Accelerated Freefall

Everything You Need To Know...

The Training Price includes, but is not limited to, the use of equipment, instructors, instruction, ground staff and booking services. It also includes a fee of £16.81 payable to the British Parachute Association (BPA) for provisional membership. This is a mandatory requirement for anyone making their first jump made in the UK.

The Flight Ticket Has To Be Purchased Separately From Headcorn Parachute Club Ltd. Click Here To Purchase, Or This Can Be Done On The Day Of Your Training Or By Calling 01622 890862.

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

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 below for further details).

Booking

When using our online bookings facility you will be asked to specify a date for your initial training. This date is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email. We will try and accommodate your preferred date but if it is not available we will email alternatives and wait for a reply before confirming. If you prefer to book and pay over the phone, please call the office.

Payment Options

We require a £100 non-refundable booking fee to confirm a training date. The remaining balance for training and flight ticket is payable on the morning of the training day during registration.

We accept the following types of payment:

Debit Cards
Credit Cards Visa or Mastercard only
Cash

Insurance

The mandatory BPA membership includes third party insurance. Personal accident insurance is available from www.sky-cover.co.uk

Training Times

We run training days on Tuesdays, Friday's and occasionally other weekdays throughout the summer. You will be asked to arrive at 8.30 am on the training day and it will last a minimum of 6 hours and finish no later than 5pm. Please note that your first jump will be, at the earliest, the day following your training.

Jump Times

Once trained you can come back and jump on any day we are open. Prior to jumping you will complete a period of revision training where we will recap everything you learnt during your training day. We expect you to remember all the important drills and if you do not you will not be allowed to jump until you have completed further training.

Jumping is done on a first-come first-served basis and goes on all day until dusk, weather and people permitting. It is possible to complete more than one jump in a day. Additional training for subsequent levels takes place prior to each jump.

Please arrive for jumping at the following times:-

Weekend and bank holidays 8.00 am
Wednesday-Friday 9.00 am
Monday and Tuesday 12.00 pm. (During British Summer Time only in line with the clock change)

Restrictions

For safety reasons our general weight limit fully clothed is 86kg (13½ stone). However, this limit is proportional to height.
A lower weight limit of 80kg (12st 9lbs) applies to someone who is 1.57m (5’ 2”) or shorter.
However, if you are 1.72m (5' 7") or taller our absolute limit is 92kg (14½ stone).

You may be weighed during registration. We reserve the right to refuse your jump if you exceed these limits.
Please refer to the table below for suggested maximum height to weight ratios. If you exceed these limits but are under the limits published above we will still accept you, but you are accepting a greater risk of injury. BPA form 115C refers.

Height Feet Height Metres Weight Stones Weight Kg

4’ 10” 1.47 9 .5 60.32
4’ 11” 1.49 9.9 62.86
5’ 0” 1.52 10 63.50
5’ 1” 1.55 10.5 66.67
5’ 2” 1.57 10.10 68.03
5’ 3” 1.60 11.1 70.30
5’ 4” 1.62 11.6 72.57

5’ 5” 1.65 11.11 74.84
5’ 6” 1.67 12.2 77.11
5’ 7” 1.70 12.7 79.37
5’ 8” 1.72 12.12 81.64
5’ 9” 1.75 13.3 83.91
5’ 10” 1.77 13.9 86.63

5’ 11” 1.80 14.1 88.90
6’ 0” + 1.83 + 14.7 92.07

We have weight limits for safety and for several reasons.
Firstly, we have an all up weight for the parachutes we use which includes the weight of you and all the parachute equipment.

Secondly, we cannot exceed a wing loading of 0.8lbs per square foot of canopy for novices. To calculate this, we have to divide your weight and all the weight of the equipment into the size of the parachute. Exceeding this limit means that the parachute has more performance and therefore becomes unsuitable for a beginner.

Thirdly, we must consider weight and centre of gravity issues in the aircraft. We work on an average exit weight (that is you, your clothes and the weight of the equipment) and large variations from this can unbalance the aircraft.

Lastly, statistics show that someone who exceeds the weight limit for their height is at a much greater risk of injury. We will assess your risk during your training day and if we feel it is too great, we will refuse you the jump.

Everyone must sign BPA form 115C Solo Student Parachutist Self-Declaration of Fitness to Parachute If you are unable to sign this you may still be able to make a Skydive by seeking qualified medical advice and certification using BPA form 115D.

You must be at least 16 years of age. Under 18s require Parental/Guardian Consent.
The upper age limit for training is 54.

Photography

For an additional fee of only £150 you can have video footage and digital photos of your first Skydive captured on USB. by one of our professional skydiving photographers. You will be asked if you require this service on the day of your training.

Weather

Weather does not affect the training day. Ideally we would expect you to return within 1 month to make your first jump. However after 3 months you will need to attend another days training at additional cost and after 6 months your jump will be forfeited.

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

Clothing

Please wear something comfortable and appropriate for the time of year. Training shoes are the best footwear. All specialist equipment will be provided.

Facilities

The airfield is open to the public and there is a full-time canteen on site serving hot & cold snacks & drinks. Spectators are very welcome, but there are only limited facilities for babies and young children. The parachute landing area is approximately a quarter of a mile away and is off limits to members of the public. No dogs are allowed as the airfield is a working farm.

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 any monies paid.

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.

Accelerated Freefall Progression

Having completed an AFF training course and first jump (Level 1), it is possible to continue jumping to gain a licence after a minimum of 18 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

Ground school £130
Levels 1, 2 , 3 £130 each level
Level 4-7 £60 each level
Level 8 £5
Repeating level 1, 2 or 3 - £50
Repeating level 4, 5, 6, or 7 - £30
Full BPA membership (mandatory before 2nd jump) - £88.62

Altimeter (can be loaned for the first few jumps) - £120
Logbook £10

Flight Tickets

For details of costs of flight tickets please refer to our flight ticket only price list. These are purchased separately from the operators of the aircraft Headcorn Parachute Club.

Total Cost Of Qualifying For A BPA ‘A’ Licence

Assuming you qualify in the minimum number of jumps, the total cost including flight tickets will be approximately £1935. 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.

Training & First Jump

Training - £260
Flight Ticket - £120
Total cost £380

Available training dates are: -

Tuesday 30th April (3 places)

Tuesday 14th May (1 place)

Friday 24th May (3 places)

Saturday 1st June (2 places)

Saturday 15th June (4 places)

Friday 28th June (3 places)

Tuesday 9th July (4 places)