DomAviator
Posts: 1253
Joined: 4/22/2008 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HandSolo I think if you take extra training, they'll let you jump solo the first time. No they wont. The USPA recognizes three training pathways for skydivers. Tandem, where you jump attatched to an instructor who handles the parachute, static line - where you are essentially cargo and your chute is opened by a line atttached to the aircraft and you essentially are deployed like a pallet of MRE's , and "Acellerated Free Fall" in which you jump with not one but two instructors physically holding your harness until you deploy the chute. IMHO, only the AFF method "counts" as jumping. In tandem you are a passenger, in static line you are cargo, and only in AFF do you actually deploy and control the chute. It takes 25 jumps (covering various requirements) to get an "A License" that lets you jump unassisted. Kali, if you want the same sensation, but want to do it alone you can try a skydiving wind tunnel or you could try parasailing behind a boat... However, I would caution you and question the wisdom of commemorating a tragic event in your life by engaging in a "life or death" dangerous activity. I dont parachute any more than I have to so as to maintain currency as I really dont like it very much but may need to in an emergency so its one of those things I keep up on; but I sometimes fly skydivers and I am a SCUBA instructor. For what its worth, if I was your drop pilot and heard your motivation for the jump I wouldnt let you aboard the aircraft; nor would I let you participate in a SCUBA dive I was leading. I empathize with what you experienced, and hope you find some special way to celebrate the event that brings you peace, solace, and closure. However, essentially walking up and slapping the grim reaper in the face and saying "I dare you" might not be the best plan. The importance of a clear head and good mindset and mental place while learning a new "adventure sport" cannot be overstated....
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