gettin started

[Strynx 0]

Wassup!
My sister's boyfriend wants to jump, hence he asked me if he should do a tandem or IAD. I told him it was up ti him but what would you recommend.
"For he who as tasted flight will forever walk the earth with his eye's turned skyward, for it's there he has been and there he long to return" L.Da V.

[mnischalke 0]

I recommend tandem.
Get the full experience without the hours of groundschool learning foreign subjects that you can't comprehend yet. You also can learn so much more about the pattern and canopy flight as you are under one. My instructor gave me the tools in the air and I used them. His hands were on the toggles, but I came in on the pattern and landed the canopy 20 feet from the peas. Such a confidence builder. If you were to screw up, he's there to fix you.
My other tandem was a long spot and I learned how to use the ground rising in front and passing underneath to pick my out and use half brakes to bring it back closer to the DZ. I had a single jumpmaster on #3 and used the radio only once. I am glad not to have relied on a radio to bring it back on jump 1 since I could not tell what he was saying on #3.
I thought at first that Tandem was sooo touristy. Now I feel different.
peace,
mike

[mountainman 0]

I would agree.......it is nice to make your first jump without any pressure of doing everything by yourself. Get the first one done and see if you enjoy it. Also, if you are only going to do one jump in your life, make it a tandem. No reason to do all the ground school and such for one jump.
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JumpinDuo.com...news, guestbook, and links.

[jfields 0]

I disagree with Brandon and Mike. I'd go the AFF route. It is much more like what jumping is really about. Skydivers need to know the material covered in the ground school if they are going to continue. If someone doesn't have the patience or inclination for that, they why ought not get into the sport.
For people that just want one skydiving fling, sure, go tandem. I'm sure it is a rush (never done one myself), and there isn't the hassle of all the work. But for someone contemplating the sport, I'd suggest they go all the way. Around where I live, the difference is only about $100. Being able to deploy your own parachute and land on your own is a huge rush that I can't imagine a tandem passenger getting.
If you are going to go, go big! Justin
My Homepage

[skybytch 273]

Depends. If he already knows he wants to be a skydiver, I'd suggest AFF, or IAD/SL if AFF isn't available - for someone like that a tandem is a waste of time and money imho. If he just wants to see what it's like, tell him to do a tandem.
pull and flare,
lisa

[jfields 0]

Just noticed a similar thread in the safety board...
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forums/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=forumsafetytraining&Number=64684&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&part=
Justin
My Homepage

[mnischalke 0]

Justin,
"Skydivers need to know the material covered in the ground school if they are going to continue."
I did get the same training just during and after. Then again, I learn better doing, rather than studying. OJT is best for me.
"Being able to deploy your own parachute and land on your own is a huge rush that I can't imagine a tandem passenger getting."
I was a little slow on the clear and pull on the first jump but, I did everything else. I must emphasize, I went straight to a single jumpmaster on #3 with a 1:1 wingloading. Musta done lerned sumpin rite.
mike
ps if you shit your pants, you have someone to share it with

[jfields 0]

Mike,
I'm not in any way saying you weren't an apt pupil, or that people can't learn the material in some type of tandem progression.
It is just my thought that if you are sure about wanting to get into the sport, that the AFF route is more similar to what you'll be doing eventually anyway, so you might as well start that way.
Like I said, this is just my opinion. Of course, I "started" via static-line at Ft. Benning, then did AFF later as a civilian. I would probably recommend a good civilian static-line program over tandem as well.
It is all about what the local DZs offer and what the student thinks will work for them. I knew that I didn't want to be strapped to someone else for a skydive. Personal preference.
Justin
My Homepage

[mnischalke 0]

Actually, I hated the idea of a tandem. Kinda gay if you ask me. But, it was paid for before I got there. I learned a ton doing it and kept on with my passion because of it.
You're right, it's personal preference.
I may also be biased because there are so many great instructors at Skydive Orange. Those folks made it easy for me.
mike

[Strynx 0]

The reason why i was asking is because in Canada in order to do PFF (CDN AFF) you need to do either 1 or 2 Tandem or 3 IAD (depending on the DZ). Otherwise i would of told him to go strait to PFF. Thanx for your input i'll tell him to come here and lurk a bit so he can make up is mind.

