costs

[MNM604 0]

My girlfriend and I have recently become hooked and are in the middle of AFF training. So far, we keep hearing how much cheaper it is going to get after level 8, but we were hoping for an rough estimate on costs and how often will we have to pay for coaches or jump masters until we're licensed?? Any ideas out there? I want to make sure we are getting the right information.

[stevepearce 0]

hi there
welcome to jumping
its great to see the couples coming through the system and hopefully enjoying them selves
as for the expected costs involved just ask your manifest at the DZ your jumping at they should be happy to help
blueskies steve

If you can't kill yourself doing it, its not a sport... its a game.

Risk factors do not add up, they multiply

[Spudmuffin 0]

Glad you guys are having fun! My DZ has a comprehensive price list http://www.stljump.com/AFF.pdf). It's probably not the same as the one at your DZ, but I'd bet they have something comparable.

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Your DZ should have told you how much each jump was going to cost at the beginning of your training. As to cost of "coach" jumps, gear rental, etc, after Cat E, that varies wildly from DZ to DZ. Here at Raeford, coach jumps cost $75, gear rental (and packing) included. You pay for as many coach jumps as it takes to fill out the rest of your A-license proficiency card (that's the rest of of the blocks on Cats F,G, and H). Some people will be able to accomplish multiple tasks on one skydive and, thus, save themselves some money. Others will fail to accomplish some tasks and have to redo skydives.

[skyhighkiy 0]

wow man....your place is really f'ing expensive.

It's not very hard to figure out, get a price list at your DZ, whip out a calculator, and punch in the #'s

like the man just said, you only ( at least my dz) NEED coach jumps so that someone can verify your maneuvers for your card. Other than that, they're just a really good idea.

to give a rough estimate of how much this sport might cost you

I've spent 3828 bucks so far on this sport, between alti's, jumps, gear (rig only cost $700)

....here's some advice, don't think about howmuch you're about to spend

in fact...knowing I spent that much is...kind of...depressing...I'm gonna go cry now

BE THE BUDDHA!

[AggieDave 6]

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wow man....your place is really f'ing expensive.

Not really, I'd say their about average on their AFF jumps and even a little cheap on the rest of the jumps (overall). Hell, $79 per SDU jump isn't a bad price either.


EDIT:

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you only ( at least my dz) NEED coach jumps so that someone can verify your maneuvers for your card. Other than that, they're just a really good idea.

Check your SIM. Until you have an A license, you may be cleared for "self supervised freefall." That still means you have to have someone in the ground and plane check your gear before you jump. Some DZs may charge for that, some may not. A lot of DZs have a general price for "coach" jumps before you get your A that is the same if you take a coach or not, so take the coach and learn something.

Remember, student jumps prices are higher due to everything involved. Your gear (not just rig), your training, your slot, your instructor(s) slot, instructor(s) pay for the jump (not much by any stretch of the imagination), etc.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[meltdown 0]

It get's cheaper, on a per jump basis, but when you find you and your S/O are doing 5-6 jumps each per day(like me and mine), just the "cheap" jumps add up quick. Skydiving is like a drug - a very expensive one.

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

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It get's cheaper, on a per jump basis, but when you find you and your S/O are doing 5-6 jumps each per day(like me and mine), just the "cheap" jumps add up quick. Skydiving is like a drug - a very expensive one.

yep, sure is!

In a year and a half, I have spent about 5350$ on gear (this counting bought and sold mains, new gear and the $$ i'll lose from buying/selling used gear, plus helmet, altis, etc). I've also spent at least $4500 jumping. This does not include gas to and from my home dz and other dzs.

Of course, ymmv, many people keep used gear for a very very long time, and don't make very many jumps in a year. I guess the expense depends on how addicted you become. This has definitely been my most expensive hobby ever. I plan to make my 300th jump in the next month, and I hope to do at least 250 in the next year. Don't let anybody fool you. AFF is expensive, but it doesn't get a whole bunch cheaper... Not many jumpers drive to the dz to make 1 jump in a day. I am not happy unless I get at *least* 4.

Angela.

[wuffo 1]

If you're worried about counting pennies NOW, then take up another sport! Just joking, but really, those who get "hooked" on jumping spend every dime they've got (and then some) to feed their addiction. Just get out the plastic and enjoy...you can't take it with you.

[MNM604 0]

Thanks for all the input. We were able to get a lot of questions answered today at both the DZ and here. We finished level three today, and will start selling everything off to do one thing and one thing only, Jump!!! Everyone have fun and be safe.

[skyhighkiy 0]

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We were able to get a lot of questions answered today at both the DZ and here. We finished level three today,

we....hmm....does this "other you" have a name? who am I speaking to now?

....

sorry, too many psychology classes for me

BE THE BUDDHA!

[stevepearce 0]

you didnt raed that there were to ( a couple! boy girl)

no cryptic clues here !
bluesones steve

If you can't kill yourself doing it, its not a sport... its a game.

Risk factors do not add up, they multiply

[skyhighkiy 0]

oop, sorry, my fault

I'll try two raed baetter next time

BE THE BUDDHA!

[firstime 0]

The AFF can go anywhere from 2k to 3k depending
on the DZ and if you pass every jump. Once your off
student status the $ becomes 2nd hand other than buying a rig. Everyone advised me to buy used but
I opted to buy new.. I had the $ so I figured do it now. Now that I rambled on,.... it is no different from
from scuba, snow skiiing, water skiing, rock climbing.
If you really love this sport, go for it brother,.. who
gives a shit about the $. What good is that brinks
truck following your hearse going to do???

[LiveLifeGoJump 0]

One reason for a newly qualified skydiver to buy secondhand is that until you have gained enough canopy skills & jump experience it is not always posible to hire & jump club kit as and when you need it and it is not advisable to go from a student freefall canopy (280sq ft?) to a high performance (120 or smaller) canopy.
If you downsize on hire kit then buy a secondhand kit (170sq ft main) then get plenty of experience jumping that you can then downsize further by borrowing friends/test rigs to help decide what size to buy new.

Get out, Land on a green bit. If you get the pull somewhere in between it would help.

[tdog 0]

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What good is that brinks
truck following your hearse going to do???

A business professor told me 6 years ago - "Remember, when you die you are worth only what your organs will fetch on the wholesale market. Give all your money away before you die." That is what I am doing, I am giving it all to the DZ. ;-)