Spatula 0 #1 December 16, 2003 Here's a question. I'm a student who desperatly wants to get his "A" license. Due to monetary reasons, I cannot do it all in a month or so. But making a few jumps each month is more realistic. What would you (anyone) reccomend? Just putting it aside while I save up for the full cost of the license, or jump as I can as long as I stay within the guidelines for progression (one jump per 30 days)? I do realize that I'd be better to jump more frequently, but I expect to be able to jump 4-5 times a month while training. Just looking for some opinions on it. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
panzwami 0 #2 December 16, 2003 There's nothing wrong with either method. You can save up and do it all at once, or spread it out over time. It depends on what you want to do. Personally, I always favored spreading it out evenly over time, since there's less time that passes between jumps. The other way, you do more jumps at a time, but the gaps are longer. By spreading things out evenly, you maintain something of a flow to your jumping, without long gaps where you can forget stuff. Matt ----- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meltdown 0 #3 December 16, 2003 If I was you I'd get through AFF as quickly as reasonably possible, then take your time getting your A if you need to. Once through AFF, the fear/pressure factor subsides considerably (did for me, anyway). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spatula 0 #4 December 16, 2003 Can someone clarify, 8 jumps gets your through AFF, then 17 left until the "A"? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hazarrd 1 #5 December 16, 2003 just sell all of your possessions and then your problems will go away .-. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #6 December 16, 2003 Quotejust sell all of your possessions and then your problems will go away Blood included __________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meltdown 0 #7 December 16, 2003 It depends on the DZ. AFF for me was 2 tandems, and 5 jumps with jumpmasters. Then you may have to do coaching jumps (all of it counts towards the A). The new A requirement is 25 jumps, but it often takes more than that, because you have to perform a number of tasks (riser turns, accuracy landings, docking, packing, etc), and unless you're really focused on getting them checked off, you can easily get to 25 jumps and beyond without finishing the card. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catfishhunter 2 #8 December 16, 2003 Talk with the folks at your DZ. Make each jump count! I packed my rig,jumped it, spotted the plane all on A HOP-N-POP. Got 3 things in one jump. Talk with your Instructors and other and just make each and every jump count. Also talk with the jump pilot, I am sure he will be more then happy to help you with spotting and all the requirements about the airport/plane stuff. Which he can sign off for you.One thing I learned is everyone is willing to help you but you have to let them know you need it! MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meltdown 0 #9 December 16, 2003 *** I packed my rig,jumped it, spotted the plane all on A HOP-N-POP. ____________________________________________ Jumped your first pack job on a hop-n-pop? Yikes! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newsstand 0 #10 December 16, 2003 I just went through this and my personal recommendation is save up enough to get through AFF and the coaching jumps, assuming no repeats. Lots of places will give a small discount if you pre-pay and it makes the jumps feel like they are free. After that try and do at least two jumps at a time. I go once a month and do three because I rent the gear and it is $25 a jump or $50 for the day. With lift tickets it comes to $110 once a month. The big thing I would stress is get your A card started on day one and make sure you are not just meeting the AFF requirements but covering the things on the card. For the most part they overlap but there are several things on the old card, and I assume more on the new one that are meant to be handled in the coaching phase. I could have finished up at 21 jumps just before the requirements changed but there were a few items not complete on the card. Now four more jumps was no big deal and I had no pressing need for the license as I wasn't planning on jumping anywhere else but it would have been nice to squeak in under the wire. As it was I did my check jump on jump 25 and got licensed that day. "Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spatula 0 #11 December 16, 2003 Newsstand- great reply.....definitly will take that into consideration. My only issue right now is that I'M GOING NUtS I WANT TO JUMP SO BAD!!!!! To save up to dough will push my into the summer sometime, versus starting in the early spring. But your right the two DZ's I'm deciding between do offer a discount for the entire purchase. Ah....and to think after the "A" all I have to worry about is gear choices and that's a piece of cake right!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catfishhunter 2 #12 December 16, 2003 Quote*** I packed my rig,jumped it, spotted the plane all on A HOP-N-POP. ____________________________________________ Jumped your first pack job on a hop-n-pop? Yikes! Well I figured if it wasn't gonna open I didn't want to wonder for 9,000 feet! Another thing I did was double up on my coach jumps.(example) When I went to hand deploy I also knocked off my manuevers. Make each jump count and you will have your A in no time! I got my A card done in 20 jumps and I just got my B License yesterday! 62 jumps total now. MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdgregory 0 #13 December 18, 2003 I like the way my home DZ does things. They wrap the first 25 jumps into an AFF prgression and design the tasks on each jump so that by the time you get to jump 20 you are finished with your card. Then on jump 20-23 you can do solos or coached jumps and then you do your graduation jump (what some people call a check jump) and then they give you jump 25 for free which is usually your first 4, 5 or 6 way, whichever you want as long people are willing. There are always people willing here ( I kept mine to a 4 way and we pulled 7 points and now I love RW) At 25 jumps I had my A because there was nothing left to fill in. Get your home DZ to help you set up a similar plan of attack and then go for it with a set plan, that way when you finish 25 you got everything completed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