[Jabeln79 0]

Does he want to continue skydiving, or just want to make one jump?
If he wants to get his license Static Line is the way to go for your first jump. ITs a lot cheaper and i think you learn a lot more..
But if he only wants to do one jump than he should do a tandem..
although i only planned on doing one jump and went Static line but after that first jump there was no way i was going to stop...

[Merrick 0]

Think of it this way... how awesome would it be to be on an AFF jump where you have your JM's right there with you & they can actually talk to you to give you directions (true, the hand signals work, but actually being able to hear someone would be a whole lot better). You have that security of someone right there with you critiquing you & able to tell you exactly what you need to do to correct it. This is what a Tandem does for you while under canopy. Let's be honest, your first skydive is all about the thrill of the ride, AFF I is no more than stable freefall, then a canopy ride with someone telling you what to do. Being able to actually talk to your TM and ask questions while flying the canopy is 10X the input you get from one-way radio. Everyone goes on & on about coach dives canopy control courses... essentially, that's what you're getting on your first skydive by going tandem. Just something to think about, I'm all for the AFP programs that have started.
Now that that dribble isn't fogging up my head anymore, let me say that I believe if someone knows without a doubt that they want to complete a student course, I would recommend AFF or IAD/SL, if AFP wasn't available. However, if they were just one off, "I just want to see what it's like" students, then do a tandem. Actually, Pam & I both were one of those "one off" students, but decided to do an IAD jump. Point is, all situations are different, you can never know what advice to give because situations change, just give the best you can & hope it's OK for that person.
I personally have never done a tandem & I didn't go the AFF route for financial reasons. Just keep in mind that the method you choose doesn't dictate how well you can fly later, cuz after 30 jumps or so, it simply won't matter, all programs have the same end result & that's building a safe competent skydiver with the base skill-set to become a GOD in the sky!
"Pammi's Hemp/Skydiving Jewelry"

[Slappie 9]

I did the tandem route. I was going to be a "OneOff" jumper. I didn't think I would ever want to do it again. Once I hit the ground it was like WOW I AM DOING THIS AGAIN!! Since then I've been hooked! The course I took was the AFP Course. It's very different then the AFF Course. It's more jumps with one JM not two. Cost is about the same, plus they gave me video of every jump for a debrief. I think there may only be 3 DZ's in the States that offer this course at this time. Spaceland in Houston, SDC and SDI. Not sure about the rest. If your going to become a Skydiver then a tandem route is probably your best bet. IMHO Because you experience the thrill of the Freefall and you have a TM showing you the ropes of canopy control and the landing pattern on your very first jump. They started teaching us on the very first jump.
Hope your friend has ALOT of money this is a very expensive and addictive sport, which I'm sure you already know. Good luck to you and your friend!! My New Website with 24hr Chat

[jfields 0]

It is interesting to me to see the views of people that started by different methods. I'm surprised by the number of people that intended to do just one jump (SL or Tandem, etc.) then went through the entire student course. Then again, those that stopped after one jump probably aren't posting on this forum....
I knew that I was going all the way through before I started. When I got to the DZ for my AFF level 1, I'd already done about 30-40 static-line jumps on rounds in the Army. So the act of jumping from a plane was familiar to me. Having been on my own out the door from military jump one, there wasn't any way I was going as a passenger. Sure, I flopped around in freefall some, because that was new to me, but I kind of expected it. However I pulled on my own and landed myself, which were two of my goals. To me, skydiving is all about indepence. You make your own choices, take your own risks, and have a hell of a lot of fun.
Justin
My Homepage

[Strynx 0]

I like the different opinions i went IAD for 3 jumps then to AFF (hope to finish this comin summer) I knew too i was in for tha whole 9yard. Really got point though for canopy control in a tandem you get tha TM to tell you right there on the spot. On my first jump i could'nt hear the radio at all so i was kinda spook.LOL! PLF my landing and was ok but i wish i had someone to help me out. Still strugglin with landing tough that's why i'm in Aikido

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[PhreeZone 20]

Sorry Slappie,
Lots of DZ were doing the integrated program long before it became popular. Carolina Sky Sports, Skydive Greene County, Lodi, Perris, Raeford, Deland, all of them were doing some sort of intergrated program before the rest of the DZ's picked up on it. SDC was among the starters in what you consider to be the "Current" program but CSS and SGC have been using a similar, although fewer jump (11) program since the early 90's.
I want to touch the sky, I want to fly so high ~ Sonique