Posted: 4/16/2009 4:14:30 PM EDT
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I'm interested in skydiving for the first time this summer and was looking for input from anyone who has jumped before. Any recommendations on where to jump? Anybody jump at the place in Flora?
Thanks, Jonny B |
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Use to do alot of it about 9 years ago. I suggest Greensburg and try a tandem and then, if you like it, go with the AFF program. Be ready to drop a couple of grand if you want to get cetrified. That's not including suits and rigs plus altimeters etc
Good luck and Blue Skys to you Bob |
| I made 4 IAD jumps back in '94 at Skydive Carmi. I'd highly recommend them, if it isn't too far a drive for you to Carmi, IL (across the Wabash River from Vincennes.) |
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Used to do it quite a bit about 10 years ago at Green County Sport Parachute Center in Bardstown, KY. If you go solo which will mean static line (you hook a strap to the inside of the plane and then jump out like the military), you'll be in class learning different things that you may have to deal with and how to handle it correctly. This will take most of your day, once out of class you get a rig and a spot on the next plane going up.
From there your jump master will give you the directions you need to follow (i.e. hook up, sit in the door, out on the strut, release). Once you are out on the wing strut you won't be coming back inside the plane (it's a safety thing), you will be told to "GO". Watch out for the malfunctions you'll be taught in class, and enjoy the ride down. Here's a tip ...when you come in to land your 'chute, DO NOT LOOK STRAIGHT DOWN, it screws with your vision and you'll flare too early and drop about 10 ft. to the ground. Instead keep looking out straight ahead at the horizon you'll get a much more accurate reading of how close your coming to the ground since that' the way your used to looking when your walking around normally. 
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I did the basic tandem jump in Flora in October. They were professional about the whole thing. They took two sets of tandem people (2 instructors + the 2 jumpers) up in a single engine plane. They show a video and go over the instructions/expectations before going up. The instructor I had was patient and answered all my questions.
They also have certification programs if you decide to go that route. I had a couple of buddies do some, and I never heard any complaints from there. I highly suggest doing it (at your place of choosing)...at least once. It was a lot of fun and a great experience! |