Not old enough

[uebe 0]

Hey, I'm new to this site, and didn't know where to post this. I live in Orange County, California. I have wanted to learn to skydive for quite some time, being able to get my certificate that allows me to dive solo. But I'm only 14 1/2 years old, and all of the skydiving organizations I checked out require you to be 18+. Does anyone here know a place that will let me take a training course with a parent-signed waiver, so that after a few dives with an instructor I would be able to dive solo? Thanks.

[FrancoR 0]

Quote

Does anyone here know a place that will let me take a training course with a parent-signed waiver,

Yes, i do, germany but thats a bit far away from orange county. We habe a 14 year old Student at the moment, its amazing how fast they learn compared to the older students.

If it does not cost anything you are the product.

[uebe 0]

How many jumps will it take to get my license in Germany? If I obtain it in Germany, will I be able to jump here in California? I'm going to Germany the summer after next, I am German by birth and I speak German almost fluently.

[quade 4]

In the U.S., there are two different types of drop zones: drop zones that are Group Members of the United States Parachute Association and drop zones that are not.

USPA Group Member drop zones will not allow you to jump if you are under the age of 16. In fact, some require you to be 18. This is strictly for their legal protection and since it's their business -- that's fair.

There are several non-member drop zones in California that -may- let you jump. For the most part, these drop zones use the same equipment and procedures used at USPA Group Member drop zones and their instuctors are probably also licensed by the USPA to give instruction according to the USPA standards.

I can think of no drop zones in Southern California where you might be able to jump, but if you're willing to drive a bit, there is at least one I can think of in the middle of the state that you might want to contact. http://parachutecenter.com/ Obviously, you'll want to talk with these folks well in advance of actually going there.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Chrisky 2]

You will be able to get your license after doing a minimum of 20 jumps (maybe 25 now). Before that you will need to finish AFF (not considering static line progression as time is an issue for you) and take a written exam as well as do two license test jumps, one from 1.000 m and another one with an instructor, doing all kinds of control checks on the dive as well as landing within a specified distance from a predefined target.
If you're fluent in german, you can mail the people at
www.fallschirmsportverband.de, the german parachute association, with any questions, they usually reply pretty quickly and should have quite some material at hand.

If you get to a Dropzone in Germany that has an AFF week, you can get to solo student status within a week, maybe get licensed within two or three. This largely depends on the dropzones' hours (there are only a handful of DZs in Germany that are open all week).
Basically the only issue apart of the parents waiver is whether you are big enough to fit into a student harness safely.
HTH
Edited to add: The german license is accepted in the US and internationally, but you might have different regulations affecting you in the US if you are a US citizen. (Like as a german, in order to jump in Germany you need to obtain a german license, while not being german, you don't need the german license).

The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open.
From the edge you just see more.
... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ...

[Tink1717 2]

You may be able to get a license in another country, but will not be able to jump in the US until you reach the age of 18. You can thank the lawyers for this one.

Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off.
-The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!)
AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717