The Freefall University

I completed my AFF course at the freefall uni this time last year and since then I have been back 6 times to jump in the sun, I'm sure other drop zones in Spain can boast better facilities but for a friendly professional atmosphere with some of the most experienced instructors in the world who can progress you from your AFF to base jumping there's nowhere better !! The staff often socialize with the students on nights out in the local busy bars and night clubs so by the end of your visit you really feel that you have made some life long friends thank you guys again for an amazing weekend , I'm sure you will be seeing me out there soon for some more training and fun jumps !!

I had an awesome week at Freefall University in Spain. Did my AFF level 1-7 in three days. Great instructors (Darren is King)(Even speaks a little Norwegian;). I`LL BE BACK!!

I had a lovely time in freefall uni, a massive landing area with amazing coaches and staff, everybody in this DZ is friendly and lovely and it doesn't matter where you are from or what race or what colour you are, the weather is lovely and all equipments are fit, packers are experienced, instructors are amazing, 3 of them are world champion in 2011, so what does it tell you about this DZ?

As an experienced jumper I have jumped at many dz's and freefall uni is easily amongst the best. The staff are welcoming and extremely friendly and always willing to help with anything, be it coaching or just simple questions.

The atmosphere is great, everyone buzzing after the jumps they had just done or about to do. You couldn't ask for a better vibe at a dz than that.

The only thing I don't like is the aircrafts. They run 2 Porters which are great for their speed but don't leave much room in the door for launching anything big.

All in all I love the people and the place and can't wait to go back.

I did my Aff here in April 2011 and it was an awesome experience, I would definitely recommend it.

Good vibes and everyone is very friendly, I would be out there once a month if I could afford it.

I did AFF there in August 2010 and had an exceptional experience.

Booking the course is done through the website and couldn't be easier, they can organise your flights, accomodation and even a mini bus to take you to the DZ in the morning.

The instructors were friendly, professional, and above all, excellent instructors. They all speak perfect English, even Paula who's Portugese, and Ernesto who's Spanish.

Manifest gave a load number, expected departure time and a countdown every 5 minutes, so you're kept informed what is going on.

All the students stay in the same hotel in the nearby town of Aranjuez, so within 24 hours of arrival it's like being on holiday with your mates!

All in all, an incredible experience, made all the better by FFU staff.

My only gripe is that in Aranjuez, no- one speaks any English at all, so I had a bit of bother buying shaving foam. Not really much of a gripe then.

Anyone considering doing AFF should book here, you'll love me for recommending it.

Just finished my AFF course and 10 consolidation jumps at this place and felt compelled to let others know about the excellent experience I had.

You'll probably be staying in the nearby town of Aranjuez when you go and the place is nice enough. You'll soon get into the routine of spending all day at the dropzone, then back to Aranjuez for a shower and a meal followed by laughing at your "stable" exit attempts on the big screen at Cheers bar together with the others from the dropzone. Bringing a non-jumper friend with you might lead to them being a bit bored after a couple of days but if you are going alone just for the jumping then Aranjuez has everything you need.

The DZ itself doesn't benefit from the pool or hotel facilities anymore but again I didn't once feel that this was a particular shortcoming; you'll be very well looked after and taught by the fantastic instructors that you won't have to moan about the lack of whatever else. you'll probably want to rethink your prioritise if you find yourself annoyed over anything in this place. It's all centred around well taught, safe and fun jumping.

It can get busy at the weekends with local tandem experience seekers and their entire families making up for most of the people there and the atmosphere always stays nice and upbeat. They'll probably take the second Porter into use during the busy times so getting in lots of jumps won't be a problem.

Overall I can't fault the place. I don't have anything to compare it too so if you're an experienced jumper used to getting a shiatzu massage between jumps then maybe you'll find this place fall short of expectations but for anyone looking to do their AFF in a professional and fun place and catch some sun while you're doing it then stop reading these message boards and book the course. Now.

