Accelerated Freefall
AFF is the most common way to achieve your skydiving "A licence". The initial step is the Course Weekend Training. After that, you do 7 Levels, on each one learning a new skill. You then do 10 console jumps. Every jump is from max altitude (15,000ft).
Course Weekend Training
What We Offer - The AFF Course:
The course is called Accelerated Freefall (AFF). This takes you to 15,000ft from jump number one, with two instructors holding on to each side of you. After your freefall of up to 1 minute, you pull your own parachute and descend safely to the ground under your canopy.
The ground training takes a day to complete, and we spend the whole weekend at the dropzone together to squeeze in as many jumps as we can. We leave Edinburgh on Thursday evening with a full day of training on Friday. Weather depending, you'll then be jumping out of a plane from 15,000ft on Saturday and Sunday!
After your first jump, you're able to progress through the AFF Levels and consoles and become a qualified skydiver in as few as 18 jumps. You won't be pushed to progress any faster than you are comfortable with, but we find our members become quickly addicted to the adrenaline!
Necessities for the course weekend:
a sleeping bag (the warmest you can get)
plenty of cosy layers (never overestimate the temperature...)
comfortable, sturdy trainers/shoes (without hooks around the laces)
Costs:
Our initial sign-up fee for the course is £359. This includes:
transport and accommodation for the first jump course weekend
full ground training is required for you to jump by yourself
your first jump from 15,000ft!
Subsequent jumps vary by level and can be found on our prices page. This cost is reduced as you progress in the sport and even more so if you learn to pack the parachutes yourself!
You will also be required to hold a club membership, purchased at the same time as your course weekend booking on the EUSU website.
*We cannot guarantee that you will be able to complete your first jump on this first training weekend. Skydiving is a weather-dependent sport and if the weather conditions are beyond the student limits set by the dropzone staff and instructors, jumping cannot take place. Arrangements to return to the dropzone to complete your first jump must be made by you. We do not offer refunds for those unable to make it back to the dropzone to complete their first jump*.
The Pros of AFF:
License can be obtained in 1 week (weather permitting)
Dropzone is open 7 days a week from March to October
Every jump is from 15,000ft
More thrill factor!!
Ability to do club trips even as a student
Easier ability to switch dropzone during training if needed
Future-proofed way of training for the club
The Cons of AFF:
Higher cost of jumps, retrains, and redoing AFF Levels
Stricter currency requirements. You can find these on our Current Skydiving Students page
Dropzone location is slightly further away, however is accessible directly by public transport
Want to learn more about your progression after your course weekend? The British Skydiving website has everything you need to know!
There are several levels progress through in the system:
Level 1
Your First Jump Course. A full intensive day of training covering all you need to know.
Level 2 & 3
Full-height jumps from 15,000ft. Two instructors will hold onto you. You must demonstrate basic skills such as arching and altitude awareness.
Level 4 & 5
Full-height jumps from 15,000ft. One instructor will hold onto you. You must demonstrate more advanced skills such as turns and controlling your heading.
Level 6
Full-height jumps from 15,000ft. First jump with no instructor holding you. You must demonstrate advanced skills including a back loop and tracking.
Level 7
Full-height jumps from 15,000ft. You must demonstrate a sequence of all the skills learnt. This jump allows you to then progress to level 8 with no instructor present during freefall.
Level 8
A 'hop-n-pop' jump from 5000ft with a short delay before pulling your parachute. This demonstrates an unplanned low altitude exit.
Consoles
10 jumps with no instructor where you practice your skills and any other things given to you by an instructor. You will also work on your canopy handling needed for your A-license.