Freefall Progression help for Newbie

[scholarkyle 0]

Okay folks--newbie here. 2 tandems and a dozen or so static line jumps with the Army. Getting my tax return in a few days and think the time is right to spend a couple grand to follow through on actually getting my A license. CANT' WAIT TO START.

I'm in NC and have heard only good things about Raeford Drop Zone which is just a stone's throw away. My Dad got me "the skydiver's handbook" which seems a pretty good--if maybe dated resource.

What neither the handbook nor the dropzone's webpage has made clear to me is how the progression process works--particularly after your category E jumps--ie, am I basically flying solo here or what?? I mean I'd assume that by or as part of category H you have to have some kind of certification. Just trying to get an idea for how many jumps in these categories, if I'm paying an instructor's ticket, or why the dropzone's wepage says "Continued Coach Programs for Category F through H also available and greatly encouraged!" as if I have a choice on how my training progression works?? Also relates to total cost here--don't think this dropzone has one of those all-in-one programs.

Probably shoulda just called the dropzone haha, but appreciate any explanation you seasoned jumpers can provide. Thanks and thanks, folks.
Kyle

[I3uller 0]

Hey man I'm assuming you are at Ft. Bragg? I'm in the 82nd and Raeford is my home DZ. I did most of my AFF at Raeford and if you do decently in the AFF course you should be cleared for self supervision after 7 or so jumps. After that its highly suggested you get with a coach. I'm friends with a bunch of coach rated fellows that I can hook you up with. After your last AFF jump you can't jump with anyone other than a coach or instructor. You can jump solo all you want. Its basically a time to learn a little more, get some good instruction from a coach, and learn to be more aware so that when you do jump with other licensed jumpers after you get your A license, you don't kill them. If you want to know anything about Raeford or the process just send me a PM or hit me up on aim (instant messenger)...my SN is my sn here. You're probably going to get flamed for asking the same question that thousands of other people ask here all the time...so if you want some info just drop me a line.

[scholarkyle 0]

Yup, I'm at Bragg--I work in USASOC. I'm in school now and finish in April--then planning on knocking this skydiving thing out before I go on to my unit sometime in May or June. (I'll basically be in a holdover status until then). But yeah--would love to get linked up with some people over there. I don't have aim, but I'll PM you my thoughts about clarifying my understanding of what I'm getting into here. haha.

Looking forward to all this; biggest concern is I'm sure it'll eat into my summer surfing time in wilmington!

[hchunter614 0]

Your best bet is to call the DZ, explain your situation and ask them. You need 25 jumps (at least) to get your A license but I would expect you'll go over that some because there are also learning objectives you need to demonstrate. All of your tandem and static line jumps will count towards the 25 as long as they are verifiable.

[I3uller 0]

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Your best bet is to call the DZ, explain your situation and ask them. You need 25 jumps (at least) to get your A license but I would expect you'll go over that some because there are also learning objectives you need to demonstrate. All of your tandem and static line jumps will count towards the 25 as long as they are verifiable.

Ehh....Raeford gets static line military guys ALL the time and my 17 static line jumps didn't count for anything nor have I ever heard of them counting. If you are HALO certified you can go through a quick transition course but I've never heard of static line jumps helping towards and A license....rightfully so in my opinion. They are two totally different things.

[skydude2000 3]

Maybe it's different in the States, but I did my entire progression through S/L. If he's switching to AFF they would only count for jump #'s I think, and the task requirements for canopy work as well as accuracy, as long as he had them signed off and can prove he has done them.

I just don't think it's fair to say that S/L jumps shouldn't count towards the 'A' license, no matter what program you're doing now.

PULL!! or DIE!!

[DSE 5]

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but I've never heard of static line jumps helping towards and A license....rightfully so in my opinion. They are two totally different things.

A jump is a jump is a jump. Including tandem jumps. However, one could not qualify for an A license solely on tandems nor S/L.

[I3uller 0]

I can understand tandem jumps since its much the same as a normal freefall...but jumping out of a C130 static line under a T-10 round...just is nothing like skydiving. You just jump out and try not to break your legs on the landing. No canopy control, your exit posture doesn't really matter and most of the time isn't right because of the mounds of crap on you, and while the rush of leaving a plane is the same there isn't any pressure to really complete any tasks like maintaining altitude awareness, correct body position etc. I have 17 static line jumps but I wouldn't ever count them towards my total jump number when I'm skydiving. Having done both of them its just my personal opinion I guess.

[JohnMitchell 16]

But you should be really good at PLF's, and you won't balk in the door. Yes, you have a long way to go to get an A license, but your military jumps give you a good head start.

[popsjumper 2]

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I have 17 static line jumps but I wouldn't ever count them towards my total jump number when I'm skydiving. Having done both of them its just my personal opinion I guess.

I concur...sorta.
Yes, any and every skydive counts towards your A-license 25-jump requirement...regardless of what type of skydive it was. I don't think that's unreasonable. You still have to prove the knowledge and in-air skills to get the license anyway.

Like you, by choice I don't count the jumps I did back in the 70's...it was a totally different world back then.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[popsjumper 2]

First, congrats on your decision to join us in the world of sport parachuting! It's a different world from military jumping as you know.

Since DZs have different training methods to get you to your A license, your best bet is to talk to the DZ.

I would suggest that you hook up with I3uller. He can be of enourmous help to you at the DZ.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[scholarkyle 0]

Thanks for all your insight fellas. Already in touch with I3uller, Popsjumper. Will continue to communicate with him as well as a fella or two who've pm'd me. This was certainly a bit enlightening and I'm looking forward to making some new friends in the sport.

I really could care less whether my static-line jumps count--I mean, at a cost level, certainly getting my cert sooner is appealing, but I also don't want to rush things. Some of the guys on here seem really into a rush to get into BASE or freeflying asap and while I wouldn't rule that kind of thing out down the road, I'm kind of a perfectionist and expect I'll be taking my time progressing anyway--you know, try to master things the best I can before moving on. If that's an unhealthy perspective, then someone please let me know! But given the differences between s/l and freefall, I doubt my profession-related jumps will offer a ton of transferable skills--short of ofcourse, as mentioned, balking at the door...probably not too likely in my situation haha!

Thanks again, folks. See you on the dropzone. Blue Skies.

[lippy 918]

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If that's an unhealthy perspective, then someone please let me know!

That's the kinda perspective that makes a good skydiver
(And less likely to become a dead skydiver too, which is kinda a bonus)

I got nuthin

[JohnMitchell 16]

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Like you, by choice I don't count the jumps I did back in the 70's...it was a totally different world back then.

Let's see, clunky gear, no AAD's, long waits for little Cessnas, no such thing as tandem or AFF for learning. Hell, I think 70's jumps should count double.

I never had a layoff, so I count 'em all.