jumpslo 0 #1 April 23, 2006 Lompoc, Taft, and Hollister DZs My friend and I are starting our AFF this summer and I was wondering if any of you had been to these DZ's in Cali and if so how are they? I have heard that Lompoc can get windy a lot because it's close to the coast and the landing area isn't the biggest. Lompoc is an hour away and Taft and Hollister are about 2 hours. Let me know if you ever been. Thanks! "Good rule of thumb; is what you are doing the EASIEST for You? Because if it is, it ain't going to work for the people around you." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #2 April 23, 2006 I'm in So Cal and have been to Lompoc, Perris and California City. I chose Cal City to do my AFF. They are dedicated to education and safety and the atmosphere and facilities rock! Lompoc is where I have spent many hours waiting to jump. Spent the night, and still didn't jump. The view is awesome if you can get up into the sky.Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plutoniumsalmon 0 #3 April 23, 2006 I was at Lompoc and Taft. I would recommend Taft for your AFF (that is where I finished mine). The instructors are great and take their time to teach you all the stuff you need to know. The landing area is huge by Lompoc standards (not counting the river bed) and not often windy. Also unlike Lompoc you dont have to give anybody your credit card number before you even show up to take a lesson. If you want more info PM me or even better call them and talk to Dave the DZO.Pointy birds Oh pointy pointy Anoint my head Anointy nointy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpslo 0 #4 April 23, 2006 Awesome. Thanks. Yeah, i have been hearing that Lompoc is very tandom oriented and not the best place for AFF. Also heard it got windy and i was a beach guard last summer and it was blown out almost everyday. I'll give Taft a call thanks again. "Good rule of thumb; is what you are doing the EASIEST for You? Because if it is, it ain't going to work for the people around you." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elisha 1 #5 April 23, 2006 At the very least, consider visiting Lompoc once you have your License. I don't think the landing area is THAT small and they have a nice friendly staff there. They have a Caravan now and there are usually plenty of up jumpers, so don't worry about it being a tandem factory...that's more in the past. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mcneill79 0 #6 April 24, 2006 I completed my AFF at Hollister and would highly recommend it. While there is a van ride back from the landing area it is actually a great time for you to discuss your jump with your instructors. I did some AFF jumps at another DZ and did not feel like I got the same amount of attention. Hope to see you around. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpslo 0 #7 April 24, 2006 Alright cool. I will give Hollister a call too. They are both about the same distance from where I am. Do you go there a lot? "Good rule of thumb; is what you are doing the EASIEST for You? Because if it is, it ain't going to work for the people around you." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #8 April 24, 2006 QuoteAlright cool. I will give Hollister a call too. They are both about the same distance from where I am. Do you go there a lot? *giggle giggle* Beth jump a lot? I agree with Beth. I completed AFF at H-Town as well. Nice large landing area, winds aren't too strong/gusty, thorough debrief in the van ride, nice vibe after sunset. Even though I jump around the entire area, I still consider Hollister as my home DZ.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDashe 0 #9 April 24, 2006 Hollister is thorough as anything with AFF, i did a tandem and AFF 1 there, go back every chance i get. really friendly to fun jumpers as well, HIGHLY recommend it! Tell cliff (if he is there) Aviva, Tom and the crew Brett & Boobs sent you!So there I was... Making friends and playing nice since 1983 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpslo 0 #10 April 24, 2006 HA! brett and boobs. If i'm up there i will be sure to tell him that. I can't wait! I am trying to raise enough money to be able to start this summer. right now i'm hooked on this forum and videos. "Good rule of thumb; is what you are doing the EASIEST for You? Because if it is, it ain't going to work for the people around you." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
apoil 0 #11 April 24, 2006 QuoteI completed my AFF at Hollister and would highly recommend it. While there is a van ride back from the landing area it is actually a great time for you to discuss your jump with your instructors. I did some AFF jumps at another DZ and did not feel like I got the same amount of attention. Hope to see you around. Hollister also jumps from at least 15,000 ft agl and has a rocket ship of a jump plane that will get you there faster than any super otter to 13,500. Plus the largest unobstructed landing area I've ever seen with the nicest weather in northern cal and consistently low winds generally from the same direction. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeded 0 #12 April 24, 2006 Plus the largest unobstructed landing area I've ever seen with the nicest weather in northern cal and consistently low winds generally from the same direction. ------------------------------------------------------------ Just dont track for the wrong end of that large field, its a LONG walk to the other end dropdeded------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #13 April 24, 2006 I don't like the 2 hour drive aspect (killed me too), but I've personally never seen Hollister on a wind hold, unlike the place I was going to. And the instruction is good, the van ride guarantees a good debrief rather than see the instructor run off to a back to back (or if your day really sucks, a back to back to back). In that world, I'd wait a couple hours just to see if I was moving on to the next level, and I couldn't manifest until then, giving the wind plenty of time to build up and ground me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpslo 0 #14 April 24, 2006 Yeah. It seems that Hollister has a lot going for it. Big landing area, good instructors and good debreif. but why is it $250 more than Taft or Lompoc for AFF? Seems a little expensive. "Good rule of thumb; is what you are doing the EASIEST for You? Because if it is, it ain't going to work for the people around you." