meatbomb 0 #26 August 4, 2006 QuoteI wouldn't be too negative about going over to Spain or the US to get qualified, but make sure before you go that you know what you are getting. Agreed. You need to be aware that you cannot qualify as BPA A-Licence now, without a BPA CCI (Club Chief Instructor) signing off your application. I would recommend doing your training in this country, under the RAPS system, as I believe for most people, it produces the best graduates. However, everyone is different, and AFF is a better system for some. If you do go abroad to do AFF, make sure that there are BPA qualified instructors (RAPS/AFF), so that you can get all the work for your CH1 qualification (and others) signed off. Then, when you return to the UK, it is a simple matter of presenting the completed documentation to the CCI. So long as you cover the 8 UK levels, including the hop'n'pop, and do at least 10 jumps afterwards, it doesn't really matter whether your AFF instructors are USPA or BPA. When I went to Perris with the BCPA this year, the AFFers trained under the USPA system. I was able to sign off all the AFF grads on their CH1, some CH2s and JM1s, and do their exams. This meant it was very easy for them when they came back to the UK, as they could present a fait accompli to the CCI.--- Swoopert, CS-Aiiiiiii! Piccies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joellercoaster 6 #27 August 4, 2006 QuoteI hope that Headcorn is good, as I might start there to begin with. It is also a pain for me to get to, from South West London. In that case... you may want to postpone going to Headcorn for a while. It really is a pain (I live in SW13... you?) Your most accessible DZs will be Weston, Hinton (both roughly towards Oxford) and Nethers. I've never jumped at Hinton but have heard nothing but good things, and the other two are fine places. There are a few more out that way, depending on your tolerance for driving. I spend most weekends at Redlands (Skydive London) because I happen to like it but it is a bit of a hike... you'll have trouble going wrong, I think, wherever you end up As other people have said, Spain is popular and with good reason. There are enough BPA instructors out there now full- and part-time that you can get what you need, as long as you pay attention to getting your logbook squared away and so on. And yeah, you can't beat the location FWIW, I and several friends all learned in Spain (Lillo and Seville) and it worked out fine. [edit: some Spanish DZs often the odd BPA Advanced Instructor around who can sign you off for whatever you need. But if they don't, it is honestly not the end of the world.]-- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnycab 0 #28 August 4, 2006 QuoteIn that case... you may want to postpone going to Headcorn for a while. It really is a pain (I live in SW13... you?) Your most accessible DZs will be Weston, Hinton (both roughly towards Oxford) and Nethers. I've never jumped at Hinton but have heard nothing but good things, and the other two are fine places. I rang Headcorn today to find out about the S/L course, and it seems they are fully booked for all midweek sessions until end of August. I will go through the list of all other DZ's mentioned in this thread. I am travelling from SW16 and without a car at present - although shopping around for a one (just to get me to a DZ!) However, it seems a lot easier by train and then paying a local cabbie a fiver to get to Headcorn. So, I can be there in just over an hour and a half! I don't know about the others... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skytash 0 #29 August 5, 2006 Quote...without a car at present - although shopping around for a one (just to get me to a DZ!) that brings back memories - that's the exact reason I bought my first car... tashDon't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is a special occasion. Avril Sloe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billyg23 0 #30 August 6, 2006 I finished my AFF in Spain after waiting thru 2 dismal months to get 2 levels done in the UK (my bad, i chose the wrong time of year to do a tandem and catch the skydiving bug!). When i got back to England i had no problems getting converted to an English A licence. People i know who have learnt in Spain, US etc since April this year have also had no probs converting their licences.I am also aware that some people have had problems upon their return to the UK but i think if everything was plain sailing for everybody, all the time, something was wrong ---------------------------------------- I AM THE ATMOSPHERE HOOLIGAN Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inthebuff 0 #31 August 7, 2006 Also, a couple of years ago I was quite confident and would have got up in the morning, and headed to an Airfield without a thought! I missed that boat and at present, I just need a tiny bit of hand holding to get my first jump out of the way, and home seems more comfortable. Although, I am not frightened - the butterflies are killing me, and I haven't even made it to a DZ yet! ........................................................................... We all love(d) the butterflies You'll be fine.