SDiver218 0 #1 September 16, 2003 Hello everybody!!! To start off, I'm very new to the sport. I've done a few static line jumps a few years back, and just never got around to going through the AFF program. Well, last weekend I did a tandem at Skydive City (Z-Hills, FL), and it was friggin money! I loved it, so as soon as landed I signed up for the AFF course and I'm starting this weekend. Now I'm sitting here at work, and my productivity is shot all to hell because all I can think about is skydiving. I got to thinking...What is the AFF experince really like? Of course I talked to the instructors, and I've read a few things in this forum, but I was wondering what the members of this site have to say on this subject. So this question goes out to everybody, newbies and veterans alike. What was your AFF experience like, (bad or good)? Any advice? If the members on this forum won't mind, I'll probably post my experiences as I go through it. BTW...this site is hands down the most informative sites I've found on the sport. Good job! Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #2 September 16, 2003 For me AFF was fun. Shit every jump is fun. Went out on a 5-way a few jumps ago, 3 experienced people and me and another that both are low jump numbers. Only built once and it was a pretty funny sight to see, but I had a blast doing it, anyways back on topic... AFF is cool, introduces you to freefall fast, and gets you learning to fly your body. Have fun, and Blue Skies~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dagny 0 #3 September 16, 2003 AFF is going great and I love it! But, I think the weather must hate me or something. I either have crappy, cloudy skies and no wind or beautiful, blue-for-miles skies and high wind. Every time I drive out to the dropzone (2 hours away!) and say I'd like to jump at least twice, I've been lucky if I get to jump once. And, yesterday....2 hour drive and spent the afternoon chatting with friends and staff and watching base videos instead of jumping due to wind. It was fun and a great way to spend the afternoon, but the drive home is soooooooo much better when I can jump and get my fix! Edit to add: My friends and I have decided that instead of saying we're going to the DZ to jump at least twice, we're going to publicly announce that we're only going to observe. The way we figure it, maybe that'll psych out the weather and then we can finally get through the training jumps! Otherwise, AFF rocks. I'm on jump 3 which is the same as L1 except the JM's are going to let go...so now I just have to be aware of my body position and how to fix an instability. Some friends were practicing for L6 and that looks awesome! One JM and a exit dive and a backflip...cool! You're going to have so much fun with it! And don't expect your mental obsession to go away anytime soon!Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #4 September 16, 2003 Welcome to the forums! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TEB6363 0 #5 September 16, 2003 Breath, relax, enjoy and Ask Questions... There are no stupid questions in skydiving.. You should feel comfortable with what you are being ask to do.. Ask you instructor if you do not understand something.. I always feel bad if things just don't "go right" and a student doesn't pass a level. However, when the student says "I didn't understand".. That is a bummer because a question may have solved any miscomunication.. Blue Skies, and good luck! Once the plane takes off, you're gonna have to land - Might as well jump out!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kai2k1 0 #6 September 16, 2003 Congrats on your first tandem. Please feel free to post away your experiences, im currently on my 5th jump overall and YES there is a mental obsession. AFF is a blast! Even if you have to repeat a level. Just listen to what your JM's tell you and you'll be fine. Blue Skies KAI There's no truer sense of flying than sky diving," Scott Cowan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metalslug 31 #7 September 16, 2003 If you haven't read something similar yet, this link will describe a AFF syllabus similar to what you can expect. Many AFF students feel a sense of "sensory overload" on their first jumps. Having already done a tandem, you may find the sensory intake more managable. Different students may have weaknesses in different areas; for me it was my legs.. I had to really make a concious effort to keep them aligned and in position to stop unwanted turns. Many students consider their 'release dive' (usualy level 4) to be the hardest, psychologicaly. I coped well because I had huge faith in my JM. I could see him nearby at all times and so, in a way, it was as though he had never let go of me.. merely being a few feet away gave me reassurance that things would be OK. Some students have said that the levels seemed to get easier as they got 'more difficult'... because even though more skills need to be demonstrated at each level, the mind is increasingly more aware of the surroundings and better conditioned for dealing with the intense sensory input.. so you can focus better on the tasks at hand. I also found at my DZ that the AFF training was rather more 'personalised' than what the static line students experience. The AFF instructors are usualy among the most qualified instructors at the DZ.. and all their skill and attention is devoted to one person.. you, for the duration of your jump. It's very reassuring. Also, AFF students often get preferential treatment at manifest because they are usualy more profitable to the DZ than qualified members and static line students. ...And was I scared on the flight to altitude ? Every time ! But as soon as I'm out the door, fear gets left in the plane, the 'game face' is on and the fun starts. So will it be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifics 0 #8 September 16, 2003 AFF is a wonderful thing. I am have done 6 jumps and I just passed level 4 (I failed 4 twice) You are going to love it. IF you fail a level as I did make sure and don't get frustrated or disappointed, I did and it didn't help at all. I went back the next week with a fresh mind and passed it with flying colors (no pun). When you go up again you will just learn more and come out of it a better skydiver (I am guessing on that seeing how I am still a student) So get out there and do it to it, come back and let us know how it went!! EDIT: I just read the dive flow for level 6, backloops sound fun!! Can't wait to give them a try... Does anyone have a video of a "backloop" so I can get an idea on what to do before I go up? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SDiver218 0 #9 September 17, 2003 Thanks for the tips. I'm glad to hear that other people on this board besides myself are going through the AFF process also. I'll post how how my jumps go, both the good and bad... Wish me luck! Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeTJumps 4 #10 September 17, 2003 Well, as an AFF Instructor, I think it is a great way to coach people and help them learn our sport. I know you'll enjoy yourself, and I hope you grab a couple of books on the subject to help you learn even more. Blue, Clear, and Calm Skies!!!Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyMadness 0 #11 September 17, 2003 QuoteDoes anyone have a video of a "backloop" so I can get an idea on what to do before I go up? http://www.skydivingmovies.com/movies.php Some good videos here. Just from memory I think joost AFF Level 7 and AFF education have backloops, as do a few of the others. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifics 0 #12 September 17, 2003 Quote hope you grab a couple of books on the subject to help you learn even more. Just to pry a bit more info out of some of you, what books/video's do you recommend? (for a noob) EDIT: I just watched the level 6 and 7 video. Backloop's look like a blast. Hope I can get em' down, cant wait to try. Thanks for the link.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyMadness 0 #13 September 18, 2003 1. Parachuting: The Skydiver's Handbook 2. JUMP! : Skydiving Made Fun & Easy 3. Mental Training for Skydiving and Life Most bookstores, at least in my area, don't stock these. However, you can buy them through Amazon.com or order them through a bookstore. I had Barnes and Noble order them. Only took 4 or 5 days to come in. All three are good, but I HIGHLY recommend Parachuting: The Skydiver's Handbook. It should almost be required reading IMHO. enjoy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifics 0 #14 September 18, 2003 Thx allot bro, I just orderd all 3!! Can't hurt to read em' all I guess.... Thx again for your time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sssbc99 0 #15 September 18, 2003 QuoteSo this question goes out to everybody, newbies and veterans alike. What was your AFF experience like, (bad or good)? Any advice? ARCH!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RichKlink 0 #16 September 19, 2003 I had a funny experience, i was doing my practice pulls as instructed, concentrating fully on the exercise in hand, when i realised that when i did my last GASP check, there was no Primary instructor! I gave the 5,5 signal, the Secondary instructor signalled to pull and the rest of the jump went well. When i landed, the Primary instructor was waiting with tears streaming from his eyes. I asked what was wrong and he said ' Just watch the video' On my last practice pull, i did it with such enthusiasm that I punched him square in the face and off he went across the sky!! Mental note to self - When involved in a bar room brawl, think practice pull, practice pull, practice pull HA HA sorry Dick! **************************************** This isn't flying, its falling with style! - Buzz Lightyear Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dagny 0 #17 September 19, 2003 That is so freakin' funny!!!! Good thing he had a sense of humor about it...hope you bought him a recovery beer. I wouldn't laugh so hard except that I watched my friend, who is going through AFF with me, come within millimeters of making her JM a soprano while doing a practice pull on our pre-jump. Hehehe...I bet he'll rethink his attire when working with us! Helmet...check. Jumpsuit....check. Protective cup...check, definitely! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SDiver218 0 #18 September 19, 2003 QuoteI had a funny experience, i was doing my practice pulls as instructed, concentrating fully on the exercise in hand, when i realised that when i did my last GASP check, there was no Primary instructor! I gave the 5,5 signal, the Secondary instructor signalled to pull and the rest of the jump went well. When i landed, the Primary instructor was waiting with tears streaming from his eyes. I asked what was wrong and he said ' Just watch the video' On my last practice pull, i did it with such enthusiasm that I punched him square in the face and off he went across the sky!! OMG....That's friggin hilarious. My advice is, if you have a problem with your Primary Instructor, wait until you get on the ground before you clock him. Brawling in freefall may not be the safest thing in the world to do...Hahaha Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RichKlink 0 #19 September 19, 2003 The thing that was even funnier is that the Primary was also my father!! I always said i would get him back! **************************************** This isn't flying, its falling with style! - Buzz Lightyear Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MaDMiKeY007 0 #20 September 19, 2003 I did AFI for my student jumps and let me tell you, they are a blast. There are 3 jumps now that i will remember for the rest of my live, and enjoy telling them to others. My 1st tandem, 5th (1st solo) and 19th (pilot chute in tow, cutaway, cornfield 1/4 from DZ by a lake) went swimming to get my free bag hehe. As for backloops they are fun, but the best is when you are able to jump out doing flips! BLUE SKIES FOR ALL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tinks 0 #21 September 19, 2003 Good luck this weekend! I did my AFF last summer at DeLand, and it was great! Because of my tunnel time, I could do it in 5 jumps, but I still had all these "what ifs..." in my head. I shouldn't have! It was nothing but fun! My instructors where really cool and made me feel safe. I asked loads of questions, but they never made me feel like a dummy. They said I'd be a dummy if I didn't ask those "stupid" questions! Like metalslug says, the exit is also still (after 20 jumps) the most scary part for me, but as soon as you're out...WOW As far as advice, as a newbie myself, I can only say that the tunnel helped me a lot, and that I've seen lots of other AFF students that where stuck on some level, have the problem fixed in no-time with a few minutes in the tunnel. Have fun! Pauline.------------------------------------- I can bent minds with my spoon.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canuck278 0 #22 September 19, 2003 Well up here in canada it's called pff...a little different course but i am sure it's really close to what your doing...I have finished my levels now and am onto doing my solos to get the checks in the box for my licence....had a great time doing it all, it was a blast! My first 2 levels are on skydivingmovies.com under students...pff1and2 i think it's called . Steve Therapy is expensive, popping bubble wrap is cheap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifics 0 #23 September 19, 2003 I would LOVE to get some time in the tunnel. Practice body postition.... To bad I live in Texas... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SDiver218 0 #24 September 19, 2003 I hear there's a tunnel in Orlando, which isn't far from me...I think I'll have to check it out. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeTJumps 4 #25 September 21, 2003 Be patient. There will be a tunnel in Houston in the near future.Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
