Skydiving Experience

First a couple of jumps within the morning, and inside the afternoon we left for the hot air balloon festival in Breda. It took our Caravan about half an hour to fly to Breda. We had to spot ‘manually’ mainly because the coordinates in our GPS didn’t match what we saw (= were wrong). There was quiet a little of wind (some 10 to 15 knots, my estimate) but some oldtimers about the load worked it out perfectly: 3 runs, everybody landed in.

Late afternoon, the wind calmed down, and te balloons could go up. And we could make a balloon jump. A couple of balloonists started calculating with windspeeds, altitudes and directions. Checking google maps on their i-phones, and off we went. To some field about 15 km upwind. We unloaded our balloon, and 15 minutes later, we were definitely airborne: 4 skydivers, 6 ‘regular’ passengers and 2 crew. Imagine our surprise (and admiration) when their calculations proofed spot on: we ended up heading straight towards the festival terrain. We have been going to jump 2 by 2. I was in the first ‘run’. Altitude around 4000 ft, the balloonist gives the go, we climb on the basket. Ready set go. What an incredible feeling. The quiet, silence, and then the speed (and the wind) starting, having louder. The forward speed building up (the track gaining effect). Whooaw. I never made a basejump, but I can certain see that this is addictive.

There have been still a handful of balloons taking off or having ready to take off when I came in to land. You really can not judge the vertical or horizontal speed of a balloon underneath you, so that was a bit tricky. But hey, a balloon fly-by with all the passengers waving at you, that’s good, no? I gave a little of show on landing, and I got quiet a huge applause for it.

Free food and drinks for the rest in the evening. Thx everybody for a excellent experience!

This (plus quite a few other) pictures ended up made by Lars Scheve, official photographer with the event.

Finally here… last dive to get my A license. To celebrate even, my mom and my little sister came up to watch, and i talked my mom into doing a tandem too!

On this jump, i was a little bit nervous again, not because of the jump really, I���m comfortable with that, but i just wanted to make sure this jump went well. I’ve seen a few students go beyond the 25 required jumps to get all the stuff on their A card filled out, their hop & pops, etc.. And I really wanted to have it all done when I landed. So before we went up, me and Todd went over my A card and had to finish up a few of the category quizes, then we got ready for the load. The ride up was pretty nice, everyone knew it would be my check ride, and were really supportive, as always.

The dive was flawless. Todd got out on the rear float, and i took a diving stance and gave the count.. out.. in… go. The exit was really nice, i was about four feet away from Todd all the way down the hill. All i had to do was a 360 right, 360 left, and a backflip, then turn 90 off jump run and track back and forth, five or six seconds in each direction til pull time.

I was done with the manuevers by 9,000 feet, then starting tracking. At 7,000 feet some clouds had blown in (i swear, we didn’t see anything when we spotted ) and i went right through them for two thousand feet! When i first went into them i stopped my track and just held my position until i dropped through the bottom, then started my track again til 4500, did my wave off and pull.

The spot was a little long, but since i had the wind at my back i used my brakes to push myself a little faster forward and made it back for a perfect on-target stand up landing..

Once we got back into the packing area Todd was happy to sign-off and stamp my A card (now my official temporary license untill i get my new membership card from USPA).

And that was it! Now I’m a licensed skydiver!
Well, first I have to send $20 to the USPA…
…then i’ll be a licensed skydiver!

1
Go on a tandem skydive to try it out. Ahead of you invest the time and money to grow to be a qualified skydiver, make a tandem jump (one where you might be attached to an instructor via a harness). This is really a excellent idea because you want to obtain a feel as to what skydiving is like so you won’t experience “sensory overload” during your training. Find a USPA affiliated dropzone near you and set up an appointment (http://www.dropzone.com). Be prepared to sign a waiver.

2
Anybody in fine physical health and under a specific weight limit can become a qualified skydiver. So that you can become a certified skydiver, you much go via the Accelerated FreeFall (AFF) program. Program requirements change from dropzone to dropzone, but usually the AFF program hasŇ levels. Eahc level you are going to be required to accomplish a skydive and specified maneuvers on your jump.

