New Australian AFF rules - what do you all think?

[medster 0]

Hello Friends
What do you all think of this?
Only just recently, the Australian AFF rules have changed.
Before a student is allowed to jump solo, he / she must demonstrate & learn canopy handling skills.
Read on (info taken from http://www.sydneyskydivers.com.au/aff.htm )
“Please note that after doing 3 hours ground training the first 2 stages of the AFF course will be completed as a Tandem jumps to consolidate your ground training and canopy handling skills.
*Once you have demonstrated an understand of the canopy handling skills learnt during your ground training you will progress to a jump wearing your own parachute with 2 jump masters accompanying you.”
Being a student my self, I agree with the new rules, having done a solo jump, I felt lost and confused while trying to land, and was very nervous not having a TA on the ground to assist me in landing.
Just wanted to know what everyone has to say about this?
Medi's Frequent Flyers: http://www.medi.avs.net.au
Sydney most affordable skydive booking agency

[jtval 0]

i believe that is about the same thing as the afp (or was it the isp) in america. but every one that i see as a newcomer can choose the the AFF program but most places recommend doing a tandem first. although, i have seen first time AFF students. i would recommend doing AT least one tandem if you aren't sure about your commitment to the sport(and how can you be sure until youve done it?)
but that is just my opinion! i felt very comfortable doing my tandems then when i went a.f.f. i was cool as ice!(well for a first level student anywayHave fun, LIVE FREE, Skydive
JT

[fred 0]

Just having looked at a number of training programs in the US, it seems that a lot of DZ's are incorporating tandem jumps into their training course. Having seen some videos of some horrible first AFF jumps, I can't say I blame them. Scared students can get really out of control.
Just saying, as a newbie myself, it makes some sense to me.

[skyhawk 2]

Only just recently, the Australian AFF rules have changed
thats at 1 dropzone that doesnt mean they all have my dz has had stage 1 a tandem for ages
i think this is spam anyways cause you site is for selling skydives
(o)(o)

[skySue 0]

From what I know - the AFF 'rules' have not changed. I think what you are talking about is one of the proposals put forward by dzs that do heaps of tandems, and tandem jumpmasters. It's a great way to make money - make everyone do a tandem before they do anything else.
I'm confused as to why, as a confused and nervous student, you landed without a TA. If it wasn't offered/insisted upon, why didn't you ask for TA? Landing without TA when you need it is one of the reasons our insurance costs are soon to be so damned high that it looks like the APF may soon not cover dzs for public liability insurance - and so many dzs in Australia look like closing.
I did a tandem first-up, to see if I liked it. I didn't really like it, got sick under canopy, but persisted and did the static line course. Now I love it of course, but for me personally, the tandem was less than useless.
Go for it ALL

[raver1 0]

I think TA on your first couple of landings should be compulsory. Doing tandem first should be up to the student, or if their AFF JM is not confident in the students abilities they should have to do a tandem.
I completed AFF a few months ago with no previous tandem experience and I think I got through it pretty well. I am actually proud of the fact that I have never been a passenger on any of my jumps - but having seen other students go fetal on exit, I empathise with JM's.
Re insurance: I just wish the weenies that sue would wither and die, or simply never turn up in the first place. This isnt chess FFS!!

[skyhawk 2]

the insurance thing is a bitch even big dzs will prob have trouble because they cant put prices up to much more they are already around $32 a jump no doubt ppl will be willing to pay more to help out but if jumps go up to say $40 -50 ppl just wont be able to afford to and the reprecusions for tandems woud prob be huge
(o)(o)

[lazerq3 0]

am I reading that right......350$ for your first tandem!!!!!!! holy shit!!!!!!!!!!!! ITs a wonder anyone can go through AFF there!!!!!
jason

[skyhawk 2]

did i write that ($350) ???
yes it is expensive not that much thought (yet)
at my dz $275 for tandem
$300 for first jump (aff)
have a look at http://www.ramblers.com.au/prices.htm
:) lifes a bitch
(o)(o)

[Grogs 0]

Quote

am I reading that right......350$ for your first tandem!!!!!!! holy shit!!!!!!!!!!!! ITs a wonder anyone can go through AFF there!!!!!

Remember, that figure is in AUD (Australian Dollars). The going exchange rate is just under 2:1 these days, so it's roughly $180 US. That's seems to be a pretty reasonable rate at most dropzones.

[GrumpySmurf 0]

Pulled this:
************************************************************
AIRCRAFT
CESSNA CARAVAN
Ramblers' primary aircraft is a modern turbine Cessna Caravan -
Seats 16 jumpers
Very fast, modern & comfortable
CD player, TV and video dubbing station!
********************************************************
In the Plane??? A CD Player, TV AND video dubbing station???
Wow. Why don't they toss in a hot tub while they are at it?
Have a flying Marriot Resort to altitude.

[skyhawk 2]

yer i think they been jippen us ;) there is a cd player though though technicly if you got a fire wire cable and 2 cams it is true lol
oh yer and 180 US yer good if u come here but for us its still $300 :)
(o)(o)

[riggerrob 643]

The change to the Australian training syllabus makes sense to me.
Since the early 1980s most Canadian DZs have required students to start with a few IAD jumps.
That way you can screen them for canopy flying skills before subjecting them to the high speeds and even higher stress of freefall.