Life After AFF...

[Shadowplay 0]

I've going to do my level 7 this weekend. I'm curious what the role of my JMs will be after (god willing) I complete AFF? Generally do JMs still jump with students after AFF? I think I'm getting more nervous now than when I started taking the class because I'm wondering how I'm gonna try out different rigs, how am I gonna get to work on tracking, how am I gonna get to try out new gear and stuff like that. Am I just stressing over this for no reason?

[jumpdoc 0]

Different places do things differently. After my level 7, I did a lot of solos...no JM's involved. Other places require some jumps with JM's or coaches before releasing you to jump alone. Regardless of what your DZ does, you are in for a great time! The first few dozen jumps off student status are amazing! There's still some healthy fear, and the learning curve is amazing...you'll learn something new every jump! If you want to practice tracking...practice! See if you can get a coach or another jumper to go up with you...you'll know when you've got it. As for the gear and stuff, that will come with time. Ask around about what people have/like. Lots of DZ's have used gear for sale, or you can see if you can get a demo canopy or use rental gear. You'll know what you want as far as gear goes soon enough. If you want to get in the air badly enough, people will help you get there. Why stress??? Just get out there and enjoy yourself.

[sammer 0]

After AFF you will be able to solo or jump with a coach. A coach will work with you on your RW skills in preparation for your A license. Usually you just pick up the cost of their jump ticket. I can't speak for your DZ, but at mine the AFF JMs rarely jump with you after AFF. They let the coaches take over after AFF.

No reason to stress...just relax and enjoy your dives. You don't need you worry about passing or failing anymore.

As for tracking and trying new equipment: You can work on your tracking (or any other RW skills) any time you wish. Solo dives are how I learned to track. A coach can probably help out here too. You should be able to start renting different equipment as soon as you finish AFF.

I really enjoyed my firt solo after AFF...I think you will also.

[jumpingjoe 0]

I did my AFF mostly with the same JM and when I was done did a few coach jumps and a lot of solos. Learned a great deal from coaches. Now I convince the JMs to do fun jumps with me, and well, they still feel the need to critique. So I feel like I am continually learning. In fact the picture that you see is me and a JM doing my 50th.

[CloudOnMyTongue 0]

Its so much fun going out and doing you own jumps, It's nice to do a coach jump every once in awhile, they'll give you something to improve on, then work on it. Once you get it, do another coach jump, in no time you'll be ready for your A.

[Shadowplay 0]

Ok, cool...so I get to do some solo jumps. At this point is it alright to maybe try out another dropzone? I figure the time I do it I'll have ten jumps under my belt. It would make getting my A a lot easier...

[SkydiverRick 0]

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Ok, cool...so I get to do some solo jumps. At this point is it alright to maybe try out another dropzone? I figure the time I do it I'll have ten jumps under my belt. It would make getting my A a lot easier...

These days you must be under the supervision of a rating holder until you get your A license, assumming that you jump at USPA dz's. Your instructors should be able to answer any questions about your future training. Until you get your A license you will be under a lot of scrutiny at any new dz's. They may even want you to jump with one of their instructors.

never pull low......unless you are