learning to jump

[dirtysally]

I want to learn to jump out of an airplane. Do I need to be in really great physical shape like the young soldiers? Is being female and past 30 a problem? Should I get in shape before approaching instructor?

[USMCSNIPERONE]

Since nobody with the experience is going to respond, try this: www.skydivinginfo.com (http://www.skydivinginfo.com)

Hope it helps.
Semper Fi Sniperone

[dirtysally]

thanks. that is helpful. probably the best idea is calling Raeford or some place close. I'm by Ft Bragg. some of the military can be snobbish and bullys but not all. I'm concerned about going to the jump place without a clue.

[Sinister Dave]

Call Raeford Skydiving Service and ask them about a tandem jump and do one. If you like it, try it again. If you still like it ask them about an Accelerated Free Fall course. Expect to pay around $100-150 per tandem, and around $1,000 for an AFF Course (Zero to off student status where you can save you life all by yourself).

[dirtysally]

Originally posted by Sinister Dave:
Call Raeford Skydiving Service and ask them about a tandem jump and do one. If you like it, try it again.

anybody might try it once but by doing it twice the initial thrill is not there so if a person is going to have second thoughts doing another tandem will help point that out? good idea.
Freefall means I would have to open the chute myself rather than it opening up when coming out of the plane?

[Andy0331]

Freefall= you fall without the assist of a static line . Yep, you pull the chute yourself. The AFF course is probably the best & fastest way to get you jumping on your own. You will do 3 jumps with 2 instructors by your side, then 4 jumps with one instructor (provided you son't fail any levels) By the end of the course you will have basic knowledge & abilities in frefall and canopy control. It will break down more or less like this;

Level 1) Go out with 2 instructors, maintain awareness (esp. altitude), adjust body position, practice pilot chute throws, actual pilot chute deployment, canopy control.

Level 2) Same as above with the addition of 2 90 degree turns.

Level 3) Abbreviate Level 1, add forward movement (tracking).

Level 4) Solo exit, awareness, left & right 180 turns. Canopy control.

Level 5) Solo exit, awareness, left & right 360 turns, forward tracking. canopy control.

Level 6) Solo exit, Attempt 2 backloops, forward tracking, canopy control.

Level 7) Solo exit, Backloop, 360 left & right, backloop, track, canopy control.

At my DZ (Skydive Deland) we jump from 13,500 ft. Students pull around 6,000 which gives aprox. 50 seconds of freefall and 4-5 minutes under canopy. If traveling to Florida for a week is possible they have one of the best training programs in the country. You can check their website at http://www.skydivedeland.com/

Andy

[Sharky]

About time you showed up. Any word on those two contacts yet?

------------------
F.I.D.O.

[Andy0331]

I know that Bram sent some, most or all of the written info to Jim. Unsure of anything else, he was taking the weekend off so I guess I'll have to call him.

Shoot me an e-mail about interview, any word?

[dirtysally]

Thank you for the information and site. Looking at it and reading your input was helpful. This isn't something to be taken lightly or on a whim but it sure looks like it's going to be fun.

[Jasper]

Call Raeford and ask for Steve. He is a great guy and will square you away.

[colmurph]

You don't have to be in tip-top physical condition to fall out of an airplane. That's for Airborne who have to do a lot of heavy hauling once they hit the ground. All you have to be able to do is walk off the pea gravel. I've seen guys in their 70's who are still jumping once in a while. An "Old" buddy of mine (now in his mid-60's) who is President of a company that makes parachutes for the military, still occaisionally will jump a new design down at Coleman DZ (off Rt. 70 in NJ)to see what problems it has, if any. I used to jump with this guy, Elek Puskas, at Cameron Airport (now South Jersey Airport, Burlington County) when Steve Snyder D-5 ran Sky Diving Incorporated there.
(this was in the 1960-1964 time frame when we were jumping sleeved Flat Circulars with 7 Gore TU cuts in them. We thought it was "State of the Art" then.)
Anybody else out there....does USPA still issue the A license? Just wondering what those numbers are up to now. Somebody told me that the D's are up over 24,000 now, which is mind boggling to me. My old B was 3680 got that in 1962.

Murph

[USMCSNIPERONE]

Gee Murph! I thought I was old! I was born the year you got your "B" number. I know, like a fine wine!! http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif

Semper Fi Sniperone

[Andy0331]

Colmurph, Yes the USPA does issue the A license. According to the latest Parachutist mag the highest numbers are:

A:38880

B:24525

C:31749

D:24331

Of course the atual is higher due to those awarded before print time, my A license number is 39054.

Andy

[dirtysally]

Here's my plan. Call steve as recommended. do a little pt so moving the next day is possible. http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/smile.gif activity is not my middle name and it seems like a good idea to do get a little bit ready for this. Then - go for it!! I wasn't going to tell anyone since they pooh-pooh many of my ideas but after thinking on it maybe I better just in case. I'm sort of scared.

[colmurph]

WOW! My old A number was 536. Now I REALLY feel old. Guess I'll toddle off downstairs and eat my oat meal, only thing I can chew you know. LOL

Murph

[Andy0331]

Colmurph,
Hell, there are plenty of "old timers" here at Deland. Bob Hallet is no spring chicken, but a GREAT guy and fun to jump with, John Leblanc (of PD), Bill Booth. after I graduated AFF I went out for sushi with Bob & Jon & got to hear plenty of "old timer" stories about the transition to ram-air canopies & how John damn near killed himself testing many new designs back when rounds & a PLF was all there was.

Still jumping?

Andy

[colmurph]

Haven't jumped since 93. I am currently trying to get Gonzo to let me jump one of their new ram air military chutes. He tells me there's still some hope for an old fart like me.

Murph