Really excited but I have lots of questions.

[Paranoiattack91 0]

Hi everyone,

I had always said I wanted to try skydiving but never thought I would actually do it. Last week, June 12th was my 24th birthday, my girlfriend showed up at my house at 8am and told me to get ready. I asked her where she was taking me but she would not say. We got in the car and started to drive and I bugged her the whole way to tell me where we were going but still no answer (just an awkward smirk). About 25 minutes later we arrived at Skydive Perris. I cant describe the mixed emotions that suddenly hit me, a mixture of excitement and fear I bet would be the best guess.

She had signed us both up for a tandem dive, and after signing our life away for about 25 minutes we were sent to suit up. I then met my Tandem Instructor Kai Wolf, who was probably one of the most friendly person that I have ever met. We boarded the plane and the nerves really hit me then but I was still unbelievably excited. The whole way up Kai seemed just as excited as me to share my first jump with me on my birthday, this got me even more amped! Soon enough we were at 12,500 and the door swung open. We scooted towards, Kai gave me a high five and said happy birthday, and then we were off! As soon as I left the plane I knew that I was hooked, it was indescribable : )
Needless to say, It was the best birthday gift I could have received and I would like to thank my girlfriend Sarah and my instructor Kai for making that day so amazing.

Now that I am hooked I have lots of questions! : /

I have started looking into the AAF courses and I will probably start on them sometime in the next few weeks. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.

On my tandem dive I tipped $20 to my instructor and $20 to my girlfriends instructor, Is this an appropriate amount? Also, is it appropriate to tip both of my instructors on my next 7 AAF, and if so, how much to each diver?

I am saving up for the courses and gear and as you all know that is no small sum of money. Once I get my license to fly on my own what do I do if I do not have my own gear yet? Can I rent the gear there and how much am I looking at?

I was looking to save some money and checking out the used gear on square1.com. What are your opinions on used gear?

From what I have read there are two main types of materials that main canopies are made out of, zp and f11. Is there one that would be better for a beginner such as myself?

Once I do get my own gear, am I supposed to repack my own chute pay someone to repack it (and how much) after each dive?

I’m sure I’ll have many more questions to come. Thank you and I’m excited to meet some of you soon!

[TiaDanger 0]

Skydiving rocks huh?!

1. Sounds like you tipped a good amount. Many instructors don't get tips at all, and anything is probably appreciated.

2. During AFF you will rent gear. You will probably continue to rent for quite a few jumps after that because you will be downsizing your canopy. Once you get to the size canopy you will be jumping for a while, thats when to buy gear. At my dropzone, it cost about $25 a jump to rent a rig.

3. Used gear is all over the place, you just have to know where to look and what you're looking for in a rig (size-wise). The classifieds section of this website is probably the best place to find a lot of used rigs. I bought my complete system off of the dropzone.com classifieds. But there are also places like square1 and other websites that have used gear. Also, you might find that somebody at your dz is selling something that might fit you.

4. Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but your main will probably be ZP and your reserve will probably be F-111. Its more important to find a canopy that is the correct size and type. Some canopies are made for experts and some are made for students/intermediates. You will buy a canopy that is designed for a beginner or intermediate to start.

5. You will have to learn to pack to get your A license. But later, it is your choice whether your pack or have a packer pack for you at a cost. Most people pack for themselves...saves money for jump tickets

And for the record: the appropriate ranking of cool modes of transportation is jet pack, hover board, transporter, Batmobile, and THEN giant ant.
D.S. #8.8

[Paranoiattack91 0]

Thank you so much for such a quick response. I feel like there is so much to learn and any information or tips helps so much. I am really exited to start jumping!

[bluetwo 0]

It's really cool that you're so into it and welcome to the forum! Skydiving hit me really hard and I got completely into it too.

There's so much to take in and lots of info that is best for students to learn in time, at least that's my take on it. Basically I'm taking it as it comes but reading up on things here at dropzone in the meantime.

I kind of had to try not to get ahead of myself. It's easy to look at the exciting stuff but you gotta learn everything in the course before you move on. I'm not preaching at you by any means and don't mean to slow you down. Just figure out how fast you learn and go from there. I'm not the fastest learner so I'm not trying to cram things. As I understand it some people get their A license in a short time and that's great but we don't all do that.

