OK - the following may be a little bit over enthusiastic, but i really like the place !
I'm just back from FS1 and for the second time, it turned out to be a great trip.
Flights to Madrid are plentiful & cheap, especially for a long weekend, and public transport is easy to negotiate & takes you to Aranjuez (the town local to the DZ)
From here the only slight "con" is getting to the DZ - its about 20 mins by car & there is no direct public transport (as far as I'm aware) - but Freefall university will pick up & drop off for a very reasonable fee.
When there, the atmosphere is very relaxed, but manifest is well run & efficient and there should be plenty of lifts a day from now until the end of summer (I guess this depends on the number of people around)
Depending what your there for & if you know the place, manifest will take your money & let you jump or the FFU will be on hand to make you feel welcome, check your kit, give DZ briefs, get you started on courses etc.
During the day, there is a real buzz about the place - plenty of students from AFF to FF2 & BASE groundschool (and all in between), swoopers, insructors, visiting teams.
The plane (at the mo) is a little porter -gets a bit crowded with the combinations of students & FS but that just adds to the character of the place.
The top is usually around 13k, usually no clouds & great spots - but with a field as big as theyve got, its difficult to really land off !
If you miss one lift, dont worry, chill in the sun & wait just 15 minutes for the next one !
By the way - landings really are soft as can be - especially the brown fields which are ploughed regularly but green ones less so, so when your setting up - go for a brown one !
The down side is plenty of dust in the summer & clay like mud in the winter - youll walk back about 3 inches taller than usual with it sticking to your shoes ! It brushes off easily when dry - as I've found out !.
Packing area is pretty big - room enough for about 8 inside & 4-6 outside plus plenty of grassed areas if you dont mind a bit of dirt.
By the way - the DZ is 2.5k ASL so the landings can be a bit swift but get it right & the glide is great !
If your up for it, nighlife is great but very smokey - brilliant craic with the folks from the DZ, great tapas bars & full bellies. The local hostels are cheap, clean & whats needed.
If your considering a trip, stop considering & get it booked - you wont be dissappointed. If youve been there before, get back & get a warm welcome-return.
The Freefall University
in Spain
I'm just back from FS1 and for the second time, it turned out to be a great trip.
Flights to Madrid are plentiful & cheap, especially for a long weekend, and public transport is easy to negotiate & takes you to Aranjuez (the town local to the DZ)
From here the only slight "con" is getting to the DZ - its about 20 mins by car & there is no direct public transport (as far as I'm aware) - but Freefall university will pick up & drop off for a very reasonable fee.
When there, the atmosphere is very relaxed, but manifest is well run & efficient and there should be plenty of lifts a day from now until the end of summer (I guess this depends on the number of people around)
Depending what your there for & if you know the place, manifest will take your money & let you jump or the FFU will be on hand to make you feel welcome, check your kit, give DZ briefs, get you started on courses etc.
During the day, there is a real buzz about the place - plenty of students from AFF to FF2 & BASE groundschool (and all in between), swoopers, insructors, visiting teams.
The plane (at the mo) is a little porter -gets a bit crowded with the combinations of students & FS but that just adds to the character of the place.
The top is usually around 13k, usually no clouds & great spots - but with a field as big as theyve got, its difficult to really land off !
If you miss one lift, dont worry, chill in the sun & wait just 15 minutes for the next one !
By the way - landings really are soft as can be - especially the brown fields which are ploughed regularly but green ones less so, so when your setting up - go for a brown one !
The down side is plenty of dust in the summer & clay like mud in the winter - youll walk back about 3 inches taller than usual with it sticking to your shoes ! It brushes off easily when dry - as I've found out !.
Packing area is pretty big - room enough for about 8 inside & 4-6 outside plus plenty of grassed areas if you dont mind a bit of dirt.
By the way - the DZ is 2.5k ASL so the landings can be a bit swift but get it right & the glide is great !
If your up for it, nighlife is great but very smokey - brilliant craic with the folks from the DZ, great tapas bars & full bellies. The local hostels are cheap, clean & whats needed.
If your considering a trip, stop considering & get it booked - you wont be dissappointed. If youve been there before, get back & get a warm welcome-return.