I've just come back from my third visit to Ocana in the last 6 months after completing my AFF there last year. That should indicate how much I like the place.

For anyone from the UK considering completing their AFF abroad I'd thoroughly recommend it. The instructors are awesome, and generally the whole place has a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The place can become a little bit of an AFF factory given the number of british students who choose to train at Ocana, but this means that loads are always full and going up, and there is a huge amount of rental equipment so your never short of a rig if your renting. The packers will also turn around your own rig in top time.

The number of students means that there is also always someone to go for a beer with in the evening in Aranjuez which is a funky little town 10 minutes drive away and where most people choose to stay.

The only downside I can think of is that due to the often zero wind it is often hard to pick a natural landing direction, and there are plenty of crazy spanish jumpers who seem to want to land in multiple directions at once. It could do with some clearer direction given at times, and a firmer line taken with offenders.

Bottom line is I can't wait to get back there. Blue skies.

Freefall university is a nice big open dropzone.
The atmosphere is great, very chilled out, with very friendly and professional staff, who will not just teach you but share a great deal of additional knoweledge with you to advance your skills.

FFU is a great place to meet lots of other british jumping buddy's.
If your on face book go to (Free Fall University Graduates!) plenty of people on there to have a chat with about the FFU.

The night life is brilliant with some favoured bars and restaurants where you can chill and blow off some adrenaline and talk about the days jumping with your jumping buddys.

In Aranjuez the town which is only 10/15 mins drive from the DZ is where the best places to stay are.
I would advise against staying at the hotel on the dropzone, its nice, but there is nothing there at all.
The main place to stay is infantas hotel which does the job no problem.
It has rooms from basic to very good at a good price.Rooms range from about 20-40 Euros a night.

I have to say if you are a first time student this is totally the place to visit or just fancy some fun jumps, it is a mega drop zone.

FFU is an amazing place. Did my AFF there in June, was back in July to fun jump, back in August to pass my FS1. Would be back again now if I had any money left!

The instructors are excellent, friendly, professional. They give you the right amount of support, keep you focused on safety first, and help guide you from that first sensory overload plummet to the fun of formation flying.

The nightlife is great and all of the AFF students mix together to have an awesomely messy time. :) Tequila shots and dancing on bars at 3am, but jumping outta planes is a hell of a hangover cure :)

Manifest is superb, you always know what load you are on and how long you've got before your next jump. If you're renting a rig, the system is great for making sure the rig is there for your jump. When you are fun jumping you can push it to 10 or 11 jumps a day if you want or chill out by the pool with a coffee and knock out 6 or 7 easily.

To be honest, Jumped at 3 dropzones in the UK since passing my aff, now realise how much more organised, fun, friendly it is at FFU. (UK dzs, not having a go, sure you'd be better if you had guaranteed weather!)

Would definitely recommend FFU to everyone. I will be back in spring (And hopefully for a weekend or two before as well!)

Hi I did my AFF here at FFU! Unfortunately I was a little bit unlucky with the weather! The first 4 days were too bad for jumping! That's why there were a lot of stundents who waited to jump when the weather was good again! But the instructors did a great job an so all of us got their AFF done and I did 11 jumps in my 3 remaining days! I'm sure that I will return to FFU I met a lot of cool people and new friends their!

For the hotel my tip is not to book the dropzone hotel!! It is a very good hotel but there is just nothing around so next time I will book a hotel in Aranjuez!!

cya in Ocana

I did my aff here and have returned on numerous occasions for funjumping and to enjoy the fantastic nightlife in and especially around Aranjuez along the A4 highway.
The people here are friendly and the dropzone itself is well run with a splendid landing area I will return many times.

Freefall university

I contacted Freefall University in mid November as we wanted to do a few days jumping in the end of Nov. I was told that everything was booked out until the 7th of January. I have later learned that it has not been booked out, but the drop zone is actually only open on the weekends this time of year. Why don’t just say this? As sky divers we understand that places can be closed for some periods?

