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AFF in the U.S.A

The centre where I went to do my AFF was the Perris Valley Skydiving Centre in California.

In my opinion, the advantages of going away far outweigh the disadvantages. For a start the weather is better (assuming you pick the right time of the year) and you are a lot more focused on the task at hand. Two solid weeks of getting up, jumping and then socialising with other skydivers certainly gives you a good introduction to the sport. Don't worry about running out of time because really, the only thing that will stop you getting qualified very quickly is the weather ! I went away for two weeks which I would recommend as a decent time away, and was qualified in 3 days leaving me plenty of time to do my consolidation jumps and have loads of fun in the sun.

A question a lot of people ask me is the difference between American and British AFF courses. Well I must admit the difference is quite large. As a Brit you will need to understand the criteria expected of you under the BPA. There is no real difficulty just remember you need to complete a Hop and Pop from around 4000ft (exiting the plane at low altitude to simulate an aircraft emergency) as this is a BPA (British Parachute Association) requirement and not an American one.

You will generally find that a drop zone like Perris or Deland in Florida will be well versed with the BPA requirements and will make every effort to get you signed off.

Another thing to bear in mind is if you are trained on rip cord rigs where you pull a ripcord which deploys the main chute via a spring rather than throwing a pilot chute out (Throwaway Deployment), you will need to take a throwaway conversion jump back in the UK. Most American drop zones however do just put you straight onto throwaway as ripcord seems to be an English thing !

If you are interested in researching a good American drop zone I can definitely recommend Perris. The facilities are excellent and the staff are friendly and prepared to go out of their way to help you. Perris is also home to the Canadian Skyhawks display team and the Flyboyz (one of the worlds best free fly teams) so there are plenty of experienced people about to ask advice of.

The main thing to remember is that AFF is not difficult but it does require 100% attention. It is you responsibility to perform all of the tasks asked of you, remain altitude aware and pull at the correct height. All of these task are compulsory and you will fail if you don't do them. Don't worry though, you will be massively confident on the course !

Another question people ask is what is involved in AFF? Well, this varies from drop zone to drop zone. The main idea behind AFF is to start of by jumping flat and stable, introduce turns, spin, and fall rate and then simply practice this with unstable exits and combination jumps. The following outlines what I had to do, which seems a pretty standard course.

Level 1 - Jump flat and stable with 2 instructors. Circle of awareness, reporting altitude back to main instructor and responding to hand signals to adjust body position. Three practice pulls. Lock onto your altimeter at 6,000ft, wave off and pull at 5,000ft. Landing with radio help from the ground.

Level 2 - 2 instructors, increased body awareness, 3 practice pulls, forward movement by bringing elbows down in line with waist, 6000ft lock onto altimeter, 5000ft wave off and pull. Landing with radio help from the ground.

Level 3 -90 turns on heading 2 Jumpmasters, expanded air awareness, spotting drop zone, 1 practice touch, further canopy control, positive stability. Landing with radio help from the ground.

Level 4 - Release Dive, your first chance to fly on your own !. Released in freefall and off radios for landing - one jumpmaster, obtaining neutral stability on your own, maintaining heading, new freefall procedures such as altering fall rate.

Level 5 - Turns to re-dock - 1 jumpmaster - forward movement - 180 and 360 turns. Instructor floats to your side and you have to turn to face him, stopping on a heading. If time instructor will indicate a direction for you to do a 360 degree spin. It is your responsibility to monitor your altitude and wave off and pull at the designated altitude. Further canopy control techniques introduced.

Level 6 - Unstable exit - the best jump ever ! Crouch in a ball in the door of the plane holding your ankles and allow your instructor to roll you out ! Summersault for 6 seconds and arch out to get stable. Instructor will track away from you and you will have to follow him.- 1 jumpmaster - more spotting, delta tracking, turns and centre pointing, freefall procedures and more.

Level 7 - Floating formation exit from the plane. - 1 jumpmaster, spotting practice, the main point of the dive is practicing fall rate. Your instructor will fall and all you have to do is stay with him. He sinks you sink, he rises you rise. Further altitude awareness, docking, 360 turns and the usual pull and landing procedures.

Level 8 - Advanced flying skills - 1 Jumpmaster, ground preparations, canopy checks, dive out exit, rate of fall, tracking, break off sequence. Basically lets chase your instructor around the sky, remain altitude aware, 5000ft turn and track away, 4000ft PULL !

10 x Consolidation Jumps on your own to home your skills

Back to the UK - Signed off by CCI at your local airfield

Join BPA (£72) and send off for licence (£10)

So now all your AFF is out the way, you need some kit. I myself bought the basics of my kit over in the states as the prices are much lower. Have a look at my shopping spree.

Book online now before you change your mind!