Difference of USPA-Member DZ/School in the US vs. USPA-Member DZ/School in Asia plus needs advice

[amihan07 0]

Hi all!
I don't know if this is a nonsense question or what but I'd just like to know is there any difference with a USPA-Member DZ/School in the US vs. USPA-Member DZ/school in Asia? I mean in terms of method/s and quality of instruction in AFF and coach jumps and progress to an A-License, etc. I want to have a good, strong and solid foundation of skydiving as much as possible from the start.

You see it's been some years now (since 2008-2009) since I've wanted to become a licensed skydiver like you guys and take the AFF. You may ask what took me sooo long is because I got out of debt first and started saving some emergency fund, had few investments and hopefully soon have more investments since my mindset back then is I want to start my skydiving career the right way without putting a hole in my pocket. You see skydiving opportunities are rare in our country and if there are people who skydive, they're usually from the army/police force and are not licensed by any governing body like USPA or NZPA, etc. My dream is to take my AFF and get my A-License in Skydive Perris in California on May next year but my current financial situation doesn't allow me to since aside from the fact that I'm still currently in the process of achieving financial stability, my moderate income in our country is sorta inhibiting me. I know this is not an excuse, but what I mean is the purchasing power of the US dollar and our currency is very far from each other, plus the fact that even with a good job, our salary tends to be lower here compared from someone of the same rank in the US. I also have a side job in sales right now but of course there's no guarantee if I can accumulate enough earnings from that for Perris.

I have even computed (made an excel spreadsheet) of every expense I will incur in Perris to the dot even including visa, RT airfare, food, accommodation, A-License package, possible repeat jumps in AFF, some gears I need to buy because they won't rent it out after AFF, possible jumps beyond the 25 required jumps, gear rental, etc. I compared each expense I will incur in Thai Sky Adventures, wherein I still have to take a flight but is nearer in our country and which I plan to be my home DZ after getting my A-License --- and of course the result is that the overall cost tends to be lower in Thai Sky Adventures.

I don't know if I will be able to save up for Perris by May 2014 as I also have other important expenses (believe me, I already greatly reduced my everyday expenses by 70-80% by cutting on unimportant expenses) but I think I can manage to save for the expenses if I will take my A-License Course in Thai Sky Adventures by May 2014. So my question is, is it worth it if I just wait for another year again (May 2015) so I can take my Full A-License Course in Skydive Perris or I take it next year already but in Thai Sky Adventures? You see, I've been itching to get my ass off in the sky and can't wait to pursue for my A-License. But if Skydive Perris is worth the wait, so probably be it. What do you guys think?
Just to let you know, my ultimate goal in skydiving is to be really good in freeflying, pass the next USPA licenses, and if the universe will permit me, enter also into the world of wingsuit flying and base jumping.
Sorry for the long post but I hope someone can enlighten me. Hehe.. Many thanks in advance to those who will reply.

• Quote

[BIGUN 1,319]

>>> I'd just like to know is there any difference with a USPA-Member DZ/School in the US vs. USPA-Member DZ/school in Asia?

There should be no difference. Both pledge to teach according to the USPA training methodologies which can be found here:

http://www.uspa.org/SIM/Read/Section4/tabid/166/Default.aspx

And, everything else contained in the Student Information Manual (SIM): http://www.uspa.org/SIM.aspx

Having said that, I would contact the USPA to ensure the school in Asia is, in fact; a USPA Group Member.

Check here first: http://www.uspa.org/FindaDZ/GroupMemberListbyCountry.aspx

And then check with:

Deborah Groce
Group Membership & Membership Services
groupmembers@uspa.org

Finally, I'm sure someone from Perris will be along shortly to add to what I've shared.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[amihan07 0]

Wow thank you sooo much BIGUN! This is really a big help.

Though the reason I got to know Thai Sky Adventures is thru the USPA website. Hehe..
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it.