AFF in Tri-State area

[papax17 0]

Well I will be doing AFF during my spring break in around the middle of March. I have done my first 2 jumps at Cross Keys and I like it a lot there but it is almost a 3 hour drive from my house (I dont mind driving a while longer if one dropzone is safer then the other). I did read most of the DZ.com reviews but I'm sure there are many people who have not shared their experiences.

So I suppose my question is what are some of your experiences at Tri-State dropzones. Are there some I should be wary of? What should I look for in a DZ other then the USPA membership.


Thanks in advance

[Sled14 0]

I've only been to Crosskeys and Skydive Orange so I may not have the best advise but would recommend Crosskeys if your in Jersey. I finished AFF there after my first 7 jumps as Orange and almost have my A. Only negative thing is that weather is pretty bad, especially winds. If u do go to Crosskeys I'd look at Accuweather to see wind speed and gusts (08095). I've wasted a couple days showing up when they had a hold because of weather.

[johnny1488 1]

If you are more north in NJ the Ranch in gardiner NY could be an option.

www.skydivetheranch.com

The operation goes back into full swing in march or april, but they will jump with you earlier if you give them a call.

Johnny
--"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!"
Mike Rome

[Genn 0]

Hi John,

I'm in Passaic County and The Ranch is only about an hour from me (287 to the Thruway).

I did my AFF there quite a few years ago and still highly recommend it now. Great Instructors and a large fleet of airplanes.

[papax17 0]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I appreciate it. Right now I'm stuck between Sussex and the Ranch. I just gotta do some soul searching I suppose.

thanks
papa

[Eule 0]

Quote

Right now I'm stuck between Sussex and the Ranch. I just gotta do some soul searching I suppose.

Something I did when I was starting (June 2005) was to go to the dropzone just to hang out and ask
a few questions and check it out in general. I went to two places near me and ended up at the second
one; the vibe was a lot better there and so far I haven't regretted it. I realize this is a little harder for
you to do until it warms up a bit, but you can hit one DZ on Saturday and the other on Sunday and
see what you think.

Eule

PLF does not stand for Please Land on Face.

[kallend 2,112]

There is only one "4-corners" area in the USA, but there are dozens of "tri-state" areas. You need to be more specific.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[papax17 0]

Quote

Quote

Right now I'm stuck between Sussex and the Ranch. I just gotta do some soul searching I suppose.

Something I did when I was starting (June 2005) was to go to the dropzone just to hang out and ask
a few questions and check it out in general. I went to two places near me and ended up at the second
one; the vibe was a lot better there and so far I haven't regretted it. I realize this is a little harder for
you to do until it warms up a bit, but you can hit one DZ on Saturday and the other on Sunday and
see what you think.

Eule

Hang out at the DZ eh? People wont be like "what the fuck is clown doin around here?"


When I said Tri-State area I meant New york, New Jersey and Conetticuit. Sorry if I wasnt very specific.

[LittleOne 0]

I've spent a fair amount of time at Cross Keys, the Ranch, SD Long Island and Sky's the Limit. I did my AFF at STL when they were in Newton but they have since moved to just over the PA border (still very close to NY/NJ).

I do not think you have to wary at any of these dzs. They all run fine and safe student programs. It's great to have so many dzs in the area but I and many others regularly drive at least two hours each way. You can try to set up a rideshare once you pick a dz.

Starting your training in March may be the deciding factor. Cross Keys will be open but check with the others since March is still early in this area and the weather will be volatile.

Feel free to PM me if you want more detail.

[Eule 0]

Quote

Quote

Something I did when I was starting (June 2005) was to go to the dropzone just to hang out
and ask a few questions and check it out in general.

Hang out at the DZ eh? People wont be like "what the fuck is clown doin around here?"

If they _are_ like that, maybe that's a clue... :)

What I have found (at more than one DZ) is that the DZ staff, and to a lesser extent the regular jumpers
there, know right away if someone they haven't seen before walks in the door. The staff will usually ask
the new person if he/she wants to jump, and that's when you tell them you want to hang out and watch
and maybe ask a few questions. Both of the places I went to were totally cool with this. I watched some
landings, talked to the manifest person, talked to a couple of the instructors and video guys, and all were
quite happy to answer my questions. Now, if you go in the middle of the afternoon on a nice sunny day
when they're slammed with jumpers, they may not have as much time to talk, but if you go first thing in
the morning or on a slightly colder day, it will be slower and easier to talk to someone.

Disclaimer: The DZs I have visited have all been in the southern US, which is allegedly more laid back.
Maybe it's different on the East Coast... everyone up there lives in the big city, is rude and impatient,
has all their teeth, and doesn't even know which end of a cow to milk. :)

Eule

PLF does not stand for Please Land on Face.

[papax17 0]

It looks like I will be visiting some DZ's over the next couple of weeks.

[velvetjo 0]

You might want to check out Above the Poconos in Hazleton, PA, too. I jump there so I'm a bit biased, but I think their take on the student progression offers the best aspects of tandem, IAD, & AFF. Check it out for yourself on their website. Good luck with your training wherever you end up.

Lance

[Pancake 0]

Definitely visit all the dropzones you are considering. All the dzs you mentioned will most likely have simlilar winds this time of year (it can get quite gusty in the northeast in the late winter/spring) Be sure to not only check the weather forecasts but also CALL THE DZ directly (a cellphone comes in handy) to find out what the wind conditions are. Winds are typically calmest in the morning and near sunset.

Also find out what the specific wind restriction is for students. USPA BSRs state a 14mph maximum ground wind for students with square reserves. Cross Keys has a waiver up to 18mph for students when the conditions aren't gusty.

Consider attending safety day. Cross Keys will be hosting Safety Day on Sat. March 11. Many other dropzones coincide with this date, but check the USPA website for a full calendar of participating DZs. http://www.uspa.org/safety/safety_day.htm

In the end, choosing which dropzone to complete your training at is a personal choice. You must be comfortable with the people and the environment. You must also be patient as weather restrictions are always made with student safety in mind. Plan on spending all day at the DZ if you can (you learn an amazing amount just by watching others, especially when the winds are deemed inappropriate for students) Take that time to talk to the instructors.

Pancake