Jumps Update- 35

I have 35 jumps now and have completed everything for the A license except a braked approach and landing. This isn't a big deal, but I wanted to save it for last because it can cause a very rough landing if you don't know your canopy.

Since my last jump posts I've done a 2 way with a really good D licensed jumper, another coached jump (this one with Uwe), and a hop-n-pop at 3,300 feet.

The 2 way was pretty cool. We took turns turning 360's then I watched as he pulled right next to me and fell away from him. That was sweet.

The coached jump was pretty crappy from the start when I flipped head over feet on my way out the door. I didn't push off with my right foot so it decided to stay in the plane. Then Uwe was pretty tough to catch up to as we altered our fall rates. He has 12,000 jumps, so I guess I shouldn't feel too bad.

The hop-n-pop is a requirement for the A license. It worked out really well that we had heavy weather moving in on us after we were in the plane. We could either jump below the clouds or ride the plane to the ground. Ten jumpers went out one right after the other, pulling their chutes immediately out the door. Eight stayed on the plane (figure that out).

Packing Class

One of the requirements for an A license is that you must be able to pack a parachute. No big deal, I signed up for a packing class- $50. Nice.

Okay this class was HELL. You learn to pack by trying repeatedly ALL DAY LONG until you get it completely right without any help, THEN you jump the damn thing! No room for cutting corners here, you will jump what you pack in order to pass the class.

We started at 10:30. If you have never atempted to pack a parachute.. Don't! They have a mind of their own and do not cooperate at all. How would you like to be folded up and shoved into a bag?

So, the other student finished his pack job around 2:30 and jumped it. I was nowhere close to getting it. At just after 5 I managed to complete a full pack job successfully, catch the last flight of the day, and whine about my poor stubby little fingers to anyone willing to listen.

In retrospect I'm very happy I tackled this class and even though packing isn't something I am very good at I do look forward to doing it more often and getting better.

Sit Flying

On my last few jumps I've been attempting to learn to sit fly. Sit flying is simply falling in an upright position as if you were sitting in a chair. It's been interesting trying to learn it. I usually end up getting very close to the correct position and then flipping over on my back.

Here's a picture of someone doing it correctly:

http://www.bpa.org.uk/
The key to any of this stuff is to force your body into the correct position and not worry about trying to move where you want to go. The relative wind will put you in the right place if your body is correct. This is very counter intuitive, and a real challenge for me.

When a newbie like myself learns a new position it usually involves a good few jumps spent flailing around in the sky like an idiot. I wish I had pictures to post. They would be hilarious.

I did manage to hold the position for a few seconds on my last jump, but was much more upright than the guy in the photo. This causes you to have a much faster fall rate. I was approaching my pull altitude so I went back to belly down after a few seconds.
I'll get it figured out!