Get ready to skydive!
You are facing exciting and fun experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life. We hope you will find a new hobby with us. In order the course to start smoothly, we hope you’ll read the following info package.
In this page we’ll tell you how to prepare for your course.
AFF
AFF (Accelerated freefall) has been gaining popularity as the training method for new skydivers. AFF is the fastest and most effective training method – you can get your A-license with only 25 jumps!
During the course you will practice your freefall skills in a wind tunnel (note: Fööni PRO flyers special price for AFF course does not include tunnel time), and do a lot of practical exercises. The first jump will be at the end of the course in Utti, Finland.
During the first jump you will jump from 4 kilometer altitude (13500feets) while two AFF instructors make sure the jump is safe. The goal for the first jump is to get familiar with a new element – air. During freefall you will practice basic skills for a skydiver: correct freefall body position, altitude awareness and deploying the parachute. Relaxed freefall body position is already practiced at the wind tunnel before the jump. AFF instructors are right next to you during your jump and they make sure everything goes safely. After approximately one minute of freefall, you will deploy your parachute by yourself on a pre-defined altitude. After the deployment, you’ll get yourself familiar with your parachute and land to a landing area.
AFF training has 8 jumps. 7 levels and first solo jump made from slightly lower altitude. You’ll practice freefall basics during these jumps, such as turns, movement forward, loops and rolls and recovering a stable body position. You’ll learn also different ways to exit the plane, flying the parachute and landing accuracy.
After the AFF training you can continue your path towards your license first to the basic training and then to advanced training. During your path as a student you will develop your skills and knowledge about the safety, different disciplines, gear and weather. Advanced training ends in a check-dive, and after that you’ll receive a A-license. Minimum jump number to achieve the A-license is 25 jumps, so the training is intense, but rewarding!
How can I prepare for the course?
During the course the main focus is on practical exercises. All necessary information is given during the course, so don’t worry if you don’t know much before you enter the course. Each student has to pass a written theory exam and practical exercises before the first jump.
Return and provide all required paperwork during the course, if there is any questions regarding paperwork, please ask from your instructor. Health statement information you can ask already before the course from our office or training department. If you think you might have to go and see a doctor, you should do it before the course. Instructions for the doctor. Finnish aeronautical association (SIL Ry) offers insurance coverage for members, more info in the “Hello, student!” -sheet.
Our club has not insured any of our members. SIL Ry membership is required from all of our students and you need to show proof of the membership when the course starts (membership card or proof of payment). More information you can find from SIL Ry website: http://www.ilmailuliitto.fi
The course
For the course you need pen and paper for making notes, SIL Ry membership card or proof of payment. For practical exercises you’ll need clothes and shoes suitable for a small amounts of physical exercises. Exercises are done mainly indoors. Sneakers are best shoes for skydiving!
For the first jump and for the wind tunnel you will also need gloves that do not limit movement and has a good grip. For example working gloves from a hardware store. You’ll get the rest of the necessary gear from the club.
The goal is to get every student to jump during the course. If the weather is not suitable for jumping (too windy or too much clouds), we might have to wait for a bit. Usually the it is worth the wait! You should reserve the entire weekend for the course. However if there is no windows for jumping during the course weekend, the first jump can be done later. Jumps are done mainly at Utti airfield.
For the duration of the course there is a bed reserved for you at the bunkhouse so you are welcome to stay overnight at the club. Take your own pillow and cover with sheets or sleeping bag with you. After the course the bunkhouse fare is 7e/night, but for the course the fee is included in the course price.
Prices
AFF first jump course includes the first jump (level 1), around 7 minutes of wind tunnel (note: Fööni PRO flyers special package does not include wind tunnel), club membership fee for the first year, exam fees and right to use club gear without a separate fee throughout your student career.
After the first jump course the next six jumps (levels 2-7) can be paid separately or with a discounted package. Separately bought jumps are always more expensive than those included in the package.
After the course you can still buy a package at Utti.
Skydiving at Utti
Skydiving center also known as the dropzone is located at Utti airfield, about 150km away from Helsinki. You can find driving instructions from Google maps by typing in “Skydive Finland”. We also have carpools from the capital area. If you don’t know how to get to the dropzone, please contact us!
During spring and fall we have only weekend activities, but during summer there is jumping also from monday to friday! At the dropzone there is bunkhouse, camping spots, toilets, showers, kitchen, BBQ pit and fridges to store your food. There is wifi and TV available.
If you have more questions regarding the dropzone, please let us know! We want you to feel welcome to our dropzone!
After the course: when can I jump?
After the course and your first jump you are a regular student and you are welcome to jump always when there is jumping activities ongoing. Especially at the beginning it is advised not to have too long brake between the jumps. However if you do have some time between jumps, instructors will refresh your memory about the training, and if the brake is longer than one month, you’ll need to repeat the previous jump.
First jump course is valid for 2 years from the last jump or from the last day of the course. Jumps (excluding level 7) is valid for one month. If the jump or the course expires, you need to pay and jump the previous jump for safety reasons.
After you have jumped your last level (level 7), you have 14 days to jump the last jump of AFF (first solo jump, “level 8”). All the other important dates are marked to your logbook.
Useful Facebook pages:
SdF Oppilaat is a group for students and instructors to communicate. For now discussions are mainly in finnish, but feel free to ask also in english!
SdF Hyppääminen ja muu säätö – For all members of our dropzone. Discussions mainly in finnish. Feel free to post in english!
Virallinen Skydive Finlandin sivu – Official Skydive Finland facebook page.
Contact information
You can ask anything from our office:
DZ-coordinator Satu
tel. 040 530 4070
info(at)skydivefinland.fi
See you at the course!
