Dracmyster 0 #1 June 16, 2003 Hello everyone can some one give me a little advice please. Im all booked up to do a AFF in March in Spain next year (shame about the wait but that time of year suits my life style at the moment.) Anyway i live in the UK and have itchy fingers so to speak and fancy getting involved in skydiving as soon as i can. Is it possible to get a packing license before you become a skydiver?,i dont have a dropzone to go to yet although there are a few within a driving distance around where i live. Do you think it would be a good idea to learn the in's and out's of the rig and how to pack before i do my AFF course or do you think i shoud just sit tight and wait till ive done my AFF then find a dropzone and go from there?. Thankyou for your time on reading this post and for any answers i may be given. All the best JON Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoshi 0 #2 June 16, 2003 well dont know about there, but I have know a handfull of cats that knew how to pack befroe thier first jumps. got paid for it too. I would say sure give it a run, if people are hesitant about you packing for them, just dont pack for anyone jsut do it for "fun". (although I doubt you will hear of many skydivers that call packing fun:) -yoshi_________________________________________ this space for rent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dracmyster 0 #3 June 16, 2003 So do u need a packing license only to pack for other's? If i had my own rig would i need a license to pack and jump my own? Sorry im a 100% newbie :) can you tell? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genn 0 #4 June 16, 2003 You can never know enough. Go out there and learn. You'll be a lot more comfortable with your gear when you know how it works. As for you packing...I say go for it! One of the packers at my DZ brought her kids out the airport and I let her little girl pack my rig....It opened great and I paid her for it too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoshi 0 #5 June 16, 2003 wellnot quite sure how it is there.. here if you are packing for other people you should technically have a rigger "oversee the operation", and you dont need a packing licence persay. Once you have been cleared to jump your own gear you can pack it and jump it (the main of course you cant pack the reserve unless you have a riggers ticket) well thats the gist of it anyways.. anyone else out there feel free to correct me on anyting I may have mis-stated I had one of my buddies pack my rig and he has never jumped before... I was there the whole time and watched him do it, should have seen the look on his face when I threw the rig on and went to the plane..."you're not really gong to jump that are you?" he stated. he thought I would undo it and repack it... nice opening though:) -yoshi_________________________________________ this space for rent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #6 June 16, 2003 I've never heard of a "license" for packing. Maybe in your area... There are a lot of professional packers that aren't jumpers. I don't understand it (the not being a jumper part). However, it's good money and a low cost-of-living lifestyle. And you get to be around skydiving/skydivers. It'll make you a better canopy pilot once you start lessons. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dracmyster 0 #7 June 16, 2003 Well thankyou very much indeedy for your replie's on the subject.I'll get down a dropzone real soon Hopefully get to no a few people chill out find out loads more on his fantastic sport/hobby/way of life. I'll try and take in as much as i can before the big day on the 18th March next year. Once again all the the best Jon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BenGriffiths 0 #8 June 16, 2003 Jon here's how it works in the UK: -You need to recieve a basic packing brief from an instructor or approved packer. You may then pack under supervision. -After you've demonstrted your ability to pack well and demonstrated how to do basic parachute maintaince. You will recieve your approved packing certifcate. With this you cna pack unsupervised. My Advice to you is: a) See if you can bring forward your AFF course - March 04 is a long tiem to wait b) Visit the dropzone you intend to make your home after you graduate from AFF. I'd recomend Black Knights Parachute Centre. It's tired and I want to sleep - so If you have any more questions I'll happily answer them, just PM me or leave a reply here. Bon-Soir!!---------- Ben G Still Sinking :-( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PurpleBadger 0 #9 June 17, 2003 HOW CAN YOU WAIT SO LONG!!! March... that's ages away . as the saying goes... All good things come to those who wait (maybe i'll try it out some day) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dracmyster 0 #10 June 18, 2003 I wish i never had to wait so long Badger But when go in March next year i can afford 16 nites in spain (more if needed) a AFF course + the ten jump's + loads more jump's too ill have just over £3000 to play with......... Anyway its all booked up now and ive booked a month off work too so? Good things always come to those who wait I'd love to go this year and yes i could afford to go i have 2 weeks off in september but ive decided to wait alittle and have a really large BLAST next year... Ill be a SKYDIVER in the end which ever way u look at it hee hee Jon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blahr 0 #11 June 18, 2003 I have to wait till Sept for my next jumps, I have not jumped in 8 years due to life, the wife, the kids, money, etc. But I'm makin a comeback starting in Sept and waiting just 3 months is KILLING ME! