I'm an AFFI, Tandem I with over 2070 jumps. I'm not a swooper, but fly 170 stiletto. I'm also a PRO rated jumper. I have 10 years experience. I don't know anyone in OK that does BASE. Any suggestions?
I was an AFFI & TI at Airtight until our plane crashed im May 09. I now work at Skydive Tulsa and help Stooby the new DZO at Airtight. I don't know of any Base jumpers there. Justin Kehler had a BASE rig at one time and may have made a bridge jump, but as far as I know, no one jumps BASE regularly
Between now and when you locate an experienced local BASE guy/gal I would recommend doing a few hop & pops on any big 7-cell, F111 canopy you can borrow to practice flying slow, turning low, deep brake approaches, flairing from half brakes, etc.
I can do that but I also have over 100 demos done with my PRO rating usually flying a big, slow canopy, flown in deep brakes in tight situations such as college football stadiums.
I would say put the word out to those out of state base jumpers you must surely know via so much skysdiving....meet one in Twin and learn to pack and jump!
Or shoe up the $ for a FJC in Twin with Apex, BadSeed, Miles, Johnny Utah or others...
With your experience find a jumper willing to teach you to pack and PCA you off the Perrine should not be an issue. You are 1000% more experienced than most of the people getting into BASE.
I would say you started 10 years ago, and have proceeded at a much more reasonable pace than anyone else I have ever seen ask this question on here.
I am sure that someone who knows the jumpers in that area will put you in touch with them via PM. If not, everyone running FJCs is pretty well dialed in to the base community and would be an excellent resource to help you locate someone suitable to jump with whether you decide to take their course or not. I would recommend taking a course, but everyone has their own views on that.
while I am not a BASE jumper, I did jump at a small dz in cushing OK. they had many BASE jumpers when I was there. if you are looking for a mentor, it might be worth the trip to "Oklahoma skydiving center" just to ask some questions.