Category C: Learning and Performance Objectives: Unassisted freefall with heading maintenance, Hover Control, Solo Deployment, Landing Patterns for Higher Winds, Wing Loading, Accidental Opening Review, Turbulence, Landing Off, Obstacles Recognition, The FAA Rigger, The Closed Parachute System

Nick was my instructor. We began by discussing exit and freefall. I would be jumping with two jumpmasters. They would hold on to me until I did my practice touches and then they would release me - unassisted freefall. Once they let go of me my only tasks would be:

Altitude (check my altimeter)
Arch (be aware of my body - am I arching?)
Legs (be aware of my legs - are they in the right position)
Relax (Yeah...right...How do you relax when you're falling toward earth at 120 MPH?)
Wave off at 5,500 and pull.

Nick told me to make little "fairy" hands to show that I was relaxing.  We moved on to wing loading. "How much do you weigh? "

Wing loading - The ratio of weight born by a wing to its surface area. Divide your exit weight in pounds (your weight plus the weight of your gear) by the square footage of the canopy. Sorry ladies, there are no secrets here. My weight fluctuates from 148-152. So, I went with 150. Geared up that puts me at 180. I would be jumping with a 260 (SQ.FT.) canopy. My Wing Loading ratio was .69:1.

We went through the rest of the material. When we were finished, I spent some time talking to Jennifer. She was nearly finished with her A license. How exciting for her!