Time to complete AFF?

[flyinghuntster 0]

I have looked into all the training methods and I am going to go with AFF. However I will be departing the country for half a year to defend my counrty and have a small amount of time left in the states. I almost have the $1K for the prepaid course.
I'd like to see what the average time (I know that mistakes are often made and cause set backs) it takes to complete the USPA AFF course?
I have been flying small private planes since 1988 and have been through Army Airborne training as well as had a session at Orlando Airventure and was shaky on my first time in the tunnel but was stable and was able to do 360 Deg turns in there on my second go. I hope to finish my AFF before I leave on Cruise and then take some refreser training when I return and then work on my "A" card.

[quade 4]

You should be able to do an entire AFF course over a weekend if you plan it right and the weather is good.

A couple of weekends is more typical.

It -might- be better though if you put your money in the bank and do it when you return. You won't have to re-learn as much after the long lay-off.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[flyinghuntster 0]

WOW, That is fast! If I knock out my AFF Course and then go on cruise I might get to jump overseas and any additional training that I get or require when I return to the states will be good training and cout towards my required jumps for the final lisence, right. I am at sea right now so I can't get to my local DZ but when I return I'll work with them and get lined up with an instructor.
Thanks for your help! I can't wait to FLY again, I have been walking the earth as a "LEG" for too long since I have been under canopy!

[Nightingale 0]

You can do your FJC, first jump, and level 2 in one day, if the light is still good. (more likely in summer).

personally, I didn't want to do more than 2 levels per day, because the info was kind of overwhelming.

so... 2 days minimum, if you do 2 jumps the first day, and 6 the next, but 6 is a lot of jumps for one day.

don't rush it. enjoy it.

and remember, most fail at least 1 level.

[phoenixlpr 0]

HAving 3-4 jumps per day is quite exosting for a beginner. In some contries 4 is the max under some level.

[chuckbrown 0]

There used to be a 3 jump per day max for students; don't know if that's still the case. I did my AFF over 2 weekends (no repeats).

[jas8472 0]

I did my AFF 3 days, day 1 levels 1,2&3, day 2 levels 4&5, day 3 levels 6 & 6 again then 7.

My 10 consols and hop & pop took another 5 days.

But I did go to a dropzone that was open 7 days a week and I did stay there for 2 weeks.

[TimDave 0]

There is, IMO, way too much information to absorb and it is very physically demanding to do an entire AFF training in a weekend. If the training and jump are done properly, each jump (after FJC and category A) should take at least 2 hours. This means about 45 min. on the ground, 15 min. to gear up, 30 min. for the jump, and at least 30 min. post-jump debreif and correction if necessary. Given the length of the day at this time of the year it would be difficult to imagine more than 2 your first day and more than 3 the next. Also rejumps and anything not going perfect will add to this. With what is at stake I would recommend taking the training at a slower pace and complete it over at least a 5 day period. You will probably end up doing this one way or another. As far as retraining goes, the recommendations of the SIM are:

Quote

1. All students who have not jumped in 30 days or more should receive refresher training:

a. Review all standard procedures which were-or should have been-previously acquired.

(1) physical skills

(2) theoretical knowledge

b. Practice emergency procedures in a harness simulator under the guidance of a rated USPA Coach, Instructor, or Instructor Examiner.

c. A student should repeat reserve deployment training once each month until obtaining a USPA A License, including the use of a harness simulator and the pull of an actual reserve ripcord while in the training harness.

After 6 months off I would do all that plus repeat the last jump if all was good on the ground. I would recommend you see what your DZ says about the time off. I would personally do the training that I could and do whatever it takes to get back in the saddle when you get back. So you have to make another jump (not the worst "punishment" for a lay off).