Written by nmagann on 07 Nov, 2000
Okay, I figure I'm only going to do this once in my life and don't want to do tandem or static line. Taft, just outside of Bakersfield allows accelerated freefall for first timers. Six hours of grueling training. What is the first thing you…Read More
Okay, I figure I'm only going to do this once in my life and don't want to do tandem or static line. Taft, just outside of Bakersfield allows accelerated freefall for first timers.
Six hours of grueling training. What is the first thing you do after you open the chute? What if it is has a hole, is it still landable? Don't forget the risers and which set do you use if both chutes open at the same time? What to do in a high speed spin. Thanks for the scare tactics to what is really a safe sport. My instructor had 5000 jumps to his credit without ever using his reserve. (see end)
Six hours later, I'm in the plane and standing at the door looking down. A pat on the shoulder and I jump my altimeter reading 13,500 ft. I reach 5000 feet and pull the ring. I pop upwards and say to myself, 'I hope I did the right thing.' Not that anyone could here me.
I stay clear of the aqueduct and powerlines, watch my altitude and follow the baseball diamond pattern I was told to follow and land.
For what its worth, my instructor who landed before me had to use his reserve chute because his main one was bad.