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General

    What You Should Know Before Each Jump

    How do you perform a canopy controllability check?
    What happens if you flare too high? How do you prevent that?
    What is your decision altitude? What does that term mean?
    How do you recognize a good canopy?
    How do you get the slider down if it's stuck partway up?
    How do you deal with closed end cells?
    How do you fix line twist?
    How do you use your reserve if you need it?
    How do you handle a horseshoe malfunction?
    How can you avoid losing sight of your reserve handle during a cutaway?
    What do you do if you’re in the plane and your jumpmaster tells you "BAIL OUT ON YOUR MAIN?"
    What do you do if your parachute deploys prematurely in the plane? How can you prevent this from happening?
    If you find yourself still in freefall and the altimeter needle is in the red, what do you do?
    If you're in freefall, and you're unstable but you're still above 5000 feet, how do you get stable again?
    If you find yourself in freefall at 5000 feet and you're unstable, what do you do?
    What do you do if two canopies are out? How do you control them? When would you cut one away?
    What would you do if the pilot chute goes over the front edge of the canopy?
    How do you handle a hard-to-pull main ripcord?
    If you start having some kind of serious problem during the freefall, how do you stop the skydive?
    If you see your jumpmaster pull, what does that indicate?
    What do you do if you can't find the main ripcord?
    How do you steer your canopy? How do you flare it?
    How is your reserve canopy different from your main?
    How do you collapse your canopy after landing to avoid being dragged?
    How do you prepare for a landing in trees? Rough terrain? Water?
    How do you determine wind direction? What direction should you land in with relation to the wind?
    How do you find the landing area?
    What do you do if you realize you will not be able to make it back to the landing area?
    What is the hand signal for pull? Check-altitude? Legs-out? Hips-down? Relax?
    What is your pull altitude on this dive?
    What are the manuevers you'll be expected to perform on this dive?



    IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS, ASK A JUMPMASTER BEFORE YOU JUMP!


    REMEMBER, YOUR SAFETY IS IN YOUR HANDS.

    By admin, in General,

    Air Adventures AFF: Level 1

    INTRODUCTION TO SKYDIVING

    JUMP SEQUENCE:


    When jumpmaster says "GET INTO POSITION", take your position in the door. You should be facing forward, with your left foot on the edge of the door. Keep your back low to avoid snagging your rig on the top of the door.
    When you are ready to exit, turn to your right and shout "CHECK IN!" to your main side JM.
    The JM will respond "OK!" and nod his head when you are ready to go.
    Do the exit count - "Ready! Set! Arch!"
    On "Arch!" step to the left, out of the plane. Try to remain facing forward, and try to hit the wing with your pelvis as you leave the plane. Remember to ARCH!
    Count to four, maintaining a hard arch - "One thousand! Two thousand! Three thousand! Four thousand!"
    Do three practice ripcord touches - "Arch! Reach! Feel! Back to arch!"
    Check your altitude by turning your head to look at the altimeter on your left hand.
    Look at your main side jump master and shout your altitude at him - "Ten thousand feet!"
    Respond to any hand signals your main side JM gives you.
    Check your altimeter once every five to ten seconds, and shout your altitude to the main side JM each time.
    At 5000 feet, wave off once, then arch-reach-feel-pull. Hang on to the ripcord after the pull!
    Start counting - "One thousand! Two thousand! . . . . . . Five thousand!" to give your parachute time to open.
    Check your canopy to make sure you have a good parachute, unstow your brakes, and head back to the landing area.

    PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:


    Freefall awareness - Open your eyes and look around! Pay attention to hand signals.
    Altitude awareness - Check your altimeter once every 5-10 seconds, and tell your JM your altitude.
    Stability - Maintain the arch during the entire dive, especially on exit.
    Canopy control - Check your canopy upon opening, and listen to the radio during the descent.

    LEVEL ONE HINTS:


    To fix stability problems - ARCH!
    Check your altimeter at least once every five seconds. Time goes fast up there.
    Remember to keep your legs out. Don't let them collapse on your butt.

    REMEMBER THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF ANY SKYDIVE:

    PULL!

    PULL AT THE RIGHT ALTITUDE!

    PULL STABLE!

    LAND SAFELY UNDER AN OPEN CANOPY!




    Before

    Level 1

    Level 2

    Level 3

    Level 4

    Level 5

    Level 6

    Level 7

    By admin, in General,

    AFF Training - Level 1

    Napoleon Skydiving Center: Level 1 - Free Arm
    This dive is intended to be an introduction to skydiving. As such we will leave plenty of time to just arch and enjoy the experience. Concentrate on a good, relaxed arch, but don't forget to have fun. Remember to hang on to that ripcord at pull time.
    TLOs


    Perform a controlled exit.
    Exposure to continuous freefall.
    Heading awareness.
    Focused awareness and attention.
    Coordinated body movements with 3 practice pulls from free arm.
    Altitude awareness.
    Actual ripcord pull by 4000 feet.

