AFP vs. AFF?

[charleslittle 0]

Greetings one and all...I'm a new skydiver at Level 5 of the AFF training program. I'm wondering opinions on the AFP program vs. the AFF program. I'm assuming that it probably doesn't make much of a difference. Every skydiver that I've met is super safety-oriented...I don't think this condition would change from one training program to the next. However, I am curious if any of you feel that there's a grave difference between the two programs.

"Life is a party...dance your way through it!"

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

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Every skydiver that I've met is super safety-oriented...

lol!! j/k

There is a discussion that was going on about this comparison in the introductions forum. Might want to check it out. I did AFF, but personally, I think AFP sounds like a better program.

Angela.

[Samurai136 0]

After you finish AFF lvl 7 you may not be qualified for an A license. My understanding is that the AFP progression takes you to being qualified for an A license. I could be wrong. I'm not totally familiar w/ the AFP progression.

Ken

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[AggieDave 6]

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After you finish AFF lvl 7 you may not be qualified for an A license. My understanding is that the AFP progression takes you to being qualified for an A license. I could be wrong. I'm not totally familiar w/ the AFP progression.

After AFF lvl 7 you're not qualified for an A either, you still have to do 25 jumps total, if it takes 25 jumps to get off AFF...well, there's something going on there.

The difference between AFF and AFP is very simple. AFF 1 and AFF 2 are now tandems. On those tandems you have to have a good arch, you have to pull (on time and correctly), you do turns. Then you ID the canopy, find the airport, help fly a pattern and help land the canopy.

After Tan CatA and Tandem CatB, you take a FJC (transisiton course) which is basically the AFF ground course. Students do well in this course and in the rest of their AFF since they've been there, they've had atleast 2 jumps (usually 3 due to having a "fun" tandem 1st), they're less likely to freeze on the AFF-I's, etc. Not only that, but they know what a good canopy looks like, they know how to steer it, they know how to flare it, they know what a landing pattern should look like, etc.

So basically, IMHO, AFP turns out better A license jumpers AND makes AFF and the FJC easier for the student since the learning environment is so much better for the first 2 jumps.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[webracer 0]

AFP is quite a more comprehensive program than AFF. The new Integrated Student Program that USPA has been developing is closely mimicking AFP, which has existed for years.
AFP divides up some of the more task-intensive AFF jumps to better work on each skill. AFP also includes comprehensive canopy control training. AFP includes sitfly exits, backflying, and more advanced manuevers, and builds on itself as you progress.
If you finish AFP in 20 jumps, you will have completed all the requirements of an A license (prior to 9/30/2003). It is common for students to repeat one or two levels, most finish with 21-25 jumps.
I instruct AFP part time, and have done AFF as well. I feel that in general, an AFP graduate A license holder has twice the skills as an AFF graduate A license holder.
I went through AFF myself. I wish I would have gone through AFP.
If I do recurrency or coach jumps with an AFP grad, I pretty much know what to expect. If it is an AFF grad, anything could happen (and does).
AFP is better.

Of course, I am talking of Skydive Chicago's AFP, there are others using the acronym that are doing things a bit differently.

Troy

I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

[AggieDave 6]

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includes sitfly exits, backflying, and more advanced manuevers, and builds on itself as you progress.

That right there depends on the DZ, though.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[kallend 2,146]

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AFP is quite a more comprehensive program than AFF. The new Integrated Student Program that USPA has been developing is closely mimicking AFP, which has existed for years.
AFP divides up some of the more task-intensive AFF jumps to better work on each skill. AFP also includes comprehensive canopy control training. AFP includes sitfly exits, backflying, and more advanced manuevers, and builds on itself as you progress.
If you finish AFP in 20 jumps, you will have completed all the requirements of an A license (prior to 9/30/2003). It is common for students to repeat one or two levels, most finish with 21-25 jumps.
I instruct AFP part time, and have done AFF as well. I feel that in general, an AFP graduate A license holder has twice the skills as an AFF graduate A license holder.
I went through AFF myself. I wish I would have gone through AFP.
If I do recurrency or coach jumps with an AFP grad, I pretty much know what to expect. If it is an AFF grad, anything could happen (and does).
AFP is better.

AFF is standardized, AFP is not. Different DZs offer different products under the name AFP. Some "AFP" programs are hardly any different from AFF. Caveat emptor.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[jumperconway 0]

When I did AFF, it was 8 levels and on your own. The dz I'm at now doe's AFP and I think that the students leave much more proficient than we did. 2-3 tandems first then 1 jm through your A license and all jumps are video'd. You have the opportunity to almost customize your training as you progress. I am a firm believer in doing a learning tandem first if you decide on AFF. Good luck!Blue skies,
Conway