n00b Question

[QuickDraw 0]

This is probably more for the U.K peeps (unless you know better),but is the U.S AFF course recognized by the BPA ?
Obviously I would not like to waste time and money.
Also (if any) ,what are the differences (i.e..training,license,s etc) between the two.
Or is this just a trick to make me jump in the rain :D

[rmcvey 0]

no.
if the course is held at a "BPA Affiliated" DZ or held by the BPA syllabus then yes.
If you went to the US, did their version of AFF you may as well have gone on a Golfing holiday because it will mean jack shit when you get home.
I did my AFF in the US but it was under the BPA syllabous with British Instructors.
Places like Sebastian have AFF courses for Brits, but double chech everything possible and be 100% that it will accepted as Cat 8 (A licience) when you get back to the UK.
Ask or phone your local DZ about the course your thinking about and give them the details, they should be able to re assure you.
BS's

[rmcvey 0]

Also if your dead set on AFF and have not signed up yet , my two AFF instructors, who go out to Elsinore once a year with maybe 2-6 AFF students are going out to california in May.
The price of the AFF you will not be able to beat over here (UK) because its not a commercial operation.
They have normal jobs and do the training for fun. So you pay their flights accomodation food beer etc, and they teach you to skydive.
the course includes a rig for the WHOLE two weeks (as many jumps as you like after you graduate)
free camera on every jump inc. stills.(they take a brit camera geek)
Re-jumps at slot price (ie £10 as opposed to anywhere upto £50 depending on what level)
They do all this for £1400.
you could probably do this for cheaper in the UK, but think about the rig rental. thats what eats up all your money. Jumps over there are $14 (£10) where in the UK they are £17
Kit hire can vary from £5 - £15 a jump in the UK.
If you did the course in the US for £1400, did 20 jumps after you graduated, with the free rig. it would cost $280 (£200)
if you did 20 after AFF in the UK it would cost you £17 per jump plus the £10 per jump for a rig = £540!
Send me a PM and ill give you more details if your interested. They go out in May and are well known jumpers over here and are excellent instructors.
It was the best two weeks of my life and could not recommend it more.
BS's

[skydog 2]

Rob,
Who are you calling a "brit camera geek"?
Mind you what he said is all true, see ya in Elsinore in May
Bryn
"I want to die peacefully in my sleep....like my grandpa.
Not kicking and screaming like the passengers in his car.."

[rmcvey 0]

Ooops!
sorry brynny boy, didnt realise you read these posts, HEY why arent you skydiving boy!!
get back to work!!!!!!
Rob

[skreamer 1]

Quote

If you went to the US, did their version of AFF you may as well have gone on a Golfing holiday because it will mean jack shit when you get home.

This is NOT true. I did AFF in South Africa, went to the states and did 12 jumps there, then came back to the UK and got my BPA A-license signed off and issued without having jumped in the UK. I did have video evidence to support my documents. If you do AFF in the states and get camera on a couple of the jumps (particularly level 7) then you CAN get your BPA license issued when you return (if you have the necessary jump numbers required).
The only problem you *might* face is a bit of aggro from UK dropzones because you chose to do AFF abroad - perhaps this is motivated more by lost business than questionable training standards elsewhere?
Video will really help you a lot upon your return, at worst they might ask you to do a check-out (level 7) jump which is not an unreasonable request.
Will

[QuickDraw 0]

Thanks for the feedback peeps.
So in a nutshell, double check to see if there will be any problems,(I think finding a brit to ask won't be a problem).
Get some sort of video evidence preferably level 7.
But the main thing to me is that it's done safely, and i have no probs with any of the U.S training.
I have nothing against learning in the uk really, but i do love the sun :).
Love this site too...sooo much information
L8rz all
and thanks once again