I have made almost all of my 160 jumps (incl. AFF course here). Used to be a great place with skyidiver vibe and excellent facilities, accesibility and dz layout that welcomed everyone. Now, only one Pilatus, and clear priority on AFF students and tandems. Substantiation: After bad experience many previous sat/sundays (at least 10), I called at 12:00 noon and asked if skydivers had a chance today or if I should drive there later/tommorow. They pretended my question was unsubstatiated and asked me to come ASAP. Arrived 12:50 and paid. Went to manifest and was told booked on load 13 when load 10 was leaving. Was told later I had time for lunch because they needed to move me to load 14. Had lunch. Ended up moved to load 15 which got in the air at 16:45h. Landed and was manifested on load 18. Packers had priority on tandem and student gear. Could not make load 18 and gave up! Left at 17:45h with one jump and lots of frustration....

Cracking place to learn and I plan to go back cheap to compared to england I did AFF and consols and accomadation for the proce of an AFF in england. Will go back and happy with everything

The completion of the AFF course at the freefall uni was my first encounter with the sport of skydiving and it was one of the best experiences ever. The instructors are all fantastic, professional but also great fun and know just what to say as you hover between 'shall i go or not' in the plane door!

The facilities at the school were good, with a lovely pool for cooling of in the Spanish sunshine. Yes the bar man is a tad grumpy but the girls found that a sweet smile went a long way!

The actual town of Aranjuez is beautiful and offers a chance for some sigh seeing (time permitting).

I will definitely be returning to jump again at the school and would recommend it to anyway.

I decidided to do an AFF course but couldn't decide where.A friend advised trying the FFU in Ocana. I made some innitial enquireies and was impressed with the replies. Everything was taken care of from the flights out to accomodation bookings.The instructors and staff were all extreamly welcoming and I felt at home straight away.The training was conducted at a relaxed pace and anything I was unsure about was explained so I understood.The night life in the local area is also great with the instructors changing jobs at sundown to become tourist guides. Thanks to Tim for showing me all the best tapas bars and for the extra weight I put on!!!
In a nutshell the FFU gave me an awesome introduction into skydiving and I look forwrd to returning as soon as possible.

Best place in my oppinion to go if your thinking of AFF or any other course. All instructors are so helpfull. Manifest is well run. Nightlife in Aranjuez is really good with plenty of bars and good food.

Would recomend to anyone!

Wasn't sure what to expect before I went to Ocana and the FreeFall University. Quite near Madrid airport, just a hop down the motorway for 30 mins or so. Quiet, friendly place, really chilled out. FFU staff and local Spanish staff very helpful, nothing ever too much trouble. FFU training is great with english speaking instructors. No "elitist" vibe going on. Good gear, packed quickly if you can't pack yet like me! The plane is quick to altitude, the pilots fly load after load and try to ensure as much jumping as you want. I will visit this DZ again for sure, I am booking my next trip as I write. Not a huge amount to do at the DZ if the weather is bad. You can get food and drink in the local Hotel though (which is right beside the DZ), the main meals at lunch and the snacks are ok to keep you going. The local town has good night life with lots of places to eat and drink. Well worth a visit.

On arriving at Ocana, i was greeted by pretty much all of the staff straight away (which DZ in the UK can you say that about?)

The friendliness is second to none and i don't believe that there is anywhere so close knit as Ocana. Everybody talks to everybody and there is certainly no snobbery.

There are some real top rate instructors there who make you feel wanted and who don't look down on you for being a student.

The aircraft, which is a porter, is very nice to jump. When the door opens its like the side of the plane has vanished its so big. Makes for some very nice exits!

The swimming pool is glorious, perfect for when you want a break from the heat. Just rock on over to the pool and have a dip!

There really is only one downside to the place, and that's the fact that the restaurant will serve you any sandwich you want - as long as it contains ham and cheese! haha

Seriously though, if you are looking to do your AFF or are an experienced jumper, maybe wishing to progress your FS skills, FF skills, wingsuit skills or even get into base jumping, Ocana is the place to do it. Flights to Madrid are cheap as now so why train anywhere other than Ocana?

