I've met my nemisis!

In my last post I mentioned about attending the Fright Flight at Manchester, but having thought about the logistics of it, with the help of Mum I decided that I was wiser just booking myself some more time at MK, so this is what I did!
As great as it would of been to fly on Halloween I opted for the Saturday night instead, this allowed both Mum and Dad to come and watch and for me to get in the additional time that I wanted.
I hadn't flown on a Saturday evening before and when I arrived I was amazed at how quiet it was, it wasn't until later that I realised why. The receptionist recognised me from my very first flight (8 weeks ago now!) and I filled in my statement of risk and was informed my instructor was Joel. Joel had been my instructor 2 weeks previously and it was great to know I was having an instructor I had had before. I headed down to the waiting area ready for my brief and still there was no sign of anyone, we sat watching the live action for a while where a group of Italians were training.
It wasn't long before Joel turned up, he sat on the bench opposite and asked "Have you been in one of my groups before?" when I replied yes he said I was the first person he's ever recognised from a previous group. I'm not sure whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, did I make that much of an impression on him? (good or bad!)
My aim for the 6 minutes I had booked was to carry on learning to back fly, Joel ran through all the movements again with me to make sure I was happy. He then explained that we were going to be sharing the tunnel with the Italians who were training and I was the only 'normal' Airkix booking there! They were going to show me up big time!
Joel sorted out my gear for me and said I could go and do what I liked for 30 minutes before meeting him up by the tunnel. We opted to just go up to the tunnel and watch the Italians train. Andy (my very first instructor) was in the tunnel with them and I'm not sure if he recognised me or if he was just being friendly but he put his thumb up and smiled. At one point while we were watching Andy was stood in the door way and one of the Italians put their feet out the door and managed to catch Andy right in the crown jewels. I guess it's a risk that comes with the job, but I don't think he deserved it. He's such a character though and managed to laugh it off!
After 45 minutes it was our time to enter the staging area, the Italians had swapped round too and I had a new bunch in with me. We let some of them go in the tunnel first as they had the most time to use.
When it was my turn I entered the tunnel on my back and moved to the middle of the tunnel. I tried out my turns which for some reason were proving more difficult then when I was doing them on Tuesday, it turns out I wasn't keeping my back straight and was twisting at my hips, unfortunately I didn't managed to rectify this problem for all 3 flight, DOH! It was only when I watched back all of my flights I could see what I was doing. Joel was trying his best to get me to stay straight but I just couldn't! I think I was maybe trying too hard and you can see in the videos the concentration on my face. Turns and forwards and backwards (in between me randomly dotting around the tunnel on my back) were all we did in the first 2 minutes before Joel turned me back on my belly and I flew out of the tunnel.

Back Flying 30-10-10 attempt 1 Video

While the Italians were flying again Joel was explaining to me where I was going wrong and how I could improve, his main point was that I needed to relax (told you I was trying too hard!) We were going to try up and down in the next two minutes...
As soon as I entered the tunnel and was on the net I was already rocking and looking unstable, my left foot was constantly trying to balance me off the wall. Joel took a hold on my feet and I put my arms up and out and I was in the air. Do you think I could get myself into the air though or even to stay in one spot? NO! I did manage to turn my self over into a belly fly and exit the tunnel though! (That's something I guess!)

Back Flying 30-10-10 Attempt 2 Video

Into the tunnel for the 3rd time and as soon as I tried to get any lift I was spinning again, my body still wasn't straight which was causing me issues. No matter how hard I tried I just could not stay put! At times I just about got lift, but was soon back on the net by not being able to keep still or straight. Frustrating! To top it all off when trying to exit the tunnel on my belly I somehow manged to roll and ended up being caught by Joel! Not my best session to date that's for sure!

