Thinking about getting into skydiving

[dseiko 0]

Hi -

I’ve thought about getting into skydiving for a long time and turn 18 this winter. I’m still in high school and am thinking about trying to get my A License over my spring break (March 21st to March 30th).

Assuming good weather, is it possible to get my license in such a short period of time?

And also, any recommendations on where to try to get it? - I live in Rochester Michigan

[PhreeZone 20]

During that time in MI almost all the Dropzones are shut down for the weather so your best best is to travel. FL, TX or Cali would be your best options if you have to have it in a week. 25 jumps is a lot for 9 days plus the travel time but it is doable. If you are looking at FL Z-hiils, Deland, Lake Wales and Sebastian are all near Orlando/Tampa if you choose to fly in there. California has Perris and Elsinore that would be among the better 2 to fit your needs and TX has Spaceland outside Houston that might work. All told these schools use the AFF style of teaching so plan on at least $2000+ for the student jumps and the rest of the jumps and rental needed to get to the 25 jumps needed for the A licence. You'll also need to figure in your travel expences and food stuff.

Another option is to wait until summer and take Static line jumps at a DZ near you, the program will usually end up costing less $ and you can strech it out over aa time peroid with out any issues. Some MI DZ's also do AFF so you have that as an option also.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[tdog 0]

Racing to get an "A" is not a race. Every rating/licence will come in time...

I would try to get thru your instructor required dives (If AFF, levels 1-7 typically) quickly. Then you can do solos and coach jumps when time allows. Focus on the first skydives, not the "A". Once you are allowed to solo supervise, the program becomes less structured and more ad hoc.

I would also, on christmas break, or over long weekends, travel to a wind tunnel if time and money allows. Get maybe 30 minutes spread out over a weekend. You can do this before your AFF, and before you turn 18. Tell them your goal is NOT to have fun and play around, but to learn solid skills so you can rock out on AFF.

This way - your coach jumps after AFF will be easy (and in some cases not required or more advanced to challenge you) - and you will have no problems going quickly thru AFF as you will be comfortable and relaxed - and that is half the challenge as it is the mental, not physical, exhaustion that normally inhibits quick progress.

If you come to Colorado - I have some real good friends who work in the tunnel and can help you out, plus over christmas holidays - you can get in some snowboarding too. PM me if you want options for places to stay (the skydiving world typically does not allow fellow skydivers to pay for hotel rooms).

[djmarvin 2]

Skydive Spaceland offers an "A" license in a week package.
License in a Week

DJ Marvin
AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E
http://www.theratingscenter.com

[dseiko 0]

Traveling over my spring break is probably not an option - if i were to travel i would probably go to Mexico (most of the kids from my school go to Mexico over the spring break of the senior year). I did notice that one DZ (Skydive Tecumseh) had an IAD course March 23rd of last year, so they may not be open. If however, there is nowhere open, I will delay until the summer.

As for Colorado - I'm going there over my Christmas break already, and I'm staying in vail. Not sure if it will be affordable, but where is the wind tunnel your friends work at?

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

Traveling over my spring break is probably not an option - if i were to travel i would probably go to Mexico (most of the kids from my school go to Mexico over the spring break of the senior year).

?? If you want to do it at spring break, you travel to do it. You were already planning to do it without your classmates, so why does it matter if it's in California or Florida instead?

(Does Palm Springs still attract the kiddies, or did Sonny Bono end that in the 80s? Certainly Florida has some spring break potential, though I'm sure Mexico is more attractive to the 18yo's who want to drink themselves silly)

[AllisonH 0]

Quote

Traveling over my spring break is probably not an option - if i were to travel i would probably go to Mexico (most of the kids from my school go to Mexico over the spring break of the senior year). I did notice that one DZ (Skydive Tecumseh) had an IAD course March 23rd of last year, so they may not be open. If however, there is nowhere open, I will delay until the summer.

As for Colorado - I'm going there over my Christmas break already, and I'm staying in vail. Not sure if it will be affordable, but where is the wind tunnel your friends work at?

The course you saw on Skydive Tecumseh's calendar for March 23 was one to certify IAD instructors. They open up for students the first weekend of April, and the first courses of the year for new students are usually taught sometime around the middle of April. Let me know if you'd like any additional information on the courses they offer.