Failing and learning November 2017
I was so excited to do my level 1 jump! This is the first level in the aff program. It sounded so simple, all I had to do was jump out with an instructor on each side and fall stable …. well that went to shit really fast. We left pretty good on my count, I arched like I was suppose to and then put my feet to my butt…. not good. We started flipping backwards through the air. I started to panic, I thought well just arch more…. but as I did that I also bent my legs more making worse. Next thing I know the instructor on my left let go of me! I started to freak out, my other instructor was able to flip me over and for a split second we were stable, I was terrified and tried to grab onto my instructor to save me! haha and next thing I know my parachute was coming out! I am so thankful I had such an awesome AFF instructor on my level 1 jump.
I was so upset that is went so bad but I got my shit together and did my controllability Test under canopy and then did a good landing pattern.
After failing miserably in free fall it was suggested I go to a wind tunnel to practice. I found a coach at IFly in Scottsdale and went to do indoor tunnel training! This was super amazing and super beneficial. It built up my confidence. When I went back to redo level 1 did much better. I passed level 1 and 2 with no issues and proceeded to go back to the tunnel to practice again. I blew through levels 3,4,5 and 6. There are only 7 levels!
Level 5 is when I did my first solo exit from the plane!!! It was kinda scary but super fun! I didn't know until I got to the ground that my instructor wasn't holding on to me during the exit! This really boosted my confidence for level 6 and 7 which have to be solo exits.
I went to the tunnel again ( because it’s so fun and helps a lot) before I did level 7. I unfortunately got hurt that Monday so my knee was in a lot of pain, although a wore a knee brace it still affected me on my level 7… I started spinning and couldn’t stop so I failed and had to redo 7, but when I redid it I passed! I am now solo student status ! Yay!