Newbie! Guidance perhaps?

[crazychristoph 0]

Hello all,

My name is chris, I am from arizona and I love to raise my heart rate.

That being said I would like to learn how to skydive. What sort of money am I going to be shelling out to get past tandem dives and have my license?

Any advice/guidance would be great.

I am also 20 years old and know basically nothing about skydiving. When should I be in the market to purchase all the necessary gear? I will be overseas alot since I am in the airforce. I see that you guys have a very well informed dropzone location tab.

What is the difference between AFF and AAD?

One is training?

Thanks, Chris

[JustChuteMeNow 0]

Hello Chris,

Welcome to the forums. I have attached a link to some skydiving terms that should answer your question regarding the differences between the acronym AFF and AAD.

However your cost question will really depend on the DZ where you take your training. Some offer tunnel training and some don't. Some will be using a turbine aircraft while some will be using a cessna. In other words it is hard to compare training programs. I would say most people spend between 1,000 and 2,000 dollars but some people have paid more and some people have paid less.

Again welcome

Skydiving Glossary

Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

[dks13827 3]

go to a local dz,,,,,,,,,, spend a half day or more if you like. They love to talk to new folks. In this AZ summer heat, go quite early in the morning. For now, watch youtube videos of AFF jumps. Later, watch the malfuntion videos, also.

[Matitemel 0]

Hey Chris!! Welcome to the forum!!

I won't answere to your questions coz most of people answered yet :)
Have you ever done some tandam jumps??

Mélanie

Check out my new website!!! :) www.greentimes.com.au or the page on FB Green Times !!!

[skymama 37]

Welcome to the forums!
As for cost, you can save money by skipping the tandems and going straight into doing a static line program.

Don't worry about gear right now, just start saving money. A lot.

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

[crazychristoph 0]

I'm looking into the static line program? I am not too familiar on the topic itself but would like to learn.

So your saying I should save the cash in my pocket and wait until I may get all the necessary done.

Im going to be in Dallas/Wichita Falls for 5 months, is this long enough to get AFF school done? Or perhaps the static line program?

Thanks,

Chris

[JohnDeere 0]

Hello, 5 mounths is plenty of time to get an A lic. if you have to money! Its best to have the money saved up before you start, or at least know you can come up with the money during your progression. The closer your jumps are together the better you will retain the info. You will be more conf. in the air also. Plus as a student you have to jump at least once a mounth ( thats a min. Its highly advised you do more than one jump a mounth)

I jump at SD Dallas but they only offer AFF. Both forms of training has up sides and down sides. Cado mills offers SL thought. Typically AFF cost more but you can finish faster. SL is cheaper but takes more time. They are both good programs just depend on what will fit you better.

Nothing opens like a Deere!

You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers!

[crazychristoph 0]

I have a few questions?

How many levels of AFF is required before an A license is attained?

Ballpark estimate of how much I should have saved prior to taking AFF?

Do these levels obviously require me to rent the gear?

Is 3k enough to get my license?

After my license do I have to retest in order to go up if I have some sort of delay? (deployment)

Do you have to do a tandem dive first or is this just a precautionary measure people take prior to AFF?

Thanks,

Chris

[JohnDeere 0]

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How many levels of AFF is required before an A license is attained?

Well Aff is just the begining. Its 7 levels. I think the cost is around $1550 for Aff. That includes ground school and 7 jumps. Plus 1 solo jump after AFF?. After that they do SDU jumps ( Skydive university).

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Do these levels obviously require me to rent the gear?

Gear rental is included for AFF and SDU jumps. You wont have to rent gear untill you start doing solo jumps. You can rent by the jump or by the day.

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Is 3k enough to get my license?

That is about what it will cost to get your lic.

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After my license do I have to retest in order to go up if I have some sort of delay? (deployment)

Not sure what your asking here. After AFF you are cleared for solo supervision. Once you get your Lic ( you do have to take a test and pass all of your AFF and SDU levels) you can jump with anybody else that has a lic.

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Do you have to do a tandem dive first or is this just a precautionary measure people take prior to AFF?

No you do not have to do a tandem first at SDD. Some training programs do make you do a tandem first. There is nothing wrong with doing it that way its just a diff. training program.

BTW I do not work for SDD. Im just a fun jumper, so make sure and check with DZ for prices.

Let me know if you need any more info about local DZ's.

Nothing opens like a Deere!

You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers!