Parachuting - doing my AFF tomorrow
Discussion
I'd been thinking of doing a jump for years, then after a few beers and with my credit card in hand put down a deposit on a dive in January.
Things have now become very real, I'm up at Headcorn airfield in the accommodation having just had a few beers with the instructors. Cracking lads and certainly an interesting bunch.
Full day of training tomorrow then a jump or two on Weds.
I've always come down in the plane I went up in. Should be interesting.
Anyone on PH still jumping from here? Not seen any sky diving threads on here in a while!
Things have now become very real, I'm up at Headcorn airfield in the accommodation having just had a few beers with the instructors. Cracking lads and certainly an interesting bunch.
Full day of training tomorrow then a jump or two on Weds.
I've always come down in the plane I went up in. Should be interesting.
Anyone on PH still jumping from here? Not seen any sky diving threads on here in a while!
I haven't done AFF but have done a tandem jump and am booked to do another one this August. I wouldn't be brave enough to do a solo jump, properly shat myself on the tandem but loved every minute of it. Can't wait to do it again.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
I am in this picture somewhere!
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
I am in this picture somewhere!
Edited by mcelliott on Monday 6th April 22:40
Enjoy it! I found the 2nd worse than the first, as I now knew what was going to happen! It was all amazing from there.
Be prepared for your senses to lock up that first time. Too much information to process as you go out of the door... after a few seconds everything will come back. It will then be AMAZING!
Be prepared for your senses to lock up that first time. Too much information to process as you go out of the door... after a few seconds everything will come back. It will then be AMAZING!
Tonsko said:
Enjoy it! I found the 2nd worse than the first, as I now knew what was going to happen! It was all amazing from there.
Be prepared for your senses to lock up that first time. Too much information to process as you go out of the door... after a few seconds everything will come back. It will then be AMAZING!
Cheers I think Be prepared for your senses to lock up that first time. Too much information to process as you go out of the door... after a few seconds everything will come back. It will then be AMAZING!
Was chatting to one of the lads after his jump today and asked him how it was. He couldn't quite put it into words but sounded like the ex drugy bloke that came round my secondary school when we asked him what doing crack for the first time was like. Think I'm going to like it!
citizensm1th said:
im currently working my butt off to loose that last 7 lb to dip under 16 stone so I can do a static line jump
Do it fella, though do think of doing AFF instead. Much better from what people have been saying. BTW - you could just find a really skinny instructor :P Man, you'll buzz. So much.
It's also the world's best and fastest hangover cure... I remember distinctly having a stinking hangover, as at the DZ I was doing AFF at, about 10 people had hit landmarks - there was a tradition of buying a crate of beer. Anyway, full on nausea. Walked around the back of the twin otter, avgas hit me. I nearly vommed on the spot. Proper hanging. Anyway, went up, as I 'stepped off' at the bottom, I was as fresh as a daisy! Blew the cobwebs right out.
It's also the world's best and fastest hangover cure... I remember distinctly having a stinking hangover, as at the DZ I was doing AFF at, about 10 people had hit landmarks - there was a tradition of buying a crate of beer. Anyway, full on nausea. Walked around the back of the twin otter, avgas hit me. I nearly vommed on the spot. Proper hanging. Anyway, went up, as I 'stepped off' at the bottom, I was as fresh as a daisy! Blew the cobwebs right out.
Edited by Tonsko on Tuesday 7th April 22:44
Tonsko said:
Man, you'll buzz. So much.
It's also the world's best and fastest hangover cure... I remember distinctly having a stinking hangover, as at the DZ I was doing AFF at, about 10 people had hit landmarks - there was a tradition of buying a crate of beer. Anyway, full on nausea. Walked around the back of the twin otter, avgas hit me. I nearly vommed on the spot. Anyway, went up, as I 'stepped off' at the bottom, I was as fresh as a daisy! Blew the cobwebs right out.
