skymom2 0 #1 January 26, 2005 Hi everyone! I just had my first jump this past weekend and of course, am totally addicted. I am looking to get certified and have some questions regarding training etc. I have 16 mo old twins so I don't have a ton of time to get away so I was wondering how long it usually takes to do the AFF training. If I was able to go to a place during a slow time of year..and be able to get up more than a few times a day... I also was wondering if getting AFF certified you make your first jump solo (with 2 jumpmasters) after the ground training or if they like for you to do a few tandem jumps first. any info regarding training etc would be appreciated. Thanks! The journey of life is not to arrive at the grave in a well-preserved body, but to skid in sideways, totally worn out, screaming "Holy Crap!" what a ride! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Salsa_John 0 #2 January 26, 2005 Welcome to the sport. I got addicted too. Did 2 tandems that day. I have heard of people getting AFF cert in a few days (1 jump - 1 level) I personally took 7 weeks and had to repeat L1 and L2. Was going only on weekends. Only thing I will say is: Relax. Once you do, it is very easy. Blue skies and soft landings, SJ "You did what?!?!" MUFF #3722, TDSM #72, Orfun #26, Nachos Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 January 26, 2005 QuoteI also was wondering if getting AFF certified you make your first jump solo (with 2 jumpmasters) after the ground training or if they like for you to do a few tandem jumps first. any info regarding training etc would be appreciated. Good question. That depends on the DZ and how they run their student program. Some places would like to see you do a couple of working tandems (much more then just going for the ride) before transitioning to AFF by taking a ground course then continuing on a different level of AFF such as Level C. Some places don't do that. I highly recommend downloading and reading the USPA's SIM (Skydiver Information Manual) it will have a lot of information that you'll need. Also, please call the DZ you're going to do your training at and ask them these questions. They are the only ones that can give you the real answers.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obelixtim 150 #4 January 26, 2005 Certified??????.......Are you insane????..... Try under "psychiatry" in the yellow pages...... (Sorry...just couldn't resist...) Seriously.....just go for it....your training may vary a little, depending on where you go....but the important thing is to have enough funds to hammer it when you are at the DZ......one jump per day is a fairly slow way to do it...... Find a full time DZ and try to go on a week day.....its slightly less busy than the weekend... You'll be renting equipment until you at least get your "A" licence.....so get that out of the way first, then think about gear...... Welcome to the sport....good luck...My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymom2 0 #5 January 26, 2005 Thanks for all of your replies. The places that I have researched seem to have programs where you can pay a flat rate and that will take care of all gear/equip. rentals and training. I guess I was just wondering if it's possible and/or likely to complete multiple levels in one day. The journey of life is not to arrive at the grave in a well-preserved body, but to skid in sideways, totally worn out, screaming "Holy Crap!" what a ride! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obelixtim 150 #6 January 26, 2005 I limit my jumpers to 5 jumps a day absolute max.....but thats pretty tough on the body and brain until you get used to it.......if you can do 3 jumps per day that would be a pretty fair day.....because the learning curve will peak and then begin to decline due to fatigue etc...... Every individual progresses at their own rate...so don't compare yourself to anyone else except in a general sense......most student programmes are based on the rate of progress of an average student....so its not a race...there's time to get it right......but don't get down if a jump doesn't go exactly as planned first time......its a rare person who gets it perfect every time..... And remember not to get too intense.....Rome wasn't built in a day.....its meant to be FUN...and if you are having a good time you will be a lot more relaxed.......and THATS the key to the whole experience....... Set yourself small easy targets and you'll achieve them more easily.....and focus on each task as it comes on each jump...... Remember that every jumper you come across...even your instructor....was once a first jumper like you..so they'll understand where you're coming from....so don't be afraid to ask if you arn't sure what to do......when you get in the plane you should know exactly what you are going to do and HOW to do it..... Practise on the ground is free...so do lots of it.........you'll have plenty of time to practise......use it...... Stick to one person for advice (should always be your instructor) because there are lots of people who will give you a slightly different perspective on how to achieve a particular task...they're all correct...but it sometimes can be confusing when you are new..... Just go for it......My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #7 January 27, 2005 I can't speak for others but I did max 3 accellerated free fall jumps (look at the SIM that Aggiedave was talking about.) per day and only did them on weekends (Finished 7 in about a month) to get a license it takes a lot more (some programs are more independ then others...) but everyone in the US is required to complete the A-license requirements (Read the SIM) it can be found here: http://www.uspa.org in pdf format. Talk to the instructors at your local DZ and they can explain the options. Scott Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #8 January 27, 2005 QuoteThanks for all of your replies. The places that I have researched seem to have programs where you can pay a flat rate and that will take care of all gear/equip. rentals and training. I guess I was just wondering if it's possible and/or likely to complete multiple levels in one day. I bought the 7-AFF package at once to encourage me along, but I ended up regretting it as it committed me to a DZ that turned out to be consistently windy much of the time, limiting my opportunity to do jumps. 