Learning to Skydive

The AFF course (Accelerated FreeFall) http://www.freefalladdicts.com/aff.shtml is the most modern way of learning to skydive, and is geared towards complete beginners who have no prior skydiving experience. Students work through 8 different levels (each level is a skydive), and are able to learn to skydive with just a few days of instruction to become a qualified skydiver. Most people like to book about a week to complete their AFF course and ten solo skydives, although the AFF course is usually completed with 3 or 4 days- depending on how many skydives the student wishes to make per day.

The AFF System

The course starts with a ground school that usually takes about 6 hours long. This ground training is split into manageable lessons that cover everything the first time skydiver needs to know. When they are ready for their first skydive, AFF level 1, the student will be skydiving with two AFF instructors holding onto either side of them. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/aff.shtml Throughout levels 1 to 3, the two instructors work on perfecting the students body position, teach the student how to turn left and right, altitude awareness and hover control (being able to fly without turning involuntarily left or right). When the student reaches AFF level 4, they will be skydiving with one AFF instructor and the subsequent AFF skydives will teach the student how to regain stability (being in a belly to earth position), turns and tracking (horizontal movement across the sky).

Before each skydive there is a detailed brief that the instructor and student will spend time over, ensuring that the necessary skills are taught and learnt on the ground, ready to practice in the air on the skydive. On every AFF skydive your instructor will be wearing a special camera helmet that holds a small, but powerful, video camera. After each skydive, the instructor will debrief the student using this video that is an invaluable teaching tool. Once the student has completed their course the videos of each skydive are compiled into a DVD, complete with titles and music to present to the student as a fun memento.

Not sure what to expect during your skydiving holiday? Have a look here for a day by day breakdown of a typical holiday. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/holiday.shtml

Do Static Line jumps count towards my AFF course?

Static line jumps are when the parachute is automatically opened when the skydiver exits the aircraft. This method of learning is slower than the AFF system, as more jumps are required to pass the course. However, if you have started learning to skydive on the static line system, you may be able to convert your training to the AFF system. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/slc.shtml

Id like to try skydiving but I dont want to do a full course what are my options

Of course you could try skydiving by doing the more traditional tandem skydive. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/tandem.shtml This is a parachute jump in which you are strapped onto a tandem instructor, and after a short brief, are ready to go!

However, now you also have the option of doing the AFF level 1, without needing to book onto the full AFF course http://www.freefalladdicts.com/introtoskydiving.shtml This alternative really gives a more in depth introduction to skydiving. You would complete the ground part of the training, exactly as per the full AFF course learning more about body position, equipment, canopy flight etc. Then, you would make you parachute jump with the two instructors holding onto you, before gently floating down to the ground, steering your own parachute and assisted by one of your instructors through a radio that you will be wearing. Should you decide that you would like to keep skydiving, you can then progress straight away to the second AFF level.

What are the benefits of skydiving in Spain?

Many people choose to go to Spain because of the fantastic weather which means that they can skydive constantly throughout their trip. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/weather.shtml

The centre in Seville also boasts great non skydiving activities as well, whether you would like to go to the beach, discover the rich culture that the city has to offer, or explore the diverse bars and restaurants. The Cathedral of Seville is famed for being Spains largest church, and was built over 400 years ago. The streets of Seville are lined with orange trees, and in the evenings there is no better way to enjoy the city than sat outside a typical Spanish bar, with a cool drink, some Tapas, and the scent of the orange blossom. Its a great place to explore by foot, along the cobbled streets whether you are looking for souvenirs or just shopping. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/sevillesights.shtml

For those that are interested in more of a lively evening, Sevilles bars and clubs have to be experienced! Whether you end up in Triana a district of bars and clubs right next to the river, or the centre of Seville, it has to be said that the Spanish know how to have a good time! http://www.freefalladdicts.com/sevillenightlife.shtml

The beach is only a 45 minute drive, and the most direct route also takes you through the National Park, where an abundance of wildlife can be found. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/beach.shtml

Skydiving in Spain is also much cheaper than learning in the UK, and this allows people to make the experience into more of a holiday. The cost of living in Spain is also much less than the UK, which makes it a pleasure to go out to eat when the average cost of a meal with drinks is only 15 euros! http://www.freefalladdicts.com/why.shtml

Often, people like to take a day out to visit Cadiz, Huelva, or even Tarifa which is famous for being one of the best kitesurfing, windsurfing and surfing sites in Europe.

How can I keep my friends and family updated on my skydiving progress and where can I find more information?

