4 jumps

Stayed in Lancaster last night, got to dropzone about 9:15.

First jump - repeat of last practice pull.  All good, but dropped my head a little when I threw the newspaper.  Not enough to mess me up.  Higher winds today.  Still legal for me, but after all these no wind jumps I was not thinking right.  I opened, did controllability checks, and was over the area where I would have turned from downwind to base.  Tried to get back, but didn't make much progress against the wind.  I didn't do a very good pattern and ended up landing next to the runway down the grassy area to the right.  Stood it up.

Second jump - clear and pull. Bumped my elbow on the step, but no injury, no bruise, no pain.  Broke my arch, legs were a little uneven.  But finally at the point where I deploy my own pilot chute!  Landed next to the runway, down the grassy area to the left.  Jedd says I could do some sashays on final to not overshoot.

Third jump - clear and pull.  Still dropped my head a little.  Worked on canopy skills.  Rear riser turns before unstowing the brakes.  Rear riser turns with the toggles in my hands.  Braked turns.  Landing pattern not too good again.  I wanted to check off the braked approach but I think that was a bad idea given the landing pattern.  On the grass next to the runway.

Fourth jump - 10 second delay from 5000 feet.  Or not.  Mark the pilot said the turbulence at 5000 feet was violent, so he's probably take us to 5500 which was fine.  At 4000+ we were on jump run.  I was spotting.  Supposed to pass over the peas, but we were more toward the parking lot.  Still in the right angle.  I asked for the cut, but Mark was telling Jedd to get us out of the plane.  I don't think we actually got the cut.  I went out, left foot on step.  Jedd next to me.  Out-in-out exit count.  I was totally confused looking at my altimeter with my old man's eyes.  Instead of 5000 down to 4000, we exited at 4000, so I let us go to 3000 because I was looking for the next lower number.  3000 is not a big deal, but not what the jump called for.  Threw, had a fine canopy ride.  Landing pattern was not great.  Winds were definitely higher, and gusty.  Came in next to the runway, down the grassy area to the right.  Flared too high, let it up, then punched it back down.  I was falling straight down with no forward motion.  Just before hitting the ground, a gust started pushing me backward.  My feet hit, my butt hit, and my head snapped down to the ground.  Then the wind dragged me and the canopy until I could get up and more upwind of the canopy.  All were concerned about concussion possibility.  Heather wouldn't let me leave for about an hour.  I feel fine, just a little stiff in the top of the back when I push my chin to my chest.