Bokdrol

Got some parallels with you. I am 68 and served for 4 years in what was Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) 1969-73. 9 years ago, with my kids off my hands, I decided I would like to do just one freefall jump. Signed up for an AFF level 1 in Spain. I must admit that I had sensory overload on the jump. There was a lot of noisy chatter to altitude from the experienced jumpers on the lift, which I found disconcerting. Couldn't understand why my Alti was at 0' (it was actually at 12000') and, I'm told, kept asking my instructor 'what height are we at?'. Got in the door at skydive time - check out....and jumped. Fortunately my primary and secondary instructor anticipated the early exit and stayed with me. Did all the drills. At 6000' I was looking for the toggle on my leg instead of on the container. An inauspicious start to a skydive but I did what I had set out to do, a freefall jump from 12500' and a canopy ride. One thing led to another....I'm still jumping and enjoying every minute of it. I'll never be a Ninja, my freefly sit position is pretty ordinary, and downsizing from my trusty Spectre 190', which I enjoy landing and packing, will never be an option. Hopefully I'll be doing much the same for years to come. All the best to you whatever you decide to do. Blue Skies.

There are only 2 run-in's at Empuriabrava, which is a coastal DZ. One heads inland from the ocean, one heads towards the ocean from inland. I'm assuming that, depending on the run-in and wind strength, normal rules of exit may not apply. Having jumped there (not as a wingsuiter I must add) I've seen tandems, which in the UK at my DZ always exit after fun jumpers, sometimes exit first or even between fun jumpers. When I asked about this the explanation I was given was run in/wind, so perhaps the same applies to WS?

There is a (US based) Korean instructor who runs bespoke AFF courses for Korean students at Skydive Elsinore. Not far from Perris but the views are, IMHO, somewhat better. But I guess you should be concentrating on your drills in freefall and airspace/landing pattern under canopy rather than the view.

Firstly, I would suggest you phone the BPA on 01162785271 and see what the BPA position is on your situation, However, the final decision on anyone jumping in the UK rests with the CI of the DZ you want to jump at. As far as gaining a BPA B licence accreditation when you are FAE rated is concerned, answering that question is a bit above me - sorry. I would add that there are one or two DZ's in the UK that only allow BPA B licence and above jumpers. Many, though, run AFF courses and new A licence skydivers are jumping solo, some after as few as 18 jumps. So if it's just jumps you want, and the CI is happy to let you jump at his/her DZ, you should be OK at many UK DZs.

I did a tandem in 2008 at the age of 57. Liked it. Did another in 2009 and liked it even more. I then started AFF late 2009. Couldn't do AFF in the UK as I was too old. Eventually got my A in 2010 thanks to an excellent Instructor and eventually learning to relax in freefall. Bankrupted myself travelling to Spain and the USA to train due to the BPA's rules on age. Still jumping regularly- did my last 3 jumps for 2018 4 days ago on December 14th.

Thanks, all, for the clarification!

Are there any circumstances (BPA or USPA) in which just one (1) instructor accompanies a student on a level 1 AFF jump? I recently viewed a video on FB of an AFF level 1 where there appeared to be only one instructor with the student. No secondary outside the door, just the primary instructor, who took the video, on the student's right hand side. I asked the student about the secondary and he/she advised me that ''after 24 hours of funnel (sp) time and 2 tandem jumps, my brilliant instructor took the decision'' (i.e. to dispense with the secondary). I am not an instructor, hence the question. Hopefully the answers from you instructors will be that this is an acceptable practice and thereby set my mind at rest.

Performance Designs do some very helpful videos on parachute packing. Google them and have a good look. You may not have your own rig for a while, which again presents a problem because hired equipment is generally packed by DZ staff. Ask if you can pack your hired rig after each jump and then have the DZ packer pull it apart and critique your packing before they do the proper packjob. You'll obviously make fewer jumps but the benefit is that you will be able to practice your packing as well as iron out your bad practices on the ground rather than at terminal velocity on your own rig. (so you'll probably get in more jumps in the long run).

Not been there personally but I have a couple of jumper friends who did their AFF there. They still go back there once or twice a year for fun jumping so I guess that says it all. The reviews for FFU in the Dropzones section are also positive.

