Skydive u "wind tunnel aff"

[SilentJ 0]

I just want to know some opinions on skydive universities wind tunnel aff program where they combine a little tunnel time before the start of the aff program...Does anyone know if they have a high success ratio of graduating and helping problem students-particularly spin prone. also if you were a troublesome student that attended the program. how did they help you succede to the next level?

thanks
John

[SkySlut 0]

I have taught a few wind tunnel AFF students and they are typically problem students for some reason, although not always. The tunnel can do some funny things for people. If you have never made a skydive and you have some natural talent and not too many mental hangups...the tunnel can get you graduated off AFF very easily and quickly.

There are typically two types of troubled students. The ones that have a physical issue (asymetry in the legs, causing an uncontrolled spin) can be fairly easily fixed in the tunnel. The student doesnt freak out and the instructor doesnt have to go into emergency "save-life" mode because they are not in the sky. This problem can be easily seen and sorted out with SDUs muscle memory techniques to get it right. However, there are some students that have mental blocks...the anxiety of jumping out of a plane cannot be recreated in the tunnel. That is a much bigger issue to tackle. Although, SDUs mental excercises can be extremely beneficial in solving this issue.

The level 1 SDU AFF jump is a 2 JM release dive...basically a level 4 or Cat D dive...which can be a lot for a student to get through on their first one. In a troubled student scenario, the Level 1 is usually the hardest. So that one may be repeated.

Overall success is good. If you have your whits about you...you will blow right through it and be done, if you have a physical issue (i.e. legs are offset a bit, which is not uncommon due to one leg being a bit more dominant over the other) than that can be fixed easily, if its all in your head than the patience of the SDU guys/girls will be helpful as well.

The price is $1595, which if pretty good for a FJC, you get the ground school, 20 minutes of tunnel time, 4 AFF jumps, one solo jump, and 3 SDU coaching jumps. Up north it is about the same price, but you dont get the 20 minutes of tunnel time!!!

I hope that helps...

[weid14 0]

well, obviously it's all up to the individual, but I know people from teh tunnel with like 15 jumps turning all kinds of points on a six way. Tunnel time is good for focusing on freefall skills and getting immediate feedback. It is, of course, no substitute for the life saving skills that are needed in freefall and landing a canopy.

[Albatross 0]

That is a greeat point. AFF is not about flying for most people. It is about saving your life and learning to not hit the ground either in freefall or under canopy. I agree with the idea that the tunnel will help physical trouble students and that it will not help everyone. I think that most people would get the most benefit from the tunnel after their frist release dive when flying finally comes into play.

Chris

[CrazyIvan 0]

The wind tunnel is a great tool, BUT in my opinion, a REAL SKYDIVE should be done first, why?, because training in the tunnel does not make you ALTITUDE AWARE, your LIFE PRESERVATION sense is turned to low-alert because you will expect that 'someone' will catch you, besides, freefall is just 50% of a real skydive, canopy control is the other half and landing as well.

I've been recently to the wind tunnel, to 'correct' my mistakes and polish my skills, and believe me when I tell you, 'instinctively' I looked at my left hand (even though I was wearing no altimeter) every few seconds, and that's because I've done the real thing first.

Just my 2 cents.

__________________________________________
Blue Skies and May the Force be with you.

[SilentJ 0]

I agree that a wind tunnel cant take the place of real skydiving-a little thing called sensory overload for FJS. I just was looking at their program so I could skydive and goto the tunnel in the same week to correct my spinning proplems in freefall...I just need a few minutes in the tunnel to learn to correct myself so I dont freak out in the air.

[seedy 0]

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...I just need a few minutes in the tunnel to learn to correct myself so I dont freak out in the air.

That's exactly why I'm going to the tunnel next month and I won't go back up till after that.

I intend to live forever -- so far, so good.

[parachutist 2]

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I agree that a wind tunnel cant take the place of real skydiving-a little thing called sensory overload for FJS. I just was looking at their program so I could skydive and goto the tunnel in the same week to correct my spinning proplems in freefall...I just need a few minutes in the tunnel to learn to correct myself so I dont freak out in the air.

The tunnel is a good way to understand and correct the spinning. You don't need any Skydive U coaches for this because at the tunnel in Orlando there are very good body flight coaches on staff who will offer help with anything you wish to learn, at no extra charge. Just pay for the tunnel time.

Chris

[weid14 0]

while they may not charge, a gratuity would be in order, they really dont' get paid all that much.

[parachutist 2]

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while they may not charge, a gratuity would be in order, they really dont' get paid all that much.

That's interesting... I've never felt like tipping was in order & I've never felt as if it were expected. While I'm not surprised that they don't get paid a whole lot, they do get tons & tons of experience in the tunnel, which is quite valuable in my opinion.

Does anyone else feel that tipping is appropriate at a tunnel?

Chris

[weid14 0]

not in the normal run of the mill, helping in and out, but if you are getting coaching, then I think it is a nice gesture.

[parachutist 2]

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not in the normal run of the mill, helping in and out, but if you are getting coaching, then I think it is a nice gesture.

Ok, I'll keep that in mind. Usually such coaching is offered to me on the spot while I'm floundering around trying to learn new maneuvers in the tunnel (such as last time when I was trying to do backflips without losing altitude and I kept landing on my head on the mesh).

But yes I cold see what you mean... if discussing coaching goals with someone before entering the tunnel and you have a set of goals to work on.

Chris

[weid14 0]

reminds me of a funny story... one time I was in there with shannon Pilcher, the fans are winding down, and he's doing head down on the mesh. then the air got to slow and he went through the mesh. very scary at that particular moment, but very funny once he was extracted without getting hurt. The look on his face was to much when it happened.

[Cepheus 0]

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at the tunnel in Orlando

Are you referring to SkyVenture? I just got back from Orlando yesterday (24th), and I got in a little tunnel time myself.

--
Skydive -- testing gravity, one jump at a time.