3
Prior to your primary AFF jump, you will likely be required to complete a Very first Jump Course. You may learn about malfunctions, gear, emergency procedures, hand signals, and other things related to the jumps you’re about to perform.

4
AFF levels 1-3: you’ll exit the aircraft wearing your personal parachute. You are going to exit with two instructors holding on to you, giving you hand signals to correct body positions and give you directions. You is going to be expected to perform specific straightforward maneuvers for example initiating turns. Your instructors will stay with you during freefall and until you pull your parachute. Should you don’t pull by a specific altitude, they will do it for you. You is going to be by yourself under your parachute, and most likely have an instructor on the ground directing you until you land safely.

5
AFF levels 4-7: You are going to exit the aircraft with only one instructor who will not be holding on to you (unless you happen to be unstable). You are going to be asked to perform trickier maneuvers such as flips.

6
Once you graduate from AFF, you might be on your very own! You really should locate a coach at your dropzone and do a few coach jumps prior to playing within the air with your friends. Now, it’s time to begin searching for gear and having a BLAST!

7
Next Step: Become a USPA member and get your A license!

First was simple …. Tension knots on right side wont clear fly’s straight but folds under and dives when flared. fly to runway cutaway at 3000 nice landing main landing area everything retrieved in 30 minutes.

Second.. Today… Drogue in toe…. pull main drogue release at 4500 wont extract secondary at 4000 wont extract pull reserve at 3500 wont extract… regroup!!!!!! look oh SHIT Cable housing not reserve handle FUCKING idiot… Reserve handle pulled and cleared 2500….. POP…. Cypres fire saddled out under reserve between 1600 and 14Ȓ. ….. land off main runway 100 yards…

See pics of complete cutaway sequence from first and both uncut reserve closing loops of second… Both closing loops are frayed on the top edge slightly possibly from the cutters??? Both reserve loops were installed new by me 2 days prior when assembling tandem rig for service. I always said I would stop jumping if cypres saved my life…I sure think this was too close….
———————-
How did you manage to get the drogue in your toe?
————————–
Drogue 3 ring double loop was thru the second ring. I stood on both the primary and secondary release handles and could not extract either… Yes I missed it in my pre flight…… I pulled the drogue 3 ring up and called myself looking at it as I do before putting every rig on but I was complacent like looking at your watch then realizing you did not even read the time…..

The rig was a Strong dual hawk
————————-
I was taught that when we are checking something that we do regularly like a 3-ring or a pin check that it helps to touch it by placing a finger on it. This focuses the attention clearly at what you are doing and takes no longer to check than normal.

As you said its like looking at the watch. Glad your okay. Hope this helps prevent the same thing happening to someone else.
———————————-
I caught one of these by chance 2 min before exit, student had asked what it was and why i pulled his cables(seating them) and noticed it was through the middle ring.
Had wondered if it would have caused a mal or not, now I know.
Quick go around and re-route and went without incident.
Thanks for sharing.
——————————————-
I catch myself doing that, especially toward the end of a long day. I’ve closed the flaps then think ‘I didn’t even “look” at that.’ Start over and concentrate what I’m inspecting. I’ve found a misrouted three ring a time or two.

Also, I don’t like going as low as 4,500′, especially considering a slow opening can go 1000′. Everyone on my DZ pulls between 5,500 and 6k.
—————————-
Huh – so the loop was through the second ring only or ring 1 and 2? I’ve seen a tandem hop & pop I suspect was caused by the same thing…
——————————————–
Second ring only… as I look back I checked the cable side to insure 1 and 1 thru each loop but never looked at the front side….I could not budge either drogue release. The pull force must be 200+ pounds because I stood on them both.
—————————————————

So you’re thinking of going skydiving, huh? Should you are planning to go for your 1st tandem skydiving experience, but you are feeling a little doubtful about it, do not worry, it’s absolutely typical for very first time jumpers to feel nervous and have doubts about making this selection. But, you’ve done your initial smart choice about going skydiving – researching about it! Hopefully, these tips will give you a clear idea of what to do and what to expect prior to your jump and support you decide when you are ready for one hell of a ride!