1-2 jumps was usually the max. I did get a free repeat for paying the bundle, but I suspect I came out behind with the longer off periods and gas money. After I was cleared for solo student status, I went to another spot to finish the A and never experienced a wind hold in 20+ jumps. The fine print is also important - I thought I was buying 8 jumps, not one at each level, plus a repeat. You can't use that L7 until you pass L6. Many DZs do it this way, at least a few treat it as 7 student jumps. If you're going to travel somewhere to do it all in one good run, this concern isn't as great since you're committing time/$$/vacation to the one place already. Just get some good referrals and vibes about the place. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #9 January 27, 2005 I did level 5,6 and 7 all in one day. Three levels was about my limit. I've seen people start AFF on a saturday morning and finish that monday afternoon. You can go as slow or as fast as you want, as long as you're keeping your own learning curve in mind. Don't try to cram too many levels into one day, because you can get tired and lose your focus. I did better on the levels I did as the second jump of the day, because I wasn't nearly as nervous as I was on the first jump of the day. Since I'd already done it once that day, it was easier to get past the nerves and do it again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #10 January 27, 2005 QuoteI limit my jumpers to 5 jumps a day absolute max..... That's because you are from New Zealand, and Kiwis are hard core! For us tender footed Americans 3 a day will usually do it! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymom2 0 #11 January 27, 2005 That's great guys...thank you. I wanted to know what the avg was so I can plan accordingly. I am trying to decide if I should pay per level and take my time getting certified, or if I should just pay the bundle and get the certification behind me so I can really start to enjoy the sport. You guys answered all my questions. Thanks! I have to say though, I absolutely LOVED my first (tandem) jump but it scares me a little to think about jumping by myself the first time. Did you all feel prepared by the time you made your first solo. Was your training adequate enough that you felt prepared to handle whatever happened? The journey of life is not to arrive at the grave in a well-preserved body, but to skid in sideways, totally worn out, screaming "Holy Crap!" what a ride! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #12 January 27, 2005 QuoteI did level 5,6 and 7 all in one day. Three levels was about my limit. Here is my weird logic process - this story will turn full circle, so go with it. I purchased a 1976 Ford LTD when the car was 16 years old (when I was 16 years old too) but with only 50,000 miles. I thought that since it had 50,000 miles it would be cheap to maintain like a newer car with 50,000 miles. I was wrong. When it came to repair it, I found that some parts wore out by age alone, and other parts wore out by mileage alone, and other part wore out from age + mileage. Now to skydiving... I did 2 levels a day for a few weekends and weekdays. I spread it out over five visits to the DZ (weathered out some days too). I liked that... Just like the car, some learning comes from getting mileage in the sky, some learning comes from time on the ground at the DZ, and some learning comes from both. I can tell the difference, already, at my newbie level, in the students who have one weekend at the DZ and are past AFF versus the students who have four weekends at the DZ and are just finishing AFF. The ones who have MORE days are more knowledgeable about everything from DZ procedures to safety to seeing weather effecting operations. They also have met more staff and customers, and seem to be more willing to talk to you when you pass by. At least at my DZ, each AFF day started out with a 1 hour lecture/ground school on things outside of the planned AFF learning objectives. Everyone from AFF1 to 7 would be in the same classroom – so AFF1 would learn from AFF7 while AFF7 would make sure they did not forget the basic questions AFF1 were answering. If I had done AFF in one day, I would have only had 1 hour of time on the ground working on big picture things. By having 5 days, I got 5X as much time to work with instructors. I am all about not rushing it. Now I do think 2 levels a day is cool because by the second load you are feeling more comfortable and relaxed a bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #13 January 27, 2005 QuoteI did better on the levels I did as the second jump of the day, because I wasn't nearly as nervous as I was on the first jump of the day. Since I'd already done it once that day, it was easier to get past the nerves and do it again. Oddly enough, I tended to perform better on the first jump of the day. The nerves acted to focus me. Right after I did the tumbling L6 at Perris, I then did the 'simple' floating one and spent a few thousand feet getting belly to earth. Skymom - on the last few AFF levels, you exit and the instructor follows and observes. It's effectively the same on the first solo, minus the security blanket of having that person watching. It was nice doing a jump without any pressure of failing a level. You can just have fun. But one step at a time! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #14 January 27, 2005 QuoteI limit my jumpers to 5 jumps a day absolute max While doing my post-AFF jumps I did 5 in one day - but I don't recommended it. I was dog tired, in bed by 8:30 that night and had a bruise on my left upper arm from shoulder to elbow from ill fitting harness. Still lots of fun though JenArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #15 January 27, 2005 QuoteQuoteI limit my jumpers to 5 jumps a day absolute max While doing my post-AFF jumps I did 5 in one day - but I don't recommended it. I was dog tired, in bed by 8:30 that night and had a bruise on my left upper arm from shoulder to elbow from ill fitting harness. Still lots of fun though Jen I don't think I ever did more than 3 jumps in a day as a student. There was so much going on that it was pretty intense. These days I can do a lot more but its cause im used to things.