Skydiving is a great way to experience human flight. You’ll learn about parachute operation and maneuvers while traveling in air, and you’ll get a thrill jumping out of a plane. It can be a challenging and rewarding sport, but you have to be aware of safety precautions.
The first time you jump, you’ll be supervised by a certified instructor. They’ll hold on to you and give you a little bit of training while you make your jump. As you progress in your training, you’ll have a few solo jumps.
A tandem skydive is the easiest introduction to skydiving. The skydiving community is very social, and you’ll be able to meet others who are interested in the sport. Once you have gained some experience, you’ll be ready to take on the freefall world on your own. If you’re not ready to do that, you may consider enrolling in a course to help you.
There are a number of different types of courses. For example, there are Instructor Assisted Deployment (IAD) and Static Line (SL) programs. IAD involves an instructor deploying your parachute for you, while SL employs a more hands-on approach. Both options teach essential skydiving skills, but the SL method is more practical.
The IAD course is four hours long and involves skydiving from around three to five thousand feet. It teaches you the basics, from how to stay safe in freefall to the proper way to deploy your chute. This is the most important thing you’ll learn, as it will help you avoid repeating a mistake.
The USPA requires you to do a variety of things before you can earn your license. Specifically, you’ll need to do a certain number of jumps, maintain a currency, and pass a basic test. Also, you’ll need to sign up for an in-person orientation and do some coursework.
When you’re looking for a place to learn to skydiving, the biggest thing to look for is whether the school you’re considering is open seven days a week. That will give you more flexibility in scheduling your training. On weekends, you can jump more often, but you’ll need to spend your weekdays preparing for your jumps.
The most important part of learning to skydive is to learn to do the right thing in the right situation. While some people do well in the sport, others burn out. To avoid this, you may want to limit your practice to weekends.
In the end, you’ll be rewarded with a lifetime of memories and a sense of accomplishment. You’ll have fun with friends, and you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for the wonders of the natural world. However, don’t expect to become an expert in no time. Besides, your mental state is what will determine how much you enjoy the sport.
The most important point to remember is that the best way to learn to skydive is to find a good quality school that focuses on a variety of aspects. It’s best to pick one that’s both affordable and has a reputation for helping new skydivers.