Going skydiving what should I expect?

[sze5003]

Wow...isn't that the place that had so many tandem jump failures last year?

Several newbies fell to their deaths?


:whiste:

I Googled it and found that not all of them were newbies, I think one was a faa licensed parachute packer with over 5,000 jumps. Odds are 1 death in 100,000 jumps but yea now that you mention it, it is weird.

But they are not just here in northeast, they have drop zones across the country.

 

[BoomerD]

I Googled it and found that not all of them were newbies, I think one was a faa licensed parachute packer with over 5,000 jumps. Odds are 1 death in 100,000 jumps but yea now that you mention it, it is weird.

But they are not just here in northeast, they have drop zones across the country.

I worked next to the Lodi (CA) airport in 2001. During that summer, we saw 3 parachutists fall to their deaths. 2 were newbies, one was a veteran with thousands of jumps.
Shit happens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZF9GwgCVfY&feature=youtu.be

 

[sze5003]

I think I saw that one, It looks like she wasn't strapped in correctly and then the instructor just jumps out over her because she could tell something was wrong and would not go forward. Which probably made the situation worse as it loosened everything even more.

 

[RossMAN]

Being strapped to some guy with his dick in your ass while you plummet to the ground at his mercy.

With their dick in your ass.

and you're going on a cruise this weekend, trying to tell us something alky?

 

[Howard]

I did it once in cold weather. Holy shit were my cheeks frozen afterwards.

 

[shortylickens]

I did it once in cold weather. Holy shit were my cheeks frozen afterwards.

In pics and vids they are always wearing goggles, and I'm pretty sure I've seen them wearing face masks too.

 

[momeNt]

Do you have your will and beneficiaries all lined up? Just make sure you cover your bases. Nothing bad will likely happen, and it should be fun, but it's important that you have a good and clear will to save on estate costs.

 

[sze5003]

I don't own a house or any property. I do have some sort of life insurance and I think I have my mother and siblings on there.

Looks like my wound from the surgery healed up and it just looks like a small scab now.

I told my younger brother I'm going and he wanted to go but he's 17 and I don't think they would allow it. If not them, then my mother would definately not allow it. I told him not to say anything to mom. She cried when I bought a motorcycle...can't imagine telling her I'm going to be jumping out of a plane, she thinks I'm crazy enough as it is.

 

[alzan]

I don't own a house or any property. I do have some sort of life insurance and I think I have my mother and siblings on there.

Looks like my wound from the surgery healed up and it just looks like a small scab now.

I told my younger brother I'm going and he wanted to go but he's 17 and I don't think they would allow it. If not them, then my mother would definately not allow it. I told him not to say anything to mom. She cried when I bought a motorcycle...can't imagine telling her I'm going to be jumping out of a plane, she thinks I'm crazy enough as it is.

You should've told her afterwards.

When my wife and I did our jump the place took videos of our jumps; we then showed the videos to my parents...their reactions were priceless, well worth the price of the jumps.

 

[sze5003]

You should've told her afterwards.

When my wife and I did our jump the place took videos of our jumps; we then showed the videos to my parents...their reactions were priceless, well worth the price of the jumps.

I didn't go yet but yea I'll most likely tell her afterwards. If I decide to get the video which I think I should. I think if you want the video after, the cost is $300.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I don't own a house or any property. I do have some sort of life insurance and I think I have my mother and siblings on there.

Looks like my wound from the surgery healed up and it just looks like a small scab now.

I told my younger brother I'm going and he wanted to go but he's 17 and I don't think they would allow it. If not them, then my mother would definately not allow it. I told him not to say anything to mom. She cried when I bought a motorcycle...can't imagine telling her I'm going to be jumping out of a plane, she thinks I'm crazy enough as it is.

Gotta be 18. I jumped w/nephew on his 18th birthday.

Glad you get to go, have a blast take lotsa pics.

