Bigwallmaster 0 #1 February 7, 2006 I have a friend who lives in SF that did a tandem yesterday and is now fired up on going through AFF. He lives on the Haight and would like to know which dropzone would be his best option for AFF. Also, can anyone tell me long of a drive it would be from downtown SF to Byron? Thanks, J.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsaxton 0 #2 February 7, 2006 A little over an hour. Either; bay bridge -> 680S -> 580E -> Grant Line Rd -> Mountain Home -> Byron HWY or if the bridge is F***ed 280S -> 101S -> 92E -> 80N -> 238E -> 580E ... Great place to take AFF. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #3 February 7, 2006 Byron or Davis, imho. Both dz's have great people and excellent instructors. Byron is closest to SF. Davis tends to be a bit less windy than Byron. Lodi is another option; it's a longer drive but could end up being less expensive. Hollister or Monterey are other choices. I don't know enough about any of these three dz's training programs to make a recommendation. I'd suggest he visit each of them, ask questions and make his own decision. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #4 February 7, 2006 I went through AFF at Hollister. Their program is top notch. They go to 15K, so you get a little more time each jump. The landing area is not at the airport, which requires a van ride back. I liked this because I got the full attention of my instructors during the ride for a thorough debrief. Due to its location, when the other locations are weathered in, Hollister seems to still be able to jump. I also jump at Davis & Byron and as skybytch said, you can't go wrong there either. Each DZ has its own vibe, so visit and see which one fits.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #5 February 8, 2006 Coming from SF, Hollister and Davis are 15 miles further than Byron. However, you don't have to cross the bay bridge coming back from Hollister. On a Saturday, that's worth at least 15 miles. Sometimes on a Sunday too. Davis has the issue with the 80/680 junction in Fairfield on weekends that can be really ugly in the summer. I'd rather go there on a Saturday than a Sunday because of it. The people at Byron seem very nice, but I know nothing of their instruction. I suspect that he should plan to show up early in the day to train there, before the afternoon winds. (I had a similar situation at Monterey) If he's like me and would like to sleep in, and leave home at 11 (or 10 or 9), he might have better luck at Skydance or Hollister. I did my post AFF student jumps at Skydance and routinely arrived at noon or so. Lodi's AFF is cheap, but done on weekdays. Great for those whose work schedule allows. Otherwise seems better to pay a few hundred more and spend more than 2 days on it. I personally wouldn't suggest Monterey because of the weather issues, esp living in SF. Why drive past Hollister? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #6 February 8, 2006 I'm an AFF instructor at Byron. During the week it's usually out of our 206, and on weekends we do it out of the King Air. The biggest problem with graduating the AFF program at Byron is the likelyhood that your friend will become a merciless postwhore. EG: Girlfalldown graduated AFF at Byron (me, too) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ematteo 0 #7 February 9, 2006 Hey, have your friend pm me if he ever wants a ride to Davis. I live in the lower Haight and head up there often. Former-Green-Tortoise-driver Josh also lives on Haight, and Boomer (Byron guy) just moved in across the street from me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #8 February 9, 2006 FYI - Spring is not the windy season at Byron. We did 3 AFF students yesterday with a few levels each. We have two more today doing L2 & L3. This is a great time to do AFF in Byron. Weekday instructors include, myself, Connie, Vic and Clay. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swoopyswoop 0 #9 February 24, 2006 Be sure to check out hollister, top nptch instructors and a good vibe there. Just stay away from the golf cart after hours. Byron and davis also have an awesome program as well as lodi. All turbine dropzones and all of them are a lot of fun. "when I die, I want to go like my grandfather while im sleeping, not like the passengers riding in the car with me Swoopster A.S.S. #6 Future T.S.S holder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