    Dive Flow


    Running Description
    Hotel Check: Check In, look to left and wait for a nod. Check Out, look to the right and wait for a nod.
    Exit Count : On the C-128, the count is Prop, Up, Down, Arch. On the Twin Otter, it is Center, Out, In, Arch. In both cases the count should include both the verbal commands and the physical motions.
    Exit: Step off of the aircraft and push hips forward, chest forward, head back, and arms and legs to "boxman" position.
    HARM Check: Also called a Circle of Awareness or Circle of Observation. Heading, look forward and down at a 45 degree angle to ascertain heading. Altimeter, read the altitude on the chest-mounted altimeter. Reserve, look at reserve side jumpmaster and wait for a nod. Main, look at main side jumpmaster and wait for a nod.
    PRCT: A practice ripcord touch. Arch, insure a good arch at hips and chest. Look, tilt head to the right and look down the side of the body at ripcord. Reach, in with the right hand to place it over the ripcord handle while extending the left hand one foot over your head. Touch, recover to an arched position. Check, over right shoulder.
    Short Circles: Heading, Altitude, Reserve, Main. Performed throughout the dive to maintain awareness (indicated by the dotted lines on the dive flow). No nods from JMs.
    5-5 Signal: An altitude awareness signal performed by the student at 5500'. The signal is given by closing the hands twice in quick succession.
    Pull: Arch, Look at ripcord, Reach for ripcord with right hand while extending left hand over head, Pull ripcord, Arch, Check over right shoulder for pilot chute launch.
    Primary Canopy Check: Performed five seconds after the Pull. The main canopy is checked overhead for Shape (rectangular), Spin (not spinning), Speed (floating, not falling), and Twists (spread risers and kick out).
    Release Toggles: by grasping them and pulling them quickly to the waist.
    Secondary Canopy Check: Slider Down, Endcells Open, Rips/Tears, Broken Lines.
    Controllability Check: Execute a turn in each direction and then a flare.
    Canopy Control: Locate the Airport and then the landing area. Fly back using the halfway
    down, halfway back rule. Watch your jumpmasters canopies.
    Setup For Landing: The landing setup consists of three legs:
    Downwind: Starting at 1000' fly to the downwind side of the target.
    Base: By 500', begin crabbing across the wind downwind of the target.
    Final: By 200', turn into the wind and fly towards the target. Once on final, no
    turns in excess of 45 degrees should be attempted.
    Prepare to Land: At 50', feet and knees together, toggles at ``full flight''.
    Flare:: At approximately 10', bring both toggles smoothly to your crotch, keeping
    your feet and knees together. If the flare occurs prematurely, slowly raise the toggles to your stomach, then re-flare at 10'.
    PLF: Parachute Landing Fall. Keeping feet together and hands in, roll with the
    landing taking the force on the fleshy parts of the body (feet, calves, thigh, butt, back/shoulder).
    Collapse the Canopy: by reeling in a toggle and running to the downwind side.
    Field Pack: the canopy, turn off the radio and AAD, return to the student packing area
    with the jumpmasters.
    Return: the helmet, goggles, altimeter, jumpsuit and radio.
    Congratulations

    You've just made your first skydive!
    Hand Signals


    Level 1

    Level 2

    Level 3

    Level 4

    Level 5

    Level 6

    Level 7

    Level 8

    By admin, in General,

    Air Adventures AFF: Level 2

    FORWARD MOTION

    JUMP SEQUENCE:


    When jumpmaster says "GET INTO POSITION", take your position in the door. You should be facing forward, with your left foot on the edge of the door. Keep your back low to avoid snagging your rig on the top of the door.
    When you are ready to exit, turn to your right and shout "CHECK IN!" to your main side JM.
    The JM will respond "OK!" and nod his head when you are ready to go.
    Do the exit count - "Ready! Set! Arch!"
    On "Arch!" step to the left, out of the plane. Try to remain facing forward, and try to hit the wing with your pelvis as you leave the plane. Remember to ARCH!
    Count to four, maintaining a hard arch - "One thousand! Two thousand! Three thousand! Four thousand!"
    Do three practice ripcord touches - "Arch! Reach! Feel! Back to arch!"
    heck your altitude by turning your head to look at the altimeter on your left hand.
    Look at your main side jump master and shout your altitude at him - "Ten thousand feet!"
    Respond to any hand signals your MS JM gives you.
    When you see the "forward motion" signal (legs-out signal, moving away from you) do forward motion for six seconds - hands back by your waist, legs straight, toes pointed.
    After six seconds, return to a neutral arch. Don't bring your feet up too much!
    Check your altimeter. If below 6000 feet, shake your head - no more manuevers.
    At 5000 feet, wave off once, then arch-reach-feel-pull. Hang on to the ripcord after the pull!
    Start counting - "One thousand! Two thousand!" to give your parachute time to open.

    PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:


    Move forward through the sky by straightening your legs and bringing your arms back.
    Do three good PRCP’s to help you find the ripcord later.
    Pull at the right altitude. Maintain stability by keeping the arch.

    LEVEL TWO HINTS:


    To fix stability problems - ARCH! Make sure your legs are still out a little after each forward motion.
    Check your altimeter at least once every five seconds. Time goes fast up there.
    Your legs are 80% of your drive during forward motion. Make sure you get them out there.

    REMEMBER THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF ANY SKYDIVE:

    PULL!
    PULL AT THE RIGHT ALTITUDE!
    PULL STABLE!
    LAND SAFELY UNDER AN OPEN CANOPY!



    Before

    Level 1

    Level 2

    Level 3

    Level 4

    Level 5

    Level 6

    Level 7

    By admin, in General,

    AFF Training - Level 2

    Napoleon Skydiving Center: Level 2 - Body Awareness
    Now that you have your feet wet, we will start working on trim maneuvers. There are a lot of things to accomplish on this level, so don't waste time geeking the camera. Once you are under canopy, try a few spiral turns (above 1500' please).
    TLOs


    Maximum free arm time.
    3 PRCTs.
    Heading awareness during freefall.
    Trim control or body awareness exercises.
    Relaxed, arched body position through entire freefall.
    Pull by 3500 feet, look over right shoulder to observe pilot chute launch.

    Dive Flow


    Running Description
    Hotel Check: Check In, Check Out.
    Exit Count: C-182 Prop, Up, Down, Arch; Otter Center, Out, In, Arch.
    HARM Check: Heading, Altimeter, Reserve JM, Main JM.
    PRCT: Arch, Look, Reach, Touch, Check 3 times.
    Short Circles: to maintain altitude awareness between maneuvers.
    Team Turn: initiated by looking over the arm in the direction of the desired turn to pick a heading refrence. Then bend his/her upper body 20 degrees at the waist in the direction of the turn. At the same time, drop the shoulder the turn is moving toward by 2-3 inches. Keep hands and arms still -- all motions are preformed from the waist. As the desired heading is aquired, return to a neutral boxman position.
    Forward Motion: initiated by extending legs (straightening them at the knees) while simaltanously bending arms at the shoulders to form a 'lazy W'. Hold for 3 seconds and
    return to a neutral boxman position.
    5-5 Signal: at 5500 feet.
    Pull: Arch, Look, Reach, Pull, Check at 5000 feet.
    Primary Canopy Check: Shape, Spin, Speed, Twist.
    Release Toggles
    Secondary Canopy Check: Slider, Endcells, Tears, Lines.
    Controllability Check: turns and flares OK.
    Canopy Control: halfway down, halfway back.
    Setup For Landing: Downwind at 1000', Base at 500', Final at 200'.
    Prepare to Land: at 50'.
    Flare: at 10', feet and knees together, PLF if necessary.
    Collapse the Canopy, Field Pack, and Return.
    Level 1

    Level 2

    Level 3

    Level 4

    Level 5

    Level 6

    Level 7

    Level 8

    By admin, in General,

    AFF Training - Level 3

    Napoleon Skydiving Center: Level 3 - Release Dive
    This is the last of the two jumpmaster levels. If things go well, your jumpmasters
    will let go of you and you'll be skydiving unassisted for the 5-5 and pull.
    Stay relaxed and maintain a good arch. Pay careful attention during the
    pre-jump gear checks since you will soon have to know how to do one on your
    own. Likewise begin observing the packing procedure. Under canopy you should
    try a stall above 2000'. After you successfully complete this level, you
    should become a USPA member by filling out the application provided at
    manifest.
    TLOs


    Leg awareness and control modes.
    Heading maintenance.
    Hover control.
    Unassisted solo pull at or above 3000 feet.

