boringjen 0 #1 March 10, 2006 Hello, all! I've convinced myself it would be a good idea to sign up for AFF and run off for a week of skydiving. If I'm going to do it, I might as well do it, right? Having never been skydiving, I haven't a clue if this is a terrible idea. Would you recommend some other method of getting started? Thanks, Jen "I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter." - Winston Churchill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky22 0 #2 March 10, 2006 Go for it, if you want to Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Orange1 0 #3 March 10, 2006 QuoteHello, all! I've convinced myself it would be a good idea to sign up for AFF and run off for a week of skydiving. If I'm going to do it, I might as well do it, right? Having never been skydiving, I haven't a clue if this is a terrible idea. Would you recommend some other method of getting started? Thanks, Terrible for your wallet maybe, but other than that it's probably the best idea you ever had I started off static line but then eventually I did exactly what you're thinking - took a week off work and did AFF. If you can do it that way it's probably the best way to learn, as the fear factor builds up more the longer you have between jumps.Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
franman 0 #4 March 10, 2006 That's got to be the best way to get into the sport - a week of training every day will get you much further than the same number of jumps spread out over a few months. Just hand over your credit card - you'll be qualified by the time you get the bill and you won't regret it!! Francis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #5 March 10, 2006 Welcome to the forums! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boringjen 0 #6 March 13, 2006 Skymama, That's the thing I'm undecided on. My big freakout isn't the jumping out of the plane or the freefall. It's the part where I'm supposed to land safely. I guess I'll just have to see how much confidence I have after the ground school. If I'm still terrified by the idea of landing alone, I'll go tandem. If not, I might just go for it. Seriously...how idiot-proof is this landing thing (with typical first-time student gear)? I'm convinced that my clumsy ass will yank something too hard or pull the wrong thing and end up killing myself. Jen "I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter." - Winston Churchill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #7 March 14, 2006 QuoteSeriously...how idiot-proof is this landing thing (with typical first-time student gear)? I'm convinced that my clumsy ass will yank something too hard or pull the wrong thing and end up killing myself. LOL...you're asking the wrong person. I'm only saying that because I have had a few landing issues, but obviously, they didn't kill me. The good thing about the student canopies is that they are very big and more forgiving to mistakes than the sport canopies. Remember too that we do steer them. So, as long as you keep your wits about you and listen to your instructor during your ground training and on the radio, you should be ok. Since you are a little concerned about it, it may be a good thing just to do a tandem so you can see how everything is done and to calm your nerves a little.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jumpah 0 #8 March 15, 2006 Until I was off AFF I wondered every jump whether it was a good idea or not Student gear is set up to be forgiving. Your instructor will drill into you the things you should and shouldn't do. The instructors I've worked with would never let a student go up unless they were sure the student could do it safely. You'll have a radio, too, which helps (but remember you'll need to think for yourself). Its not a bicycle ride...you can't stop once you are in motion. If your local DZ is one that caters towards sport and student skydives as well as tandems (instead of being just a tandem mill), go out to the DZ on a nice day and spend the day. Introduce yourself to manifest and ask to talk with an instructor when they are free. I started with a tandem then did AFF. On my first AFF jump I was scared stiff (literally...instructor pulled for me ), but that was gone on my repeat of that jump. Now I'm just nervous each time. Whether its a terrible idea or not...you'll figure that out soon. Good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flygurl 0 #9 March 15, 2006 I would suggest you do a tandem first. I didn't and I think I would have learned a lot more in the AFF ground school if I had. Doing as much as you can as quickly as you can is definitely the best way to look at your training if you can do it that way! Good luck!!!________________________________________ "One out of every four American's are suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daniel_owen_uk 0 #10 March 16, 2006 See I would suggest not doing a tandem, the money spent would be better spent on tunnel time (that's just my newbie opinion). As for the whole landing safely part, if you jump out, have the freefall bit, pull on time, then you are kinda forced into landing, might as well do your best to try and do it safely But go for it, you will love it.__________________ BOOM Headshot Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flygurl 0 #11 March 16, 2006 Tunnel time is great for body flight, but is no help in understanding the equipment or the experience of the jump and the landing. The best way to prepare for that is a Tandem.________________________________________ "One out of every four American's are suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boringjen 0 #12 March 17, 2006 Tunnel time is part of the plan. I'm going to Florida, and it looks like every DZ I've checked out closes for at least one weekday. I'll be there the whole week, so I figured I could go to Orlando for some tunnel time on whatever day my chosen DZ closes. As for the tandem...I suppose I've still got time to think about it. Jen "I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter." - Winston Churchill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krazykate 0 #13 March 20, 2006 hey, i've done a tandem and a static line jump. when i did the tandem i loved it, but felt quite sick under the canopy. when the instructor started to do some spins i had to ask him to stop! i loved the freefall part of the skydive though, but my money only allowed me to do a static line jump (i didnt want to do another tandem). the canopy ride was so much nicer - i didnt feel sick at all but - there was no freefall so no i'm saving/trying to sort out an AFF course! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hayfield 0 #14 March 20, 2006 Orange is 100% right. The longer between jumps (say like winter) the more time fear has to gnaw at you. I wish I would have known how much I was going to love this sport, cause I would have done it all at one shot-probably will finish that way. This will be the best damn thing you've ever done! Blue Skies"Remember the First Commandment: Don't Fuck Up!" -Crusty Old Pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
