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There are three methods of learning to skydive:
TANDEM This is a great introduction to skydiving and freefall! You will exit the plane at 10,000 feet with your tandem master attached to your back. You will freefall with you instructor for up to one minute, when your instructor will deploy an oversized parachute built for two people. Together you will then steer the parachute back to the landing area! You must be 18 years of age to make a tandem jump. After most people make their tandem, they love it so much they decide they just HAVE to make another jump. You can progress to solo freefall through either the Static-Line or the AFF programs.
STATIC LINE Static Line is the most popular of the learning program among college students because it is the cheapest method of learning to skydive. You will have to go through a First Jump Course, which takes about 6 hours.
On a Static Line jump, you will be jumping on your own -- there is nobody attached to you or holding on to you as in a Tandem or AFF skydive. You will be fitted with the correct gear, then you will ride to jump altitude and exit under the direct supervision of your instructor.
Your parachute is deployed automatically by a static line (as seen in picture) that is attached to the plane. You will feel a brief sensation of falling before your canopy opens... then you steer it to the landing area, assisted by your instructor on a radio. When the jump is over your instructor will review the jump with you and give you your logbook.
 Progression to freefall requires a minimum of a 3 static line jumps, including 2 successful practice ripcord pulls (PRCPs). Then beginning with a clear and pull (pulling your ripcord immediately after exiting the plane) you will progress to longer and longer freefalls. Each jump is designed to teach you the safe techniques needed to master the art of freefall.
ACCELERATED FREEFALL ( AFF) Probably the best way to start skydiving! Ground school for AFF jumps lasts for about 6 hours usually. You will exit at 10,000 feet with two instructors holding on to you (as seen in the picture), you'll freefall for almost 40 sec, then pull your own ripcord! The instructors are with you the whole way through freefall, but are not attached as in a tandem. Once your canopy is open, you guide it back to the landing area with the help of your instructor on a radio. Upon completion of the jump, your instructors will review the skydive with you and document it in your logbook.
AFF is highly recommended by Skydivers if you have the money for it. It's the most advanced course offered and is structures into 8 levels. This course is designed to give you the skills needed to freefall on your own in the least amount of time possible.
Ground SchoolYou will learn everything you need to know to safely make your first jump.
This Includes: Use of equipment and emergecy procedures, how to jump from the aircraft, freefall body position, jump sequence, altitude awarness and deployment attitude, principles of aerodynamics and how to steer the parachute, how to make a safe landing and ocasional emergency landing situations. |
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