The internet is a great way of keeping your family and friends updated, and photos and news are posted on a daily basis on the Freefall Addicts website. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/news.shtml The Freefall Addicts forum is also filled with skydivers and would be skydivers, ready to offer advice, answer questions or just good luck wishes! http://www.freefalladdicts.com/phpBB2/index.php Skydivers do really think of themselves as being in one big happy family, and are more than happy to help others who are thinking of having a go themselves. Of course there are some questions that most people tend to ask, so a FAQ is always useful http://www.freefalladdicts.com/faq.shtml

Who can I train with in Seville?

Freefall Addicts are a company that specialises in skydiving courses, advanced skydiving courses and parachute equipment sales. We are located just outside the city of Seville, Spain only 20 minutes drive from the airport and just 10 minutes from the city centre! http://www.freefalladdicts.com/seville.shtml The parachute centre is a British Parachute Association (the governing body for skydiving and parachuting in the UK) Associated dropzone, so all operations are carried out to the highest safety standards. One of the most popular skydiving destinations for British jumpers, the aircraft here fly to 15,000ft, the highest altitude in Spain. What does this mean? Well, each skydive will have an extra 15 seconds of freefall time. This may not sound like very much, but on the AFF course, the freefall time is your main learning time. You will have more teaching time in the air, and therefore progress more quickly on each skydive. Over the whole AFF course, this equates to about 2 extra skydives!

We don’t just stop with teaching our students to skydive either! When the sun goes down, we organise trips to the beach, to the sights of Seville, and to the local bars and restaurants for some typical Spanish dishes, or to the Irish bar for a taste of home! We make sure that our customers skydiving and non skydiving needs are taken care of throughout their stay. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/why.shtml

Freefall Addicts are happy to be able to help our customers organise every aspect of their holiday, from flights to accommodation to car hire and extra activities. With fantastic weather, a student focused operation and great priced flights with budget airlines, http://www.freefalladdicts.com/GettingHere.shtml we look forward to seeing you soon!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

http://www.freefalladdicts.com/index.shtml

After learning to skydive on holiday in Spain, Lamorna decided that a change of scenery was in order. She booked flights to Spain with no language knowledge and no job to go to. One of the 3 founding members of the skydiving school, Freefall Addicts, Lamornas focus on value for money and customer service have gone a long way in making Freefall Addicts one of the most popular skydiving schools in Europe.

Written By: Lamorna Harpin lamorna@freefalladdicts.co.uk

Health and Safety. First, you must consider health and safety.Know the risks involved before you get involved.Skydiving is not chess; you will not be sitting on an uncomfortable concrete bench moving your pieces around a game board.You are going to step out of an airplane and, in freefall, will reach speeds of up to 250 feet per second… that is 110 miles per hour!!If you have a bad ticker, unregulated high blood pressure, or any number of other health problems, speak to an instructor and discuss your options in detail.Also keep in mind, even the best of the best in this sport sometimes hit the ground a little harder then they intend to.So, bad knees may also be a consideration.DO NOT be afraid or embarrassed to discuss these things with your instructor before making that first jump. It is always preferable to hit the ground safely then to plant yourself in it.Truthfully though, with the proper preparations and instruction you would be more likely to develop cataracts from reading this article then suffer a serious injury from skydiving.Listen to your instructors, know your equipment, and never assume you know how to do something just because you saw it in a movie. Which Training Method To Use?

Training Methods As I researched information, I discovered that there are three approved methods of training to become a licensed skydiver, the Tandem jump, the Static jump, and the Accelerated Free Fall (AFF). Tandem The tandem jump is the easiest and quickest method to get into the air.With ground training typically lasting about 30 minutes, you will then jump out of an airplane while strapped to the chest of a professional Tandem Instructor. After three or four of these jumps and completion of the approved First Jump Course (ground school), a student may then move on to the next level. Tandem jumping, however, does provide an opportunity for the adventurous spirit who may not quite meet the physical or proficiency requirements for the static line or accelerated free fall jumps. By relying on tandem instructor’s skills, it may still be possible to experience the extreme thrill of skydiving. Static Line Static line skydiving was developed by the military as a safety measure for paratroopers.It is used for instant and reliable deployment of parachutes at a relatively low altitude, about 2000 – 3000 feet.Basically what happens is a specially designed cord is attached to the plane and to your parachute. As you step away from the plane, the cord immediately deploys your parachute for you. No fuss – no muss. After about two of these jumps the student begins demonstrating mock-pulls of a dummy ripcord.After about three of these jumps the student is then ready for their first free fall. Accelerated Free Fall This is the way to go for the adrenalin junky out there. Why?You get to free fall from jump one!!Of course this method is a little more expensive due to the fact that you will have two instructors jumping with you, and, although you will be in free fall, the instructors will maintain hands-on contact at all times during free fall.After a few jumps like this, you will begin doing it on your own with a single instructor giving more advice and training.This method will get you your class a license a little faster. Training Completed!!Really? After Class After you have completed 4 to 5 hours of ground school training and have made 25 jumps, you are qualified for a license and can keep going all the way to your D license, requiring 500 jumps.But once you have your license, are you really done?The answer to that question is no.As with any skill, you never learn everything.There is always going to be that next skill level to work towards.New equipment and techniques are being developed every day.So the only thing left to do now is to get started!Have fun and good jumping!

