Self-Supervised!!! No more baby-sitters. Well, that is not exactly true.  At Skydive Orange, they normally have an instructor at the door when self-supervised students leave the plane.  I guess they want to make sure we don't do anything too crazy!  Also, I was required to assist with spotting.  Spotting is a skill that takes practice.  In addition to determining the correct place to exit the plane for you to exit, spotting also includes making sure it's a good spot for everyone on the plane.  For more information about spotting, check out the USPA SIM!

Prior to getting on the plane, I discussed my landing pattern with Kevin Gibson.  Kevin has been around even longer than Steve and he even used to own his own drop zone in Maryland.  We briefly discussed the dive flow for the jump. Basically, I'd exit the aircraft.  Get stable and do front loops and back loops until 6,000 feet.  I should check the altitude between each aerobatic maneuver.  This time, wave off was at 4,500 and pull was by 4,000. With my ground training complete, I manifested for Load 6 and geared up.  

What does a girl do on her first unsupervised skydive?  Here's what I wrote when I landed:  

4/17/05: Jump 12 - Orange, VA - AFF: CAT E 2 - Self-Supervised! No radio.  Practiced spotting.  Put head out to make sure no jumper or aircraft were below.  Exit from inside of plane on seven second count.  Left with my head down a bit, rolled over once.  Got stable. Checked my altitude.  2 practice touches.  Front loop.  Checked alt. Two 360 turns.  Back loop. Checked alt. Barrel roll. Checked alt. Locked on @ 6K. Waved off 5,000 pulled - Line Twists. Followed landing pattern as per Kevin.  Flared too early @ 15 feet.  PLF Landing 30 feet from target. Kevin Gibson D-6943

After we discussed Jump 12, we moved on to the ground training for CAT F - Tracking.  Tracking is a valuable skill that allows skydivers to gain adequate freefall separation to safely deploy their canopies.  Learning to track is the only freefall objective for category F skydives.  I'd leave the plane and look for Kevin and then I would use the tracking position to try to catch up to him.  Once we were finished with ground training, we manifested for load 17    

Here's the recap from my log book:

4/17/05: Jump 13 - Orange, VA - AFF: CAT F - Tracking.  One Instructor - Participated with Jump Run.  Exited head down a bit.  Rolled over. Got stable.  2 practice touches looked for Kevin.  Followed directions, tracked to catch up with him.  Arched to slow down.  Checked alt. Changed directions, tracked again.  Got a little wobbly.  Stopped.  Kevin motioned to go again.  Checked my altitude.  5,000 - waved off and pulled.  Flared a little deep, but better.  Kevin Gibson D-6943

Fun day! I couldn't wait to come back!