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 |
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CATEGORY |
IN-FLIGHT |
FREE FALL |
CANOPY CONTROL |
Flight Plan |
EQUIPMENT |
THEORY & REVIEW |
A |
Exit: 2-1 poised |
Arch |
Flare practice |
Flight planner use Fly pattern points Parachute landing fall |
Fit gear |
First Jump Course |
B |
Exit: 2-1 poised |
Relaxation Awareness |
5 second Green zone turn |
Crosswind landings Pattern refinement (Down-base-final) |
Set altimeter |
Aircraft pattern - traffic Good neighbor policy |
C |
Exit: 2-1poised Boarding 3 check |
Release |
Canopy traffic 360° turns; Yellow |
Downwind landings
Pattern refinement |
Preflight gear |
Equipment Turbulence Currency |
D |
Exit: 1-1: front float FF |
90° turns |
360° turns; Red |
Custom Pattern
(900-600-300) |
Set AAD Safety check (3's) |
Wing loading Spotting theory Cloud clearance Calculating freefall time |
D |
Exit: 1-1: FF solo |
360° turns |
Stalls |
Custom Pattern (900-600-300) |
Main: |
Exit theory Canopy theory |
E |
Exit: solo: rear float Safety check |
Barrel roll |
Stall and recovery |
Wind assessment Pattern options |
Safety check Pack demo |
Spotting theory Forward throw Freefall drift |
E |
Exit: dive exit |
Front loop |
Rear riser turns |
Adjust Pattern (Transfer, S, cut corner) |
Inspection: |
Aircraft emergencies Rectangular Vrs Square |
E |
Exit: free choice solo Freefall drift |
Solo high freefall |
Rear riser turns 90-180-360 Flare & Stalls |
Adjust Pattern |
Pack |
Group separation Canopy drift Weather |