ACCERATED FREEFALL (AFF) COURSE

Accelerated Free Fall (AFF)

The Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) program (Categories A-E) is a program that achieves “solo” and Licensed skydivers. If your desire is to make skydiving your sport this is the ideal start point for you. The program is a series of guided free fall jumps to achieve your first goal, to be able to jump on your own, unassisted.

Learn to jump “Solo”

The program consists of a ground school, three two on one (2:1) jumps, and four one on one (1:1) jumps. These jumps train you in the basic “survival” skills to become a skydiver.

The program begins with ground training, or First Jump Course. The First Jump Course will cover skydiving equipment, exits out of the plane, basic free fall body positions and altitude awareness, how to pull your main handle to activate the parachute opening sequence, how to control your canopy, and unusual situations that may occur. You are then ready to make your first skydive!

On your first skydive you will exit from 13,500 feet giving you 50 seconds of freefall time with two instructors (2:1). Emphasis will be placed on your exit, a stable free fall body position, altitude awareness, pulling the main handle and controlling your parachute. Another two 2:1 jumps will be done focusing on achieving overall awareness and relaxation to begin solo stability exercises as well as strengthening canopy flying skills.

The program will now continue with the four 1:1 jumps which will teach you to gain freefall control on all 3 axis; turns, barrel roll and back and front loops. Canopy training and equipment skills will be included on every jump in this training phase.

Your 8th jump is from 13,500 and is your first high solo dive. It is at this point that you are now considered a “solo” skydiver allowing you to jump unassisted.

CONGRATULATIONS! 

  


AFF Level 4

AFF Level 5

AFF Level 6

AFF Level 7

Learn to “fly with others.”

Once solo graduation has been achieved you are now entering the coaching phase to complete the “A” license requirements. The coaching phase focuses on introduction and refinement of basic “formation skydiving” skills. The “A” coaching prepares you to jump with others safely. You will also continue to be tasked with more canopy flight skills. 

Why choose Skydive University AFF?

Skydive University is one of the first organizations to run a complete “integrated” program for the “A” license. SDU provides a structured progression of the basic skill areas, exit, freefall, and canopy flight skills as well as thorough and repetitive review and practice of safety procedures. Our AFF program blends seamlessly into our Basic Body Flight training for group or formation skydiving.  Formation skydiving skills are to be refined and improved through all license levels A through D.

Skydive University was the first organization to focus and increase canopy control training and education. Please find enclosed a copy of our AFF syllabus that illustrates the canopy control content to compare with other training formats.

All of the Skydive University Team have been trained by USPA as well as had further extensive coach training through Skydive University.  Our coach training focuses on the positive, providing constructive feedback in a highly receptive communication style.

We also offer long term leadership/ instructor/ coach training.  Skydive University’s coach course has been used as the template for the USPA coach course as well as other national Association coach courses. 

Some of the “Skydive DeLand” facility advantages are:

  • Open 362 days/year
  • Large airport and open landing area
  • Close proximity to equipment manufacturers
  • Lodging near by
  • Well equipped YWCA just beside airfield for physical training.

 


TAFF Level 5

TAFF Level 6 

TAFF Level 7

 

ACCELERATED FREEFALL (AFF) MATRIX

CATEGORY

IN-FLIGHT

FREE FALL

CANOPY CONTROL

Flight Plan

EQUIPMENT

THEORY & REVIEW

A
Level 1

Exit: 2-1 poised

Arch
Altimeter use
Activation
Signals

Flare practice
Pattern
Landing/line control

Flight planner use

Fly pattern points

Parachute landing fall

Fit gear

First Jump Course
Seat belts
Flight planner use

B
Level 2

Exit: 2-1 poised

Relaxation

Awareness

5 second Green zone turn

Crosswind landings

Pattern refinement

(Down-base-final)

 

Set altimeter

Aircraft pattern - traffic
Student skydivers

Good neighbor policy

C
Level 3

Exit: 2-1poised Boarding 3 check

Release

Canopy traffic

360° turns; Yellow
Pattern assessment

Downwind landings

Pattern refinement

Preflight gear

Equipment

Turbulence

Currency

D
Level 4

Exit: 1-1: front float FF
Spot: 90° horizon

90° turns

360° turns; Red

Custom Pattern

(900-600-300)

Set AAD
RSL use

Safety check (3's)

Wing loading

Spotting theory

Cloud clearance

Calculating freefall time

D
Level 5

Exit: 1-1: FF solo
Spot: 90° horizon (ACT)

360° turns

Stalls
1/2 braked flight
Wind assessment
Select a patter; A-B-C

Custom Pattern

(900-600-300)

 

Main:
Canopy
ownner's manual

Exit theory

Canopy theory

E
Level 6

Exit: solo: rear float
Spot: 90° horizon &
Ground track

Safety check

Barrel roll
Back loop

Stall and recovery
Flat turns
Adjust set up point

Wind assessment

Pattern options

 

Safety check

Pack demo

Spotting theory

Forward throw

Freefall drift

E
Level 7

Exit: dive exit
Spot: 90° horizon
Forward throw

Front loop
Delta 

Rear riser turns
Rear Riser Flares & Stalls

Adjust Pattern

(Transfer, S, cut corner)

 

Inspection:
Wear points
Pack

Aircraft emergencies

Rectangular Vrs Square 

E
Level 8

Exit: free choice solo
Spot

Freefall drift

Solo high freefall

Rear riser turns
Rear Riser turns

90-180-360

Flare & Stalls

 

Adjust Pattern

Pack

Group separation

Canopy drift

Weather

 

 

 

 

 

 

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