groundedkiwi 0 #1 February 9, 2005 Hi. Just thought i would share some experiences from the diploma course... the course is 4 months less 3 weeks holidays plus 3 months working for free at a dz (accommodation not included), the brochure they send says 1 year full time course. When students applied for a student allowance it was refused as the school didnt know their own correct course details and reference numbers. ALOT of time is spent on the ground due to weather and the fact that the only two people qualified to teach AFF are also 2 of the 3 tandem masters. on a day that is good for jumping they will book tandems over students.Steve and Kirsty do have their own airfield but going there involves taking the plane, pilot and instructors away from Wigram which means nobody is there to do tandems. When you do get to jump you then expect to be on the ground for the next few days until they get back round to you again. There is way to much time inbetween jumps. Assignments and lectures are done when there is nothing else do to. You will get to do the dishes, wash vans etc. it is free labour basically. You can learn all the same things by hanging out at a friendly dropzone. If you decide the course is not for you you will not get a refund at all. You are also hassled into buying rigs etc from sources that Steve finds. You are not encouraged to find your own gear. They will take jumps away from you. If you fail a level, which nearly everybody does, you will be charged resits. You must use your remaining jumps, that you dont use on the course, at Wigram. think very carefully about attending this course. Once you've paid they dont care anymore and you feel like they dont want you there. just thought i would share..... thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstime 0 #2 February 9, 2005 troll with sour apples???? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #3 February 9, 2005 Quotetroll with sour apples???? Doesn't sound like a troll to me. Sounds like an unsaticfied customer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #4 February 9, 2005 QuoteDoesn't sound like a troll to me. Sounds like an unsaticfied customer. If only got 12 jumps from that program, i'd be unsatisfied too. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydog 2 #5 February 9, 2005 Quotetroll with sour apples???? Dont think so. And if you want an ex-course director view PM me. BrynJourney not destination..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #6 February 9, 2005 Quotetroll with sour apples???? Sounds like a person relaying their actual experiences at the school to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spencer 0 #7 February 9, 2005 Are you still on course?. How are the rest of the students finding the course. Are they happy or not. Are you a Kiwi, or from overseas. What are your expectations from the course and what are you hoping to do at the end of it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstime 0 #8 February 10, 2005 I stand corrected Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #9 February 10, 2005 I tell you what, i was on the first course, and i had the same problems, however, i did the same moaning and i have issues with them. Though with that said, you must realise that the course is slow at first, once you are licensed you start doing around 5-8 jumps a day, then you start getting in trouble if you do not want to jump. Everything you say is very valid but i must tell you to be more patient as it will pick up in a major way. I hope it all works out for you, A piece of advice form experience though,,,,,,, do not have sick days as you will lose money after 5 sick days, do not be late to the dz, and work your ass off. If you work your ass off you will be set up in the skydiving industry, if you moan they will not care for you. If you get the chance to do your work experience with them in queenstown, make sure you do it , but know you will have to impress them for that. Queenstown and taupo skydivers do about 1000 paid jumps a year and get good money. If you are on the course, and pull out you will not get a refund, i advise you to put your head down and work your ass off. Have some paitence though as it will pick up and the trip to queenstown rocks!! .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GTAVercetti 0 #10 February 10, 2005 QuoteI tell you what, i was on the first course, and i had the same problems, however, i did the same moaning and i have issues with them. Though with that said, you must realise that the course is slow at first, once you are licensed you start doing around 5-8 jumps a day, then you start getting in trouble if you do not want to jump. Everything you say is very valid but i must tell you to be more patient as it will pick up in a major way. I hope it all works out for you, A piece of advice form experience though,,,,,,, do not have sick days as you will lose money after 5 sick days, do not be late to the dz, and work your ass off. If you work your ass off you will be set up in the skydiving industry, if you moan they will not care for you. If you get the chance to do your work experience with them in queenstown, make sure you do it , but know you will have to impress them for that. Queenstown and taupo skydivers do about 1000 paid jumps a year and get good money. If you are on the course, and pull out you will not get a refund, i advise you to put your head down and work your ass off. Have some paitence though as it will pick up and the trip to queenstown rocks!! ick, I like my skydiving fun. And I like taking off if I am sick. Cause jumping while feeling like utter crap? Not so good.Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #11 February 10, 2005 so do i!! The reason i did the course was because my government gave me the money as a student loan to pay for it up front quite an easy way to get into skydiving .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
