I don't like potato chips

I don't like to eat them either. If you're a skydiver, you know what I mean.

I completed Level III of my Strong Tandem certification last Sunday, this time it was out of a Cessna. I think I was rushing because I had less altitude to work with, so maybe I was rushing. I knew that I was potato chipping in freefall, so I tried to relax, arch, and put my legs further out into the air. I think that is where I went wrong- I TRIED to relax. Relax is about putting LESS effort in, by letting go. Instead I put more imput in, and the potato chipping continued.

I passed the level with flying colors, even though I made a few mistakes. I forgot to detach and reattach the primary drogue release from the student's harness to my harness. I also talked about landing too late under canopy (during the base leg). No biggie- these are all fixable mistakes that aren't a huge deal.

Even though I am making progress towards my instructor's rating, I'm a little frustrated. I still can't flare the 400 SETS canopy. Despite my big efforts to get stronger at the gym, I am not any closer to getting a full flare. Here's the rub: I will probably be taking smaller people on tandems, so it will be easier to flare. But they probably won't be able to help me. The larger passengers make it harder to flare, but they will be able to help me. So which is it? Hmmmmm.......

Recent Updates

I'm making more progress on my tandem certification training. I did another tandem jump, this time on the front as the student. I threw the drogue, did handle checks, and some 360s. I also pulled the primary drogue release to deploy the canopy. I could flare all the way this time, but I had a hard time transfering the steering lines down from the shoulders to the chest height. Once they were at chest height, I could flare all the way. So all of that hard work at the gym is starting to pay off! The winds were so high, we were holding into the wind the whole time and we were going backwards the whole way! Instead of cutting away the canopy, we just laid down and pulled in a toggle. The catchers couldn't get there in time because we were going backwards so fast! I could hear Mr. Bill in the back of head going, "Oh no!" :) So I passed that level. I haven't been able to do another jump since, but I am getting other things done in the meantime. Watching the training DVD, filling out forms, completing tests, and I got my medical certificate. And of course, working out at the gym, building up my guns. GRRRR!!!! Hopefully, if the weather cooperates, I will be able to knock out the next 3 jumps in Phase I of the training.

Another update is that Jump for the Cause is going to feature both a 3 Ring Necklace design AND a bracelet! They are available for purchase here, or through the JFTC website (well, they will be available for purchase throught the JFTC website very soon!). Check out the pictures. On on side it says, "JFTC" and "2009" on the other side. Pink beads are in between the number and letter beads. The bracelet features braided black leather cord, pink beads, and a glass heart shaped bead with a pink ribbon on it. Proceeds of these products goes toward JFTC!!!