Well, we didn't even get around to jumping that summer because we were always staying out so late that we never got up in time to drive the hour and a half to the drop zone. (I soon found out that going to bed early and getting up early to skydive was the better choice.) It only took 3 jumps into my "freefall package" of jumps to realize this was something I was going to do. There was so much immediate gratification in fact that it took me 7 years to get back to accomplishing that goal of becoming a pilot, but by then it was almost easy, I had learned so much about aviation from skydiving.

All of my jumps went great, but Tom was a little lax on his third jump and didn't do a very good PLF and sort of sprained his neck, wore a neck brace to work, and got so much "jumping is dangerous" grief from everybody that he quit. (Oh yes, we're talking belly-warts, T-10's, and PLF's here. Back when you bought a case of beer for your first "square" jump.)

I was not to be influenced by the naysayers however, and skydiving rapidly replaced most of the other things I used to do. Over the years I've added various ratings and certificates, and all of them have made skydiving easier and more enjoyable.

So, what kind of skydiving do I most like to do best? All of it!

I honestly don't have an answer to that question. I love the variety that skydiving provides, especially with the new disciplines that have emerged in the last few years. Instruction will always have a place in all of it though, because a lot of friends took the time to teach me over the years, and I keep trying to return the favor to others.