Accelerated Freefall Skydive

What is Accelerated Freefall (AFF)?

Accelerated freefall (AFF) is a training system which takes you from your first jump to being a qualified skydiver. You need no previous experience to undergo this type of training.

During six to eight hours of ground training you will be taught to exit the aircraft, to adopt the freefall position, to read your altimeter, to open your parachute, to steer your parachute and to land safely. Your physical skills will be assessed throughout the day, which ends with a written test.

The following day you will make your first jump from 12,000 feet with two instructors holding you during the freefall phase, which lasts 30-40 seconds.

During subsequent jumps, and as your skills develop, this will reduce to one instructor. After a minimum of eight jumps you will be skydiving by yourself. A minimum of eighteen jumps is required to gain your ‘A’ licence (see progression information for further details).

How much does Aff cost?

British Parachute Association membership includes third party insurance.
Personal accident insurance is available from www.extremeplus.co.uk

Times
The initial day’s training is available on most Fridays throughout the summer and on other midweek days on request. For winter training courses - see here. You will be asked to arrive at 8.30 am on the training day.

We are closed on Mondays, when summertime ends (when the clocks go back one hour). Jumping takes place on a first-come first-served basis.

We open for jumping at:
Weekend 8.30 am;
Tuesday-Friday 10.00 am;
Monday 1.00 pm; and continue until dusk, weather permitting.
It is possible to complete two or more jumps in a day.

Restrictions
For safety reasons we cannot accept men over 14½ stone (92kgs) and women over 13½ stone (86kgs) fully clothed and, consequently, you may be weighed during registration.

You must be at least 16 years of age. Under 18s require parental/guardian consent. Everyone must sign a declaration of fitness. Anyone 40 years or over must have the declaration signed and stamped by their doctor. Forms will be provided on request.

The upper age limit for training is 54 years.

Click here for the ' Declaration of fitness form '

Photography
For an additional fee of £130 you can have your first skydive captured on DVD and digital photographs by one of AirAffair’s professional skydiving photographers. You will be asked if you require this service on the day of your training. There is a discounted price to have subsequent jumps filmed. You may pay for this service now by clicking this ‘Buy it now’.

Weather
Weather does not affect the training day. Ideally, we expect you to return the following day to make your first jump. However, if the weather does not allow this, you must return within one month of the training date. Refresher training is required between jumps and there will be a financial penalty for gaps of more than two months.

Please note we can only jump in the following suitable weather conditions:
the wind must be less than 15kts (18mph);
cloud must not restrict our view of the landing area from the aircraft;
visibility must be at least 5km.

Payment
We require a £100 non-refundable deposit to confirm a date.
The balance is payable on the morning of the jump during registration.

We accept the following types of payment

Paypal (A fee of £3 will apply for payments of £100 and above)
debit cards (online & telephone payments)
credit cards (Online & telephone payments subject to a 2% surcharge)
cash
cheques (at least two weeks in advance of the booked date)

Clothing
Please wear something comfortable and appropriate for the time of year. Training shoes are the best footwear. In addition to your parachute equipment, a jumpsuit, helmet, goggles and gloves will be provided.

Facilities
The airfield is open to the public and there is a full-time canteen on site. Spectators are welcome on the day of your jump, but there are only limited facilities for babies and young children. The parachute landing area is off limits to members of the public.

Alcohol and Drugs
The consumption of alcohol is prohibited prior to jumping and alcohol may not be consumed on the airfield until parachuting has finished for the day. Anyone suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be refused their jump and will forfeit their fee.

Safety
The sport is governed by very strict rules and regulations laid down by the British Parachute Association (BPA).

We reserve the right to refuse a solo jump to anyone who has not reached the required standard by the end of the training day. In these circumstances, the training element of the fee will be forfeited.

Charities
Please visit our FREE Skydiving page here regarding free sponsored skydiving and parachuting

Accelerated Freefall Progression

Having completed an AFF training course and first jump (level 1), it is possible to continue jumping and to gain a licence after a minimum of eighteen jumps.
Progression jumps are as follows.

Two jumps with two instructors demonstrating awareness and control from 12,000 feet (levels 2 and 3)
Two jumps with one instructor demonstrating turns from 12,000 feet (levels 4 and 5)
Two jumps with one instructor demonstrating back loops, tracking and turns from 12,000 feet (levels 6 and 7)
One solo jump deploying your parachute within ten seconds of exit from 5,000 feet (level 8)
Nine solo jumps consolidating your skills from 12,000 feet (consolidation jumps)
One qualifying jump from 8,000 feet (consolidation jump)

Breakdown of Costs (per jump)

Training and first jump with two instructors (level 1) £380

Jumps with two instructors (levels 2 and 3) £240

Repeating a jump with two instructors £150

Jumps with one instructor (levels 4 to 7) £130

Repeating a jump with one instructor £95

Solo jumps £40

Full BPA membership (mandatory before second jump) £100

Altimeter (can be loaned for the first few jumps) £100

The actual cost of training will depend on your ability. The progression system detailed above is the minimum. We cannot move you from one stage to the next until you have demonstrated the required skills. The average person qualifies in 21 jumps.

Package Deal for Levels 1 to 8

If, having completed your first jump (level 1), you pay £1,030 for the next seven levels, we will include the cost of BPA membership and altimeter, thereby saving you £200.

Cost of Qualifying for a BPA ‘A’ Licence

Assuming you qualify in the minimum number of jumps, the total cost will be £1,810.