Beginner's Nerves!!

[scientist_chick 0]

I am v new to the sport, just done a tandem and loved it! I have signed myself up for an AFF course (and can think of nothing else at the moment!). Is the course difficult? I'm looking forward to it, but a little nervous that I'm not gonna be very good at it!! Does anyone have any tips for me and stories of their AFF courses, would love to hear them.

**Moggie Gifts**

[kai2k1 0]

Let me preface this by saying I AM NOT AN INSTRUCTOR.

Now that we have that out of the way.
I would suggest getting a copy of the 2004 SIM or you can download it at www.uspa.org The course isnt difficult unless you make it that way. Pay close attention to what your instructors are telling you. Remember your paying them to learn.

Learn how to relax and have fun. That is one of the biggest keys to skydiving. You're in for the ride of your life so hang out and have fun. Theres a pleathora of information in these forums, but take it with a grain of salt.

Good luck and welcome to the sky!

Also you may want to fill in your profile so we know where youre located. Believe me it helps.

There's no truer sense of flying than sky diving," Scott Cowan

[Shaman 0]

Hiya, like Kai, I'm not an instructor, but someone not that far removed from AFF to remember.

I could say relax, which is easy when you've got your numbers up, but do try. For me, after 18 jumps I wasn't afraid of the door any more, and after 40 was totally relaxed in freefall.

Everyone has to start somewhere, so don't feel pressured by those better than you. Most people in this sport are more than happy to help you, so don't be afraid to ask questions, and ask em again if you didn't understand (or if your head was still up in the clouds!)

Get several opinions on things and make your own mind up with what feels best 'for you'. Fun is mandatory, after all, why else would you be up there?!?! Don't kick yourself too much for mistakes, I failed a level for spinning, but worked it out in time.

Work on the basics, the rest will come in time. I think most people's fear is of being unstable in freefall on their early jumps. I found doing back and front flip exits etc loosened me up, but that's just me.

Try to get at least 4 jumps a day done, not many by standards, but by the 4th jump of the day, the only thing you'll be concerned with is how many style points you can get going out the door!

Blue skies, happy landings!

[scientist_chick 0]

Thanks for the advice guys, here's a question for you once you've got your A licence how do you progress to b,c etc?

**Moggie Gifts**

[Shaman 0]

Not entirely sure how the USPA works it, but under BPA rules you do 5 pre-nominated accuracy landings, must learn jumpmaster duties, and perform a 4-point 4-way jump.

All of the points you need are easy if you've paid attention to your instructors etc during your AFF.

The one I've found that gets easily lost is your flight pattern once under canopy. Keep it clear in your head from the start, as bad habits are easy to fall into.

For starters, as someone who has not long since done A and B licenses myself, I'd say just concentrate on your A license requirements. Get the basics learned, and get comfortable and relaxed with all stages, gear knowledge, dirt dive, exit order, freefall and canopy skills, packing, debriefing and writing up your log book, before you start even thinking about your B license.

You could find other wise you're trying to do too much too soon, and will miss something that'll end up hurting you or someone else, or worse. At very least you may get disheartened by taking stuff too seriously and think you'll never make it.

Enjoy your jumping man, you've got plenty of time, and it's not a race!

I learned most through getting lots of instructor jumps after my AFF, and learning docking skills, aerial awareness etc and getting as many jumps as possible videoed. Then you can watch them at your leisure and see what you're doing right and wrong.

Someone told me 'there's no such thing as a bad jump', cos even if you screw up from beginning to end, you'll have learned what you're getting wrong and can work on it on the next jump.

• Quote

[skr 1]

In answer to your progressing to B, C and D
question: while you're going towards your A
license watch all the more experienced jumpers
and start finding some good role models that
you can feel some rapport with and start hanging
out with them.


>Is the course difficult?

I think AFF is a pretty steep path. It's better to
think of 7 levels to make it through than 7 jumps.

But start finding instructors that you feel comfortable
with, tell the truth to yourself and them, practice a lot
during the week.

You'll be OK.

Do the jumps close together and get over that initial
hump.

The sky is a cool place to hang out with friends.

Skr

[damion75 0]

Quote

Thanks for the advice guys, here's a question for you once you've got your A licence how do you progress to b,c etc?

Don't even worry about that yet! It will all come when it is time
Right now, as the others all said, just try to take in as much as you can from the instructors doing your AFF and relax / enjoy it too! Learning to skydive is a great trip so just enjoy it!!

Later on, as you progress through AFF, ask your instructors and some of the more experienced people on the DZ about progressing further, and prepare for that bit then, not now!

Enjoy!!

***************

Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

[MiataDRM 0]

Welcome to a new world!

Semper Fi & Blue Sky!

I'm a Pschydiver!
Majdi E.

[Nightingale 0]

http://www.nightingalesnest.net/limitsframepage.html


all my aff stories are here

[scientist_chick 0]

Like your website, and made me feel a bit better about the whole thing.
In your pictures the weather looks beautiful, for my tandem it was mega cloudy and raining!!

**Moggie Gifts**

[freeryde13 0]

don't worry...and enjoy. i was real stressed after my level3 jump ad wondering if i could do this. my instructor got me right back in the air and i got it all right. he taught me about relaxing and enjoying the dive......as far as the b and c license.....i don't know. i know i started enjoying the sport alot more when i got my a and just started having fun instead of trying to fill the card after everyjump. ...... be safe and enjoy

_________________________________________

people see me as a challenge to their balance

[Fast 0]

I can't say because I don't know much about the BPA (based on your profile saying UK)

You should check out this site It might help some.

~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

[aquaflamz 0]

I just completed my AFF course. The only level I didn't pass on the first try was level 4, which is holding a heading in freefall. I think my instructor must have told me a thousand times..."extend legs and arch!" Once I did that, freefall actually became a second nature, it just clicked all of a sudden. You will just all of a sudden get the hang of it and think to yourself, WHY WAS THIS SO HARD BEFORE?! The four key things for AFF jumps are: Pull, Pull at a safe altitude, Pull stable, Land Safely. The best advise I can give from my recent experience is have FUN and be CONFIDENT. You can't think about what you NEED to do after you jump out that door, you need to know WHAT YOU ARE going to do before you even get into that harness. That makes the rest pretty simple.