pilotpilot57

......if you marry a fat tattooed woman, you get shade in the summer, heat in the winter, and motion pictures year 'round!!

Thanks everyone for the input. I know once I get through the packing class I'll have a better understanding of the complete system, and what to look for on my own. I have asked many questions and done research on my own, seen articles in uspa mag about different aspects of the rig to look at. Most of the time there is always at least one or more instuctor on a load here, I don't have any problem asking for a check, and will continue to do so. The load I was on for my 1st solo was a light load and not one instructor on. I still asked for a check. I used to fly many years ago and always did a complete pre-flight, even though I saw folks just jump in fire up , and off they go. I've been driving a gasoline tanker for the last 20 years and still do a complete pre-trip inspection before I head out for the day. thanks again everyone, I look forward to many safe and exciting skydives in the years to come.

Ok here goes.....Made my first solo jump this past weekend, on halloween, and it was jump number 13 !! thought about that on the way up. Best jump ever yahoo!. Instuctors tell me all the way through aff training about gear checks ,learned to do one then get two more. Instuctor clears me for solo say don't forget to get a gear check. I'm waiting for the plane, I asked a guy to give me a check.He paused then checked things out and said he would jump it. I couldnt help feel like I was imposing on the guy, and funny thing, no one else on the lift does any kind of gear check, either before or in the plane. Is this normal? does everyone forget safety after training or is the gear check thing just there to boost confidence in new people? I kind of like the idea of getting at least one second opinion

I made my very first jump at Lakehurst 1975, static line under a round of coarse. The day we went, the Cessna was down for maintainence, so the Gunnery Sarge/cheif instructor called somebody over at a nearby Army field, they sent over a Huey medivac chopper for us to jump from! The next time I jumped it was 2006 in Southern California. I know lots of years wasted without skydiving :)

A while back I asked for some tips concerning a turning issue while doing level 4. Thanks to many great suggestions from you folks I was able to pass level 4 with flying colors (pun intended!) The best thing I did was do a 10 minute tunnel trip. I felt very relaxed during the jump, and everything went very well,thanks again to everyone who took time to share some tips.............Blue skies ..Kevin

Ok, I've struggled over time to get to level 4 aff, and the reason is I ain't rich. I'm a middle aged dude that drives a truck for a livin', but I love the sky. There are no dz's in the So. Cal. area that does S/L. I was looking at web sites of other dz's where S/L cost as low as 40 bucks a jump right through A lic. I would be able to jump way more, period. I made my very 1st jump, 34 years ago under a round, via S/L , it was just as fun to me then as my aff jumps are now, except I didn't have to explain to the Ol' lady why I blew almost 300 bucks away in the wind....literally! Wanna grow the sport? make it affordable for more folks.

thanks for all the good info....I do have access to a tunnel here at Perris Valley, I think that would be a wise choice (and cheap) I can't wait for my 1st solo where I can just enjoy the view , look at my alt, and pull.....blue skies everyone...

Made my aff level 4 jump, which is a release dive with one instructor, all was going well then after release I went to check altitude and began to turn. I was able to stop , moved forward back to instructor check alt. and off I went. Through all of this I was stable, no potatoe chipping, but kept turning. When it was time to "lock on" I was in a turn until I pulled, which was a good stable pull. Instructor said I was twisting my body when I looked at my altimeter. I'm new obviosly, looking for any Ideas you folks can give me. I still had a blast, but have to do level 4 again.....

Although I'm still in student status, I can't say enough good things about Perris Valley Skydiving. All the instuctors I have been with go out of there way to ease a newby's jitters and have a great time,and let you feel part of the family, so to speak. Great facilities, large landing area, Lots of well maintained aircraft, ( You got to love the shark theme paintjobs on 2 of the Otters). I'm looking forward to jump the jet someday. The misting system sure cools you off while waiting to board, on a hot SoCal day. A great Drop Zone I recommend to anyone