Saturday, February 04, 2006
Actually, did lose my slot.
Actually, I did lose my slot at the dirt dive this morning.
Out five way line - part of the base 75 way - has been causing the organisers all sorts of trouble. Everyone has an opinion, and I have mine, so I'll share it - we're not sticking to the plan.
So far, we've had dumpties inform me that (1) I should put on more lead (I've been in grips arching TWICE on 11 jumps so far, everything else is a neg), I should put on boosters, take off booster, approach faster, approach slower, s go harder, go softer...
One guy in particular has been pretty vocal about what needs to change. He clearly has experience, and bailed me up in the street to tell me all about it. Sadly, his changes are a little different to what the sector captain is asking for. He may be right - but in the context of a 400 way, he just doesn't get it.
I've changed, hey. I calmly nodded, listened, should his hand, slapped him on the back. Old Luke would have headbutted him halfway though, and twisted an ear off saying "listen to the master plan, numbnuts!"
The anchor guy behind me ("Lead up, dude!") was similar in his frustration at not being aircraft captain or something. We've all got to check our egos at the door and listen to a Star Crest briefing. He's gone, after crashing through my wingman the other day from way above and making it look really dangerous (not to mention CLOSE to me).
I've been sticking to the plan. Watching the carnage from above as best as I can. The guys around me (who are all hotshots, and generally getting grips) are running speedstars.
Anyway, I'm the keystone in the five way, and I'm there last.That, it turns out, is too slow. And they may well have a point, agreed, but I see the irony in it when the plan is to build it progressively and slowly...
On the third jump yesterday, I nearly had my arm torn out of my socket - whilst in grips, and a nice view of the underneath of the formation. Right where I'm supposed to be. OK, maybe I could have been further forward, but so should we all...
So, at the captainøs meeting this morning, they decided to replace the keystone with a better skydiver. And thereøs actually´no shame in that - all the replacement crew have allegedly stood on the podium at a World meet.
They asked Solly Williams to take it. For reasons unbeknownst to me, he declined.
What other simple change could they make?Enter Sas - my roomie from Bali, and member of Aus champs Airtite. He will do it, do it faster than me, and nicely.
But who to replace Sas?
I've gone back a line. Out of the base, out of all that angst and anger and fear.And to where Sas was.
First line of whackers, a three way.
Still on the ramp
Same plane
Still floating
But now I've got a chance to fly myself - and a lifeline, rather than an early departure. It may still happen, but I'm in far better shape than I was a few days ago.
(edited for line breaks)
Out five way line - part of the base 75 way - has been causing the organisers all sorts of trouble. Everyone has an opinion, and I have mine, so I'll share it - we're not sticking to the plan.
So far, we've had dumpties inform me that (1) I should put on more lead (I've been in grips arching TWICE on 11 jumps so far, everything else is a neg), I should put on boosters, take off booster, approach faster, approach slower, s go harder, go softer...
One guy in particular has been pretty vocal about what needs to change. He clearly has experience, and bailed me up in the street to tell me all about it. Sadly, his changes are a little different to what the sector captain is asking for. He may be right - but in the context of a 400 way, he just doesn't get it.
I've changed, hey. I calmly nodded, listened, should his hand, slapped him on the back. Old Luke would have headbutted him halfway though, and twisted an ear off saying "listen to the master plan, numbnuts!"
The anchor guy behind me ("Lead up, dude!") was similar in his frustration at not being aircraft captain or something. We've all got to check our egos at the door and listen to a Star Crest briefing. He's gone, after crashing through my wingman the other day from way above and making it look really dangerous (not to mention CLOSE to me).
I've been sticking to the plan. Watching the carnage from above as best as I can. The guys around me (who are all hotshots, and generally getting grips) are running speedstars.
Anyway, I'm the keystone in the five way, and I'm there last.That, it turns out, is too slow. And they may well have a point, agreed, but I see the irony in it when the plan is to build it progressively and slowly...
On the third jump yesterday, I nearly had my arm torn out of my socket - whilst in grips, and a nice view of the underneath of the formation. Right where I'm supposed to be. OK, maybe I could have been further forward, but so should we all...
So, at the captainøs meeting this morning, they decided to replace the keystone with a better skydiver. And thereøs actually´no shame in that - all the replacement crew have allegedly stood on the podium at a World meet.
They asked Solly Williams to take it. For reasons unbeknownst to me, he declined.
What other simple change could they make?Enter Sas - my roomie from Bali, and member of Aus champs Airtite. He will do it, do it faster than me, and nicely.
But who to replace Sas?
I've gone back a line. Out of the base, out of all that angst and anger and fear.And to where Sas was.
First line of whackers, a three way.
Still on the ramp
Same plane
Still floating
But now I've got a chance to fly myself - and a lifeline, rather than an early departure. It may still happen, but I'm in far better shape than I was a few days ago.
(edited for line breaks)
# posted by L. @ 10:36 AM 
