STUDENT PROGRESSION

Student Progression is made up of two separate sections, first Static Line Progression followed by Freefall Progression.  The main difference being that once you get on to Freefall Progression you are no longer connected to the plane by a static line and have to deploy for yourself, which means freefalling.

STATIC LINE PROGRESSION

Your first jumps from a perfectly good aeroplane…

To complete the Static Line Progression program you must complete three static line jumps, which are all included if you go for the Deluxe FTJ Course package, and five dummy ripcord jumps (DRP).  DRPs are essentially static line jumps but you simulate deploying your own canopy by pulling a ripcord, which as its name suggests, is a dummy.  These jumps get you ready for deploying your canopy for real.  Once you’ve successfully completed the 8 jump Static Line Progression program you move on to Freefall Progression.

Jean Liebenberg FTJ First Static Line Jump

FREEFALL PROGRESSION

Freefall Progression consists of 15 separate tests.

  1. First Freefall (3 Second Delay)
  2. Five Second Delay
  3. Ten Second Delay
  4. Ten Second Delay (x2)
  5. Fifteen Seconds Delay
  6. Fifteen Second with Altimeter
  7. Twenty Second Poised Exit
  8. Twenty Second Dive Exit
  9. 180 Degree Turns
  10. 360 Degree Turns
  11. Backloops
  12. Full Series
  13. Delta in Two Directions
  14. Delta and Turn
  15. Delta and Track
  16. Spin Test

Jump 3, the ten second delay test, is repeated, meaning the Freefall Progression is 16 jumps in total.

HOW DO I PROGRESS?

Whenever the dropzone is open we have an instructor and jumpmaster on duty, all you need to do is turn up with your logbook. When you get to the dropzone hunt down the duty jumpmaster and tell them what you want to do next.  Then you’ll be briefed and asked to manifest yourself when you are ready. Depending on which level or test you are doing you’ll also need to make sure the jumpmaster is also manifested.  Once you’re done, and you successfully did what you needed to do on the jump, the jumpmaster will sign you off in your logbook and you can get ready for your next jump.  Student skydivers are only permitted to jump three times in one day, as a new jumper the adrenaline highs and inevitable drop in adrenaline levels become tiring so you’ll be limited to three jumps a day.  You can help yourself by eating regularly to keep your blood sugar levels up.

When you leave, visit manifest and they’ll tell you how much you owe. You can either pay by cash or EFT.  The benefit of doing Student Progression is that each jump is generally cheaper than AFF so it’s much easier to budget, and not so bad if you fail a level and have to retake.

STAYING CURRENT?

As a student you’ll need to stay current, which means jumping at least once a month although we recommend jumping at least twice a month if not more. With concurrency comes comfort in the plane and in the air, which means you’ll find each level easier than if you jump once a month.  There are rules that say what happens if you are uncurrent by a month, by three months or more. If you become uncurrent three times in quick succession you’ll get what’s called ‘the golf speech’ where you’re told that maybe skydiving isn’t for you and you should probably be playing golf instead.  Once you’re addicted like the rest of us, this rarely becomes an issue.

Golf Chat

BOOK A FIRST JUMP COURSE

Static Line FTJ

First Jump Course Standard

R2050
  • FTJ Course with One Jump
  • Student Price R1665

First Jump Course Deluxe

R3025
  • FTJ Course with Three Jumps
  • Student Price R2655

    You DO NOT need to have done any previous tandem jumps to learn to skydive, you just need to be healthy and less than 100kg.

    Skydiving is a very social sport, that’s why we encourage you to come to the dropzone for the weekend.  The FTJ course takes up most of Saturday, by which time it’s too late to jump, so your jump will be on Sunday morning.  There is plenty of space to pitch a tent, plus we have a clubhouse with a kitchen and showers. Everyone at the dropzone braais on the Saturday evening so come and spend the evening with our members and let them tell you about their skydiving adventures.