Back Flying 30-10-10 Attempt 3 Video

To say the least I left yesterday feeling slightly frustrated and disappointed with myself, I had been totally fine in the middle of the net on Tuesday night but yesterday I just could not hold still. At the end of the day though I was still smiling and it now gives me something to work at and to improve. I was bound to meet a point in the tunnel that would become my nemisis and I think this is it (for the time being anyway!)
The feeling of frustration still hadn't subsided by this morning and it was suggested to me to book some additional flight time while I'm at Airkix on Tuesday for Flight Night. Me being me didn't need a second telling and went straight on and booked 6 minutes at 6pm for Tuesday before Flight Night with Paul.
I WILL NOT let back flying beat me!

Thanks to Joel for his patience and help last night!

Until the next update in the story of my flying antics...

x

Total Flight time = 39 minutes

Moving onto new things

I just couldn't wait until my next flight night to get back in the wind tunnel, so I booked myself a flight for last night.
Mum was unable to come this week due to me going straight from work (thanks to Dad for letting me leave early) so I will apologize now that there is no photos or videos to go with this post.
Having left work at 4 to allow plenty of time to get to MK, I only just made it! I don't know why, but people obviously wanted to spend alot of time broken down yesterday which caused chaos to all other road users! It's supposed to be half term, there for it should be less busy on the roads, WRONG!
Thankfully I did make it just on time, after frantically finding a parking space! It did mean that I left my hair grips and my new ear plugs in the van though! DOH!
My instructor was yet again someone different, this time it was Chris. I, again was the only one in the group who had flown before so he set the DVD going for everyone else and came to talk to me about where I was at with my flying. I explained what I had done at flight night last week and we opted to move onto Back Flying. This was something new to me, but I like a challenge and looked forward to giving it a go.
As mum was not with me, I had to use the lockers for the first time, I know they used to be free, but Chris informed me that they now had a £1 charge on them, this wouldn't of been so bad if you got your £1 back when you finished but you don't. I can understand to a certain degree why they have done this, but you'd think with what you pay to fly that the least they could do would be to let you use a locker with no charge. It won't stop me from going back though, it's just something to be aware of in the future.
The plan was to be geared up by the time the others were finished watching the DVD but that didn't happen, thankfully though I could just get on with getting ready while the others were sorted out. When I was handed a pair of Purple Goggles though it made me smile. They obviously have new goggles as there weren't purple ones available before. Those of you who know me know how much I love purple! I'll always be wanting the purple ones now!
Once everyone was kitted up Chris sent them up to the tunnel while he explained how to go about back flying. Getting into the tunnel was the first thing to be explained, locking your knees on the outside of the door and leaning back, he was trying to show me in an open area without falling over! Next he was led on the floor showing me the arm and leg movements required to turn and to go backwards and forwards. It all made perfect sense, but would it be that easy in the tunnel?
I was in first as I had 3 flights (3 x 2minutes) and everyone else had only 2 flights. Chris showed me how to get into the tunnel on my back and I couldn't wait to get started! I stepped forwards towards the door and turned around. I crouched slightly and locked my knees on the outside of the door, I leant back and put me arms out at 90 degrees, and I slowly lowered towards the grill in the tunnel. I tucked myself into a ball as to not fly around. Chris put me in the middle of the tunnel and stood over me with a leg either side of my chest. This was so that I could practice where to put my hands and legs to turn without actually moving. First up I had to put my right arm out and up (as if I was flying) then had to move my arm, from the elbow so that my hand was now parallel to my side rather than above my head. I could feel my body turning, which is a good thing, but I couldn't go anywhere due to Chris standing either side of me. I did the same exercise with the other arm and could again feel my body turning. Surely this was a good thing? Next up came using legs to turn. I pushed my legs away from me slightly and then from the knee down I swiveled them left, to begin with I didn't do it enough and Chris pushed them a little further, after that I could feel the impact it had, the same was done by moving them to the right. Chris then moved from being stood over me and let me try the moves again, this time obviously though I would actually be turning. Although I was still only on the net I felt like I was acheiving something as the moves that I was doing were having the desired effect. I only got as far as using my arms to turn before my first 2 minutes were up. Chris helped me to my feet and I exited the tunnel on foot.
I must admit I only half watched the other flyers due to trying to watch the video playback of me in the tunnel to see how well (or not so well) I had done. Chris seemed to have his work cut out though, the girls in the group just wouldn't hold still, causing all sorts of stability issues!
Before long it was my second go at back flying, I entered the tunnel in the same way as before and Chris was waiting ready to request me to make moves. First up was turning with my legs, I moved them as before and to my amazement it worked! I turned a circle one way and then the other! Chris was then stood behind my head and asked me to move towards him, I did this correct the first time by straightening out my legs, but got totally confused the second time and tried to straighten my arms! Doh! I soon twigged though and straightened my legs and moved towards Chris. It was then time to actually try and leave the net, would I be as successful at leaving the net as I had been with my turns? Hmmmm, not quite! I had to widen my legs from the hips and put my legs from my hips to my knees straight up and from my knees to my ankles straight along (so 90 degrees and 90 degrees at my hips and knees) then I had to put my arms out and up... slowly. This should give me the surface area to get some lift. I did lift but was a little unstable at points and rather than bringing my arms in slowly to steady my self, I was bringing them in quickly causing me to drop rapidly (thankfully not from a huge height) and bounce on the net, not what I wanted! Chris had advised me to try and not do this. As soon as I realised I was doing it I tried to stop. Chris had just suggested he was going to hold my legs while I moved my arms when my time was up again.
I opted for my last 2 minutes to Belly Fly again just to have some fun. I did some side slides, some knee turns and some up and down movements, just trying different things to see how it affects the movements. I think I maybe should of used the last 2 minutes to do a bit more back flying but I also just wanted to have a bit of a play!
My next flight should be flight night next Tuesday with Paul again, but I'm trying to decide whether to venture to Manchester for their Fright Flight on Halloween, it seems like a good deal and a great deal of fun... but am I too old for face painting and tunnel fun... I'll let you decide!

