pinkfairy

This place is big, professionally run and very efficient, but do not be fooled: This is where the fantasies of crazy people come true: "Hey, let's SHARK paint our Super Otters!" "I think we'll offer free load organizing for both RW and freefly", "Let's host world records, haha, we'll just fill our planes with people take them up high on supplementary O2!" "Let's build a wind tunnel right here!" They think like me. And they act on it.

Some people complain about the landing area here, but it's really nice, the grass area is plenty big if it's used properly, and the surrounding dirt areas are fine too.

The local jumpers are friendly, and there is no problem finding someone to jump with wether you like flying on your belly or other parts of your body. Even if it's big and has a lot of students, it's still a great place for fun jumpers.

I love the swimming pool, the restaurant has better food than any other DZ I've been to, the gear store is really nice and most of the packers are really good.
The wind tunnel isn't big, but it's fine for individual coaching.

They take safety seriously, the brief is very comprehensive and the landing rules are clear. There is real seats and seat belts in the planes and the pilots are very good.

I've been to Perris for Bigway training but also done some freefly there. I've been to DZs all over Norway and to Skydive Spain and Deland, and this is by far my favourite place.

The only negative thing I can say is that you will get dust and dirt all over your gear and in your nose and mouth. It's dusty. Bring your shiny new gear and it will look like it has several hundred jumps after just 50.

Oestre Aera is an airstrip in the middle of the norwegian forest populated by a gang of crazy norwegian skydivers.

There is a bunkhouse (called "Oestre Aera Airport Hotel") and camping area, and showers, kitchen, BBQ and a really popular unisex sauna. And a GSM sender.

They operate 1x aircraft, a big turbine thing called Antonov AN-28 (YL-KAF), that climbs to 13000' in 15 minutes, and has a huge back door. Jump ticket is for 12 000, but you usually get 12 500 or 13 000. Landing area is small, and as it's surrounded by forest, you don't have many options but the landing area itself or the alternative areas in the south (an abandoned small farm) or north (a big marsh). DON'T follow cutaway canopies! Spotting is usually excellent and done by the latvian pilots using GPS. This being Norway, you can usually expect clouds, but the plane is up as soon as we see a hole or if the clouds are at the "right altitude".

There is usually no shortage of instructors, tandem instructors or AFF-Is, and the more experienced guys are usually happy to give newbies hints and tips for free. With the big plane there is usually no problem getting a slot on the first load when you arrive either.

This being the largest DZ in Norway, you will probably meet some "cool world champion skydivers" who will try to chase you off the packing mat, but just don't let them and seek out the nice people instead.

The DZ can be hard to get to, easiest if you know someone who's driving up there, but it's also possible to travel by train from Oslo to Rena, then get a bus to Oestre Aera Camping. The place is also completely isolated, so bring your own food (there's refridgerators for the visitors, BBQ food and some cereal and milk for breakfast is what I usually bring). Warm clothes, especially wollen underwear is also recommended, as this is a chilly place.

As it's completely isolated, everyone stays over the night, and usually over the weekend, so there's usually activities or parties to take part in after the last load.

If you are within a reasonable distance in Norway, be sure to make a visit. You'll get to do a lot of jumps in a short time, and you have great chances for finding someone to play with.