~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #16 January 28, 2005 Plus you didn't do any repeats in thereMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymom2 0 #17 January 28, 2005 I feel like I would want to hang out at my DZ so I could get to know the instructors and also observe others jumps and landings. I think for me observing actual scenarios will be a big benefit. So let me get this straight, which levels do the jumpmasters actually jump with you and when do you actually jump all by yourself... And stupid question...were you terrified the first jump you made? The journey of life is not to arrive at the grave in a well-preserved body, but to skid in sideways, totally worn out, screaming "Holy Crap!" what a ride! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #18 January 28, 2005 The best place to find answers to your questions is the DZ that you'll be doing your training at. A dropzone will follow the TSO (targeted learning objectives) for student training. How they do it, is different from dropzone to dropzone. Was I terrified my first jump? I'm not sure if it was terrified, I would call it apprehensive. I was doing something I had never done before. When I learned, the only way to become a skydiver was through the static line progression. That method is kind of like what the military jumpers do, with a static line that is connected to the aircraft frame, and as the student exits, the main parachute is deployed. Just to let you in on a little secret, I'm apprehensive on every jump I do. When I had around 100 skydives, I was still having those feelings. I thought that maybe something was wrong with me, so I went to the dropzone owner and told him that I was still scared on my jumps. He looked and me and said, "Good, when you stop being scared, get out of the sport." After all these years, those are words I still hear ringing in my ears.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #19 January 28, 2005 QuoteI feel like I would want to hang out at my DZ so I could get to know the instructors and also observe others jumps and landings. I think for me observing actual scenarios will be a big benefit. This is a great attitude - I find the more I hang around the DZ, two things happen. 1) I learn a lot, from the instructors, other licensed jumpers, and fellow students. Sometimes it's what *not* to do, but I'm always picking up new stuff. 2) Even more importantly, I become more a part of the community. The more people see me around and the more I am invited into (or insert myself into) conversations, the more opportunities I have to learn and grow and make new friends. One of the coolest things about skydiving is the people and the more time you have to spend with them, the better. For me, two jumps per day has been my average, but our weather's pretty fickle up here so that's often all I can get, and that's been fine. I did four in one day for the first time on Sunday and I was pretty fried, but it felt good, but I don't think I could have done that really early in my training. I find myself most confident and comfortable when I don't take off more than a week or so between jumps, but sometimes life and the weather make that unavoidable. QuoteAnd stupid question...were you terrified the first jump you made? Sure. On my first freefall I thought of riding the plane back down. And for a few jumps after that. What helps me with the terror is visualization. When you get a copy of the SIM, you'll see that's one of the things they mention as a great technique for relaxing, and it helps me SO much. I visualize the dive flow at least 10 times on the ground and a bunch more times on the ride to altitude. Eyes closed, breathing deep, seeing myself execute everything perfectly. One of my instructors calls it my "zen-yoga-thing." "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #20 January 28, 2005 Quote I limit my jumpers to 5 jumps a day absolute max..... Is that limit for experienced jumpers as well?-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #21 January 28, 2005 QuotePlus you didn't do any repeats in there LOL - it's kinda hard to repeat when AFF, for me, was only 3 jumps. I woulda felt really foolish then I can't wait to get back to FL... skymom1: I'm not qualified to give any advice at all, but what I will say is learn as much as you can. There are a million and 5 ways to do it too. It took me 16 months to start AFF, but in that amount of time I did so much reading and learning (ok, and some wind tunnel time in there too ) that my first AFF jump was more exciting and fun than scary. I hope its the same for you. You'll love this sport for its excitement and the people you meet will make you appreciate it even more. I know they have for me. Best of luck, JenArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #22 January 28, 2005 What a great post, and you didn't add a picture of your first skydive. What's up with that? Guess I got to do it, just got to brag on youMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #23 January 28, 2005 *sigh* What a pretty picture...the ocean, the ground below with no snow, and me.... in the air... I think I'll frame it, or make it my desktop picture. I'll just have to take Uwe and Rob out of it JenArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obelixtim 150 #24 January 28, 2005 No....but not many want to do more than 5 or 6 per day anyway.....but if they can handle it I don't have a problem with that....My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeepDiver 0 #25 January 28, 2005 I just wish I had more free time to pursue my personal life outside of my professional life. I just did a recurrency jump. It went great and felt great. I've never quite had that "fear of the door". I just wish I found myself in that place more often. It felt so sweet throwing that pilot chute, seeing a perfect yellow canopy, and then making it back from a longer than expected spot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
