| Perhaps you've considered actually jumping from a | | | | if it is you might want to find a cheaper sport) you can |
| perfectly good airplane, from time to time, in your past. | | | | just do the tandem jump anyway. |
| Perhaps you are the unwitting recipient of a skydiving | | | | 2) Static Line Jumps: |
| gift certificate from a friend. Whatever the case, | | | | While not as popular as tandem and AFF, Static line |
| despite the good advice to the contrary from sane | | | | jumps offer an option that combines the thrill of piloting |
| people all around you, you're actually going to go | | | | your own chute without the concern of deploying it. |
| through with it... | | | | Though the methods can vary, basically you jump |
| So now what? Finding a top-notch skydiving school | | | | from the plane at a much lower altitude, around |
| can seem like a daunting task. Every skydiving school | | | | 3000-5000 feet as opposed to 12-14,000 for tandem |
| web site you visit seems great at first blush, but then | | | | and AFF. As you jump, a line attached to your chute |
| you start to see a trend develop, namely, they seem | | | | deploys it as you exit and fall away from the plane. In |
| to all claim to be the best, friendliest, safest, and | | | | an AFF or tandem jump chutes are typically deployed |
| highest-jumping drop zones in the world. Though your | | | | around 5000 feet, hence this flight altitude for static line |
| friends, still coming to grips with your decision, might | | | | deployments. There is literally zero freefall on a static |
| argue that you clearly have no common sense, you | | | | line jump. |
| know full well that you do. That same common sense | | | | 3) Accelerated Freefall (AFF) Jumps: |
| is telling you that not all of these schools can actually | | | | Accelerated Freefall courses combine ground school |
| be the best. So how does one actually choose? How | | | | classes and a series of jumps taken with two |
| do you read through the hype and come away with | | | | instructors, maintaining progressively less hand contact |
| the best thrill of your life? | | | | with you on each subsequent jump. This leads up to a |
| It's a good question, and deserves a good answer | | | | completely unassisted solo jump where you will |
| because you only get a first jump once in life. Here | | | | demonstrate basic maneuvers. While these jumps are |
| then, is the answer to that question, a short guide to | | | | typically taken to receive your USPA (United States |
| selecting the best skydiving school for you. The best | | | | Parachute Association) license, it is not (usually) a |
| way to begin is by actually defining what your desired | | | | requirement that you perform the subsequent jumps in |
| end result of this experience is to be. Seems like a | | | | order to do the first one. While the price of that first |
| no-brainer; the end result is to simply jump out of an | | | | dive is higher than a tandem jump (far more ground |
| airplane and float to the ground, right? Wrong. There's | | | | school and two instructors per diver), it also offers a |
| a lot about how you get from air to there that can | | | | bigger thrill and substantial feeling of accomplishment. |
| influence your experience and ultimately your opinion of | | | | Most skydiving schools will have you complete your |
| the sport. | | | | ground school and first AFF jump in a single day. If you |
| The first step to making this decision is in | | | | continue on with your training, you'll eventually receive |
| understanding the types of jumps that are available to | | | | your USPA licensing after you have met all |
| you. I will explain each, along with the pros and cons. | | | | requirements and taken the required tests. This |
| 1) Tandem Jump: | | | | licensing is required by nearly all drop zones in order to |
| A tandem jump is a method of jumping where you | | | | jump solo. |
| exit the plane not with a parachute strapped to your | | | | Armed with this information, you can now start |
| back but an entire instructor. This is the most popular | | | | narrowing down the selection based on your skydiving |
| choice for new divers and is highly promoted by drop | | | | requirements. Look for schools that are |
| zones. The reason for this is multi-faceted; there is no | | | | USPA-member drop zones. Take the time to research |
| responsibility on the new skydiver's part, they simply go | | | | the drop zone and get a feel from other divers about |
| with the flow and the instructor does all the work. This | | | | your drop zone(s) of choice. Most drop zones are |
| diminishes nearly all new-diver fault risks but also has a | | | | typically very warm and friendly, and give newcomers |
| higher profit margin for the drop zone. Given the | | | | as much attention as their regulars. There are, from |
| responsibility-free nature of a tandem jump for the | | | | time to time, skydiving schools/drop zones that cater |
| new skydiver, the ground portion can be done in an | | | | more towards one end of the scale than the other. |
| hour or less, and requires only a one-to-one instructor | | | | User opinions and reviews can reveal this if you take |
| jumper ratio, where Accelerated Free Fall initial jumps | | | | the time to do the research. This is easily |
| require two instructors and far more ground school. If | | | | accomplished at the website referenced below. |
| you are simply jumping to be able to buy the tee shirt | | | | The most important thing of all, however, is that you |
| from having done it once in your life, this method is for | | | | have fun. Despite all of the advice from your |
| you. The relief of putting all the worry into the hands of | | | | well-intentioned friends, that fact is that your desire to |
| a capable pro is terrific. | | | | pursue this sport puts you in a whole different |
| If, however, you think you may want to take up the | | | | category than those folks. Fear of falling is primal; we |
| sport beyond this first jump, it might be well worth your | | | | all feel it and are genetically predisposed to it. The |
| while to consider investing your money into the first | | | | dividing line is between those who fear, but have |
| required dive of your AFF (Accelerated Freefall) | | | | enough courage to control that fear and transform it |
| certification. Your tandem jump, in most cases, will not | | | | into an incredible experience, and those who fear, |
| apply towards this series of jumps, making your | | | | shrink from it, and declare that anyone who doesn't is |
| investment in the tandem jump somewhat of a waste | | | | insane. Put your fears aside, dive into human flight and |
| if you pursue licensing. Only you know the answer to | | | | enjoy the thrill of a lifetime! |
| that question, and as long as money isn't an issue (and | | | | |