I trained with the Freefall University two years ago and have made three
trips there since ,although the amount of jumping I actually do has been
severely hampered by the night time offerings of their location. Maybe its
down to the impression my AFF instructor made on me at the time but I have
chosen to do most of my jumping on subsequent visits to Spain, with only a
few here in Ireland. I did my AFF course with one repeat and in large part
this is down to top notch instruction, I was nervous before each jump but
every time I doubted my ability my instructor was there with words of
encouragement. If you are considering learning to skydive I suggest you look
no further than these guys. There is a great atmosphere in nice
surroundings. Each time I have been there, there has been plenty of other
people to hang around with, most doing their accelerated freefall or most
back like myself for more jumping. This makes for a great atmosphere with
everything being focused on the beginner. I can wholeheartedly recommend
David and his team if you are thinking about getting into the sport.

Having wanted to do my AFF for years, and never finding anyone to do it with, I finally went out to Ocana by myself, and haven't looked back (quite daunting, especially for a girlie!)! The people are great - both from the English and Spanish schools (2 different companies, but not apparent!).

You can do your course in a couple of days as the weather is great most of the time, and get onto the real fun! And there is a steady flow of students and fun jumpers of all levels.

The people really do make it stand out from the rest - everyone is helpful, will happily give out advice (and not in a condescending or patronising way like I've found at some of the UK dz's), and they all are so passoinate about jumping that if, like me, there are times during the AFF course that you're not sure you can do it, just seeing how excited they are to get up there and have fun keeps you going.

Their packers are brilliant - super quick and you can't fault their packing, the prices are reasonable, the rental gear is good, and the attitude is right.

It was so good infact that after 2 weeks of coming back to the UK I headed straight out there again, and already have my next 2 trips there booked.

And then there's those huge vodka's the local bar staff pour.....

The FFU exceeded all my expectations. Even before I had decided to book the AFF course they put me in touch with a wind tunnel coach with whom I did some tunnel time prior to booking the course.

We got stuck in to ground school straight after arrival at the DZ and I flew through the course with no repeats. The instructors are all first class. They are doing this day in day out, training literally hundreds of students per year and this shows in the way they deliver the training. My instructors were fantastic and made me feel very relaxed and comfortable. On one of my AFF levels just prior to exit, my primary instructor said to me - Relax, it's just air, don't be afraid. For some reason that simple phrase just took away all my apprehension and I will never forget the impact it had on me.

The equipment is all new and the packers are amazing. You land and within 5 minutes your gear is packed and ready to go. That means you can jump as much as you want - 7+ jumps a day no problem.

The manifest team are also great. Very smiley and happy to help getting you on loads.

I have already been back for a second visit since completing my AFF course and the FFU also helped me find a local DZ upon my return to the UK.

They really can't do enough for you and want you to succeed.

just spent another really good week in ocana,doing some more free-fly coaching with Louis harwood,(the man's a genius)as allway's everyone at freefall uni did there best to make sure there was plenty of jumping to be had by all.Uli and Paula did a great job.The new plane is faster to the top,and as allway's the packer's did a great job in high tempreture's.can't wait for my next trip,which will be asap.see you all soon RICHARD

This company markets themselves incorrectly and when you arrive this will become evident. I found the DZ to be further away from the town as stated and had to spend most of my days sitting around waiting to jump. The 'owner' of FFU is this little guy who only seems to show up with his camera and is pestering you for money, in this case it was in the middle of my theory course, which I found very rude. I found the place to have a 'vindictivness' feeling about it but no one actually saying anything to the subjects face, maybe they are afraid? this was not good around the customers.

The spanish staff are excellent and are the true backbone and I spent many hours relaxing with them and getting a better explaination to the topic in hand.

Interestingly the aircraft which they claim is a dash 34 is actually a dash 27,