where and why..not

[mobbik 0]

Hi All,

I think im ready to start my pff / afp. training.
I did one tandem in europe two months ago and loved it.

there are two DZ close to me http://www.swoop.on.ca
pff aroud $1700 if all goes well no video from the jupms ...unless i pay extra.

http://skydiveburnaby.com
afp around $2100

what to do what to do....

is it better to jump by myself on the first jupm, or should i do two more tandems... i think i would rather spend the extra $400 on extra jumps in case i need to redo level...

i would love to have videos from my traing to see my mistakes etc... but don`t want to pay another $100 per level :(


any input would be appreciated.

Thanks
Paul

[riggerrob 643]

No single method is "perfect," rather, different methods are better at teaching different skills at different points in your progression.

Might as well spread out the sensory overload.
Start with a visit to the wind tunnel in Niagara Falls.

Then hang around the Burnaby drop zone for half a day, quietly observing their student operation.
On your way home, spend an hour or three observing operations at the Dunville Airport.
The next day, drive up to SWOOP and observe their operations for an hour or three.

Then do a tandem or three.

Then do a few solo jumps from 3,000 feet (the most popular method is "Instructor Assisted Deployment).
Do solo jumps until you can steer your parachute to a safe landing without any radio guidance.

Then visit the wind tunnel again.

Finally, do a half-dozen jumps with Progressive Freefall Instructors.

[jrmrangers 0]

WOW, that's one he'll of a plan Bob! I like it! Meeting some of the people by hanging around the dropzones is never a bad idea. Your going to be spending a lot of time ( and money!) at the DZ you choose so getting a feel for them and the people there is a good idea. You never know an old bitter ex might be jumping there or something!

Wait , I pull what first?

[pchapman 279]

Quote

http://www.swoop.on.ca
pff aroud $1700 if all goes well no video from the jupms ...unless i pay extra.

http://skydiveburnaby.com
afp around $2100

Tough choice. I know Burnaby's AFP system has been designed by a very experienced instructor. And SWOOP has been doing PFF for many years, so they have experience with that. With my limited experience I've found PFF tends to be more effective than AFP, but if the AFP is well designed, and cheaper per jump, it may all average out.

I haven't checked Burnaby's program lately, but the plan was for the instructor to always wear video for feedback. At SWOOP, the extra fee is for a separate camera flyer to come along and video. That's more something for the one-time jumper, or to pay for once later on, to have something to show friends with a better outside-the-formation viewpoint. So ask if the actual PFF instructors with you can take video -- that could very well be available.

(I do PFF at another Ontario DZ, Skydive Toronto, and we always have the PFF instructor(s) do video on the jumps, for review and later provided to the student.)

The hang out at the DZ idea is a great one. After all, that's what experienced skydivers end up doing a lot of the time anyway...