Until next time!

x

I've finally said it!

Yesterday saw me attend my second Flight Night with Paul Capsey at Airkix in MK.
I drove through torrential rain to get to MK last night and at one point I wondered if I was going to make it on time at all. The rain caused a lot of additional traffic and made driving conditions pretty difficult. I did make it though and I'm once again so glad I did!
While I waited patiently for Paul, I expected to see the familiar faces of the others from my last Flight Night, but there was no sign. Paul arrived and I think he was looking for the familiar faces as well, he spotted me and the others who were waiting though and came over. He asked how I got on with my flight on the 10th and I smiled and said I'd been back twice since the last flight night and explained all that I has achieved so far.
We moved into the briefing room (me and the other 2 flight night attendees that were on time) and discussed where everyone was at with their flying. It turned out that the other 2 had only flown once before and that was over 18 months ago! Poor Paul was going to have his work cut out. As it had been so long since the other 2 had flown, they opted to watch the training video again. I stepped out side, shortly followed by Paul to discuss what my aims were for today.
I think after I mentioned I'd been back twice since the last Flight Night, Paul realised I was serious about progressing. His first question was where did I want my flying to go in the future? I thought for a split second before blurting out that I wanted to eventually become an instructor. I really wasn't sure what sort of reaction this would get and it seemed like forever before he replied, "brilliant!" This put a smile on my face straight away.Paul was very encouraging about my goal and as such tailored my flights to suit. We decided for the first 2.5mins to carry on with my over and unders, flying in each others air and that for the other 2.5mins I would try to walk in the tunnel. This was to give me a taste of what the instructors do when they're helping us to fly. This meant skipping a few steps according to the IBA (international bodyflight association) but would give me the chance to see what it was like.
While we were in discussions the other 3 people for Flight Night turned up - better late than never I guess!
We were soon all getting suited and booted ready for our flights! We headed up to the tunnel and just ran through what we were all going to do and before long we were in the tunnel ready to fly.I was 3rd to go today and had great fun just watching the first two fly. Believe it or not you can learn so much by just watching others. My turn came and I jumped into the tunnel, I seem to have this off to a fine art now, well at least it's getting better! Paul was flying with me and I eventually got to grips with going under and over, this still needs some work though but practice makes perfect. The feeling of flying in the tunnel with someone else was great, keeping track of where the other person is though takes a fair bit of concentration. I didn't want to fall on Paul or crash into him. Next time I think I will have a better idea of what the idea is and I can improve on this a bit more.