*********************************** Fly Like Zie Eagle, Not Like Zie Chicken ! Good advice from an instructor I know. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BannanaGirl 0 #32 August 7, 2006 Tis true what Joeller and Billy say about Spain and AFF. I came back half way through consols still with my level 8 to do and my CCI had no issues letting me complete there. But then again I made sure I had contact with the DZ before I went out there and I visited a couple of times to make sure that no matter what stage I was at on my return they would take me in...which of course they did. Maybe something to do with my constant barrage of stalking psychopathic emails squeeking on about "needing to skydive" or stuff along those lines. Make sure everything in your logbook is signed off by your instructor (and my instructor was USPA rated), hopefully you will have a DVD of it (so we can all stand around, point and laugh at it!) and I promise you everything will be cool as. If you are looking to do RAPS, we have regular courses running at our place, as well as AFF. Yes it is a small little DZ but the atmosphere is lovely to a newbie and very experienced alike and within the first hour of being there you will know everyone and everyone will know you and be looking out to you. I do hope you get to do your course soon whichever way it may be, AFF or RAPS. It was the second best thing I have done in my life so far. You may find the actual deciding how and where to do it all very tiring and stuff at times as it really is a big thing you are deciding on, but my advice is follow your guts and you cannot go wrong. If it feels right then go with it and above all enjoy it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billyg23 0 #33 August 7, 2006 constant psychopathic squeaky emails???? noooooooo......surely you didn't do anything like that? a big round of applause to you and your cohorts at redlands for being so welcoming to my good self.....and an extra special big thank you for NOT thinking it was a great idea to 'wake the only sober person on the DZ' whilst you lot were getting drunk in the evenings! ---------------------------------------- I AM THE ATMOSPHERE HOOLIGAN Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnycab 0 #34 August 7, 2006 QuoteMaybe something to do with my constant barrage of stalking psychopathic emails squeeking on about "needing to skydive" or stuff along those lines. That made me laugh - which is quite hard these days ;--) QuoteI do hope you get to do your course soon whichever way it may be, AFF or RAPS. It was the second best thing I have done in my life so far. You may find the actual deciding how and where to do it all very tiring and stuff at times as it really is a big thing you are deciding on, but my advice is follow your guts and you cannot go wrong. If it feels right then go with it and above all enjoy it! I did decide, picked up the phone and booked myself on a weekend S/L course at Headcorn - purely due to the convenience of getting there without a car... However, I must add that the person on the other end; 'Jane' - has to be the most grumpiest person I have spoken to in a while, taking into consideration that it can be a life changing event for someone getting into one of the most exciting sports on the planet. She sounds like someone doing Skydiving as a business, and not really enjoying it as a sport. The conversation lasted no more than 3-4 minutes to book the course, as I was already aware of all the options. She did not offer any information whatsoever or even attempted to be helpful...shameful behaviour! It sounded like I was ordering a takeaway - where I am supposed to know what I want and not allowed to ask any questions! If it was not for this forum, and your support - I would have hung up and put this down as a 'maybe' for another day...not really a credit to the community. However, I do not want this to be a negative experience and want to concentrate on jumping - here is hoping that everything else goes smoothly :---)) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BannanaGirl 0 #35 August 8, 2006 Cool. You know there are always grumpy/apathetic people around in whatever occupation/sport etc and the happy people just have to live with it.Yes skydiving is a business but I do think that 90% of business orientated skydivers out there still get the buzz out of making shiny new jumpers like ourselves and will go out of their way for us because they know how it feels starting out and want to help. Anyway that bird may have be on the rag for all you know or just had her sewage drains bust shit everywhere before she went into work that morning. People can be funny folk and there is usually a story behind it. Don't take anything to heart, understand you are gonna drive everyone nuts around you by your enthusiasm and trust yourself. You will do well, I can tell. