My 1st Skydive

NC_BE300

NC_BE300

Well-Known Member
Yep, I finally did it. After flying inside airplanes for almost 8 years, I decided to see what it was like on the other side.
On saturday June 5th, I made my 1st skydive at Deland, FL.
It was a tandem jump with an instructor from 13,500.
We rode up in the Pilatus Porter, and before you know it, it was time to jump. The reality started to set in at about 5000 ft because one of the guys riding with us in the plane was getting out there instead of 13500 with us. When he jumped out and hearing the "Aaaahhhhhh" that he made getting quieter and quieter, I knew the time was near. Once we reached 13,500 my friend (also 1st time skydiver) went 1st because they were closer to the door, I looked for them as soon as they left the plane, but could not see them. Then it was just us. When your sitting on the edge of the plane, feet dangling 13,500 ft high in the air, that is the ultimate reality check. Then on the count of 3 (Which came VERY quickly), we were out of the door tumbling head over heals then stabilized in the descent. The view was tremendous. I could see clear to Daytona, pick the airport out, and see the ocean. Could not see orlando due to clouds, but the sights were still amazing. Once we deployed the main parachute we came up side by side with my other friend and said hey, then we broke off to land.
It was AWESOME!!!!!!!!
I still watch the DVD in amazement of the whole thing.
Waiting on the still picutures to come back from the store.



Anyone else skydived or thought about it?
 
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Anyone else skydived or thought about it?

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I've thought about it. On your first jump don't they tie a cord to the plane to make sure your chute opens? Sounds like you had a good time, going to go up again any time soon?
 
I've thought about doing it before I move. I'm torn between DeLand and Titusville, though. I have a friend that started jumping at Titusville, and he swears he will never go back to DeLand.
 
Awesome to see that you've finally experienced skydiving. I am 15 and I think about it all the time. I figured I still have more to live before I try it.lol
 
Ah I remember my first dive. I've done 4 tandems now, and when I get some spare money (maybe never haha) I will get certified to jump. It's an amazing feeling isn't it!?...I went out of Sebastian for the first time. I opted to do a sunset jump, and I was not disappointed at all. I know the feeling of getting up at about 5000 and asking yourself "What the FU** am I doing jumping out of a perfectly good airplane!?" I think being aviators this has an added thrill. It's awesome seeing the plane fly away from you and then to look out and see what seems like the world. It's extreme, but it is truly an amazing thing. I was expecting the landing to be very rough but it was more gentle than coming off a tall step. Well, welcome to the club!
 
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I've thought about it. On your first jump don't they tie a cord to the plane to make sure your chute opens? Sounds like you had a good time, going to go up again any time soon?

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The porter didn't have that system. I've seen what your talking about in military settings, but for my jump you were attached to the instructor, the instructor has the parachute on his back , and he also operates the chute. Then we were clear of the plane, he deployed a smaller chute (I didn't know this until watching the video), then around 4 to 3000 feet he pulled the main chute.
 
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I've thought about doing it before I move. I'm torn between DeLand and Titusville, though. I have a friend that started jumping at Titusville, and he swears he will never go back to DeLand.


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I chose Deland because I hear good things about them around school, my room-mate from Fall semister trains there, and they also offer student discouts. I have heard about the one in Titusville, but never checked into it.
 
The "smaller chute" is actually called a drogue chute. It keeps you and the instuctor in a stabilized position to aid in an expedicious and efficient parachute deployment.
 
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Anyone else skydived or thought about it?

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I've thought about it. On your first jump don't they tie a cord to the plane to make sure your chute opens? Sounds like you had a good time, going to go up again any time soon?

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That is called a static line. Usualy a jump from 3500 FT There is no tandem if that is the way you do it
 
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Anyone else skydived or thought about it?

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Nope, never... sounds nightmarish

glad you enjoyed it though
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I did a tandem jump anout 7 years ago just before I started flying... it was AWESOME!

We jumped from 10,000 FT, had about 1 minute of free fall. we opened at 5,000. did some turns and spiraled down (that was coool!!) then landed smack dab on the middle of the X.

SOMEday, I'll convince the wife to let me do it again!
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DeLand is a great place! Congrats on your first jump! That's a case of beer! You did buy a case of beer, didn't you?

If you haven't met him yet, seek out the owner, Bob Hallett. He is one of the coolest, laid-back guys you will ever meet. He'll even take you up for another jump himself, if you want.

I used to take students to DeLand on purpose to train on complex non-towered airport operations. A lot of see-and-avoid opportunities and the "Perfect Spot" for a burger and fries.

P.S. There is nothing like walking off the tailgate of an aircraft from 13,500'. I highly suggest it for your next one. The Skyvan rocks!
 
Were the wings coming off and the engine on fire???? Why did you jump out of a perfectly good airplane????
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Were the wings coming off and the engine on fire???? Why did you jump out of a perfectly good airplane????
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lol, my thoughts exactly.
 
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That's a case of beer! You did buy a case of beer, didn't you?


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Maybe next year, I'm 20 right now. The instructor said the same thing. LOL. It was a nice though.

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Why did you jump out of a perfectly good airplane?

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My dad said the same thing!
The only "jump" he has done was from the door of the 737-200 to the ground when the airstairs didn't work, at the time thats what he was flying before going to the 727.
To answer the question, I would have to say for the view and rush of doing it.
 
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Were the wings coming off and the engine on fire???? Why did you jump out of a perfectly good airplane????
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No such thing!!!
 
Personally, skydiving is something I just don't understand. (I understand the mechanics of it, I just don't understand why anybody would want to do it.)

But more power to ya if that's what you like!
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