Passed my checkDIVE!

jrh

jrh

Well-Known Member
That's right, check*dive*, not checkride.

This afternoon at Crete Skydiving Center, on my 40th jump, nearly two and a half years after my first jump, I became a USPA "A" licensed skydiver.

Completing this training is even more satisfying than becoming a private pilot. It's really amazing stuff.
 
Congrats man. Thats on my to do list when I have the money. About how much did that cost if you dont mind me asking.
 
Inverted25 said:
Congrats man. Thats on my to do list when I have the money. About how much did that cost if you dont mind me asking.
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I honestly don't know. A few grand. It's normally $75/jump, for 40 jumps, so the math works out to be $3000. But I also fly as a jump pilot for them, so I got a few jumps thrown in for free as a perk, plus put all my earnings from working as a pilot on to my jump account, so how much money came out of my pocket...I have no clue.

It was one of those things I determined I could afford and was willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish, so I just went out and jumped every chance I could get. At the end of the weekend I'd pay up whatever it took to settle my account back to zero.
 
Sweet! Congratulations!! I had my first tandem a week ago, now there is no doubt...I will lose all of my money to aviation, in one form or another! Have you gotten as far as buying your own gear?
 
I'll probably do at least 1 or 2 jumps every weekend. Maybe more. I dunno. That's what's nice about being done with training. The world is mine for whatever I feel like!

As for buying my own gear, I already have my own helmet and altimeter. I'm saving up for a brand new rig (about $5k). Hopefully I'll have enough saved by this winter that I can order it and have it for next season.
 
Way to go dude, one of my best friends is trying to get his done this week. I wish I had the balls for that!
 
Nice. I have jumped (tandem) exactly once... but it was a blast.

I imagine that a failed check-dive is probably quite a bit more unforgiving than a failed check-ride... do guys actually fail check dives and, well,... I guess what I'm asking is, what constitutes a failed check dive other than the painfully obvious?
 
fish314 said:
Nice. I have jumped (tandem) exactly once... but it was a blast.

I imagine that a failed check-dive is probably quite a bit more unforgiving than a failed check-ride... do guys actually fail check dives and, well,... I guess what I'm asking is, what constitutes a failed check dive other than the painfully obvious?
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You have a set routine of skills you have to do to complete a checkdive, usually involving a front loop, back loop, barrel roll, 360 turn, track and pull by a certain altitude. You are cleared for solo status before you get your license, usually at around 7-10 jumps (AFF). You need a number of solo and coach jumps to sign off the A license proficiency card before you do your final check out dive and get your A license.
 
jrh said:
That's right, check*dive*, not checkride.

This afternoon at Crete Skydiving Center, on my 40th jump, nearly two and a half years after my first jump, I became a USPA "A" licensed skydiver.

Completing this training is even more satisfying than becoming a private pilot. It's really amazing stuff.
Click to expand...

Awesome! I'm still working towards my A (on the 5 year plan I guess). I want to get back into it because a skydiving mecca, Zephyr Hills, is close by.

I've flown airplanes and I've jumped from them. Jumping is way more intense IMHO. Not only do you have to have the same technical aptitude, but the ability to use that aptitude when your heart is beating through your chest.

And that's probably why I might never return. I always worried I'd get a horseshoe malfunction and go in because I froze up. So much so that my last ride was a ride down, I refused to jump. Maybe one day..

Again, congrats! :beer:
 
Hawks said:
You have a set routine of skills you have to do to complete a checkdive, usually involving a front loop, back loop, barrel roll, 360 turn, track and pull by a certain altitude. You are cleared for solo status before you get your license, usually at around 7-10 jumps (AFF). You need a number of solo and coach jumps to sign off the A license proficiency card before you do your final check out dive and get your A license.
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:yeahthat:

I did a static-line progression rather than AFF, so my training was a little different, but ultimately reached the same skill level.

Something else that is stressed (at least at my dropzone, not sure if this is universal or not) is the ability to plan and execute a skydive safely entirely on your own. So it's not only about skills in freefall. That means checking gear, coordinating with the jump pilot, planning the maneuvers with other jumpers, spotting the plane (accurately giving directions to the pilot in order to exit at the correct location along the ground), flying a safe traffic pattern once under canopy, etc. The instructor who jumped with me on the checkdive pretty much played dumb and did whatever I told him to do, such as when to climb out of the plane, etc. That simulates leading a jump with other relatively inexperienced skydivers for when I'm on my own.
 
Congrats!!!!

I did static line in 2007 (7-7-2007) and tandem in April of 2010.

Great experience and surely will jump some more in the future.