 

[sze5003]

Can't seem to find a way to buy a video package and I'm not bringing my cell phone up. You can buy a video after online for $115 but not sure how long you have. They have a special right now for spring where it costs $180 instead of $210. Online video package is $330 I think.

 

[glenn1]

1. Pay attention when they teach you how to PLF (parachute landing fall). 2. Go out the door well and squarely so you don't corkscrew upon deployment, kiss the airframe at 150+ knots, or God forbid become a towed jumper.

Other that that, don't know if I can give you any advice that would be helpful since military parachuting is a such a different beast. For illustration, we called the type of jump you'll be doing "Hollywood" style because you have no gear, weapon, or anything else so you'll leave aircraft a good 100 pounds lighter. Wonder if any civilian skydiving companies will allow you to recreate a combat-style jump?

 

[sze5003]

1. Pay attention when they teach you how to PLF (parachute landing fall). 2. Go out the door well and squarely so you don't corkscrew upon deployment, kiss the airframe at 150+ knots, or God forbid become a towed jumper.

Other that that, don't know if I can give you any advice that would be helpful since military parachuting is a such a different beast. For illustration, we called the type of jump you'll be doing "Hollywood" style because you have no gear, weapon, or anything else so you'll leave aircraft a good 100 pounds lighter. Wonder if any civilian skydiving companies will allow you to recreate a combat-style jump?

I think it depends how the instructor jumps out because I'll be attached. We will be exiting at 14,000 feet with a good amount of free fall, probably 60 seconds.

I think there will be 6 of us total so it should be a good time.

 

[sze5003]

Well I did it! To say the least it was an awesome experience. Basically we arrived at the center in NJ and I had to wait for the rest of my friends. They were very quick about watching the video, signing the papers, and everything else since the training takes time.

What is funny is that they didn't even ask for a receipt or confirmation that we paid. My friend was like I bet we could just walk in and say we had a reservation and paid online. I think the total time waiting was about 1hr.

We then go back into the hangar where we meet our instructors. These guys were pretty crazy, making so many jokes. A few other people with us looked super nervous. We learned how to make your body form a banana and what to do in the three types of landings.

The harness was pretty tight and I was a little scared when my friends started messing with my straps and buckles. Every now and then instructors would come by and tighten us up. Then we boarded the plane and that was it, no way back now I thought.

We were packed in, about 14 of us total. We took up a group of guys who were jumping together to do some stunts and they sat on the floor. We took off and climbed in circles until we reached about 15,000ft.

The plane was bobbing up and down and turning left and right, it didn't even have a proper door attachment. I was a little nervous. At one point the engine sputtered..but its ok because the pilot has his own parachute. It was at that point I realized I'd rather jump than ride this junk back down.

I felt a bunch of pressure as my instructor connected me to his harness and went over the procedure with me. If there was anytime to feel really secure I guess this was the time.

Did I mention my instructor's name was Pancake? Who wouldn't feel safe at this point?

We waddled over to the door, really slowly and close to the ground. There was a bar on top but I didn't grab it because I knew if I did I probably would not want to let go or possibly loosen myself from the harness. I remember looking down and seeing small squares of land and a thin layer of clouds.

Pancake says to me look over there while pointing down to my right by the plane's wheel. Next thing you know I have 120mph of air coming up at me and I'm like shit it got cold. The whole time I'm looking at the ground or trying to level my head up. The wind was so loud I could feel my ears popping too. The instructor moves us in a few circles and at one point we were sideways.

I glance at my arm which has the altimeter and see that it's at 5,000 feet. I reach to my right and pull the cord and the next thing I feel is a slight heavy jerk! Man was my harness riding up my jeans!

We controlled the parachute and made a few turns and those were so much fun minus the harness tightness. I remember how quiet it got all of a sudden, it was just peaceful. It felt like I didn't remember the free fall at all, it was so fast.

