Static line training in Boston area?

[kAndy 0]

All,

I hope I'm posting to the right forum... Offhand, "Safety and Training" looks like the most appropriate for the question.

I'm a skydiving newbie, and a foreigner to add an insult :)
I've already done a couple of solo 1000 m jumps back in Ukraine (that's ex-USSR) and one tandem jump here in USA. Till about 10 minutes ago, I used to moan, "oh, why AFF course is the only way to the skies down here?"... Until I've learned about such a thing as "Static Line Training" (on this site). Now, that's exactly what I need! The army-style training when you're going solo from the very beginning and gradually progress to the fully-qualified solo skydiving, like what we have back there in my good old ex-EvilEmpire :)
The problem is: looks like there are no dropzones offering the SLT course nearby :(

(not tired yet?)
OK, so the question is: anybody knows a dropzone offering a Static Line Training course somewhere within driving distance from Boston?

Mighty thanks,
-andy

PS. Please... I suspect that "SLT vs AFF" is a promising holy-war topic like "Windows vs *nix", "Manual vs Automatic", you name it. Please, please, please. I've already made a decision for myself, so please don't answer if you just want to tell me that SLT sucks, OK?

[howardwhite 6]

I dunno about New York state, but I think there is only one place in New England still offering S/L training. It's way up (down) in Maine.

Edited to add that Vermont Skydiving Adventures in Addison, VT also offers S/L. It's a great DZ with spectacular views of the Green and Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain.
HW

[pilotdave 0]

Look for IAD too... very similar to static line and you're more likely to find it in the civilized world . Our DZ has a couple of IAD instructors and can teach it, but it's not something we normally offer. We're probably 2 hours from Boston... I'm sure a closer DZ can accomodate you too.

Dave

[tonyhays 86]

Email Skydive New England and see if they can accommodate you. It's about an hour drive from Boston, located in Lebanon, ME.

“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

[kAndy 0]

Quote

Look for IAD too... very similar to static line and

Dave,

Thanks for heads-up! So as I understand, IAD differs from SLT only by a trifle detail like it's a jump-master deploying your chute instead of the static line @1000m (but you're going solo from the very beginning), right? And then you gradually progress to fully-qualified freefall from 3000+ m?

So all,
The question is modified now: if you know a DZ offering IAD and/or SLT course around Boston area, pls share the knowledge :)

-andy

[kAndy 0]

Oh, and another question to gurus. Back in Ukraine, you get a logbook where all of your jumps are recorded, so you aren't bound to a particular DZ to finish the course (which takes about 20-30 jumps, like SLT/IAD). So you don't need to start over if you have (say) 10 jumps completed and then go to another DZ...

So is there anything like this approach down here in USA or I'd be stuck with some particular DZ for the whole course? Now this would be really dull :(

[skydived19006 4]

Quote

Oh, and another question to gurus. Back in Ukraine, you get a logbook where all of your jumps are recorded, so you aren't bound to a particular DZ to finish the course (which takes about 20-30 jumps, like SLT/IAD). So you don't need to start over if you have (say) 10 jumps completed and then go to another DZ...

So is there anything like this approach down here in USA or I'd be stuck with some particular DZ for the whole course? Now this would be really dull :(

Every DZ should be filling out a log book with their students. If not, look elsewhere. My experience is that it's easiest if the student stays at the same DZ up to the point that their jumping from full altitude. This way, you can move to any DZ regardless of method with little issue. Good luck, and FYI smaller DZs tend to train SL/IAD as primary "still." Static Line is no better or worse than IAD, although you'll find many with opinions one way or the other. IAD/SL seem to be somewhat regional, some areas tend to be SL, others IAD. In my opinion most who use IAD do it for the ease of gear. We don't have to use spring loaded pilot chutes, then ripcords, or switch the rigs to throw out pilot chutes. If going with ripcords, the student will have to retrain to throw out at some point.

You could always drive out to Kansas, I'll train you! Funny story, I had a Japanese girl call me from California wanting to schedule a tandem skydive with us. I simply figured that she would be in Kansas for some reason other than to jump with us. She showed up as scheduled in the winter. We had a 1000' ceiling, and wind that day. I asked her why she was in Kansas, she said she thought "In Japan, I live in middle of country. I thought I go middle of country to skydive. Two days, and one half on bus to here from California." I tried to help her find a place on the trip back to California to jump, and since she would be passing through Phoenix AZ, I figured SD Arizona would work for her, if she arranged a lay over. Never did hear how it worked out for her.

BTW, nice English!!!!

Martin
Air Capital Drop Zone
Wichita Kansas USA

Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else.

AC DZ