I'm sure you'll get varying points of view on this question. For my tuppence worth, I have no intention of downsizing. The older, less experienced jumpers like me will have one point of view, the younger jumpers, probably another. I've been flying a Spectre 190 for about 7 years. I know it, I like it, it packs well and opens nicely and most importantly, I feel safe under it and landing it. I've also had the same jumpsuit, alti and helmet for even longer, so maybe that tells it's own tale!

You might find that your association subs only include 3rd party cover. There is a Europe-wide cover available for about GBP150.00 p.a. from [email protected]. This covers accident, loss of limb, medical, search and rescue etc. etc. at various levels of remuneration.

Certainly a whole lot better than my Level 1 where I went to the door, did the first 'check out' then left the plane without completing the full exit drill. The instructors wanted to know if I was an Association 'plant' sent to test their reflexes...but it still felt great.

Just returned from a family holiday in Empuriabrava. Our flat was within walking distance of the DZ. Reception was excellent and docs/kit check/DZ brief handled quickly and efficiently. We were in town for 4 days and had fantastic weather/low winds for all 4. They run a Beech, Twin Otter and Porter - all of which I managed to jump from during the course of my stay. Lifts are turned with little delay - many back to back.The packing area is indoors and spacious. The views when jumping are fantastic. Easily the most beautiful DZ I've jumped at. The restaurant area is still under construction (October 2017) so a prefab is used in the meantime. Plata da dia is excellent. All round friendly place, well run.

This is a FB post from Scotty Milne who owns and runs Active Skydiving; 'Big shout for Jamie Fearon Dempsey who was awarded his B licence and FS1 on this trip. Not bad for a lad who lost his left leg in a traffic accident and flies like a bird with his false leg' I'm sure you can connect with Jamie or Scotty via FB and they can give you some advice.

A stolen UK rig was recently recovered after it was put up for sale on eBay. 99% of the thieves out there know sweet eff-all about skydive kit or terminology and it was apparent from the sales pitch that the 'vendor' didn't know what he was describing. So keep your eyes peeled on local and international sales forums. You might get lucky.

If you can just relax while holding the b.b.p. in freefall, it helps a whole lot. When I did my AFF I often put too much effort/strain into arching after level 3. Nett result was FUBAR. Once I learned to relax, it all fell into place and AFF eventually went off OK.

There will probably be a deafening silence from the BPA on the age limit thing. I started AFF at 58 (plus 10 months...) Struggled more than most of the youngsters but with a Top AFF Instructor achieved my A licence then B and a few years later C licence. Still jumping at 66 and hope to continue until I'm old. One positive aspect of the BPA's H.U.A. attitude is that the weather in the UK doesn't often align itself to the A in AFF. By jumping in warmer/sunnier climes continuity can almost always be guaranteed.

I was on a family holiday in Seville but had planned to get to this DZ for a few jumps. I took a taxi from Seville, which was expensive. The driver told me that was because the access road was not that good. When I arrived at the DZ the docs check/kit check went smoothly. Manifest were helpful and Cedric (who I later learned is a champion skydiver) took time out to show me the ropes and do the DZ brief. Due to the heat the DZ closed around 13.00 which suited me perfectly. I made some new friends, one of whom was doing AFF and who offered to drive me back to Seville and also collected/delivered me the next time I went to the DZ, thus solving my major transport issue. I went there to skydive, which is what I did. The fact that the other facilities (toilets etc) are a bit basic, worried me not a jot.

This DZ is under 2 miles from my home but, until I read their article in the latest BPA Mag, I thought they were tandem exclusive and it was pot luck for fun jumpers like me. Not so!! The reception was first class and welcoming all round. The CCI, although obviously busy with DZ operations, spent his time with me checking docs etc and giving me the DZ brief. I was then manifested and up in the air in short order. Due to a previous commitment I could only manage one a.m. jump but could have been jumping again within minutes of packing my rig. Everyone on the DZ was friendly and introduced themselves and asked about my southern African accent - even the cameramen!!! The packing area is small and we packed outside which wasn't ideal for a slow packer like me as it was a bit windy to boot. You may also need to take your own tray weight, as I will do the next time I jump there - hopefully when they open up again in Spring 2015