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BannanaGirl 0 #36 August 8, 2006 Quoteconstant psychopathic squeaky emails???? noooooooo......surely you didn't do anything like that? a big round of applause to you and your cohorts at redlands for being so welcoming to my good self.....and an extra special big thank you for NOT thinking it was a great idea to 'wake the only sober person on the DZ' whilst you lot were getting drunk in the evenings! You are most welcome Mr G. It was great having you around to be a hooligan with down on Redlands Street. Shame the Atomsphere Hooligan forgets to switch something on before exiting the plane!!! See you soon! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Joellercoaster 6 #37 August 8, 2006 Dammit, I missed the Hooligan. I always miss everything. Or do I? Darn amnesia.-- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Pendragon 1 #38 August 8, 2006 Ahh, so you've had an "experience" with Jane. She's actually okay - sometimes. You'll soon find that there's a bunch of characters hanging around this sport. When are you booked into Headcorn for your static line course? I'll drop by and say hello if I'm around. PM me if you want to chat about it beforehand; what to expect etc. I know most of the CSIs there (Category System Instructors - they teach the static line courses). You'll have a good time (even if you do have to leap around like a starfish for a while ) Richard-- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites johnnycab 0 #39 August 8, 2006 QuoteAhh, so you've had an "experience" with Jane. She's actually okay - sometimes. You'll soon find that there's a bunch of characters hanging around this sport. Richard, I was not aware she is such famous character. However, I am sure she is an ok person (she is a Skydiver afterall!) probably a bad day as BannanaGirl mentioned. I wanted to record my thoughts on the thread, so I can look back one day and laugh at the banality of it all. I want to join this sport to be free, and not get sucked into politics, specially before I have even started. I will send you a PM. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Pendragon 1 #40 August 8, 2006 ***I want to join this sport to be free, and not get sucked into politics... Starting to skydive to avoid politics? Now there's a thought. Might be in for a bit of a shock then, once you've qualified. Now, there's this story ...-- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joellercoaster 6 #37 August 8, 2006 Dammit, I missed the Hooligan. I always miss everything. Or do I? Darn amnesia.-- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pendragon 1 #38 August 8, 2006 Ahh, so you've had an "experience" with Jane. She's actually okay - sometimes. You'll soon find that there's a bunch of characters hanging around this sport. When are you booked into Headcorn for your static line course? I'll drop by and say hello if I'm around. PM me if you want to chat about it beforehand; what to expect etc. I know most of the CSIs there (Category System Instructors - they teach the static line courses). You'll have a good time (even if you do have to leap around like a starfish for a while ) Richard-- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnycab 0 #39 August 8, 2006 QuoteAhh, so you've had an "experience" with Jane. She's actually okay - sometimes. You'll soon find that there's a bunch of characters hanging around this sport. Richard, I was not aware she is such famous character. However, I am sure she is an ok person (she is a Skydiver afterall!) probably a bad day as BannanaGirl mentioned. I wanted to record my thoughts on the thread, so I can look back one day and laugh at the banality of it all. I want to join this sport to be free, and not get sucked into politics, specially before I have even started. I will send you a PM. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pendragon 1 #40 August 8, 2006 ***I want to join this sport to be free, and not get sucked into politics... Starting to skydive to avoid politics? Now there's a thought. Might be in for a bit of a shock then, once you've qualified. Now, there's this story ...-- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billyg23 0 #41 August 8, 2006 Word to Mr Pendragon there!! and in reply to you Bananagirl.....i know i shouldn't have forgot to switch my mobile on before leaving the plane.....i know how much my mother likes to hear my voice when my canopy has opened fine. Next time i'll do it, promise. ---------------------------------------- I AM THE ATMOSPHERE HOOLIGAN Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
