jumps to practice landing before you get anywhere near Cat 8. :-) Hoping to qualify during the summer in some better weather, so will look this video/textbook up then. :-) G. :-)

Cool, I'll check. I jump at either Peterlee or Bridlington, so I'll pass it on to the students at those DZs incase they've not got a copy yet. I've printed me off one at work already. :-) Hope the weather's looking better in Scotland now. :-) G. :-)

Hi, I'm kinda new to this jumping stuff but having much fun indeed. I was browsing the BPA website just now and noticed these docs: http://www.bpa.org.uk/safetydocs/chmanual.pdf http://www.bpa.org.uk/safetydocs/cpmanual.pdf The CH manual I've read and it looks like a pretty good reference for any RAPS students still on radio like myself. Great to see it all written down in one place like that. Of course you can't fly with a manual strapped to your helmet, so I note these as a useful reference only, not where you should learn how to land. :-) Anyway, British jumpers probably know these new manuals released anyway, but I mention it just in case any of you non-BPA students (and there's a lot of you) might find it a useful reference. :-) G. :-)

You read these? Probably not if you're jumping in the states. Reckon they're a really good resource for students wherever they jump though. :-) http://www.bpa.org.uk/safetydocs/chmanual.pdf http://www.bpa.org.uk/safetydocs/cpmanual.pdf

Flairing too high is what EVERYONE does for at least their first couple of jumps. :-) It's harder than it looks to judge the height. I found the best/most usefull bit of advice I got from a lot of people was to look forward at a downward angle, not down at your feet. It's almost impossible to judge the height looking straight down. Looking forward makes it easier, as well as helping you to avoid hazards of course. :-) My last two jumps I think I just got the hang of it now. Of course everyone get's muddy sometimes. :-) G. :-)

Fear is the most normal thing. You'd have to be a complete lunatic to not be nervous about jumping out of a plane first time on your own. I mean, really, it's not exactly a pedestrian activity is it?! :-) That being said, fear is your friend. It keeps you on your toes. Think about controlling fear, not trying to be fearless. Expect to be a terrified. It's normal. Certainly not something to worry about. :-) I have only done a few static line jumps and a couple of freefalls, but already I look forward very much to jumping. I'm not nervous riding up in the plane anymore, but I still get a bit nervous when the engine cuts, the door opens, and you get that whaft of hot air and fuel smell in the cabin, and your like, "it's time to get off my butt". :-) On my first jump attempt the plane broke, and we had to postpone the lift, and I was like, "phew, thank &%$£ for that" 'cos I was proper cacking myself. Just recently, we had some flap problems on a C182, and we had to postpone a lift again, only this time I was severely dissapointed, a reaction I had not expected, but one that I welcomed :-) First couple of jumps can seem like a bit of a chore to overcome the fear, but it DOES get a hell of a lot better and loads more fun, so stick with it. :-) I guess it's just something you slowly get accustomed to. Being around a dropzone, being around planes, jumping out of them. :-) Don't be discouraged by fear. You know roughly what to expect, since you've done tandems before. So, perhaps a lot of your fear is about "passing the test" and not screwing anything up. Trust your instructors and most importantly yourself. Keep a positive mental attitude. Think about all the great feelings you will have and I'm sure after your successful first jump you will be gagging to get back to do the next one. I know, I had a gentler introduction to learning to skydive, as static line gives one a softer progression. But you should feel confident in your abilities after training. You should trust the robustness and the simplicity of the design of the equipment you'll be using. And the best way to belay anxiety is to not stop asking questions. Ask your instructors all the questions you can possibly think of, even the silly ones. :-) Have a good 'un. :-) G. :-)

Hear, hear. Indeed, where would be be without pilots? We are of course all lacking that vital component of thrust (pending on further dietary experiments). You might even say that falling in a controlled fashion aint really flying at all, as fun as it is, gliding at best. :-) Many thanks go to "Cpt. Cabbage" down at Bridlington DZ. Top bloke, not just the geyser behind the controls. Very much part of the DZ, not merely flying in servitude to us jumpers. Remember to say "thanks for the lift" when you get out next time. :-) G. :-)

