Singe

What is the standard range for complete AFF training (assuming that one were to pass all levels on the first try)? At Skydive Elsinore, where I'm contemplating getting my training, the whole package is about 2,800 dollars (once again assuming you pass everything your first try). Pretty steep on a student budget =/

Good afternoon to all, I recently took my first tandem skydive and thoroughly enjoyed it. And I am, as I am sure many before me have done, now contemplating going through an AFF course and getting my class A license. However, that being said, I am still concerned about the amount of risk that is involved in this sport, especially as a novice, and consequently I have a few questions I'd like to discuss with everyone. Now, I picked up "Parachuting: The Skydiver's Handbook" last week and have read it almost in its entirety - paying special attention the section on emergency procedures and the different types of malfunctions (lineovers, hard openings, end cell closures, etc). Being a total novice to the sport I am having a difficult time grasping just how frequent these malfunctions are actually occurring; this is of particular concern to me given that if I decide to start AFF I will obviously be sorely lacking the skydiving experience necessary for handling many of these problems, or so it would seem. So I suppose my first question would thus be: How frequently are canopy malfunctions seen with students during their AFF training? Is it a common occurrence? Rare occurrence? I read that resulting canopy malfunctions can often be associated with poor body positioning/form during the time of opening and it is no stretch of the imagination to think that novice skydivers will quite often be plagued with just such bad form/positioning. And my second and final question would then be: How well are students trained and prepared to handle basic malfunctions in the early stages of AFF?

Hey everyone thanks for the feedback on DZ's, Im gonna head down to Jim Wallace's DZ on Monday, Febuary 3rd and make my first jump (tandem). Was just curious if any of you skydiving forum members might be down there at Perris that day.

Hello friends and skydiving gurus, Im going to be making my first jump sometime this febuary (I had planned to make my first jump earlier in 2002, but a death in the family caused me to abort such plans). I live in San Diego, California and have heard alot about the two Perris Valley schools. My question is which one is a better Dropzone to do a first jump at? BTW I am planning on going Tandem.

Good choice, that's where I jump. Are you jumping with the Perris school or with Jim Wallace's school? Just curious on that, no worries, both schools have excellent instructors. I'd send any of my family or firends to do student jumps with either school (my son did his AFF level 1 with the Perris school, I worked for Jim Wallace's school for a few months a couple years ago). Plus, you'll love the Bombshelter bar for the mandatory after jump video screening... you are planning to get video, right?

Perris Valley, California.

Im slated for my first jump, gonna go tandem. Frankly im scared out of my wits, but im gonna go through with it. I only hope I live to tell about the experience :). Wish me luck!