Action 1
1st, ask yourself, ‘am I going to back out of this later or do I really wish to do this no matter what?’

Action 2
If you’re mentally ready to start, continue with the following steps.

Phase 3
Uncover out the price of the tandem leap and of video from your skydiving center of preference. (I would suggest to get a video … I mean, you will probably be jumping out of a plane! Wouldn’t you would like to see yourself pursuing this?) Put aside some money for it because it can be costly. Make an appointment ahead of time.

Action 4
On the day of your skydive, have a fine breakfast meal if your leap is early in the day. Also have a good meal at least 1-2 hours ahead of your bounce if the start is later from the day.

Action 5
Be comfortable. You’ll be able to wear a t-shirt, jeans, shorts, sport pants, sneakers. No jewelry.

Phase 6
Gather as several men and women as you’ll be able to to go with you. It’s often very good to have your friends as your support group. It will make your encounter a additional memorable and exciting one. Having company will also ease the anxiety which you may well get even though you’re waiting long hours for your turn to jump.

Stage 7
Leave all your carry-on stuff in your car or in a safe place because you won’t be taking it with you on the plane.

Move 8
Don’t forget to be crazy on your video and most importantly take pleasure in each single moment of this.

Phaseʼn
Throughout the plane ride (in my opinion, this is when all the nerves kick in!) listen and follow everything that your instructor is telling you. Just relax, loosen up, and appreciate the nervousness and excitement that you are going to most possibly feel at this moment.

Stage 10
Moments ahead of the jump, start swallowing to clear out your ears so you may effortlessly adjust to the pressure and prevent earache even though freefalling. It’s recommended to not start even though you have a cold.

Step 11
Once that you are all set to start out, embrace this moment due to the fact there’s nothing like your primary start experience.

Move 12
Remember to keep your eyes open the whole way.

Action 13
Have fun. The 1st step out is the greatest!

Skydiving seems to be a fairly uncomplicated sport. You have a parachute, and a reserve chute, and then you jump out of a plane. Although those are the basics, so that you can stay safe there’s far more gear that any skydiver will wish to have on them. Almost every single piece of equipment is created to keep the skydiver safe and prevent accidents.
Skydiving Experience
Size
Basic skydiving requires a minimum of equipment. With little much more than two parachutes and a plane, any skydiver is essentially ready to jump. Skydivers are limited in what they can take with them on a jump due to size restrictions. Anything they use must fit on their backs with the chutes, or be strapped somewhere to their bodies. Heavy objects alter how a skydiver falls, so weight is also a consideration. As a result, most of a skydiver’s gear is both compact and lightweight.

Features
There are a number of components to any skydiver’s gear. There are the parachutes, both a main and a reserve, without which a dive turns into a “bounce,” something every skydiver dreads. The chutes, along with the Automatic Activation Device (AAD), jumpsuit, goggles and a helmet go into skydiver’s backpack, also called “the container.” An altimeter is an essential part of any skydiver’s gear, and in addition to the chute and AAD, is one of the most important items to own. For added safety, many skydivers also carry hook knifes.

Function
Some equipment have obvious functions, such as the parachute. The main parachute is backed up by the reserve chute, used if there is a malfunction with the main chute. The altimeter tells the skydiver how far above the ground they are, as well as indicates when the chute must be deployed (before the red zone indicated on most altimeters). The AAD is a safety device designed to deploy the skydiver’s reserve chute in an emergency when the skydiver cannot. A hook knife is another safety device used to cut away the main canopy (parachute) if there is a problem when it deploys.