Stay safe and...blue skies!
 
darthpanda said:
Awesome! I'm still working towards my A (on the 5 year plan I guess). I want to get back into it because a skydiving mecca, Zephyr Hills, is close by.

I've flown airplanes and I've jumped from them. Jumping is way more intense IMHO. Not only do you have to have the same technical aptitude, but the ability to use that aptitude when your heart is beating through your chest.

And that's probably why I might never return. I always worried I'd get a horseshoe malfunction and go in because I froze up. So much so that my last ride was a ride down, I refused to jump. Maybe one day..

Again, congrats! :beer:
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I'll be the first to admit skydiving isn't for everyone. Nothing wrong with that.

Honestly, my first 20 jumps or so were very much a love/hate thing. I'd be driving out to the DZ, hoping the wind would be too strong, or the clouds too low, or some excuse to cancel. Even sitting on the ground, my heart rate would go up and I'd lose my appetite just thinking about jumping in a few minutes. But then I'd force myself to make a jump and the feeling of dread would be overwhelmed by the adrenaline, sense of accomplishment, relaxing view while hanging out under canopy at sunset, etc. I couldn't quit.

I think it's something most skydivers push through, in one way or another. The more I started packing for myself, trusting the equipment (and seeing how forgiving it actually is), trying different exits from the plane, gaining freefall skills, etc. the more confident I got. Even now, on that last 1000 feet of climbing, right before the door comes open, I feel my heart rate go up. But it's totally manageable. As soon as I step out in to the wind it's a huge sense of peace. Time slows down and my mind shuts out absolutely everything except what's happening in the moment. The heart rate drops, the fear goes away, and I take off, flying without a plane.

Good luck to you if you decide to get back in to it. Let me know how it goes!
 
jrh but then changed by Okie_Pilot said:
I'll be the first to admit flying isn't for everyone. Nothing wrong with that.

Honestly, my first 20 takeoffs or so were very much a love/hate thing. I'd be driving out to the DZ, hoping the wind would be too strong, or the clouds too low, or some excuse to cancel. Even sitting on the ground, my heart rate would go up and I'd lose my appetite just thinking about flying in a few minutes. But then I'd force myself to make a flight and the feeling of dread would be overwhelmed by the adrenaline, sense of accomplishment, relaxing view while hanging out under the wings at sunset, etc. I couldn't quit.

I think it's something most pilots push through, in one way or another. The more I started packing for myself, trusting the equipment (and seeing how forgiving it actually is), trying different things with the plane, gaining landing skills, etc. the more confident I got. Even now, on that last 1000 feet of descending, right before the runway comes up, I feel my heart rate go up. But it's totally manageable. As soon as I step out on to the ground it's a huge sense of peace. Time slows down and my mind shuts out absolutely everything except what's happening in the moment. The heart rate drops, the fear goes away, and I drive off, knowing that I'll fly again.

Good luck to you if you decide to get back in to it. Let me know how it goes!
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I'm sorry, jrh. But I just had too.... :D

Congrats! :beer:
 
Firebird2XC said:
Congrats!

So what exactly does this license entitle you to do? I admit I know very little about it.
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That's ok, I didn't have a clue about skydiving until I started doing it!

Think of it like a private pilot certificate for skydiving.

A student pilot must be under the supervision of a CFI in one form or another at all times. Then, when they become a private pilot, they're free to be completely unsupervised. They are the PIC. They make all the decisions.

Same thing here. When still under "student status" as a skydiver, I had to always be supervised by a licensed coach or skydiving instructor. Now I'm free to be as stupid as I want. I make the decisions about what I'll do during a jump, how much wind I'm willing to jump in, etc. Nobody watches out for me except me.

Also, just as how a student pilot can't take passengers up but private pilots can fly with whomever they please, it's similar with skydivers. As a student, I could only either jump with a coach or by myself. Now I can jump with other licensed skydivers. You've probably seen videos of three-ways, four-ways, and even bigger formations of skydivers falling together, or exiting a plane with their arms locked together, etc. I'm allowed to be a part of those group dives now. Jumping out of a plane is always pretty darn fun, but when you do it with friends it gets even better. It's a surprisingly social sport.

Ultimately, just like how a private pilot certificate is a "license to learn," the A License for skydiving is the same way. I understand I'm only scratching the surface of everything available in the skydiving world. Now it's up to me to improve my body flying skills to the level that I can jump in big formations, coach other novice jumpers, shoot videos of other skydivers, do demo jumps in to outdoor events, etc. Those are some of the more advanced skills a person can get in to.
 
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