Tamdem progression or AFF

[flygirl60 0]

Does anyone have any opinions as to weather it is better to start off with AFF level 1 or Tamdem progression.
I wanted to start AFF 1 to begin with but as the lessons are expensive if I start Tandem progression I can begin right away and if I start AFF 1 I will have to wait a few weeks
I have only done 1 tandem jump....but cant wait to get back up there. It's all I can think of.
I am also conserned that because I am top heavy when I did my tandem I ended up with the chest strap as a chin strap. Made me worry about being able to move freely to check my canopy or whatever. Any advice about this (other that breast reduction which my husband is dead set against.)

[b1jercat 0]

I went tamdem three jumps and than aff, it worked for me and is a tad cheaper in the long run. the fourth jump was on my own student rig. BTW the chest strap thing only happens on tandem. good luck blue skies

[RozeAY 0]

I did tandem progression and in hindsight wish I had just done AFF. I had a lot of trouble with my first "AFF" jump because I was used to manuevering and turning with a large guy on my back.

[CrazyIvan 0]

IMHO AFF is the way to go.

__________________________________________
Blue Skies and May the Force be with you.

[skybytch 259]

Either way will get you to the same goal at the end. If you're comfortable with the idea of doing AFF next and are willing to wait a couple weeks before you jump again, go for it! If you'd rather get back in the air now do the tandem progression.

Check out the women's forum; there's at least one thread there about breasts and chest straps.

[andy2 0]

go with AFF! The learning curve is amazing! I'm only 4 jumps into my 9 jump AFF program, but I can see the direction this is headed. Go get your first jump course and first jump out of the way, save up money, and buy 2-3 jumps at once. This is what my instructor told me to do and it is AMAZING how much opens up in your head and "clicks" when you do multiple jumps in one day. Even if it means 2-3 weeks in between jumps its better than going once a week doing one jump, in my lowly 4 jump opinion.

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let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[flyer299 0]

I did the AFF progression and recomend it. I have never done a Tandem jump at all... I recommend doing 1 Tandem jump if you are at all nervous about the whole experience, but recommend getting into AFF a quick as possible. Even if you spend a few extra $$$ to do it, and have to wait a few extra weeks, I think you will feel it was worth it. It was for me.

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

Either way will get you to the same goal at the end.

That is very true. Although it wholy depends on how the individual student progressions is setup, in my experience with the ISP (tandem progression), the students come out with better canopy piloting skills due to having the "live classroom" at 4k with a tandem master behind them.

Thats not to say that someone who is going through AFF may not be on the same level as the ISP student, I'm just saying that's what I've seen since my DZ implimented the ISP a bit over a year ago.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Ron 7]

Well....

I don't really like the Tandem program. I think the students come out with more canopy control skills than AFFers, but I am a big fan of the "I made a skydive by myself" program.

While the Tandem Progression method does work, and several people have learned that way......Well I like the weeding out process that S/L had...You KNEW it was up to you to save your life..AFF SEEMS (Only seems. you still have to deal with the same mal issues as SLers do.) to attract some of those that say :I could have never done it on my own...Tandem progression even more so.

Now after I have said that....

Go with whatever method makes YOU happy...If you can start right now with Tandem Progression...Why wait?

Did you look into Static line at all?

Ron

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[rigging65 0]

Quote

the ISP (tandem progression),

Just to make it clear to all those who may be confused, the ISP (Integrated Student Program) is not simply a Tandem Progression into AFF. It's a program set up so that no matter which way you start skydiving (Static Line, AFF, Tandem, IAD) you can do your first few jumps that way, then everyone funnels into the same AFF-type program (including Coaching) to finish up their training. It's meant to allow all methods to be taught, but get all the same information across to all students.

On a personal note, as an AFF/I, those who learn through Tandem usually have terrible body position during climbout and exit. That's just here, but it's very common in our transitional students.

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[AggieDave 6]

Yup, that's why I specified Tandem Progression.

At my DZ, the program is working very well and our students haven't had the body position problem (*knock on wood*).

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[rigging65 0]

What style AFF exit do you use for them?

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[AggieDave 6]

That I couldn't tell you, that's beyond my scope of knowledge...I will ask, maybe I can get Todd (dzo) to post about it.

Sorry.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[flygirl60 0]

Good to know the chest strap thing only happens in tandem was really worring over that part.

[flygirl60 0]

cool...didn't know I could do 2 or 3 jumps at once is student status, sounds like a good idea though. but being a newbie to the sport there is a lot I don't know, but am learning. I really want to go on with AFF and think I might just go tandem this weekend just so I can get back in the sky (not sure I can wait a few more weeks, I think I feel an addiction building lol) then start my AFF in a few weeks.