-- Did you ever feel like backing out and not jumping on your first time? Not really as bad as you might think, but expect it to be scary all the same, but if you climbed onto the plane to start with then you're more than capable of doing the deed when you get to altitude! First jump is of course the scariest, and you have that pre-jump anxiety 'cos you don't really know what to expect. By your third time up, you'll be starting to get less scared and will have a smile on your face on the ride up, rather than that blank "not quite sure what expression to make" first jump face. :-) I have only done nine jumps on RAPS (just done first freefall), and already the fun far outweighs the scaryness, the ride up is pretty chilled out (even more so when you're sharing a lift with experienced jumpers), and just a slight twinge of managable fear when the engine cuts which is starting to get enjoyable in a strange kinda way. :-) You are too busy focusing on what you have to do, especially when you progress onto DPs, first freefall etc, that you are more anxious like how you felt waiting for your driving test than scared in a mortal kinda way. You'll love it. You sound well up for it. -- How much does a good rig cost? Is packing hard? Rigs are expensive, even second hand. Don't buy anything 'till you qualify certainly, as you'll expect to be downsizing canopy anyhoo. Packing is complicated, but most DZs will have packing services available and advanced packers who will probably do a much better job anyway (for a price). So, packing is not an essential skill to be able to participate in the sport. Obviously being able to pack your own rig brings costs down though, and it's interesting to learn how everything works in detail. Definately from a student perspective, watching someone else pack a rig is great for reducing fear as you gain trust in the simplicity and robustness of the design and get to understand how everything works. I would like to learn packing myself, but not until I have learned a bit more about jumping. -- Do you really notice the acceleration immediately after jumping from the plane before you hit terminal velocity? Only done two five second freefalls so far, so never reached terminal, but have to say I didn't really get a sensation of falling. In fact, I met a couple of people who're scared of going up a ladder but enjoy skydiving. Not really the sensation of falling off something like you'd expect. Alright, so you notice that the floor's dissapeared, but it's really not a bad feeling at all. :-) -- Anything you'd suggest? Maybe to quell any nervousness I'll have when flying to altitude or during jump etc? Big smile works, especially just before you exit, relieves all that tension. Watch videos of other students too. Don't switch off in the plane, keep talking to people if it's not too noisy, asking questions, pointing out landmarks and the view. Just take it all in, the sound, the smell (well, maybe not the smell), everything, don't switch off and you'll be cool. Keep a positive mental attitude. When it's time to get out, look purposeful and take confident steps, no shuffling. :-) Your first couple of jumps will be very scary, but no problem for you. Look forward to the fear gradually being replaced with "thrill" as you progress. Make sure you're 100% happy with everything you've learned on the ground and ask any questions you need, no matter how silly you might think they are, good answers will put your mind at rest. You don't need to be worrying about anything on the plane. Make sure you're prepared and ready. Have fun! G. :-)

Did first freefall at the weekend! Also did second freefall, but back on rope due to feeble arching and general instability, doh. :-) Still had a good ride under canopy though so still enjoyed both jumps loads. Felt nekked getting out of the plane with no static line, lol. :-) Hopefully be able to get back onto freefall at the weekend, weather permitting. :-) G. :-)

Done four jumps now. Started DPs. Got it okay, but moved my head down causing slight turn. Still went better than expected though, and getting out of the plane is much more fun and much less scary. :-) Good luck with your RAPS course. I'm gonna maybe think about AFF in the summer, but am going to continue with RAPS until it gets warmer. Maybe be onto freefall by then anyway and will stick with RAPS. Would be cool to get my license through RAPS. So many people seem to move onto AFF. RAPS suits my budget better. :-) Have fun. See you at Peterlee or Bridlington if you fancy visiting another dropzone (Bridlington kicks ass). :-) G. :-)

Finally got the weather for my first static line jump at Peterlee just before Christmas after hanging around at the bar for a few weeks chatting to the lovely Eric and Tina and the regulars down there. Peterlee's my local so expect to see me there during the coming months. Just done another two static line jumps over New Year down at Bridlington and managed to land standing up both times thanks to George talking me down on the radio. So thanks to George and Geraldine and Blair and everyone else at Bridlington who make it such a friendly drop zone, great for students like me. Pr5operly hooked now. Gonna stick with RAPS until it gets warmer and then maybe get me on AFF, funds depending. G. :-)