Not bumped into you since the 'Trying to get into good code habbits' threads, coders have an ill deserved reputation evidently It's also the world's best and fastest hangover cure... I remember distinctly having a stinking hangover, as at the DZ I was doing AFF at, about 10 people had hit landmarks - there was a tradition of buying a crate of beer. Anyway, full on nausea. Walked around the back of the twin otter, avgas hit me. I nearly vommed on the spot. Anyway, went up, as I 'stepped off' at the bottom, I was as fresh as a daisy! Blew the cobwebs right out.
Had quite a few with the lads tonight so rather good news.
Just need to remember which cord to pull and all should be good! Think I've already caught the bug, awesome bunch and not seen go many people grinning like idiots since I was clubbing in the 90's.
Oh my god. Never experienced a buzz like it. Credit card has come out and second jump of the day booked. Will chuck up some video evidence later.
Rosscow said:
Weather here in East Sussex is gorgeous today so looks like you've picked a good day to do it! I'm not far from Headcorn (about 45 minutes).
Good luck!
Cheers fella, bit cloudy but the sensation of falling through the clouds and opening was insane! Nice and warm, wind is low too. Bloody perfect!Good luck!
CountZero23 said:
Oh my god. Never experienced a buzz like it. Credit card has come out and second jump of the day booked. Will chuck up some video evidence later.
Well done!Rosscow said:
Weather here in East Sussex is gorgeous today so looks like you've picked a good day to do it! I'm not far from Headcorn (about 45 minutes).
Good luck!
Cheers fella, bit cloudy but the sensation of falling through the clouds and opening was insane! Nice and warm, wind is low too. Bloody perfect!Good luck!
It has indeed clouded over slightly. Hopefully brightening up later (for a cheeky few holes of after work golf!)
Ere we go.
Incredible experience, just insane how intense it was. Will be doing my level 3 next month. Can't recommend it highly enough!
Really nice bunch down there too, jumpers and instructors.
AAF Level 1 - Headcorn UK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am5wT8kWH8U
AAF Level 2 - Headcorn UK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8CC5JC4ixQ
Incredible experience, just insane how intense it was. Will be doing my level 3 next month. Can't recommend it highly enough!
Really nice bunch down there too, jumpers and instructors.
AAF Level 1 - Headcorn UK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am5wT8kWH8U
AAF Level 2 - Headcorn UK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8CC5JC4ixQ
Taita said:
Top tip is wear some thinnish gloves whilst you learn. Helps keep the thorns out your palms
Thin MTB ones are fine.
Wasn't cold so didn't bother. Wasn't thinking of the additional benefits Thin MTB ones are fine.
Managed to land it in the drop zone both times though more to do with wind conditions than skill as suddenly realized I was well outside the DZ at 1000 feet as had been somewhat distracted by the falling from 12000 feet thing.
Actually stayed standing on my second jump though went arse over tit into sheep s
t the first time round! Edited by CountZero23 on Thursday 9th April 20:01
fking awesome. The videos show the 'emotion' perfectly in a way - all that wind noise, with everything in total chaos and your mind whirling in circles while you try to take it all in - the sensation, the instructions and then... the main opens. Everything calms down, you get a few seconds to take stock, the wind noise dies to a whisper and you can enjoy the view before having to concentrate and not turn too low and flare at the right time.
I saw a fellow on AFF, against repeated strict instructions, try to pull a turn around 20 feet up. His canopy collapsed and it just dumped him unceremoniously on the ground. Looked proper painful. I saw him later on, and no broken bones, but a thigh the size of a watermelon.
Exactly how terrifying is it to jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane? At least until you feel the buzz!
king awesome. The videos show the 'emotion' perfectly in a way - all that wind noise, with everything in total chaos and your mind whirling in circles while you try to take it all in - the sensation, the instructions and then... the main opens. Everything calms down, you get a few seconds to take stock, the wind noise dies to a whisper and you can enjoy the view before having to concentrate and not turn too low and flare at the right time.I saw a fellow on AFF, against repeated strict instructions, try to pull a turn around 20 feet up. His canopy collapsed and it just dumped him unceremoniously on the ground. Looked proper painful. I saw him later on, and no broken bones, but a thigh the size of a watermelon.