    Dive Flow


    Running Description
    Hotel Check: Check In, Check Out.
    Exit Count: C-182 Prop, Up, Down, Arch; Otter Center, Out, In, Arch.
    HARM Check: Heading, Altimeter, Reserve JM, Main JM.
    PRCT: Arch, Look, Reach, Touch, Check.
    Toe Taps: Tap toes together twice to insure leg awareness.
    Short Circles: to maintain altitude awareness.
    Hover Control and Heading Maintaince: using principles of turning and forward motion.
    5-5 Signal: at 5500 feet.
    Pull: Arch, Look, Reach, Pull, Check at 5000 feet.
    Primary Canopy Check: Shape, Spin, Speed, Twist.
    Release Toggles
    Secondary Canopy Check: Slider, Endcells, Tears, Lines.
    Controllability Check: turns and flares OK.
    Canopy Control: halfway down, halfway back.
    Setup For Landing: Downwind at 1000', Base at 500', Final at 200'.
    Flare: at 10', feet and knees together, PLF if necessary.
    Collapse the Canopy, Field Pack, and Return.





    Level 1

    Level 2

    Level 3

    Level 4

    Level 5

    Level 6

    Level 7

    Level 8

    By admin, in General,

    Air Adventures AFF: Level 3

    TURNS

    JUMP SEQUENCE:


    When jumpmaster says "GET INTO POSITION", take your position in the door
    When you are ready to exit, turn to your right and shout "CHECK IN!" to your main side JM.
    The JM will respond "OK!"
    Do the exit count - "Ready! Set! Arch!"
    On "Arch!" step to the left, out of the plane.
    Count to four, maintaining a hard arch.
    Do one practice ripcord touch - "Arch! Reach! Feel! Back to arch!"
    Check your altitude.
    Look at your main side jump master and shout your altitude at him - "Ten thousand feet!"
    Your main-side jumpmaster will give you the left turn signal. When he does, look left, then turn left and face the reserve side jumpmaster.
    Check your altimeter.
    Your reserve side jumpmaster will give you a turn signal, either left or right. Look in the direction you want to turn , pick a landmark, and then turn 90 degrees towards it.
    Check your altimeter again. If below 6000 feet, shake your head - no more manuevers!
    At 5000 feet, wave off once, then arch-reach-feel-pull. Hang on to the ripcord after the pull!
    Count to five then check your canopy.

    PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:


    Do slow, controlled turns in each direction. Make sure you stop where you want to stop.
    Maintain good stability throughout the dive.
    Maintain altitude awareness by looking at your altimeter after every manuever.
    Respond correctly to all signals.
    Solo stable ripcord pull at the right altitude.
    Fly your canopy back to the LZ and land with minimal radio assistance.

    LEVEL THREE HINTS:


    To fix stability problems - ARCH!
    Remember - your body follows your eyes. Look, then turn.
    Keep your legs out and steady! Unwanted leg movement can keep you from turning.

    REMEMBER THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF ANY SKYDIVE:

    PULL!

    PULL AT THE RIGHT ALTITUDE!

    PULL STABLE!

    LAND SAFELY UNDER AN OPEN CANOPY!




    Before

    Level 1

    Level 2

    Level 3

    Level 4

    Level 5

    Level 6

    Level 7

    By admin, in General,

    Air Adventures AFF: Level 4

    RELEASE DIVE

    JUMP SEQUENCE:


    When your jumpmaster says "GET INTO POSITION", take your position in the door. There will be no reserve side JM on this dive.
    When you are ready to exit, turn to your right and shout "CHECK IN!" to your main side JM.
    The JM will respond "OK!" and nod his head when you are ready to go.
    Do the exit count - "Ready! Set! Arch!"
    On "Arch!" step to the left, out of the plane.
    Count to four, maintaining a hard arch.
    Do one practice ripcord touch.
    Check your altitude.
    Your JM may give you hand signals, and will then move in front of you.
    If everything is going well, and you seem stable, your JM will release you and fly 5-10 feet in front of you.
    Maintain hover control. If you slide backwards away from the JM, use forward motion to correct.
    Maintain heading. If you seem to be turning away from the JM, turn back towards him
    At 6000 feet, shake your head. Your JM will move back beside you when he sees this. Do not follow!
    Wave off and pull at 5000 feet.
    Count to five and check your parachute.

    PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:


    Maintain heading control by using your turning skills
    Maintain forward/back control by using your forward motion skills
    Stay stable by holding the arch throughout the dive
    Pull on your own at the right altitude. Hold the arch through the pull.
    Fly your canopy back to the LZ and land with no radio assistance.

    LEVEL FOUR HINTS:


    To fix stability problems - ARCH!
    Remember - pull at 5000 feet NO MATTER WHAT! Do not attempt to get stable if you find yourself on your back at 5000 feet. PULL IMMEDIATELY!

