| There are two different ways of learning to skydive, | | | | freefall skydives. However, you must have completed |
| with Static line or RAPS, or with the AFF system. | | | | a minimum of five static line jumps, and have been |
| Each have their pros and cons, and static line is | | | | authorised by a CSI (Category System Instructor). |
| especially popular in countries where the weather can | | | | Also, your first freefall jump must take place within a |
| be changeable. The AFF system allows an individual to | | | | day of your last successful DRP descent. |
| qualify as a solo parachutist in a shorter time period. | | | | Now you have progressed to freefall skydives, you |
| How does the Static Line system work? | | | | exit the plane and deploy your canopy after a |
| The static line training system has existed for some | | | | particular freefall delay, depending on how far through |
| time, and was the original method of teaching people | | | | the category system you are. The further you |
| to skydive. The first jumps made by a static line | | | | progress, the longer the freefall delay, and the higher |
| student are from about 3500ft and are solo jumps. | | | | the altitude you jump from. |
| There is a 'static line' attached from the student's | | | | Freefall jump: 3 second delay: Altitude 4000ft |
| equipment to the aircraft, and this line tightens as the | | | | Freefall jump: 5 second delay: Altitude 4000ft - now |
| students jumps, consequently automatically opening the | | | | you are classed as a Category 4 student. |
| parachute system and releasing the main canopy. The | | | | Freefall jump: 10 second delay: Altitude 4500ft |
| instructor who dispatches the student is able to | | | | Freefall jump: 10 second delay: Altitude 4500ft - now |
| witness the students exit and body position to debrief | | | | you are classed as a Category 5 student. |
| after the parachute jump. Meanwhile, the student floats | | | | You wear your altimeter on the left hand and will be |
| to the ground under the canopy using the steering | | | | checking it every 2 to 3 seconds to ensure you deploy |
| toggles to control direction, with assistance from their | | | | your canopy by the minimum height your instructor has |
| instructor (usually through a radio the student is | | | | given you, or after the specific delay for the jump. |
| wearing). Further on in the static line course, the freefall | | | | Freefall jump: 15 second delay: Using altimeter in |
| delay and jump altitude will increase allowing the | | | | freefall: Altitude 5000ft |
| student to deploy their own canopy directly without the | | | | Freefall jump: 15 second delay: Useing altimeter in |
| static line. | | | | freefall: Altitude 5000ft - now you are classed as a |
| Is the static line parachute equipment different from | | | | Category 6 student. |
| experienced skydivers equipment? | | | | Your next skydive will involve turns, and you will be |
| As a student, it is normal to fly a large, docile canopy | | | | briefed to deflect air your arms to initiate the turn. |
| that is easy to control. The design of the equipment is | | | | Freefall jump: Turn 360 degrees both left and right: |
| the same as any sports rig an experienced skydiver | | | | Altitude 6000ft minimum - now you are classed as a |
| would have. The difference comes with the | | | | Category 7 student. |
| deployment part of the equipment. Because the static | | | | In your next skydive, you will intentionally go unstable |
| line is deploying the canopy, and not the student, the | | | | by bringing your knees up to your chest. Next, you will |
| static line is carefully packed in the equipment. The | | | | perform a back loop to show that you are able |
| other end of the line is attached when you climb into | | | | resume stability after being unstable. |
| the aircraft to a strong point inside the plane. Once the | | | | Freefall jump: Unstable exit with back loops: Altitude |
| aircraft has climbed to the correct jump altitude, the | | | | 7000ft minimum. |
| student climbs into the door and prepares to exit the | | | | In your next skydive, you will carry out a dive exit, |
| plane. As they exit with the correct body position, the | | | | jumping out of the aircraft at a 45 degree angle |
| static line gets tight and initialises the parachute | | | | between the tail section and the wing tip. After you |
| deployment sequence. The static line remains attached | | | | have completed the dive exit, you will perform a track. |
| to the aircraft and the canopy opens straight away. | | | | This is when you sweep your arms to your side, with |
| What will I do before my first static line jump? | | | | your hands palm down and straighten your legs. |
| As with all skydiving training systems, you will first go | | | | Tracking is used to gain horizontal movement and is |
| through a comprehensive ground school. This training | | | | used mainly when jumping with other skydives to |
| takes about 6 hours and is broken down into around | | | | ensure you have your own space to deploy your |
| ten separate lessons that cover everything you will | | | | canopy. We use a 'wave off' to communicate to other |
