Journey

Skydiving with Lewie

If you've never skydived before, give it a try with a tandem jump at your nearest dropzone. If you've already done a tandem jump and know it's something you'd like to do, give your nearest dropzone a call and chat to them about their AFF course. Also search online for other courses further afield in the US or Europe.

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members

Expert

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Taking your first step Section

Milestones

Habits

Challenges

Resources

Key Milestones

1

Accelerated Free Fall license (AFF) -- 7 jumps with different skills and tests in each. 8th jump will be your first solo jump.
2

A-License -- Additional skills and tests to your 25th jump. Each day you can do 6-11 jumps if the weather is good.
3

B-License -- 50 jumps. Includes a water course (to jump near a lake or beach), night jumps, and tests your ability to land with 10 of those jumps within a specific diameter, so that you can safely land close to an object.
4

100 jumps -- no additional qualification for this but it's a skydivers tradition to have a pie thrown in your face!
5

200 jumps -- qualified to wear a camera while jumping. Eligible at 200 jumps to do a wingsuit course. You can also apply for a C-license which gives you a particular level of demo jump -- the ability to land on beaches or within 50 feet of objects.
6

Not long after 200 jumps you apply for a pro license or coach license.
7

D-License -- 500 jumps.
8

Instructor course.

Habits

Consistency

What?

Keep consistent during the learning phase by jumping regularly.

Why?

Consistency is important for both safety and skill progression.

Tips?

If you can, stay at a dropzone for your AFF, and then try to jump every week thereafter.

Challenges

Cost

The upfront outlay isn't cheap -- you have to pay for the AFF course, skydiving gear, and potentially travel.
Weather

Skydiving is a weather dependent sport, which means you can have entire days and weekends at the dropzone without jumping.
Travel

Dropzones aren't in cities, so chances are you'll have to travel to be able to jump.
Giving up your weekends

If you're like Lewie and live in the city, it can be difficult to be skydiving every weekend as you miss out on all your non-skydiving friends' events.
Finding people to jump with

Until you get to 100 jumps, other skydivers will be reluctant to jump with you because of your inexperience.
Injury

While jumping out of a plane may seem dangerous, injuries caused by the sport aren't actually all that common. But the sport does require you to run at full pace and landing a canopy can have some impact.

Resources

PD Canopies

Canopies
L&B Viso 2 Digital Skydiving Altimeter

Altimeter
Vertical Skydive Suits

Skydive suits
Squirrel Wingsuits

Wingsuits

Skydiving with Lewie

13

Expert

Taking your first step Section

Key Milestones

1

Habits

Consistency

What?

Why?

Tips?

Challenges

Cost

Resources