    REMEMBER THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF ANY SKYDIVE:

    PULL!

    PULL AT THE RIGHT ALTITUDE!

    PULL STABLE!

    LAND SAFELY UNDER AN OPEN CANOPY!




    Before

    Level 1

    Level 2

    Level 3

    Level 4

    Level 5

    Level 6

    Level 7

    By admin, in General,

    AFF Training - Level 4

    Napoleon Skydiving Center: Level 4 - Turns to Redock
    Congrats, you are halfway through the AFF program. In the aircraft you should
    be paying careful attention to the spotting procedures. On the ground, you
    should be well along learning how to do a JMPI and packing. Under canopy
    try using risers (front and rear) for control up high.
    Though you are still a student, you should start preparing for the time
    when you will be off student status and jumping on your own. Safe skydiving
    requires good equipment. Begin talking with your instructors and other jumpers about what type of equipment you should purchase. It is recommended
    that you start by ordering an appropriately sized jumpsuit, helmet, goggles
    and altimeter. In fact, you can begin using these items before you complete the AFF program.
    TLOs


    Start and stop controlled turns.
    Forward motion to redock.
    Wave off, then pull at or above 3000 feet.

    Dive Flow


    Running Description
    Roach Hotel Check: Check In, but no check out.
    Exit Count: C-182 Prop, Up, Down, Arch; Otter Center, Out, In, Arch.
    HAM Check: Heading, Altimeter, Main JM.
    JM Gripswitch: Jumpmaster switches from side to front.
    More Maneuvers? Check Altimeter, if above 6000 feet signal with a nod yes. If below 6000 feet signal with a head shake no. In either case, JM has the final authority.
    90 degree Turns: performed using a combination of bending and tilting the upper body. Initiate
    by looking over the arm in the direction of the turn. Bend upper body toward the turn at the waist and tilt shoulders by raising the shoulder opposite the direction of the turn by 3--4 inches. Keep arms in the same position at the shoulders and elbows, all motion should originate at the waist. Recover to box man as new heading is attained.
    Forward to Redock: At the completion of the 2nd turn, the JM will back up from 5--10 feet.
    Move forward by extending legs at the knees and bending arms at the shoulders. Keep elbows locked at 90 degrees. Hold position until redocked on JM, then recover to boxman.
    More Maneuvers? Yes if above 6000, else no.
    Wave Off: at 4500 feet by crossing hands above head twice with a large sweeping motion
    of the arms.
    Pull: at 4000 feet.
    Primary Canopy Check: Shape, Spin, Speed, Twist.
    Release Toggles, Secondary Canopy Check, Controlability Check.
    Canopy Control: halfway down, halfway back. Flare at 10 feet, knees together, PLF if necessary.
    Collapse the Canopy, Field Pack, and Return.




    Level 1

    Level 2

    Level 3

    Level 4

    Level 5

    Level 6

    Level 7

    Level 8

    By admin, in General,

    AFF Training - Level 5

    Napoleon Skydiving Center: Level 5 - Turns to Redock II
    This level is like the last but the turns are 360 degrees and the amount of forward motion is greater. You should be assisting with the spot in the aircraft and with packing on the ground. Under canopy practice a "collision avoidance" maneuver by turning using a front or rear riser prior to releasing
    your toggles.
    TLOs


    360 degree turns (one before each redock).
    Forward movement and docking without assistance.
    Control of all 3 axes (Pitch, Yaw, and Roll).
    Wave off, then pull at or above 3000 feet.

    Dive Flow


    Running Description
    Roach Hotel Check: Check In.
    Exit Count: C-182 Prop, Up, Down, Arch; Otter Center, Out, In, Arch.
    HAM Check: Heading, Altimeter, Main JM.
    JM Gripswitch: Jumpmaster switches from side to front.
    More Maneuvers? Yes if above 6000, else no.
    360 degree Turns: one before each redock.
    Forward to Redock.
    More Maneuvers? Yes if above 6000, else no.
    Wave Off: at 4500 feet.
    Pull: at 4000 feet.
    Primary Canopy Check: Shape, Spin, Speed, Twist.
    Release Toggles
    Secondary Canopy Check: Slider, Endcells, Tears, Lines.
    Controllability Check: Turns and flares OK.
    Canopy Control: Halfway down, halfway back.
    Setup For Landing: Downwind at 1000', Base at 500', Final at 200'.
    Flare: at 10', feet and knees together, PLF if necessary.
    Collapse the Canopy, Field Pack, and Return.




    Level 1

    Level 2

    Level 3

    Level 4

    Level 5

    Level 6

    Level 7

    Level 8

    By admin, in General,

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