Considerations
Most of the gear mentioned above is not mandated by any guidelines in the United States. There is no law saying you have to wear a helmet or goggles, and novices who tandem jump often do so without a jumpsuit. Goggles are also not mandatory, but they make it much easier to see against the rushing wind. Helmets are also a safety item that the prudent skydiver should wear. Most solo skydivers invest in a jumpsuit, which, much like goggles, makes the jump much more comfortable for the diver

Warning
Skydiving can be a dangerous activity, and even experienced skydivers check their equipment before each and every jump. Laws in England mandate a hook knife for each dive however, even without corresponding laws in the United States, many American jumpers include one in their gear. Knowing how to properly use the equipment is just as important as having it. Likewise, keeping equipment in good condition and checking it regularly ensure that the risks of skydiving are kept to a minimum.

Stage 1
Go on a tandem skydive to try it out. Just before you invest the time and funds to grow to be a qualified skydiver, make a tandem jump (a single where you are attached to an instructor via a harness). This is a very good idea because you want to get a feel as to what skydiving is like so you won’t experience “sensory overload” in the course of your training. Come across a USPA affiliated dropzone near you and set up an appointment (http://www.dropzone.com). Be prepared to sign a waiver.

Stage 2
Anybody in fine physical health and under a selected weight limit can become a certified skydiver. So that you can come to be a licensed skydiver, you much go via the Accelerated FreeFall (AFF) program. Course requirements change from dropzone to dropzone, but typically the AFF program has 7 levels. Eahc level you will probably be necessary to complete a skydive and specific maneuvers on your jump.
Skydiving Experience
Phase 3
Prior to your initial AFF jump, you will probably be needed to complete a Primary Jump Course. You might learn about malfunctions, gear, emergency procedures, hand signals, and other things related to the jumps you might be about to accomplish.

Stage 4
AFF levels 1-3: you are going to exit the aircraft wearing your personal parachute. You’ll exit with two instructors holding on to you, giving you hand signals to correct body positions and give you directions. You are going to be expected to perform selected uncomplicated maneuvers for instance initiating turns. Your instructors will stay with you in the course of freefall and until you pull your parachute. In case you don’t pull by a certain altitude, they will do it for you. You will likely be by yourself under your parachute, and most likely have an instructor on the ground directing you until you land safely.

Action 5
AFF levels 4-7: You may exit the aircraft with only a single instructor who will not be holding on to you (unless you’re unstable). You will be asked to carry out trickier maneuvers just like flips.

Step 6
Once you graduate from AFF, you might be on your own! You ought to come across a coach at your dropzone and do a few coach jumps ahead of playing within the air with your friends. Now, it is time to begin trying to find gear and having a BLAST!

Stage 7
Next Stage: Come to be a USPA member and get your A license!

Step 1
Attach a harness to an instructor’s parachute system and jump from anywhere between 11,000 to 13,000 feet. This is known as a tandem jump due to the fact the instructor is behind the skydiver, and the two jump from the plane in this way. The instructor pulls the parachute cord close to 4,000 feet unless he gives the option for the skydiver to do so.

Step 2
Jump from three,000 feet using a static line leap if the skydiver doesn’t want to be strapped to another person and she’s fairly new to skydiving. There’s a cord attached for the plane and towards parachute that automatically pulls the parachute out when the skydiver jumps. It’s less of a free fall than a tandem jump, but it requires that the skydiver land on her own along with radio or visual assistance from somebody on the ground.

Step three
Do everything yourself with the accelerated free-fall technique. The skydiver and two instructors leap from the plane with individual parachutes from 11,000 to 13,000 feet. The instructors hold onto the skydiver although he free-falls for 45 seconds and simulates the pulling of the rip cord a few times to inform the instructors that he is capable of performing it. The skydiver pulls the rip cord close to 4,500 feet, and the instructors let go of him. The skydiver then has to land on his own, being guided for the ground by radio or visual signals.

Saturday, October 25th, I drove out to Skydive The Farm with only a few hours to spare. Said hello to some familiar faces for a short even though just before it was time for gear check.

