samyueru 0 #1 October 29, 2003 Got a question - I'm working on my A license while studying in Australia (til december) Right when I get back, I'm going to Florida for a week. With my new Australian A license, will I be able to jump in the US? As far as long term goes, what will I need to do to transfer over my license with the USPA? Thanks a lot. -Alex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tombuch 0 #2 October 29, 2003 The specific requirements to jump at a DZ are set by the specific DZ. You won't find an answer to that question here. Go to the DZ web page and get their email address. Send the question to directly to the drop zone along with an outline of the license requirements in Australia. It shouldn't be a huge problem, but you should get that answer directly from management at the drop zone you will be visiting. As for converting to the USPA license, it shouldn't be hard. Check out the SIM at uspa.org for the domestic license requirements. Make sure you document each of the requirements in your log book and get the jumps signed off by another jumper...an instructor would be better, but a regular jumper sig should do. When you get to this country a local S&TA or USPA instructor will correlate your actual jumps to the requirements. There is also an oral test that the may be required, but that is generally just a discussion of material in the SIM. My hunch is that for you the oral part will focus mostly on USPA regs and FAR's. The process of converting your "A" license is simple but it will vary from one drop zone to another. Don't sweat it. Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) S&TA, The Ranch Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and EasyTom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samyueru 0 #3 October 29, 2003 Great! Thanks a lot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adriandavies 0 #4 October 29, 2003 Just out of curiosity but what type of rig have you been using in Oz? When I started doing AFF there I used what I think is called an SOS (front mounted rip cord for main deployment with a single cutaway/reserve rip cord mounted on the left hand side). A lot of Oz DZ's seem to use this system. At the time I didn't know anything different so when i went to jump back home I had a few changes to make. This may cause a bit of head scratching when you come to jump in the States as you will have to convert to some sort of BOC either with rip cord or throw out. If so you may have to do a check out jump with an instructor and you will have to re learn your emergency procedures! Its just a thought but it may help you get established more quickly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maxim 0 #5 October 29, 2003 My Australian DZ used Student Vortex's with a ripcord deployment on the right hip and a cutaway/reserve handle top left... Life is Great. Even Greater what we do with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adriandavies 0 #6 October 29, 2003 Hi Maxim. Changing DZ's and equipment can be a problem. Sticking with one instructor all the way through a course is a really good idea. I ran out of good weather in Oz before finishing my AFF so I ended up at Skydive Portugal to finish my levels. The chief instructor there wanted me to jump with two instructors as if I was on a level 3 jump, but with one instructor just making sure that I went for the right (BOC) rip cord rather than going for the cutaway which was in the position where I would have found the rip cord back in Oz. I know that at the time jumping with two instructors was largely down to my inexperience, but their main concern was about my muscle particularly in a stress situation. In comparison changing from rip cord to pull out seems to be a much smaller step. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samyueru 0 #7 November 12, 2003 We just an SOS system at my drop zone for student gear, too. From talking to my JM's, it seems pretty common. Actually..I've never even seen another system. My ripcord is on the right side of my stomach, and my reserve rip is on the left side of my chest. I've seen throwouts before, of course - but, for rental in the US is it mostly ripcords or throw-outs? How are the cut away and reserve handles positioned? Thanks. -Alex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masher 1 #8 November 12, 2003 Just make sure you get your A licence and do your conversions before you go to Florida. That way, you'll be up to speed on the sports gear.-- Arching is overrated - Marlies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samyueru 0 #9 November 12, 2003 What do you mean by conversions? -Alex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #10 November 12, 2003 Converting from using a Single operating system (SOS) to a Twin system (cutaway handle and reserve handle) In Oz you can learn with either a ripcord or BOC but as far as I know all students use an SOS. Once you have come off student training and are using looking at using sports gear you need instruction on how to do your EP's with the twin system. Here it involves 5 jumps for your conversion aswell as an oral exam.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samyueru 0 #11 November 12, 2003 Do you usually have to pay extra for these conversion jumps? (i.e., for someone important to watch you) Or is it laregly just a matter of doing some tame jumps to get experience doing practice emergency procedures? Cheers, Alex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masher 1 #12 November 12, 2003 I did tame jumps. (NON INSTRUCTOR DISCLAIMER) You do practice throws on your PC, and touch all your emergency handles in freefall. Once you open, clear your airspace, and do practice touches on you handles. I also pulled high ~5k. Thats the basics. You'll be briefed properly by your CI/DZSO-- Arching is overrated - Marlies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samyueru 0 #13 November 12, 2003 Cool. Thanks for all the help! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
britboynz 0 #14 November 12, 2003 Thats interesting....where I'm learning in NZ (TTS, Taupo) the student rigs all have a throw out pilot chute and 2 handles. I called in at another DZ closer to home (Much! closer...only 30 mins as opposed to 3hrs drive) their rigs have a ripcord & single cutaway (is this what is referred to as an S.O.S?) handle. Presumably this is down to individual DZ preferrence? I was a bit suprised by this, thinking that there would be some requirement that AFF be taught on consistent equipment. In the end I decided it wasn't worth the hassle/confusion moving to a closer DZ half way through the AFF to use unfamiliar equipment then finding myself hunting around for a non existant handle in the event of a mal! Russ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #15 November 13, 2003 QuoteDo you usually have to pay extra for these conversion jumps? (i.e., for someone important to watch you) Or is it laregly just a matter of doing some tame jumps to get experience doing practice emergency procedures? Cheers, Alex they didn't charge me extra to convert but I had to do 5 solos before I could get signed off for throw away twin system.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