_______________________________________

[thrillstalker 0]

Since you know you're going to commit to getting your A, try and find a dz that offers a package deal. Some offer one for 25jumps, and some for your 7 aff jumps. You will save a lot of money in the long run by "buying in bulk."

Don't worry about getting your own rig just yet, another poster mentioned downsizing. Your first 20 or so jumps will be under a large canopy (bigger is slower and more forgiving) which you will most likely do when you have your A.

Beer is a good tip if your wallet isnt flowing out money.

Welcome to our world, hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Blue skies

"Never grow a wishbone, where your backbone ought to be."

[psk99 0]

Skydiving is the best! Congrats on your decision to have the time of your life! I also was immediately addicted by my first tandem jump.

I agree with bluetwo, I have seen some students who try to rush things instead of taking in all that they can through the process. Taking time to really learn all that you can seems to be more respected by instructors and experienced jumpers. I have no regrets of being conservative in my training for the A and I plan to continue in that same manner. Don't get me wrong...I wanted that license in a bad way, but also want to be smart about it.

HAVE FUN!

[Paranoiattack91 0]

Thank you eveyone! I am trying to learn as much as possible. I've been reading as much as possible and im definately not going to rush myself to much. to Thrillstalkers post, im confused on what you mean by the one for 25 or 7AAF price? I'm not 100% sure on the way the licensing works. Am i going to be taking 7 separate AAF dives/courses on different days and then I am free to jump on my own? Sorry for so many questions

[The_Don 0]

AFF =7 dives. You must pass them to advance.

I am NOT being loud.
I'm being enthusiastic!

[hofstar 0]

There are 7 or 8 levels of AFF which cover the first 5 categories on your A license proficiency card. Once you graduate AFF, you are cleared for self-supervision. But until you have your A license you're still considered a student which has a lot of restrictions like where you can land, who you can jump with and so on.

To get from AFF graduation to your A license, you need to do more training jumps with coaches to finish the last 3 categories on your card, and accumulate 25 jumps. Then you are a fully licensed skydiver!

Some DZs will offer a package deal just on the AFF portion, some will offer a package deal all the way to your A license, some offer both.

Welcome to the skies.

[skymama 37]

Welcome to the forums!

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[thrillstalker 0]

You have to have 25 jumps to get your A license. Aff is the first 7. You can jump solo or with a coach for Jumps 8-25. Some dz's will offer a package that includes jumps 8-25 and coach jumps as well. It's a lot cheaper to do this. The place I jump offers the A license package for 1800 or aff for 1100. You get 18 jumps including gear rental and coach jumps for 700 bucks.

"Never grow a wishbone, where your backbone ought to be."

[Paranoiattack91 0]

Wow, thank you so much everyone. I have learned more in the last 2 days from these forms than i have in the last 2 weeks. I just looked into the packages at my local dz. I think i'm going to go with the license package instead of just thee AAF package since eventually i need to make all 25 jumps. Its alot more money but it seems like the best value in the long run. What do you think?
Here is their package:

Gold "A" 25 Jump License Package


Jumps Cost:
AFF Level 1 $ 349
AFF Level 2 $ 239
AFF Level 3 $ 239
AFF Level 4 $ 219
AFF Level 5 $ 219
AFF Level 6 $ 219
AFF Level 7 $ 219
AFF Level 8 $ 219
Coach Jumps $ 110 x 5 $ 550
Solo Jumps $ 25 x 11 $ 275
Hop N' Pop $ 20 x 1 $ 20
PRO Video Package $ 135 x 1 $ 135
De-briefing Videos X 10 FREE
Daily Gear Rentals $ 75 x 6 $ 450
Packing Class $80
USPA Membership $ 65
USPA A License $30



Actual Value: $3,527
Pay Only: $3,174
Total Savings: $353

[Cheach 0]

Awesome for both of you!

Kinda weird- I started on June 13th last year- My 24th birthday.

I woke up next to a blowup doll Ash....so what do you think?

[Paranoiattack91 0]

Thats cool! You started last year and you already have that many jumps under your belt? I'm jealous

[Cheach 0]

After you get your license and gear- just jump your ass off!

I woke up next to a blowup doll Ash....so what do you think?