About the Author

John Ewing is the editor and webmaster of http://www.skydiving-parachuting-guide.com. John publishes articles on powered parachutes (http://www.skydiving-parachuting-guide.com/powered-parachutes.html). He also and helps people to find the best placesto skydive around the globe, for further information visit his website.

Written By: John Ewing

All you need to know about skydivingeverything you need to know about skydiving

So now you are in the air, you are skydiving, you did it. You actually jumped from a perfectly good airplane and you are flying towards the earth at about 120 miles an hour. You are having the time of your life. Do not forget while you are flying to check out the world it is beautiful. Look all around not just down. If you have a cameraperson do not forget to geek him or her.

During your tandem skydive, you will freefall to about 5000 feet before your instructor opens the parachute. For a split-second when he or she opens the parachute you will feel a little bit in your stomach. This is called the elevator affect. After the parachute is open your instructor will check everything out to make sure everything is okay. At this time you can talk to your instructor and ask him or her if you can fly the parachute. Most likely the instructor will say yes. Flying the parachute is a lot of fun so do not be afraid to fly. Once you get to about 1000 feet, your instructor will be getting set up to land. You will need to listen to what your tandem instructor has to say.

When landing the parachute it is critical to keep your feet raised above your instructor’s. You do not want your feet to touch the ground before your instructor’s. This can be bad. Your instructor will tell you all this as you approach the ground. Do not let the speed of the canopy bother you on landing. Just listen to your tandem instructor. Do what he or she tells you to do and everything will be fine. If you bought video, your videographer will probably be filming you while you land.

The more you can relax the better the skydive will go. And what is the number one most important thing to remember? “Have Fun”!! This is what it is all about, having fun. I have been jumping for 30 years. I started back in 1974 when skydiving was crazy and unsafe. The one thing I always remembered is to “Have Fun”. I hope this information will help you on your first tandem skydive. Blue Skies

About the Author:

Jeff Wark has over 30 years of skydiving experience. His skydiving experience includes being a tandem instructor, RW flying, free flying and videography. http://www.tandemskydivinginfo.com This article may be freely distributed provided the author’s bio and website link remain in tact and active.

Written By: Jeff Wark

elevator affect tandem skydiving

*1 Arrival & Sign-up

*2 Preparation

*3 The Plane

*4 Freefall & Landing

Part Three: The Skydiving Plane

When it is time to load the plane with skydivers, you will stay next to your instructor. Do not walk away from your instructor. The loading area has moving aircraft. The plane’s propellers will be spinning and are difficult to see. The human body will loose any battle with a spinning airplane propeller.

After you get into the plane your instructor will have you put on a seat belt. After the plane is in the air your instructor will tell you when to take off your seat belt. You are now on your way to making your first skydive! As you are flying to altitude you may experience some pressure in your ears. If you do, take your thumb and index finger and squeeze gently on your nose, closing off the passages in your nose, and then blow out gently. This should relieve the pressure in your ears.

Oh by the way, the most Important Thing To Remember is “Have Fun”. You are going to make a tandem skydive – this is supposed to be fun!! You can have fun on the plane – laugh, geek the cameraperson, whatever, or just sit there quietly and wait for your instructor to tell you what to do next. Either is cool. Jump altitude is usually 10,000 feet to 13,500 feet. When it is time to jump, your instructor will hook up your harness and tell you what to do. Jump run is when the approaching the point where you will jump from the airplane. When you are on jump run someone will open the door, it will get loud and noisy to you.

About the author:

Jeff Wark has over 30 years of skydiving experience. His skydiving experience includes being a tandem instructor, RW flying, free flying and videography. http://www.tandemskydivinginfo.com

This article may be freely distributed provided the author’s bio and website link remain in tact and active.

