Tito.J

Yes, I think the end of my track was the cause of my instability, I rolled over forward twice at this point and then started turning to my right, I guess I did panic at this poing and then arched and relaxed but stability didn't happen till 2000 feet. I just have to remember what you say and what the instructors say. Pull, pull at right altitude, and pull stable in that order. I saw a field of open grass surrounded by nothing but big trees, so I aimed for that spot to land, unfortunately when I saw the fence it was too late to do a maneuver to try and avoid it. I thought to myself, hey, I've heard stories of serious injuries or deaths from just doing a turn at the last moment (since turning under canopy makes you fall faster). So I said "Sh*t" as soon as I realized I had no exit, and just crashed on the fence. I was just cursing the fence out at this point, which now amuses me because I wasn't even thinking or knowing that I had a broken ankle or lacerations on my right arm from the top of the fence scracthing me. Well it could have been worse. I'll practice all this again as soon as I get back in the sky, and for now since I don't have many jumps, I'll keep every maneuver to above 7000 feet, after that I'll just relax and remain stable till pull time at 5000. It was a low drop as well, the plane didn't go up above 12000 feet that time, not sure why. Maybe my altimeter wasn't calibrated right or something? It's one of the altimeters that they lend you at the drop zone. I just can't wait to get back in the sky. This is really frustrating for me. I don't mind the pain, but the fact that I can't do the things I could do for a while really gets to me, but I'll get over it. Thanks all for your replies. Another question, would have it been better to land on trees? I didn't think so at that point. If I turned I'd have landed on trees instead of the fence, that was the only open spot around the area I found safe to land on. Had there been no fence, I'd have been totally fine, but maybe the trees are a better bet. Also next time I"m getting a helmet that covers the whole face just in case. I don't want my face scarred all over from a bad landing say something happens again. My arm doesn't look that bad, but if those scars were on my face, I'd have been worse than scarface

Indeed, when I get better and heal, I'll talk to an instructor about the tracking so I get it explained fully. Stopping from a tracking was more difficult for me than I thought it would be. I just got caught in a total swirl and turn upside down and all. I arched, relaxed, and could not seem to regain control. It was scary, and needless to say, painful, but yet a learning experience. I thank to god no one else got hurt. I could have died that day. But still can't wait to skydive again. Once your heart learns the need to skydive, it's hard to get it out. It's such an adventure... ~Blue skies

Ugh, I did the tracking away for a while, then upon stopping, I started to swirl around like a vortex has gotten a hold of me, then after that I was totally unstable and could not find my rip cord at 5500. At 2000 I got some kind of stability and pulled it, Just to land on a fence and breaking my right ankle and scratching my arms deeply. I was rushed to a nearby hospital by helicopter and had ankle surgery and about 20 stitches to my arm. It was a painful experience. Ah well, I'll do another jump when I get better after this leg casing and crutches go away. However, I did skydive from 13,500 to 2000 free falling in between other canopies. Lucky I didn't strike any of them. I was just so unstable I could not get a hold of my ripcord. Not sure what got a hold of me to make me so unstable. The freefall from 13,500 to 5500 was so smooth and playful, after that everything went to hell. Anyone experienced something like this before? It felt like a small tornado taking control of me and shooting me sideways flying in every ways possible...

I was curious how far can one track with respect to jump position from the plane. Say I start tracking as soon as I jump perpendicular to the airplane, how long could I track sideways. Is there a possibility to get way far off from the airport? I'm a new flyer, and I want to practice my tracking a bit further during my next 5 jumps tomorrow.

I finished up my training at Skydive The Ranch here in New York! It was a gift day, weather wasn't so cold (around 40F to start then went up to about 55 in the afternoon). Sunny, totally clear, winds about 3 MPH. What else can a skydiver wish for

I did my last two jumps at the ranch, I love that place. Very friendly people I must say (Zak flies just like a bird, I wish to learn what he does sometime in the future - much props to you bro!), I just thought for some reason that they were closed this winter. I'll call and find out for sure, thanks for the replies! If they're open, I'll be flying again weeeee! Blue skies! Tito

Well, the skydiving season is over for the New York area, so I'll just have to wait till the Spring or just fly down somewhere warm to do it. Anyways, I got to do 6 jumps since I started in late August, so I hope to graduate soon during the Spring of 2006. However, the real intent of this post was not to say all that, I just had to I had a question that maybe you can answer: How long after getting your A licence does it take to learn freeflying? Or Skysurfing? Those two are my main goals for now, after that maybe BASE jumping. All in time. Regards, Tito J.

Well I didn't get to jump on that day last Saturday, but yet, the radio assistant girl Nikky was very nice to offer us students a hike on the mountains since she knew the wind wasn't going to go away (yes it was windy like crazy). Nikky took me and another student on a hike through a river in the upstate NY Peter's Kiill area, and it was wonderful. I had one of the best times of my life I have to admit. I kind of fell on my butt on a log laying across the river (which name I don't remember). I still feel the pain, but the memories of that hike and the redness of the trees, I'll never forget. Thanks Nikky for such a nice trip. You're a wonderful person! The hike for sure made up for the windy conditions. I would have sat there at Skydive The Ranch the whole day waiting for a non existent jump. Much props to you girl!

I did pass the level because it was the first time I was let go, and even though I'm supposed to keep heading, the instructor said it was not a bad jump, just a bit unstable at first let go. On my next jump tomorrow I'll have to keep my heading, and then turn 180 degrees, then back to heading to pass. I'll try my best. Thanks for the leg comments, I figured as much it had to do with it. I'll keep them level tomorrow. Wish me luck

I was supposed to stay looking at heading and stable, but I turned around quickly so the instructor had to grab me and stop me from turning around. I passed the level, since it's first time I was let go, but what happened? I could not stop turning... Video here...I hope I can correct this next time, else I won't pass the next level. I'd appreciate greatfully any input. Thanks! http://my.break.com/Media/View.aspx?ContentID=166028

http://www.answers.com/topic/project-excelsior http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1856 More at http://www.google.com I'd definitely love to see a video of that, and hell, I'd love to do it myself if possible one day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Excelsior

Congrats! The level 1 jump is definitely what really introduces you to what skydiving is about. I feel like you now, more confident about the sport, and can't wait to do it more! Again, congrats!

Did the solo coached jump, it was phenomenal, although I moved my legs too much. I need to control my legs on the next jump (AFF2) so I can pass it. Here's the video if you care to watch it and provide any input. I haven't been able to skydive again because of weather on weekends. Instructors are only available on weekends unfortunately. Overall it was a nice jump, and it was fun pulling the ripcord and controlling the canopy. It was definitely not as hard as I pictured it. Can't wait for the next one! http://s93347030.onlinehome.us/assets1/maxout.mpg Blue skyes!

I'm doing my last tandem jump this Friday and taking the 5 hour class to then jump with my own rig. Any suggestions or tricks you could provide? I'm sure the class will have good information, but doesn't hurt to get some information ahead of time. The thing that makes me nervous only really is controlling the rig to the right landing spot (although I will be coached through headphones). And another thing that makes me nervous is when to flare to land so I don't land 60 MPH on the ground. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!

I was curious about to what the salaries are for being a tandem instructor and a camera man in skydiving. I am getting trained and wanted to know what the salaries run around for, especifically in New York, but any information would be appreciated. Thanks.