Help a beginner

[flyingmonkey 0]

I am very very new to the sport and think it is the best thing that I have ever done. But I have a few questions. My first is... why should I get my A liscense? What purpose does it serve? I am a college student with little money but I love jumping. What does an A liscense let me do that is different than just jumping? Like I said I am new to the sport. If anyone can help me, let me know how I should progress into being a weekend skydiver taking in all that I can.

[FrogNog 1]

An "A" license is like a driver's license in a way. It means you have trained and tested enough to be safe to jump on your own.

Lots of "new skydiver" questions and info can be found in the book "Parachuting: The Skydiver's Handbook" [ISBN 1568600879]. I think it is $20 well spent.

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Pull.

[TheBachelor 5]

If you want to jump with people that are not instructors or coaches, you'll need your 'A' license.

There are battered women? I've been eating 'em plain all of these years...

[bbarnhouse 0]

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why should I get my A liscense

You won't be able to jump at drop zones other than you own home dz without one.

[chuteless 1]

When I began jumping, I didnt get my "A", but did get my "B, C, and D'.

That was long ago, and I would highly recommend that you get your "A", and then the others as you progress.

Having an "A" is a start of recognition that you are capable and trustworthy to fly with, and jumpers will recognize that you have that ability because you have the licence.

Go for it, you're going to be making the jumps anyhow, so why not have the "A" which recognizes your ability to fly at a certain level.

Bill Cole D-41

[skyyhi 0]

The other thing about the A is (and this is a purely financial answer), the jumps are MUCH cheaper off student status. . .at least at my DZ. At my home DZ, when you are a student you pay for your student gear and pack job with your jump. . .it is $49. Also, MOST dropzones make you take some kind of progression before you are cleared for solo student status (i.e.; static line, IAD, AFF). All those types of jumps are WAY more expensive than a licensed jump, so my feeling is you should get licensed in order to be able to "afford" to jump. . .

________________________________________
Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ
FGF #6
Darcy

[robskydiv 0]

The "A License" is much like a passport. You'll need it in order to explore new adventures at different drop zones. Peace. Harry

[andyflylife 0]

An 'A' license is your right of passage. It turns you from a Student into a skydiver!!!
Plus when you get your 'A' .....beer rules apply!

Mines a Corrona with Lime in

Blue skies dude

"swooper 24/7, 365!"
ME on Myspace
My Project playlist

[katiebear21 0]

I agree with everyone here. I skipped my B and went straight to my C. Then I got stuck in that transition period but most events require 200 jumps which is now a C license (used to be a D).

When I get to 500, I'm sure I'll apply for a D.

Katie
Get your PMS glass necklace here

[bertusgeert 1]

Everyone here has good answers and reasons

I jumped at 4 DZ's before I had 28 jumps. I got my A card filled out at 19 jumps. I didnt do the test until 34 jumps, so I just got it, even though I had all the skills it required.

I got to jump at a few DZ's, but they all made sure that I knew wht I was doin, I was still a student, even at 33 jumps. But If I could flash an A number at them, it would have been much easier.

So yes - it is VERY much like your Drivers liscence. You can be the greatest and most skilled driver in the world, but if dont have a Drivers liscence, you are not allowed to drive.

But why do you ask about avoiding your A? it only costs $20. Or is it all the coach jumps you want to avoid? I did only 2 coach jumps. $40. I dont quite understand?

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As jy dom is moet jy bloei!

[tombuch 0]

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But why do you ask about avoiding your A? it only costs $20. Or is it all the coach jumps you want to avoid? I did only 2 coach jumps. $40. I dont quite understand?

Actually, in the USA an "A" license is free. An instructor administers the tests then signs and stamps the yellow card. That is a complete and valid "A" license. The 20.00 fee is just if you want to get a number and register the license with USPA, and while that may be required by a local DZ, it is not required by USPA.

Tom Buchanan
A-7349
Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem)
Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Tom Buchanan
Instructor Emeritus
Comm Pilot MSEL,G
Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

[bertusgeert 1]

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But why do you ask about avoiding your A? it only costs $20. Or is it all the coach jumps you want to avoid? I did only 2 coach jumps. $40. I dont quite understand?