Written By: Jeff Wark

*1 Arrival & Sign-up

*2 Preparation

*3 The Plane

*4 Freefall & Landing

Part Two: Preparation for Your Tandem Skydive

Now what are you going to wear for your tandem skydive? Wear tennis shoes if you have them. If you have boots and they have hooks for the laces, the drop zone will put duct tape on the hooks. The clothes you wear really do not matter as long as they are comfortable. I always tell students to wear comfortable jeans and a tee shirt and bring along a sweatshirt because sometimes it is a little cool at altitude when it is time to jump from that airplane. Some drop zones have suits you can wear but not all of them do. If jumping when the weather is cool, wear layers that still allow you movement.

Now listen to me when I tell you this because it’s important, and your instructor will also tell you this. Before you go on your tandem skydive make sure you take off your jewelry, empty your pockets of everything. If you do not want to lose it, keep it on the ground. If you are wearing contacts let your instructor know, he will give you goggles for contacts or glasses.

Now you’re ready to make a tandem skydive. Your named has been called, it’s your turn. Now different drop zones do different things to get you ready. Some drop zones put you into your harness and you will meet the instructor at the plane. Some drop zones have the instructor go over some simple instructions. Like I said in the beginning it is not Rocket Science.

One thing to remember when your tandem harness is being put on, it has to be adjusted. So, do not get hyper when the instructor hands are little too close to things that make you uncomfortable. Remember these people are professionals. Besides, most of the time the instructors will tell you what he or she is doing. The tandem skydiving harness that you are wearing is what attaches you to your instructor, which is very important. Your harness has four attachments that hook up to your tandem skydiving instructor. You have two side hookups and two shoulder hookups. These are the attachment points where you will be hooked up to your tandem skydiving instructor before you jump.

About the author:

Jeff Wark has over 30 years of skydiving experience. His skydiving experience includes being a tandem instructor, RW flying, free flying and videography. http://www.tandemskydivinginfo.com

This article may be freely distributed provided the author’s bio and website link remain in tact and active.

Written By: Jeff Wark

First, you will need to find a skydiving school with a good reputation.This is a fairly easy thing to do.The internet, phone book, and local airports are full of them.Next, you will need to check your pocket book.Skydiving is one of the more expensive sports to learn.Then, you will need to decide how you want to learn.There are three methods of training: tandem, static line, and Accelerated Free Fall (AFF).All of these methods have their benefits and drawbacks, but we will touch more on those a little later.

What’s First?

Health and Safety.

First, you must consider health and safety.Know the risks involved before you get involved.Skydiving is not chess; you will not be sitting on an uncomfortable concrete bench moving your pieces around a game board.You are going to step out of an airplane and, in freefall, will reach speeds of up to 250 feet per second that is 110 miles per hour!!If you have a bad ticker, unregulated high blood pressure, or any number of other health problems, speak to an instructor and discuss your options in detail.Also keep in mind, even the best of the best in this sport sometimes hit the ground a little harder then they intend to.So, bad knees may also be a consideration.DO NOT be afraid or embarrassed to discuss these things with your instructor before making that first jump. It is always preferable to hit the ground safely then to plant yourself in it.Truthfully though, with the proper preparations and instruction you would be more likely to develop cataracts from reading this article then suffer a serious injury from skydiving.Listen to your instructors, know your equipment, and never assume you know how to do something just because you saw it in a movie.

Which Training Method To Use?

Training Methods

As I researched information, I discovered that there are three approved methods of training to become a licensed skydiver, the Tandem jump, the Static jump, and the Accelerated Free Fall (AFF).

Tandem

The tandem jump is the easiest and quickest method to get into the air.With ground training typically lasting about 30 minutes, you will then jump out of an airplane while strapped to the chest of a professional Tandem Instructor. After three or four of these jumps and completion of the approved First Jump Course (ground school), a student may then move on to the next level.

Tandem jumping, however, does provide an opportunity for the adventurous spirit who may not quite meet the physical or proficiency requirements for the static line or accelerated free fall jumps. By relying on tandem instructor’s skills, it may still be possible to experience the extreme thrill of skydiving.

Static Line

Static line skydiving was developed by the military as a safety measure for paratroopers.It is used for instant and reliable deployment of parachutes at a relatively low altitude, about 2000 – 3000 feet.Basically what happens is a specially designed cord is attached to the plane and to your parachute. As you step away from the plane, the cord immediately deploys your parachute for you. No fuss – no muss. After about two of these jumps the student begins demonstrating mock-pulls of a dummy ripcord.After about three of these jumps the student is then ready for their first free fall.

