HumbleStudent 0 #1 November 18, 2003 I'm hopeing this is the right place to post this question. I've known a number of people to jump other DZ's after AFF and before their A License... Does any one know a 'Rule of Thumb' as to when it might be a good time to start jumping other DZ's or things to watch out for when jumping other DZ's? Thanks! ---- Sushi, Sex, and Skydiving - the breakfast of champions Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #2 November 18, 2003 I can't say what the norm is, but for me, my first trip to another DZ was around 60 jumps, and over half the people there were from my DZ, so it made things quite a bit easier on me because I already knew so many people. From my expereiences, I find that you have to be comfortable with your own ability to safely jump and not need the kind of attention that you might normally get at your home DZ. Landing areas are different, your not used to how people at the new DZ set up patterns, the landscape differences can affect judgment of altitude, and a whole plethora of stuff that the more expereienced guys can explain to you. I asked this question a while ago and got an answer along the lines of, the less DZs that you go to early on the easier it is for you to learn and progress. When you goto a new DZ as a student (Pre-A) you are with a new staff that does not know your capabilities. You don't have an A so that means there is no proof that you know what your doing. You may have to repeat jumps, aff levels, all a posibility. Some DZs have sheets that they keep on the students so that instructors and coaches can know exactly how your doing, and often you don't know they are even having them. Sort of like a file so that if you end up with a differnent instructor they don't have to count on your logbook to know how your doing. I also have read stories of people who do AFF at differnt DZs and do just fine, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I am just a newbie in this sport so I speak from limited experience.~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
SkymonkeyONE 4 #3 November 18, 2003 If you do not yet have your A-license, then you need to REALLY make sure your paperwork is in order if you hope to jump without supervision at any reputable DZ. Properly filled out logbook, A-card, and USPA membership are what you will need if you show up at my DZ. Also, if you do not have an A-license, then any rig you rent or bring will have to have all of the equipment required in the BSR's of the SIM. This, of course, assuming USA. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jen1129 0 #4 November 18, 2003 My own experience: I did my tandem in Hawaii, my first 3 AFF levels at Raeford (with SkymonkeyOne!), and my remaining AFF levels and jumps toward my A-license at Elsinore... and since then I've also jumped at CrossKeys. (Long story as to why, but it was a geography issue.) I had absolutely no problems going to the different DZs. Elsinore had me do a quick ground retrain with an instructor, but I didn't have to repeat any levels or pay extra. Definitely ask a lot of questions to instructors and experienced jumpers as to landing patterns, conventions, the differences in the gear you may be renting, etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #5 November 18, 2003 IMHO, I'd say wait till you have your A until you start traveling to other DZs. Each DZ trains a bit different, and that difference (in training, gear or aircraft) might screw up your progress and seriously frustrate you. However, this is of course up to you. If your trash is all taken care of, and you want to try out another DZ, then by all means, go for it. If you've stalled out in a student program and are having a really hard time completing it, then maybe a change is what you need. Different instructors/different environment, etc. I have a student now that was having a really hard time with AFF at a different DZ, came to me and wanted to do a couple working tandems to get past some fear he had and to get himself back on track (his words, not mine). We did just that, he said he learned more with me through all the time we spent working out things and explaining things on the ground and through our working dives (especially for canopy control) then he learned doing AFF at that different DZ. Basically since the other DZ was super busy with a ton of students and I was able to slow everything down for him and spend a lot of time working with him, getting him up to speed.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaz 0 #6 November 18, 2003 I agree with the other comments that we should really have our A licence before travelling to other DZ's, however I recently had to move 12 hours away from my home DZ so had no choice but to find a new one. I took all my paperwork and so on with me and did my first jump there with a senior instructor so he could assess me. Since I'm still on student gear, I went from hip mounted ripcord to chest mounted so spent a fair bit of time practising the new deployment method. If I could just complete the accuracy component I would have my A licence veyr soon!Kaz Never ever ever give up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #7 November 18, 2003 Humble, until well after you have your "A" do you have the bubble of awareness to start looking for trouble in unfamiliar surroundings. Get your "A" at your DZ first and then travel. When you travel, make sure that folks know your experience level. A confident air can get you way over your head when an organizer neglects to ask you what kind and how many jumps you have. If you are weathered out in Colorado, take a few days to complete your license at one of the warm weather DZ's. Sounds like a great winter break to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
