Cat A AFF jump!

(backdated post)

Jump #1. Category A. Weather got better and better as I drove out. Mike from York and his friends were there. Winds were very light, and varied in direction. Jumped with Matt (young, clean-cut) and Bill (a little older, bald in front). Exited at 13,000 from the Casa. Sat down after exiting plane. Tumbling. Matt broke off. Might have arched upside down at some point. Bill flipped us over. First COH missing Matt on main side. Matt came back in after 2 practice touches. Did third practice touch. Second COH, getting close to 6,000. Locked on altimeter at 6,000. Bill reminded me to lock on, but I was already locked on. Just as I was about to wave off, Bill gave me the pull signal at 4,900. Waved off, pulled. Stable position, strong pull. Surprised how much of a jerk there was when the chute deployed. Felt like I was going up. Good chute ("Is it there? Is it square?"). Started controllability check when Henry gave me some directions on the walkie-talkie to make sure he was looking at the right chute. Very relaxing flight in to the drop zone. Henry thinks he gave me the instruction to flare a little early, or possibly a gust of wind came straight into my face when I flared. I released my flare, big mistake, flared again, came in a little fast, and did one of the greatest PLFs the instructors have ever seen. Landed with the buildings on the right.