So, you want to be a legit solo skydiver? Here's what you'll need to become a certified skydiver in Australia.
It's a fact, skydivers do it in the air. "It" being living large and having fun. In general, most skydivers have a life wish that just keeps getting bigger and better with each jump. So, why wouldn't you want to become a legit certified solo skydiver? Keep reading to find out what is required to be a certified solo skydiver in Australia.
Step 1: Complete the Learn to Skydive AFF course
Many people think that you must, or should, do a tandem skydive before learning to skydive but that is not true or necessary. At The Skydive School, we believe in getting straight to the point: jump solo (under complete guidance, of course).
The first thing you must do to become a certified (aka, licensed) skydiver is to complete the Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) course. At The Skydive School, the AFF course consists of:
First Jump Course Online Home-Study Course
Become a short-term member of the Australian Parachute Federation (complete at the dropzone)
In-class First Jump Course (at Hillman Farm Skydiving Club near Darkan, Western Australia)
A written pre-jump assessment
10 practical lessons/stages and assessments (yes, this means you will be jumping from an aircraft)
Step 2: Obtain your A certification
Once you've nailed the AFF course, you're ready to jump solo to get your A certification or A licence, as some people still call it. Until you have your A cert, you are still classed as a student and you must skydive under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor. Here's what you'll need to do to get your skydiving A certification and become a legit solo skydiver in Australia:
Perform 10 unassisted landings within 30m of a specified target (witnessed and signed-off by an instructor).
Complete the Canopy Handling Training Table as per the Australian Parachute Federation guidelines.
Maintain your logbook with each jump. If a jump is not logged, it didn't happen.
Pass a written exam.
It's absolutely possible to achieve "certified skydiver" status by the time you've logged 20 skydives in your logbook if you nail at least 10 of your landings. But don't get too hung up on this. The most important thing is having fun and landing safely. The skill will come with patience and practise. The more you jump, the better skydiver you will be.
So, that's it! Once you've achieved certified skydiver status, you're no longer a student and you'll enjoy more freedoms while jumping. Things like:
Dispatching yourself from the aircraft
Jumping at other dropzones
Skydiving with another certified skydiver (ask the Chief Instructor first)
But don't stop there. Next is the B cert, and then C, and then D, and then, who knows? A career in skydiving? The choice is yours.
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