This jump was with Bruce, who can be a really talented free of charge flyer. He decided to hold on to my chest strap while I exited into a sit, and go head down. In my eyes, I flew like crap. I kept adjusting my feet, out straight, the close up under me, trying to match Bruce’s fall rate. My body must of looked like a yo-yo. Bruce later commented that I must have just got into a stable sit and held it. But for some reason, I wanted to be able to do more, to support him out to ensure that we could fly within inches safely. We didn’t drift apart far, and I was in a position to turn as I kept adjusting my fall rate to keep facing him.

The landing was smooth as I approached crossing the trees around 500 feet. Did a turn to final close to 250, and followed everyone else’s lead turning a bit far more into the wind. There was a considerable cross wind. I flared, and well the wind had other plans for me. Instead a gust caught my canopy and pushed me down tough. I had no if any forward speed. I remember feeling that sharp pain in my feet and ankles. I had my legs bent and tried to prepare for the landing but still fell forward on my knees. Sky Dave was walking up as I was standing and asked “Does that canopy have any flare?” I laughed …. and responded “sure, when the wind isn’t pushing it down so hard”. I walked away and had no injuries. Damn wind.

Did a 4 way RW jump with Laura, Kyle and Steve. We made the decision to go for a round, and turn a diamond on every person with rounds in between each diamond. We calculated we pulled off seven points ahead of hitting our challenging deck at 4500 feet. Was a good skydive. The landing was soft…canopy flared nicely.

Had to hurry and pack and get back to neighborhood for the holiday bash. Was fun, kids and mommies filed house as a smaller group of guys remained to finish off the keg. I grew tired and we began loading the keg in the back of Mike�™s SUV dropping off at an additional guy��s garage.

On Saturday, December 6th; I met Arne out at Skydive The Farm. Various others were there like Kyle, Edwardo, Rodrigo, DZ Chad… so many familiar faces, too a lot of to list.

The weatherman known as for much more sunshine than clouds and low 50′s F. When I arrived, we had more clouds than sunshine (actually the sun wasn�™t out until the sunset load). The temperature was around the mid-forty’s.

This was great practice for me as being inside the front it’s critical to drive my legs down similar to how I do when sit flying. If I hadn’t held up the front….we would all have fallen apart. I’m happy I’m improving…I was able to hold my sit all the way down…

At the end Chad was going to obtain picture of me opening. The problem was I dropped fast and was lower than him. I waited for a little although, and then saw him deploy. I looked at my altimeter although deploying my key parachute. It was the lowest I have ever opened my major canopy. Not smart!

I was under my key canopy, flying back to the field at The Farm…when I realized the chance of me making it over the trees, power lines and wooden fence that face the primary road was growing slim. Rather than push my luck…there was a nice field to my appropriate. I turned into it and landed safely on my feet. I slid with my shoes across the mounds of grass for numerous feet. I was fortunate, specifically when it comes to not stepping on a cow pie.

This jump stared out with Edwardo, Rodrigo, and Arne. We were in line behind a huge group of belly flyers when they chose not to jump. Our group felt comfortable as we knew the bottoms of the cloud cover was 8500 feet. So we passed them and went. I exited a bit behind the group and went into a sit while I watched them the entire time. I eventually caught up to them, flew more than to Edwardo as he headed over to Arne. Arne was base….somehow I was having so much fun, I forgot.

A good suggestion was as I jump much more with Arne, for me to do whatever I have to to try and stick with Arne. Arne is making progress in his free flying…and it will only tune my skills even much more if I can adjust and hang with him. I can improvise on my sit, stand and belly to adjust his descent rate. I look forward to trying this out. We also talked about locking legs again to help stable things out a bit. His shoulder has to heal up more before trying a day of that.

Last jump of the day. We decided to all belly fly and just have fun. I must admit, as the sun was dropping, it was acquiring quite cold. By the time I landed, my fingers hurt a lot. I don��t know if I really messed them up when I was a kid growing up skiing and running around in the snow all the time. But my finger tips felt like pins were being shoved into them. I’m going to check out some warmer but less bulky gloves at some local sports stores.

All in all a wonderful day. The evening was welcomed with food and a holiday gift exchange. I managed to catch some video while trying out my new camera….maybe I will post some of it.