Accelerated Free Fall

This is the way to go for the adrenalin junky out there. Why?You get to free fall from jump one!!Of course this method is a little more expensive due to the fact that you will have two instructors jumping with you, and, although you will be in free fall, the instructors will maintain hands-on contact at all times during free fall.After a few jumps like this, you will begin doing it on your own with a single instructor giving more advice and training.This method will get you your class a license a little faster.

Training Completed!!Really?

After Class

After you have completed 4 to 5 hours of ground school training and have made 25 jumps, you are qualified for a license and can keep going all the way to your D license, requiring 500 jumps.But once you have your license, are you really done?The answer to that question is no.As with any skill, you never learn everything.There is always going to be that next skill level to work towards.New equipment and techniques are being developed every day.So the only thing left to do now is to get started!Have fun and good jumping!

About the Author

Andrew Caxton contributes adding articles and reviews to http://www.skydiving-parachuting-guide.com. A free online magazine that carries articles on skydiving equipment, and a guide on the best drop zones, including Las Vegas and New York.

Written By: Andrew Caxton

*1 Arrival & Sign-up

*2 Preparation

*3 The Plane

*4 Freefall & Landing

Part One: Arrival & Sign-up for Your Tandem Skydive

So, you have decided to make a tandem skydive. Now what do you do. Remember one thing, it is crucial and it is the most important thing to the whole skydive. You must “Have Fun”. I am going to describe what kind of day you can expect when you go on you’re first tandem skydive. The airports where people skydive are called drop zones. First thing you want to do is get to the drop zone early. Some drop zones have camping areas so you could be there the night before, but you don’t have to.

Manifest is the area where you sign-up – sometimes it is just a window, sometimes a counter, occasionally it is a room. After you arrive to skydive, you will go to manifest to fill out your waivers and pay for the parachute jump. Waivers are a pain, but they are very necessary. They are a legal release of responsibility. It takes a little time to fill them out, but they are protection for you and the skydiving drop zone.

If you want video of your parachute jump let manifest know, prices vary. Depending on where you are making your jump, they run anywhere from $70 to $90 and up. A tourist area will charge more than a remote area. If you are going to jump you should get video of it. It is really cool to show your friends what you did.

After you fill out the waivers for your tandem skydive and pay for your jump they will tell you approximately how long it will be before you jump. Some drop zones have you watch a video on tandem skydiving. This video will help you understand what you are about to do. It is not rocket science. After you have seen the tandem skydiving video and you know how long it is going to be before you jump you might want to get something light to eat. Sometimes we forget to eat when we are excited about doing something like jumping out of an airplane. So if you have the time, get yourself something to eat – plus it will help settle your stomach.

About the author:

Jeff Wark has over 30 years of skydiving experience. His skydiving experience includes being a tandem instructor, RW flying, free flying and videography. http://www.tandemskydivinginfo.com

This article may be freely distributed provided the author’s bio and website link remain in tact and active.

Written By: Jeff Wark

These methods are pretty different because if a method will give you some experience as a introduction to skydiving the other one it’s made to quick jump your path to a very experienced skydiver.You have to think about your alternatives. You have to set some clear points in your mind. Think about these three options you have and then just choose one, the one that best fit your expectations. Whichever skydiving method you will choose for your first jump, will be a good one, just because you choosed it.

Let’s learn a few things about each of the skydiving methods we outlined at the beginning of this article.

Static Line – it’s still evolving after more than 30 years. The first jump takes place from an altitude of 3000 feet after 4 hours of ground training. You will receive your A license after 25 free falls.

Tandem Jumping – This method is the most popular as a first jump. This method will allow you to experience skydiving without any stress. You can do your first jump with just 30 minutes of basic training. You will be assisted by a tandem master and a tandem instructor. Be prepared to spend $90 to $280 for your tandem jumping.

AFF(Accelerated Free Fall) – This is the most extreme skydiving method. You will have to exit the airplane somewhere at 11000-11500 feet, only with 2 instructors who will assist you during the AFF. For each jump you will assist to a 45 minutes ground training.

Now that you now something about all the three skydiving methods that can suit your first jump you are free to choose the one that best fit your needs and just do it, you will love to skydive from the very first moment. Have fun.

About the author:

For more articles on skydiving just visit our Skydiving site . Don’t forget to check out our skydiving equipment page . Our skydiving site will teach you all the things you need to know for your skydiving experience.

Written By: Ispas Marin

what is the best skydive training method?