Overall it was amazing and anyone should go try it. The whole time I was thinking what if the chute won't open, what if we are tangled..but once you are out the door all of that is wiped out of your head. I wish I remember more of the freefall, it was definitely intense.

 

[Ruptga]

I'd be interested in flying a wingsuit, but to do that you have to have had 200 jumps in the last 18 months. That's gotta be an expensive hobby.

 

[sze5003]

I'd be interested in flying a wingsuit, but to do that you have to have had 200 jumps in the last 18 months. That's gotta be an expensive hobby.

You need 1500 jumps according to the lady instructor we had here. She had 860 jumps, the guy I was strapped to had about 2,000 jumps and the rest also had a ton. They do about 20 jumps a day when they are busy. So every weekend it adds up...my ears are still recovering.

If it was was cheaper I would do it every weekend. I think if I go within 30 days it will cost $20 less.

 

[glenn1]

We controlled the parachute and made a few turns and those were so much fun minus the harness tightness.

You want it tight, especially the leg straps which could shift position otherwise. Trust me, the last thing you want is to have the straps shift and your testicles caught under them since your entire body weight will be pressing the straps into your boys for the entire descent. You *will not* be able to pull yourself up using the risers enough to relieve pressure on them.

 

[sze5003]

Yea it was a lot of fun. The leg straps were alright they didn't squeeze anything down there. Man if it was less expensive I would definately go again.

What I find hard to do would be the training maneuvers on the 2nd and 3rd training jumps. You fall so fast and the wind hits you hard it's tough to figure out how to do all those things. But I guess each time you go up you practice them.

 

[MongGrel]

You need 1500 jumps according to the lady instructor we had here. She had 860 jumps, the guy I was strapped to had about 2,000 jumps and the rest also had a ton. They do about 20 jumps a day when they are busy. So every weekend it adds up...my ears are still recovering.

If it was was cheaper I would do it every weekend. I think if I go within 30 days it will cost $20 less.

The whole wing suit thing really looks psychotic to me, but I guess if you've been jumping awhile doable.

Still...

 

[sze5003]

The whole wing suit thing really looks psychotic to me, but I guess if you've been jumping awhile doable.

Still...

I think you jump at a higher altitude with those suits. I'm not sure how you land with those. I imagine you slide in on your stomach or slow down enough that you come in vertically.

 

[Ruptga]

I think you jump at a higher altitude with those suits. I'm not sure how you land with those. I imagine you slide in on your stomach or slow down enough that you come in vertically.

I suppose you could, if you're the Wolverine. Otherwise you pull a regular chute at a certain altitude. The wingsuit basically extends the freefall phase of the jump.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Did I mention my instructor's name was Pancake? Who wouldn't feel safe at this point?.

My tandem was named "Kush". I promptly inquired about the instructor drug testing policies.

Would you go again?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I suppose you could, if you're the Wolverine. Otherwise you pull a regular chute at a certain altitude. The wingsuit basically extends the freefall phase of the jump.

Saw a guy on some TV show that flew a squirrel suit into a big stack of cardboard boxes. No chute.

A skimming water landing has got to be on some nutters mind.

 

[sze5003]

My tandem was named "Kush". I promptly inquired about the instructor drug testing policies.

Would you go again?

Yea I definitely would go again. In the flight log book it says I can do two more tandems and then on the fourth jump I would be on my own but jumping out with an instructor who would monitor you and ask you to make maneuvers like turning left and right, and then back to original heading.

Although, once you have to pull the parachute I feel I would have a hard time navigating back to the drop zone and using the brakes, flaring turning.

To complete the different classes you have to do 10 jumps for a simple license. So I need 2 more tandem and then 7 solo via instructor. There is a lot you need to do in freefall and its tough because it's loud, cold, air is hitting your face like crazy and you have to stay calm and do all the heading exercises.

That part and maneuvering the parachute would be hard. If it wasn't so expensive I would definitely do it every weekend.