Flight Night Flight 1 video

After watching the other flyers it was my turn again, this time I was to walk into the tunnel, this was something I hadn't done before so I cautiously stepped through the door. I was trying to remember all that Paul had said about body position and how to move my legs. The instructors make it look so easy but it's really not! I don't think I did bad for a first timer... but there 's always room for improvement! I can't wait to have another go at this next time!

Flight Night Flight 2 Video

5 minutes of flight time goes by so quickly!
After the de-brief we headed back down to take all our kit off (that sounds wrong I'm sure!) Paul took the time to explain to me about being an instructor and that it was also a great way to progress with the bodyflying. He also pointed out that I would be one of only 3 Lady instructors in this country! What an achievement if I can pull it off! I still have a lot of hard work to do, but hopefully it will all be worth it in the end. Until then I can keep enjoying the flying that I'm doing and look forward to when the next flight will be!

I look forward to keeping everyone who takes the time to read this informed with how I'm getting on.

x

Burble...

I know, I know, I said it would be 9 days before I flew again... the only problem was I couldn't wait 9 days! I learnt so much last weekend, I couldn't wait to try it all out again. I know flight night is only on Tuesday but I wanted to go back to flight night and be able to say that I had made progress since last time... I think it's now safe to say that I can say this.
I must of been mad to book the flight I did today, I decided at work yesterday that I couldn't wait until Tuesday to fly again, so as soon as I was home I was on the computer and booking up a flight. The only problem was that the only times available were first thing in the morning (the latest being 9am) or in the evening (the earliest being 19.30) I didn't fancy another late evening driving home from MK so opted for the early morning flight. Mum once again decided she wanted to come and watch (she's so great keeping me company on the journeys and videoing me for my records!) we left home at 6am! I thought I might find it difficult getting up early but I must of been looking forward to it (you don't say!) as I was up and about with no issues at all!
I must say it was pretty cold outside this morning and scraping ice from the windscreen in October is slightly mad!
Once we reached Airkix I filled in my statement of risk again and signed my life away again. We headed to the benches to wait for the instructor. While we were waiting we were chuckling to ourselves about one of the instructors. He really looked like he had that Sunday morning feeling! Shoulders down, head low, it was quite funny to watch and I said to mum if he's my instructor he needs to cheer up FAST! Guess what... he was my instructor... Joel.
I managed to avoid going in for the safety video - again. I think I've been enough times in the last few weeks not to warrant me watching it, so I got geared up straight away and we discussed where I was at with my flying and what we aimed to achieve in the flight. I think Joel was beginning to wake up by this point and he was joking about how cold it was going to be in the wind tunnel.
Off to the wind tunnel we go...
Today I was in with a new flyer and a skydiver who was being taught by (a very heavily pregnant) Claire 'Sparky' Scott. I was doing 4 x 1.5 minutes flights today to allow for Sparky and the skydiver to have gaps between their flights. This didn't matter to me as it meant I could practice my entrances and exits a little more.
My first flight I was finishing off what I'd started last Sunday with knee and arm turns and the side slides, the knee turns were coming a lot more naturally but I was still struggling to relax into doing the side slides.
On my second flight I was still getting to grips with the side slides and finally they were beginning to take shape, with a little helping hand from Joel.
I got very enthusiastic entering the tunnel for the third time and ended up hitting the wall on the opposite side of the tunnel. I was soon back where I should be though and back to the side slides. Once I had them sussed at a low level I was asked to go up, across, down, across to make a square. Next Joel was to create a 'burble' underneath me (this is taking away some of my flying air to see if I can keep my position etc) He started by getting me to fly high in the tower (Joel is pretty tall!) and to side slide over him while he walked under me. Thankfully I kept my body position and only dropped in the air slightly.
My fourth entry was a little more controlled - thankfully! We were straight into Joel creating a burble, again I managed to keep my body position but was still dropping in the air slightly. Next Joel decided to created a bigger burble by flying underneath me. This I found slightly more difficult and the first time he did it I dropped as far as the net. This happened on the second time as well. I began to get the hang of it, but it does need a little more practice!
Joel did a great job in teaching me today and I'm now looking forward to Tuesday's Flight Night with Paul. Hopefully I will get to grips with the airflow being taken away from me.

