Well, I'm in Rotorua and have just finished the Stage 1 ground training. I'm doing my first jump tomorrow morning (Wednesday), so I still don't know what my plans are as far as the rest of the trip goes.

The ground training was great. I've learnt a lot - it's just trying to remember it all. The chutes we use don't have a rip-cord with a big handle to pull. You deploy your main chute by throwing a little pilot chute out behind you and that drags the main chute out. If the main chute fails or has a malfunction then you deploy the reserve chute and that one has a rip-cord and handle. Pulling the reserve cord 'cuts away' the main chute and then throws the reserve chute out.

My instructor is called Keith and we spent all morning training It's very laid-back and entirely at the pace I want to go at with breaks every half hour. Tonight I've got to memorise Stage 1 and practice the arch position. Tomorrow I go through the plan for the jump and do a bit more practice and then do it! Keith reckons that tomorrow (if the weather is OK and I don't screw up the first jump) he'd like to get me through Stage 2.

This is the Satge 1 jump:

12,000 feet
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Climb out and exit: Check right OK; Check left OK; Look forward; Up-Down-Arch (this is the point where we leave the plane).

Take two deep breaths. Check height.

Approaching 11,000 feet
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Extended Practice Pilot Chute Pull - hold that possition until Jump Masters shake you and then stop, arch, check height.

Practice Pilot Chute Pull - just into position and then straight back to arch.

Check height

Check Horizon - ground - altimeter

Check Horizon - ground - altimeter

Approaching 5,000 feet
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Awarness Check: check right under arm - OK; check left under arm - OK

Approaching 4,000 feet
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Deploy parachute: reach - grip - pull - release

Count "One thousand", "Two thousand", "Three thousand" and then check canopy: Square - is the canopy square? (actually it's a rectangle but they call that sqaure) Straight - is the canopy flying straight? Cells - are the cells inflated? Slider - is the slider down?

(Today I've been learning what to do if any of answers to those questions are 'NO', up to and including letting the main chute go and using the reserve).

Then I just have to pilot the chute according to a flight pattern we work out on the morning and land in the PLA (Parachute Landing Area), avoiding the lake; the airport; the power lines along the road; the ditch around the PLA; the farm; the trees; various buildings and the main road!

I'm very excited but very nervous. I think there'd be something wrong with me if I wasn't nervous. All the guys are really friendly and enthusiastic. There's a lady from England, Lorraine, who is also doing the AFF course. She's at Stage 8 and has done thirteen jumps so far.

So, in my next mail I should be able to give you an idea of how the rest of my trip is looking.

Bye for now, Ian.