LiamM

If you mean in terms of time I'm not sure, but in terms of number of jumps, there is a minimum of 17 (or maybe 18) jumps, just to get enough to progress through each stage. At least this was the case when I read all the stuff from my 1st jump course november last year. This may only be in the uk though - I'm not sure about elsewhere. I presume there have been people out there who have completed it in this many jumps, or not many over

I do indeed - your comment raises my confidence through the roof!! What I want to know is how the millitary manage to make practical use of this place - If this is where they teach them its a wonder our parachute regiments aren't limited to about a dozen people

[Reply] Ive got 15 jumps in 4 months (UK Weather!!!) It seems to me that you've done quite well for British weather - I'm on 4 static line jumps since doing my 1st jump course in November 2002, and a friend who's yet to jump since the same course. I think I've got about 1 jump for every 4 days at the drop zone. It seems every time I go the wind picks up just too much for students, so we sit around watching qualified people fall while we stew. Its a little annoying to spend 5 days sitting around and only getting one jump. I'm looking at doing a progression week, but knowing my luck a hurricane will decide to bed down over the DZ then. oh well - must stop ranting really, I'm sure I'll qualify some time before my centenary.

Although slightly askew of the main topic, an interesting comparison could be to look at skydiving incidents compared with motor sports incidents (I have no statistics nor any idea where to find them). The point is skydiving is a dangerous sport, whereas for the large part driving to the drop zone is a mundane activity. People are more likely to be pushing the limits of their capability whilst skydiving - there can't be too many who attempt to do so in driving there, and so the number of fatalities is inherently going to be larger. But where motor vehicles are pushed to the limit (in motor sports), the risk will increase. However, the very nature of most people who are willing to skydive can create the illusion of more safety. Most will be very anal about safety (no bad thing) and likely to want to feel complete control of a situation. This coupled with the adrenilin of the skydive can lead to a feeling of being able to deal with any situations. When driving to the DZ, this level of control of a situation can be removed and placed into the hands of others, without the same perspective on safety, and so can create an uncomfortable feeling of danger. So whilst driving may be a lot safer, it can feel otherwise. fell free to shoot down any points made here - I am very very new to skydiving (damn that British weather)