A video of today's flight can be found here

Every time I fly at Airkix it makes me more determined to keep aiming for the goal I have. For those of you who may not know me in person or who I may not of told, I would like to become an Airkix Tunnel Instructor. Helping all those people to 'fly' must be amazing feeling and all though it must be hard work I'm sure it's worth it for the satisfaction.

I'm sure there will be another update after Flight Night on Tuesday, but until then have fun!

x

Left, Right...knee turn, arm turn... it's like the hookeycookey!

I'm not long back from another session at Airkix MK and yet again I'm on cloud 9! There's just something about the feeling of the flight that leaves me feeling fantastic!
My flight for today was a family flight, shared with my brother, resulting in 5 minutes each, split over 2 flights.
Upon reaching Airkix and signing the statement of risk I was once again given the details about flying having dislocated my shoulder in the past, thankfully I know that this is part of their job and have a joke with them about it but I hope that as they see more of me they will get bored of reminding me!
We sat for a little while watching the current group before Steve came to greet us. Everyone moved to the briefing room to watch the introduction video, but it wasn't long before I was out again and everyone else was left to watch the DVD!
Steve came and discussed with me where I was at with my flying and what I would like to achieve. We decided on working on knee turns, arm and knee turns and side slides... so much to try and remember!
Before long the DVD was over for the others and we were all getting kitted up, I was at this point nominated to go first! Talk about being in at the deep end!
We still had 15 minutes before our flight so decided to go and watch the end of the previous group, letting Seb see what he'd let himself in for! He was still looking forward to it though!
Let the flying begin... I decided not to attempt entering the tunnel on my own, not for the first flight anyway, so Steve kept a hand on me and yet again I was flying! It didn't take me long to settle back into it and I was turning using my arms in no time at all. This was just recapping what I had learnt previously. Soon Steve was pointing me in the direction of doing knee turns, getting the angle of your leg just right to make you turn takes a bit of practice! Also just to confuse you even more, to turn left you bend your right leg and to turn right you bend your left leg... still with me? You're doing well! I found myself thinking about it far to much rather than just getting on with it, when I first managed to turn I hit the side of the tunnel and ended up on my back on the floor, thankfully Steve rescued me and I was flying again within seconds... Not really a successful knee turn in sight to start with though! To top it all off I couldn't even get myself out of the tunnel and ended up being man handled out! Oppppssss!
Seb was up next, I'm still not sure how he managed to get any lift, being as skinny as he is! He was described by our parents as a leaf floating in the autumn breeze! He did quite well for his first time though and just like me ended up on his back on the floor! Steve was trying to persuade him to use his arms to turn but he said afterwards he could understand what Steve was saying but wasn't to sure if he should try it as he didn't know what it was supposed to make him do! He seemed quite happy just randomly flying around though and if you're having fun what difference does it make?!?!
After the others had flown - watching these was fun aswell! It was my turn again (yipppeeee!) It was time this time to try and enter the tunnel with no instructor help... thankfully it went with no hitches and I was flying just as I should (thank goodness!) I was determined this time to succeed at the knee turns (I can do this, I can do this!) and my determined attitude paid off! Once I'd successfully managed the knee turns it was time to combine the knee and arm turns... this will confuse you again... you have to use opposite leg to arm when doing this... the result though is a fantastically fast turn! I hope you don't get dizzy easily if you decide to try this! Apart from thinking too much about it again, the turns seemed to go well, time was up though and with a little help I left the tunnel. This was supposed to be all the time I was flying today...
Seb went in for his second flight.. I did chuckle to myself that Steve could nearly put his arm all the way round Seb's waist and back onto his hip! This time he did decided to try the turns and apart from nearly exiting the tunnel head first he did rather well! His overall outcome on the experience is that he enjoyed himself and will come back if he gets the chance on a family flight with me again. Doesn't look like he's hooked like me though and won't be joining me at Flight Night.
Everyone else had their turns apart from one who decided that one flight was quite enough for them! We seemed to have got through everyones flights within a good time so Steve asked if anyone wanted more time, my answer.... YES of course! I was so close to getting to grips with the knee and leg turns and wanted to try side slides, so... another 2 minutes on the clock for me!
I entered for the last time for today's session on my own and was straight into knee and arm turns, I wasn't wasting any of my precious time! I was spinning happily in both directions so with guidance from Steve I started on side slides. Persuading my mind and body to change again was fun, I was now going from using opposite arms and legs to turn, to using the arm and leg on one side of my body to move sideways... just as I began to get the hang of it my time was up again... apart from getting my foot caught in the grill on the way out I exited well.
Unfortunately I now have 9 days to wait until I fly again, this will be another flight night again and I can't wait to see what Paul has in store for me!
I think I've babbled on enough about how I'm getting on so I'll leave you with a video of how I'm getting on and I'll update you again after Flight Night!

