wckai

I redid my level 6, as 'twas my first solo exit in which I proceeded to flip backwards and had a heck of a time getting stable. Eventually did and did the other necessary maneuvers, but my AFFI and I decided to redo that level. Though sometimes it is worth repeating a level even if you don't actually NEED to, as at the dropzone where I did my AFF, if you bought the full A-license package they offer, the package includes up to 3 AFF repeats. That's basically three extra coach jumps, so not a whole lot of reason NOT to repeat a level or two or three.

...that's a good question. All of my student jumps were on either a Navigator 200 or a Silhouette 210 with wing loadings ~0.85 (I weigh ~170lbs all geared up). My instructors think a 170 of some kind (Sabre2, or maybe an old Sabre1 if it can be found? Maybe a Silhouette?) would be good for me, though I wonder if I should try a 190 first to see if I can tell much of a difference between that and what I'm used to. I'm not itching to get to the small canopy/high wing loading type of performance, to be sure. I'm really quite content with a nice, easy ride back to Earth.

Oh, you can be assured that beer was bought. And between my beer and the alcohol provided by the other students getting their "A"'s (there were 4 of us all told that day!), the dz was incredibly well stocked. It was enough to last AT LEAST an hour...maybe even 2! And good luck on your own quest, PabloCruz! It's definitely a great feeling, even before beer gets involved!

Along with the many others achieving their licenses as the summer winds down, I was finally able to earn my "A". For anyone interested, the video for my check dive can be seen at: http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=6167 I would just like to thank everyone at Skydive New England for all of their help, with particular thanks to the AFF instructors for putting up with me and my incessant questioning, and, of course, for teaching me how not to kill myself. I would also like to thank the great gals at manifest for their organization and patience, as well as the excellent packers for continually saving my life. Thanks also go out to SkyVenture New Hampshire for all of their help in fixing many of my bad freefall habits, which has allowed me to progress and pick up new bad habits to be fixed. Let's see...who else...(hey, where's that orchestra music coming from?)...oh, thanks to all of you here on dz.com for the great wealth of information and amusement....And, of course, thanks to my mom, and my dad and my...hey, where are you taking me? You can't drag me off stage, my speech isn't done yet! Waaaaiiiiittt.....

Greetings all, I am hopefully going for my 2nd tunnel escapade later this week and I am wondering would be best for me to work on while there. I finished AFF two weeks ago and did 10min in the tunnel soon thereafter, working on bettering my arch and practice pulls (as I was tending to rotate when reaching back to pull). I have done some solo jumps and 2 coach jumps since then (where I learned how to adjust my fall rate and dock...both of which could definitely use some work, but went well enough for my first attempts), and the initial tunnel time helped immensely. So for my 2nd time in the tunnel, I am wondering if I should continue to concentrate on the basics: big stable arch, turning without drifting, proper pull position, etc. to get even more comfortable with that as well as improve muscle memory, or if I should try to work on some of the newer things I learned: adjusting fall rate, turning with legs only, stable arch with arms in a good position to dock, etc. I'm thinking that I'm inexperienced enough with these more advanced maneuvers that I might be bouncing off the walls too much in the tunnel to really get a good feel for how things should work, though the tunnel seems an optimal place to practice. Any suggestions or advice for a newbie? Thanks!