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SLOfreefall 0 #15 April 24, 2006 My vote would be Taft. The drive is shorter than Hollister, and the student program is good. Excellent instructors, friendly atmosphere, and great views! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #16 April 25, 2006 QuoteYeah. It seems that Hollister has a lot going for it. Big landing area, good instructors and good debreif. but why is it $250 more than Taft or Lompoc for AFF? Seems a little expensive. It's the Bay Area - nothing is cheap, with the exception of Lodi on the very outer rim. There though the student instruction is done on weekdays. Weekends are all about the $100 tandems. It does offer 15-16k as the normal exit altitude and a good view. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #17 April 26, 2006 The Bay Area can be more expensive. Hollister offers a deal that if you pay for the entire AFF program up front, they will include 10 jump tickets once you graduate. That was one thing that helped me make my mind as to where I did AFF. As long as the weather is good, I'll be jumping there this weekend. It's been a few weeks and I'm really jonesing to get in the air.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpslo 0 #18 April 26, 2006 Thats sounds pretty sweet. 10 free jumps will help towards a license so thats always good. I'm tryin to sell a bunch of stuff on ebay and i'll be working 3 jobs this summer. I am going to school so hopefully i'll have enough to start AFF at least! ha i am amped to watch the videos and be on this forum, but i get down when i think about the $$ aspect. "Good rule of thumb; is what you are doing the EASIEST for You? Because if it is, it ain't going to work for the people around you." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #19 April 26, 2006 QuoteLodi on the very outer rim. There though the student instruction is done on weekdays. Though unassociated with Lodi's student program, I run my private USPA instruction program there any day of the week. Plenty of students jump during the weekend. Be safe Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpslo 0 #20 April 26, 2006 Quote Though unassociated with Lodi's student program, I run my private USPA instruction program there any day of the week. Plenty of students jump during the weekend. Yup! probably going to take that this summer. thanks for contacting me ed "Good rule of thumb; is what you are doing the EASIEST for You? Because if it is, it ain't going to work for the people around you." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #21 April 26, 2006 Quote Yup! probably going to take that this summer. thanks for contacting me ed I look forward to teaching you and your buddy to fly Sean. Be safe Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uponone 0 #22 April 26, 2006 Me and a few pal's live in Paso Robles and I know someone else who lives in Los Osos and we all jump at Taft, your welcome to catch a ride with us. We jump mostly on Sunday's. Like everyone else has said, Lompoc has great instructors, a great view, good planes, but the main landing area and the weather are not very helpful for getting through AFF. I did my whole AFF in 1 weekend at Taft and even was able to make my 1st solo. That's nearly impossible at Hollister and absolutely impossible at Lompoc, plus we have a Super Otter now . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #23 April 26, 2006 Quote I did my whole AFF in 1 weekend at Taft and even was able to make my 1st solo. That's nearly impossible at Hollister and absolutely impossible at Lompoc, plus we have a Super Otter now . that's nearly impossible anywhere - the student is the limiting factor. I certainly wasn't good for more than 2 jumps in the day. (nevermind the passing aspect) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #24 April 26, 2006 Quote QuoteLodi on the very outer rim. There though the student instruction is done on weekdays. Though unassociated with Lodi's student program, I run my private USPA instruction program there any day of the week. Plenty of students jump during the weekend. I guessed as much, but knew you could speak to your end. The DZ's $1000 program entails two weekdays, so for many people isn't really worth the $300 discount. MB - does Hollister's pay up front get you 7 AFF jumps, or 1 jump at 7 levels? SMB had the same sort of deal - 10 tickets or a repeat level, but you couldn't use the L7 until you passed L6. After my experiences with that, I wouldn't recommend prepaying. You're committed to that DZ for the duration of AFF. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpslo 0 #25 April 26, 2006 QuoteMe and a few pal's live in Paso Robles and I know someone else who lives in Los Osos and we all jump at Taft, your welcome to catch a ride with us. We jump mostly on Sunday's. Yeah sounds great, I will definitely start going to Taft. I am getting my AFF over the summer and then I will work on my license down here. Thanks "Good rule of thumb; is what you are doing the EASIEST for You? Because if it is, it ain't going to work for the people around you." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites