Class A Hasn't Jumped in 15 Years

[[email protected] 1]

Hey Everyone, 

My wife is going to kill me, but I'm checking to see what I would expect if I showed up at a DZ as a Class A who hasn't jumped in 15 years. I don't expect much at all, especially since I have no proof that I completed AFF. I used to have my Class A card but I think it's long gone. Will I have to do AFF all over again or just do a tandem for a one time jump? I honestly don't want to do go solo even if it was an option but I don't want to tandem either. I think one or two AFF instructors would be plenty. Let me know if you've encountered a similar situation at your DZ.

THANKS!

[husslr187 24]

if you had your A license USPA should still have it on file. I would look into getting that renewed first, then going to the dz to make a plan with the instructors there.

[base615 47]

I had about 1300 jumps before I took a 16 year hiatus and my first couple of jumps back were honestly worst than some relatively talented AFF students I’ve seen, possibly made worse by the fact that I was absolutely shitting myself. My experience was that it’s not like riding a bike.

If you only had an A license before, I’d say it’d be like you never jumped before after that gap and I’d recommend doing AFF again, irrespective of what they make you do.

Don’t let that stop you though, it’s awesome to get back in the air. I can’t believe I stayed away for so long and it would take me going in to leave the sport again.

[Deisel 19]

First off - welcome back! I would be prepared to repeat the entire AFF course. Although your license technically never expires (USPA membership does) I personally would not be comfortable with just a refresher and then turning you loose. Things have changed since you've been away. Things like angle flying and XRW did not exist back then and you should be prepared to encounter them in the air. Not only do you have to learn to fly again, but there's all the book stuff as well. 

[[email protected] 1]

15 hours ago, base615 said:

I had about 1300 jumps before I took a 16 year hiatus and my first couple of jumps back were honestly worst than some relatively talented AFF students I’ve seen, possibly made worse by the fact that I was absolutely shitting myself. My experience was that it’s not like riding a bike.

If you only had an A license before, I’d say it’d be like you never jumped before after that gap and I’d recommend doing AFF again, irrespective of what they make you do.

Don’t let that stop you though, it’s awesome to get back in the air. I can’t believe I stayed away for so long and it would take me going in to leave the sport again.

I knew I wasn't alone but your experience shows that I'm not crazy. I'll try to do AFF all over again. 

[P-2 0]

You and I are in the same boat! I just got back into the sport after 10 years. Log book long since tossed out. I renewed my A license and called my old DZ. just did my refresher and safety over the weekend. Thankfully I have a Ifly close to me so I got some time in their which…woof! …rusty is an understatement!!!!

skies didn’t hold up well for me to jump this weekend but my instructor basically wants to go up 2 times with me until she is ok with letting back out on my own.

Welcome back!!!!!! Btw things are still expensive haha. Blue Skies!

[riggerrob 299]

With only a Class A, you have not practiced those skills the ten thousand times needed to burn them into long-term memory.

Even skydivers who have long experience tend to do a bit of refresher training before resuming jumping. The Australian Parachute Federation has published some excellent training aids. 

[michaelmullins 43]

On 8/4/2022 at 11:34 PM, [email protected] said:

Hey Everyone, 

My wife is going to kill me, but I'm checking to see what I would expect if I showed up at a DZ as a Class A who hasn't jumped in 15 years. I don't expect much at all, especially since I have no proof that I completed AFF. I used to have my Class A card but I think it's long gone. Will I have to do AFF all over again or just do a tandem for a one time jump? I honestly don't want to do go solo even if it was an option but I don't want to tandem either. I think one or two AFF instructors would be plenty. Let me know if you've encountered a similar situation at your DZ.

THANKS!

If you had a USPA license, you still have a USPA license.  There are no currency requirements for licensed jumpers and, technically, to be a current license holder you need only renew your USPA membership, which you can do online. Having said that, it is very unlikely that any DZ would allow you to jump without some currency training and that could consist of everything from a full ground school, or, to just spending an hour or two with an instructor who can evaluate your skills and knowledge, all depends on the DZ.

[gowlerk 1,223]

21 minutes ago, michaelmullins said:

There are no currency requirements for licensed jumpers

I was under the impression that USPA does have currency requirements to actually jump at a DZ that follows its rules.

https://uspa.org/Discover/News/currency-trainingits-not-just-another-jump

Edit, currency training  is recommended, but not required. https://uspa.org/SIM/5

Edited 18 hours ago by gowlerk

[tustinr 1]

Had a 10yr break and honestly it was like riding a bike. I did ground school in a harness and jumped once with an instructor for recurrency.  Landing was a little difficult to be honest. Took a few jumps to get flare right. Haven’t looked back.  

[wolfriverjoe 785]

13 hours ago, gowlerk said:

I was under the impression that USPA does have currency requirements to actually jump at a DZ that follows its rules.

https://uspa.org/Discover/News/currency-trainingits-not-just-another-jump

Edit, currency training  is recommended, but not required. https://uspa.org/SIM/5

I haven't jumped at that many different DZs, but EVERY one considered 'currency' to be a requirement. Several required fullon coach jumps.