Today's video

How it all started...

If I were to say my obsession with indoor skydiving started with a gift voucher from Christmas would you believe me?
Well it's true! My parents were at a lose end as to what to buy me with what money they had left and mum stumbled across Airkix. I had always wanted to do a skydive but the cost and practicalities always stopped me. We were unsure what to expect from indoor skydiving, but I'm hooked!
It took me nearly 9 months to use my voucher and I finally ventured into the tunnel on the 5th Sept. The staff at Airkix MK are fabulous and although I got a grilling about taking part even though I've had a dislocated shoulder it didn't spoil a thing!
Andy was my instructor and I blame this obsession on him now! If he wasn't so great would I of wanted to come back for more? Well.... maybe :o) But even so a HUGE thank you goes out to him, what a great guy! I now look forward to meeting some of the other instructors.
4 minutes was the time that I had in the tunnel and I loved every minute of it and left wanting so much more! I purchased a couple of photos as a reminder of how it all began ...

It wasn't long after I got home (140 miles I hasten to add) that I was looking for ways to fund my next flight... what should I stumble across? Tesco rewards vouchers! Excellent! Within a week my next flight was planned!
I found myself on a countdown to the next flight. Little did I know I would be flying again before that planned day...
Airkix introduced Flight Night... As soon as pay day came I booked my sessions, there was no way I was going to miss out on an opportunity like this! There was only one issue though... I would miss the first session... I was animal, Nan and house sitting while the parents were gallivanting around Alton Towers...
The day of the first session was upon us and I'd had a pretty bad day before hand and found my self wishing that I could attend even though I knew this wasn't possible due to the for mentioned commitments. The only rang at about 1pm, the parents, they were on their way home... I bet you can guess what came next! Once off the phone to them I was on the phone to Airkix seeing if there was any space available, amazingly there was and I booked my place!
Mum decided she wanted to come and watch so after getting in from Alton Towers had a cuppa and was out the door again on our way!
2.5 hours later and I was sitting waiting for Flight Night to begin! When the group were discussing where they were at in their flying I found my self being the least experienced, this wasn't going to stop me though! I was there to learn and I was going to do my very best!
Paul was another great instructor and (I think) was very impressed with my progress... That put an even bigger smile on my face, I had come on in leaps and bounds! I have video evidence this time...

Flight Night - Flight 1

Flight Night - Flight 2

Having done flight night on Tuesday there is now only (as I type this) 3 sleeps till I fly again, this of course was the above mentioned Tesco Rewards flight... My brother will be joining me this time - that will be interesting! Hopefully I will progress a little further again as well.
There is only one other thing that I haven't mentioned which is to do with aims and goals... but for now that one can stay under wraps... Maybe I'll let you all in on it soon...

Until the next flight...

Roll on Sunday!