Getting Qualified

So you've done your first jump (if you haven't yet then check here) and your looking to come and jump with the rest of us, wether you're doing RAPS or AFF you're a minimum of 18 jumps away! The 18 jumps will bring you to a standard so you can exit an aircraft, get stable, move yourself around the sky and deploy yourself. 18 jumps is the minimum, so don't be worried if it takes you a few more, especially with RAPS. 25-35 are about average for RAPS, allowing for bad weather lay offs etc. Once you've achieved this you're known as CAT8, and after 3 CH1 jumps to prove your can handle your canopy safely, you gain your A License....The sky is now your playground.

RAPS (Ram Air Progression System)

If you're doing RAPS you'll start on static line and after 5 jumps could be on freefall.
The progression is as follows.
2 x Good stable static line exits
3 x Good Dummy Ripcord static line exits
1 x 3 Second Freefall
2 x 5 Second Freefall
2 x 10 Second Freefall
1 x 15 Second Freefall
1 x Pulling on alti Freefall
1 x 360's Left and Right
1 x Unstable exit
1 x Dive exit and backloops
1 x Dive exit and tracking
1 x Dive exit and track turns
1 x Dive exit, 360's, backloop, track and turns.

AFF (Accelerated FreeFall)

Accelerated FreeFall is the turbo way to get qualified. Taking between 4 days and 2 weeks as opposed to RAPS that can take alot longer. The first 3 levels you're coached with 2 intructors in freefall, the next 4 you'll have 1 and level 8 is a solo.

AFF consists of 8 coached levels and 10 consolidation jumps.

Level 1: Altitude awareness and Pulling
Level 2: Heading and altitude awareness, reasonable body position and practice pulls
Level 3: Leg and arm awareness, head maintenance (whilst totally released)
Level 4: Start and stop turns
Level 5: Left and Right turns
Level 6: Solo exit, sub terminal control, backloops, tracking and wave off
Level 7: Dive exit, 360's, Backloops, tracking, track turns and wave off
Level 8: Solo exit and pull stable within 10 secs

Then 10 consolidation jump and you're CAT8!

A license

A license = CH1 + Cat 8

CH1 (canopy handling 1)

  1. Read the CH1 manual (very short so don't worry).
  2. Complete the CH1 test (open book).
  3. Increase the range of the canopy using steering toggles on at least 3 descents.
  4. Complete flat turns on at least 3 descents.
  5. Display a reasonable level of canopy control (safe landing pattern and fairly accurate).

Once You're Qualified

Now the sky is well and truly your playground, the learning doesn't stop here but it normally takes a break. Getting your A License is a big deal, you're expected to buy a crate of beer and get drunk to celebrate your achievement! The next day two experienced club members will probably find you take you on your first tube! This involves you plus two exiting the aircraft all holding each others ankles foming a ring or tube. It's loads of fun and requires absolutely no skill at all. After you've done as many fun jumps as needs be there are some qualifications and licenses you can get, take a look here for details on how to get your B license, FS1 etc.

Interested? Then come along to our social or email us natalie@skydiveleeds.co.uk or nick@skydiveleeds.co.uk

To contact the site admin, email antonio@skydiveleeds.co.uk
The information and views provided in these webpages are not those of Leeds University Union. They are those of LUU Skydiving Club.