August 17, 1999 - I made my 10th and 11th jump, also known as the low and high solo. The high solo comes first. The winds were high, so I was briefed about what to watch out for in these types of high wind situations, and to not have a downwind landing! The high solo was a blast! No one else was in the sky with me, I was completely on my own. I did a normal student exit from the Beech. I was told it was a good idea to do your high and low solo in the same day, and to exit in the same manner for your high solo as you plan to for your low solo. It was an incredible feeling to be completely free in the air, nothing to accomplish (except pull!) and nothing to do except enjoy the view and the experience. After a nice landing, I started to prepare for my low solo.
The low solo was, to say the least, different. For the low solo, I exited at 4,000 feet. Why is this important? Well, for one, every other jump I had exited from 13,000 feet, and secondly, on every other jump I had a canopy over my head by 4,000 feet - now I would be exiting below the altitude that I was normally floating under a canopy! Not to mention the fact I would be the first one to land, so I couldn't cheat by watching the direction other people were landing. I think a couple guys on the plane could sense I was a little nervous about this jump, they tried to joke around with me, telling me they were going to grab my ankle as I left the plane, and let me hang underneath the plane for awhile. It helped, but I was still nervous. The plane made a pass at 4,000 feet, and the door came open. Bob shouted to me "Ok!" I was a bit confused because normally when you get ready to exit the plane, the engines are cut, so the plane slows down. Of course, on a low solo, the plane is still full of people going to 13,000, and they aren't going to slow it down for one person. I got in the door, looked out, looked back at Bob and asked "Now?" Bob grinned a little, and said "Yes! Go!" and I went! About 3 seconds out the door, I was nice and stable so I pulled. I probably could have waited a few more seconds so I didn't have a sub-terminal (below terminal velocity) opening, but I still had a nice opening, just a few line twists. I played around with the canopy on the way down, and ended up with a nice standup landing. I was finally done! Off student status and on my way to my 'A' license!
Update: as of 10-17-99, my 'A' license application has been processed by the USPA, I'm just waiting for my number!
Update: 11-1-99, I am now a proud 'A' license holder, A #33919! Wooha!! 42 jumps and counting!
Update: I guess while I'm editing, I'll throw in here that as of 5-16-02 I have C license #31748. Wooha! 397 jumps and counting! :-)