MattIRE 0 #1 April 12, 2009 Hey guys. Just a short question here. Ive asked my local (well closest) dropzone about static line and AFF etc..To get my A licence. Now they've told me when I do the static line I have to do 25 jumps in total but only 7 with AFF? Or am I reading this wrong? Could someone please correct me on that. Or do I still need to do another few jumps to get to a total of 25 jumps to get my A licence with AFF? I myself would prefer starting with static line as I can progress at my own pace and dont need 2 guys hanging onto me haha. Cheers Matt Tandem / Funjump Skydive Locations Skydiving & BASE logbook app Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AFFI 0 #2 April 12, 2009 Where are you?Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat… Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hchunter614 0 #3 April 12, 2009 If you're in the US, you need 25 jumps at the minimum to get your A license. If you do the static line method you will eventually be learning the same stuff as someone that started doing AFF but you'll most likely have a few more "jumps" than they do. No matter which method you choose you will have to demonstrate specific skills (in freefall, under canopy, on the ground). Why do you not want to have "2 guys hanging onto me"? Depending on who you talk to, there are pros and cons to each training method. Search these forums for any of the numerous threads discussing the different training methods. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lippy 918 #4 April 12, 2009 As stated above, 25 jumps is the minimum for an A license. If you choose to learn using the AFF training method, you will have already completed some of the freefall skills requirements for the A license after 7 jumps, but you will still have other requirements (including a minimum of 25 jumps). If you learn using the static line method, you'll probably have a minimum of 8 jumps before you even reach terminal velocity and can start practicing freefall skills. There are pros and cons to each learning method and if you search the forums for 'Static line vs. AFF' you'll find a lot of info on this. You got some bad information about jump-numbers required to get your 'A', and I'd assume that this info came from a manifester or some other non-jumping office staff who is a little confused on training progression. The best thing to do is head out to the DZ, talk to some real instructors and watch some people skydive. That'll be your best source of info, and it'll get you seriously psyched to jump! I got nuthin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #5 April 12, 2009 To put it simply, the AFF course usually takes a minimum of 7 or 8 jumps to complete. Once completed, many DZs (although this may vary) will consider the student "cleared to self-supervise", which basically means to jump without a jumpmaster in the plane specifically assigned to keep you safe. In an S/L or IAD progression program, most DZs don't clear the student to self-supervise until he's at least nailed consistently stable 30-second delays, and possibly controlled turns, which is usually in the teens (jump numbers). Under either/any program, you still need to have at least 25 jumps (in the US) AND get all your A-license skills learned and signed off on to get your A license. (Other countries may be a little different, but they will probably be similar.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattIRE 0 #6 April 12, 2009 Aaah now I see. Thanks a million guys. So the number they gave me was just the number until you have completed the course. Cheers for clearing that up. Also in reply to why I dont want 2 guys hanging onto me. Ive been reading through alot of the "static line vs AFF" topics and they always end up in a big fight of what is better so I dont want this topic to end like that haha. I myself think I prefer more or less doing it on my own and gradually getting stable on my own. I know it may seem stupid but to me I think it would give me more satisfaction having done that more or less on my own. Please fire away suggestions as to why you think thats a good or bad thing but please dont end this like the other topics with a fight over whats better haha Cheers Tandem / Funjump Skydive Locations Skydiving & BASE logbook app Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #7 April 12, 2009 This is a "boxers or briefs" argument. Both are good, both have advantages and disadvantages. In either case, the license requirements are the same. You must demonstrate certain skills, and (in the US) have 25 jumps. JUST MY .02 - I did static line, and I found the pace/direction of it suited me. Developing exit skills, canopy control skills and landing skills before freefall was an advantage. That way when I got to freefall and was a little overwhelmed by it, the canopy ride was familiar and almost comforting. Others prefer AFF because it gives them all the skills all at once. And having "2 guys hanging onto you" means the instructor is right there to help and that can be more comfortable for them. What suits you best and what you are most comfortable with is what's best for you."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #8 April 12, 2009 I see in your profile that you list Ireland as your place of residence. If this is indeed true you might want to consider weather as part of your deciding factor of learning. For example: If you have alot of cloudy days a static line student can still go up and learn. If you're an AFF student you're stuck on the ground. Different exit altitudes for each (at least in the beginning). ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AFFI 0 #9 April 12, 2009 Nothing here ever ends in a fight, different people will have different opinions based on their experience and the process may be construed as a “fight”, but that is just the collective genius doing it’s magic - personally I would not suggest my mother do static line training progression but that is solely based on my lack of personal experience with this type of training method but there is one dinoinstructor here that has seen it all and done it all. He says static line is outdated and not a good training method and he has more experience training static line (before squares) than I do total jumps because he started instructing back in the 60’s so I will respect and take into account that unimaginable level of knowledge and experience he has – the “best” training method he (and I) have been exposed to is a tandem progression that is similar to the USPA ISP haha -Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat… Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #10 April 12, 2009 Hey! I resemble that remark, even if I only started instructing - with military surplus round parachutes - in 1982. Since then our DZ progressed to Para-Commanders (fancy round parachutes) deployed by Instructor Assisted Deployment. A few years later I helped another club convert to square mains. Along the way I did 4,000 tandem jumps and earned a Progressive Freefall Instructor rating. No method is "best." Rather different methods are best at teaching different skills at different levels. For example, I would love to start skydiving students with a day or two of ground-launching, then a tandem jump or two, then two or three IAD jumps, then a half hour in a wind tunnel, followed by five or six jumps with AFF instructors, finishing with a few coach dives to complete the skills required for an A Certificate. Rob Warner USPA Static-line Instructor CSPA IAD Instructor B and PFF Strong Tandem Examiner Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
