I visited DeLand on a Tuesday to take the Essential Canopy Control Course. The course itself, was good, but very basic. If you understand how the pattern is supposed to be flown and normally stand up your landngs, you may not get too much out of it. Read Brian Germain's book. One thing that was a huge advantage was that the class became a "team", so we got on the manifest easily.
The manifest/check-in ladies were very good, even to an idiot like me who showed up with an expired reserve. (Next time I'll put my glasses on when I check the card.) They didn't laugh (at least not to my face) and were really quick with the rental gear. The packer (Mac or Matt??) was absolutely wonderful. He worked alone and kept everyone packed, including one rig that got totally knotted up, due to a really interesting landing.
I jumped an Otter, a Skyvan (first tailgate) and a PAX 750 in one day (5 jumps). Incredible!! And Graham was great at looking after us lower experience folks on the planes.
Maybe it was an anomaly, but I didn't see 1 normal up-jumper. Lots of teams, canopy test guys, video guys, but no one hanging around manifest to join up. They may have been there, but I didn't see them.
Mapquest the street address, or you may never find the place.
Overall, I had a good experience. I probably won't go back by myself, but would gladly go, if I had some folks to jump with.
Skydive DeLand
in Florida
The manifest/check-in ladies were very good, even to an idiot like me who showed up with an expired reserve. (Next time I'll put my glasses on when I check the card.) They didn't laugh (at least not to my face) and were really quick with the rental gear. The packer (Mac or Matt??) was absolutely wonderful. He worked alone and kept everyone packed, including one rig that got totally knotted up, due to a really interesting landing.
I jumped an Otter, a Skyvan (first tailgate) and a PAX 750 in one day (5 jumps). Incredible!! And Graham was great at looking after us lower experience folks on the planes.
Maybe it was an anomaly, but I didn't see 1 normal up-jumper. Lots of teams, canopy test guys, video guys, but no one hanging around manifest to join up. They may have been there, but I didn't see them.
Mapquest the street address, or you may never find the place.
Overall, I had a good experience. I probably won't go back by myself, but would gladly go, if I had some folks to jump with.