| need to know. You will learn about canopy flight, | | | | skydivers that you are going to deploy your canopy. |
| aircraft drills and emergencies, equipment, parachute | | | | Freefall jump: Dive exit with a track: Altitude 7000ft |
| landing falls, hazardous landings, stability and body | | | | minimum. |
| position, emergency procedures and exits. | | | | Freefall jump: Dive exit, back loop, left 360 degree turn, |
| Once you have completed the ground training, you will | | | | right 360 turn, short track and wave off: Maximum |
| get ready for your first jump. Your instructor will help | | | | jump altitude.You have now achieved 'Category 8' and |
| you put your equipment on and check that everything | | | | the FAI A Certificate. |
| is correct. This check after you have put on your | | | | How long does it take to qualify on the system, and |
| equipment is something that you will continue | | | | what kind of costs will I have to consider? |
| throughout your skydiving career. Your instructor will | | | | Costs will vary from place to place. Usually, you can |
| seat you in the right place in the plane and after take | | | | expect to pay about 200 GBP for your ground training |
| off, the aircraft will climb to about 3500ft, your exit | | | | and first static line jump. Following jump costs will be |
| altitude. You will wait for the command 'get into the | | | | around 40 GBP including equipment hire. It is normal for |
| door', which signals you to climb into your correct body | | | | static line training to be spread over some time |
| position and prepare to jump from the aircraft. The | | | | because of the number of skydives required to |
| instructor will then give you another command, usually | | | | advance through the system. Whilst the system only |
| a 'GO', shouted in a loud, clear voice. This is your cue | | | | contains 15 jumps, the average opinion is that the static |
| to exit the aircraft, making sure that you present your | | | | line course takes from 30 to 50 jumps to complete. |
| body to the airflow correctly, with a good 'arch' and | | | | Tell me the advantages of learning to skydive on the |
| your head up. | | | | static line system? |
| You will hold your body position and start counting out | | | | If you want a system that is an economical way to |
| loud 'one thousand, two thousand, three thousand, four | | | | carry out a parachute jump, the static line system is an |
| thousand, check canopy'. This count is a safety check | | | | ideal solution. The static line system is very common |
| and ensures that you give your canopy time to open | | | | with University clubs, group and team building. Once |
| completely before checking it for problems. Then you | | | | you have finished the initial ground school, you only |
| can carry out specific drills to check the parachute, | | | | need a small amount of tuition for your next descent. |
| before flying down to the ground, assisted by your | | | | Another advantage to the static line system is the |
| instructor over radio. | | | | lower altitude that you jump from in the initial jumps, for |
| How do I progress through the static line system? | | | | countries that have changeable weather this means |
| After ground training of about 6 hours, you will be | | | | that you can sometimes still jump even if it is a cloudy |
| ready to do your first static line jump. You are now | | | | day. |
| classed as 'Category 1', the first category on the | | | | Are there disadvantages of learning to skydive using |
| ladder of the training system. | | | | the Static Line system? |
| Once you have completed the ground school, you are | | | | In the beginning, the freefall delay of your jumps is very |
| a Category 1 student. | | | | small, so it can be hard to learn the correct body |
| Static Line Jump: Altitude 3500ft | | | | position. Should a student have poor body position, |
| Static Line Jump: Altitude 3500ft - now you are | | | | there is also a slightly higher risk of getting entangled |
| classed as a Category 2 student. | | | | with the parachute system in the deployment |
| On the following 'dummy pull' jumps, you will still be | | | | sequence. Classes of static line students can contain |
| jumping with a static line system that deploys the | | | | up to 12 individuals, meaning that students do not get |
| canopy. However, you will be practicing deploying the | | | | very much one on one tuition, consequently making |
| parachute on your own by using a simulated | | | | graduating the course a slow process. For |
| deployment handle. | | | | convenience, most static line students choose to |
| Dummy Ripcord Pull (DRP) Jump: Altitude 3500ft | | | | spread their jumps over time, usually on weekends. |
| DRP Jump: Altitude 3500ft | | | | This inconsistency means that every time a student |
| DRP Jump: Altitude 3500ft - now you are classed as | | | | makes a jump, they are having to relearn what they |
| a Category 3 student. | | | | did on the previous jump, as well as learning the new |
| After the dummy pull jumps, you can progress to | | | | content of their next jump. |