Exactly how terrifying is it to jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane? At least until you feel the buzz!
Edited by Tonsko on Thursday 9th April 20:01
Tonsko said:
fking awesome. The videos show the 'emotion' perfectly in a way - all that wind noise, with everything in total chaos and your mind whirling in circles while you try to take it all in - the sensation, the instructions and then... the main opens. Everything calms down, you get a few seconds to take stock, the wind noise dies to a whisper and you can enjoy the view before having to concentrate and not turn too low and flare at the right time.
I saw a fellow on AFF, against repeated strict instructions, try to pull a turn around 20 feet up. His canopy collapsed and it just dumped him unceremoniously on the ground. Looked proper painful. I saw him later on, and no broken bones, but a thigh the size of a watermelon.
Exactly how terrifying is it to jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane? At least until you feel the buzz!
Nicely put, total chaos is about right for the first few seconds. It's like you thought the volume only went up to ten and as you fall out of the plane life goes to 11. My summer has been reprioritised - only thing I can think about is getting my AFF and jumping. New car fund will have to wait king awesome. The videos show the 'emotion' perfectly in a way - all that wind noise, with everything in total chaos and your mind whirling in circles while you try to take it all in - the sensation, the instructions and then... the main opens. Everything calms down, you get a few seconds to take stock, the wind noise dies to a whisper and you can enjoy the view before having to concentrate and not turn too low and flare at the right time.I saw a fellow on AFF, against repeated strict instructions, try to pull a turn around 20 feet up. His canopy collapsed and it just dumped him unceremoniously on the ground. Looked proper painful. I saw him later on, and no broken bones, but a thigh the size of a watermelon.
Exactly how terrifying is it to jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane? At least until you feel the buzz!
Yup, heard allot of tails of people messing up landings - flairing too early then stopping the flare at similar heights with similar results. No broken bones or trees involved in either of my landings so taking it as a win.
Really want to try wing suit flying though keenly aware of just how much of the basics I've yet to learn / master first. Really not something you want to rush
Caught the bug something chronic!
Busa mav said:
Loved watching the vids,
only ever done a couple of static line jumps myself , but that just looks fantastic , well done
Cheers fella, the freefall part is incredible - if you liked static line you'll love AFF. only ever done a couple of static line jumps myself , but that just looks fantastic , well done
Have turned into an evangelist and trying to indoctrinate all my mates. Had 3/4 peope at friends birthday dinner interested in giving it a go. Will see how enthusiastic they are now they've sobered up
Went up up again a couple of weeks back for the AFF level 3. Didn't manage to pass it this time round, should of done my practice pulls earlier giving me more time to try to get stable.
Leaving it over a month meant I didn't have the same feel for nailing the correct position. Booked in to do 10 mins in a wind tunnel this Monday, means I can get the equivalent of 11 free fall jumps of experience to learn how to fly about rather than the current tumble Doing 2/3 the next day so hoping to get through another couple of levels!
Didn't know quite how awesome wind tunnels were. This video shows a bunch of lads who aren't to bad in one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XxyZ0oGJ8M.
Here are some vids of the last jump.
Belly Cam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ah3cNwWO6k
Instructor 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi9J2EkeqZk
Instructor 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy-3S-JXuKE
Leaving it over a month meant I didn't have the same feel for nailing the correct position. Booked in to do 10 mins in a wind tunnel this Monday, means I can get the equivalent of 11 free fall jumps of experience to learn how to fly about rather than the current tumble
Doing 2/3 the next day so hoping to get through another couple of levels! Didn't know quite how awesome wind tunnels were. This video shows a bunch of lads who aren't to bad in one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XxyZ0oGJ8M.
Here are some vids of the last jump.
Belly Cam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ah3cNwWO6k
Instructor 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi9J2EkeqZk
Instructor 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy-3S-JXuKE
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