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #12 June 18, 2003 You live in Peterborough right? Pop into Sibson airfiled and speak with the guy who runs the DZ (ask for Mr Meacock) about the packing etc, he will be able to advise. Black Knights is a good DZ but Sibson is on your doorstep. Personally speaking, I would not use a packer who doesn't jump, but that's just me. I'm not sure if you can be an 'official' packer in teh UK without having a packing cert, and you can't have one of those without being a BPA member, but I am not 100% sure on this....Good luck either way.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dracmyster 0 #13 June 18, 2003 QuoteI have to wait till Sept for my next jumps, I have not jumped in 8 years due to life, the wife, the kids, money, I went though the same thing mate ive did a Aff 7 years ago at Langar (Nottingham).......... Im a single man now so i have nothing stopping me.......... As for the packing i thought you needed a packing license to pack your own but now i no different i prob wont bother going through with that untill i get my Cat8 :) Thankyou all's Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites PurpleBadger 0 #14 June 18, 2003 You said good things ALWAYS come to those who wait? nawww... when i was coming up to my 6th Bday, I was waiting for this really cool toy... but I never got it ... Also I'm gonna be waiting for exam grades soon, but I can pretty much guarantee that they ain't gonna be good either. Sometimes good things come to those who wait.... normally the wait through the week then being able to run away from life to the DZ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydive84 0 #15 June 18, 2003 Jon It sucks to have to wait sooooooooooooo long to do your AFF. But if you started and couldnt afford to finish/had to wait a few weeks between jumps you would be wasting your money as you'd end up retaking levels + shit. Youll end up a much better jumper if you get AFF + consols done quickly then continue to jump ur ass off (preferably abroad - just dont come home) When you get home dont stop jumping (ever) or youll loose the advantage of getting through AFF quick. The wind tunnel will be opening up sometime next year - get in it. Get as much coaching + video as yo can afford, then buy abit more on cards + stuff. Jumps with good video or a coach are worth 3+ normal jumps as far as improving skills goes. Adi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Layton 0 #16 June 19, 2003 There is a young man that packs at the dz just to the north of our dz.this young man is 15 and can pack a thousand foot snivel! this young man i dont like to call him kid,is a good packer and cant wait to jump.get in learn all you can in this sport knowledge is the best tool we have***if you are going to be stupid you better be tough Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 1234hutch 0 #17 June 19, 2003 If you ae going to hang around a DZ ... jump. Support the local DZ. Signed A dzo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
PurpleBadger 0 #14 June 18, 2003 You said good things ALWAYS come to those who wait? nawww... when i was coming up to my 6th Bday, I was waiting for this really cool toy... but I never got it ... Also I'm gonna be waiting for exam grades soon, but I can pretty much guarantee that they ain't gonna be good either. Sometimes good things come to those who wait.... normally the wait through the week then being able to run away from life to the DZ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydive84 0 #15 June 18, 2003 Jon It sucks to have to wait sooooooooooooo long to do your AFF. But if you started and couldnt afford to finish/had to wait a few weeks between jumps you would be wasting your money as you'd end up retaking levels + shit. Youll end up a much better jumper if you get AFF + consols done quickly then continue to jump ur ass off (preferably abroad - just dont come home) When you get home dont stop jumping (ever) or youll loose the advantage of getting through AFF quick. The wind tunnel will be opening up sometime next year - get in it. Get as much coaching + video as yo can afford, then buy abit more on cards + stuff. Jumps with good video or a coach are worth 3+ normal jumps as far as improving skills goes. Adi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Layton 0 #16 June 19, 2003 There is a young man that packs at the dz just to the north of our dz.this young man is 15 and can pack a thousand foot snivel! this young man i dont like to call him kid,is a good packer and cant wait to jump.get in learn all you can in this sport knowledge is the best tool we have***if you are going to be stupid you better be tough Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1234hutch 0 #17 June 19, 2003 If you ae going to hang around a DZ ... jump. Support the local DZ. Signed A dzo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