Actually, in the USA an "A" license is free. An instructor administers the tests then signs and stamps the yellow card. That is a complete and valid "A" license. The 20.00 fee is just if you want to get a number and register the license with USPA, and while that may be required by a local DZ, it is not required by USPA.

Tru - I have my card filled out, but havent faxed it in. Too stingy! THATS A JUMP DAMMIT!!!

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As jy dom is moet jy bloei!

[flyingmonkey 0]

There are a ton of coach jumps required at the DZ near me. It is the AFF program which ends up totaling over 1500$. I know that I should go through the program anyways so that I become knowledgable and safe. I am curious how you only did 2 coach jumps as well as how you are only charged 40$. I must go to the wrong DZ.

[Auryn 0]

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There are a ton of coach jumps required at the DZ near me. It is the AFF program which ends up totaling over 1500$. I know that I should go through the program anyways so that I become knowledgable and safe. I am curious how you only did 2 coach jumps as well as how you are only charged 40$. I must go to the wrong DZ.

The policy re: coaching varies from DZ to DZ, from progression to progression.

the REQUIREMENTS for coach sign offs are listed on the A proficiency card. if you can meet all those requirements in two dives then a coach can sign them off. Note: if a student is entirely AFF, then you have the additional 2 hop and pops w/ a coach, but the cost is less than $40, more like $22 and $16

However, some DZs require more actual dives to get the skills.. the want you to have 6 or 7. My previous home DZ was this way, even before the coach rating was invented (damn I feel old at 24) they required, on thier own independent of USPA, 5 coach dives w/ BIC rated jumpers.

my personal preference is in between.. I will not combine A card sign offs into one dive, which can be done.. the reason being, I don't want to put too much pressure on a student to accomplish 2 goals in 1 dive and encourage a low pull, which I have allready been involved in.. NEVER again.

these dives aren't that expensive compared to AFF, and can be a lot more fun and pressure free as long as only 1 objective is present. and I always include an IF qualifier. IF you meet the goal, we will learn more about turns and whatnot.

Blue Skies !

Bryan

D27808 Coach 04

[bomb420 1]

Hopefully you can find some "coaches" at you DZ that will go with you either free or for the cost of a ticket + someitmes packjob. Depends on the DZ, but at mine I had no problems and spent money on one coach jump for my A license. Barter works well too for a good amount of non-skygod skydivers (beer, food, booze, places to crash, etc).

Edit: This is after you get on student solo status. Before that look to spend $1000 and up to get to that point. Skydiving is a lifestyle change, like anything of its caliber it will own you and your money.

When researching DZ's for your course, look into how safe their equipment looks (cypress etc), how nice the staff is, how much coach jumps are, gear rental once on student solo status, cost of courses, experiance of staff, etc. You'll be spending a lot of time and money at this place so make sure they fit your bill.

Also rememeber, taking a week or two off and going out of state (far distance) might be cheaper in the long run when u figure all the cost involved.

These people you are hiring to keep you safe, make sure you get a good vibe from them.

Best of luck....

HYPOXIC

[skyyhi 0]

AFF costs a lot. . .you cannot get to solo student status without some sort of initial training (i.e.; AFF, Static line, IAD, etc.). MOST ALL DZs require this to let you jump out of a plane on your own. For the A license you must make a total of 25 skydives. There are things that need to be signed off on your A license card and some of those things involve you working with a coach. Depending on the DZ, there will be different requirements for those coach jumps. . .All said, the initial training that will allow you to jump without supervision will cost you the most. No, you aren't going to find too many dzs that will allow you to throw your body out of a plane without formal instruction. . .sorry!

________________________________________
Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ
FGF #6
Darcy

[bch7773 0]

if you don't have much money, learn with static line... its much cheaper.
and like everyone said, get your A license. unless you want to do just solos or just jump with coaches (which costs mucho $$$ at most dropzones).

MB 3528, RB 1182