It was time to start working more with the equipment instead of simply doing the arch, reach, pull.  We went over how to flake the nose of the parachute on the ground before we went up for another great Arizona day of skydiving.  There are a number of ways to pack a parachute; however, it is my understanding that the most important part is to flake the nose of the canopy.  By varying the way the parachute is packed one can change the characteristics as to how the parachute opens.  I was not knowledgeable enough to know the differences.  I just wanted it to work.  As in many sports learning about the equipment is incredibly important.  In many sports the equipment is helpful but does not quite balance the life and death elements as in skydiving.  There is an improved robustness in the quality of equipment and its ability to work reliably when called upon to do so that tends to get better over time.

After packing the parachute we went through the gear checking procedures on the ground and what things are important to look for to ensure a safe flight.  The size of each parachute is somewhat tailored to be appropriate to the fitness of the individual.  The more experienced one gets the smaller the parachute is typically used for agility and reactivity.  Of course if one is going to become a tandem jumping instructor then they must learn how to control a much larger shoot which I was told is quite an experience especially when using it without the added weight of another person.

I was in good health and we were ready for another jump.  We performed another gear check in the air just prior to exiting the aircraft.  My climb out onto the wing was solid and I had a good arch and nice body position up until it was time to pull.  My leg straightened out a bit which caused a little disruption in the steadiness of the jump.  I tried to fly the canopy as they would say instead of simply sight seeing on the way down.  It was a nice approach with s turns to the landing zone.  It is somewhat amazing on how difficult it can be to read the wind direction based on the wind sock.  It is so large on the ground yet so small when the parachute is deployed at altitude.  My girlfriend was waiting for me on the ground with a healthy hug and a water bottle to quench my thirst from the heat.  It was another successful jump in the Arizona sky.