AFF graduated!

 Congratulations, you have passed your AFF training. The wonderful world of skydiving is at your feet; it is really starting now. You no longer need an instructor to guide you in free fall. That may seem a bit exciting and uncomfortable, but believe me, now that the pressure is off, your level will increase very quickly. Exercises that were difficult in the course will be easier from now on. Increasing your skills also gives you broader awareness and a greater sense of security.

With this information I want to give you a helping hand. I give you what to look out for and think about when you go skydiving.

 

Paperwork

  • Your AFF jumpmaster will sign your level 6 in your logbook.
  • On your skydive license (SPB) you will receive a note from Airboss that you have passed your AFF. The license is recognized worldwide.

Your jumping papers are complete with your license, your logbook (with a valid harness test), your medical statement and your prospective membership certificate at the KNVvL (valid until the end of the calendar year).

 

Membership KNVvL

You are required to be a member of the Royal Dutch Aviation Association, Parachute jumping department. Airboss has registered you with the KNvL before the start of your AFF training. You will automatically receive your KNVvL prospective membership certificate at home by post. Your prospective membership will automatically continue until the end of the year. Please note: your prospective membership is not automatically renewed into a full membership (FAI sports license). You have to arrange that yourself. You can do this via the link below.

> Apply for KNVvL membership

You must fill in the following:

  • Your personal information
  • Check that you have been a prospective member
  • Indicate that you want to be assigned to the Skydiving department
  • Check FAI license
  • Club name Airboss
  • Effective date 01-01-20… (new year).

 

Your first solo jumps

  • INDEPENDENT: You can now safely jump independently (that was the aim of the AFF training). This means that you are now also responsible for requesting a pin check, wind and steering briefing, etc. (ask questions!).
  • JUMPMASTER: JUMPMASTER: Solo doesn’t mean we leave you all alone. There is always a jumpmaster on the plane. He will give you a pin check before jumping and determine the order of exit. In the air on the jump run you will receive a signal from the jumpmaster when you can jump.
  • 3×3-CHECK: Always do the 3×3 check. On the ground and on the plane.
  • MAKE A PLAN: Make a plan well before you jump. A plan for free fall and a flight plan for your canopy flight.
  • RESERVE PROCEDURE: Always visualize or practice your backup procedure before starting your jump.
  • OPENING HEIGHT: Use 5,000ft as the opening height for your first solo jump. Then you also have time to enjoy yourself under your parachute! After that, you may continue to decrease your opening height by 500ft per jump. The minimum opening height with club equipment is 3000ft.
  • NEW SKILLS: Do you want to learn something new? Always ask for a briefing. If you want to try new things in free fall, do it in the top part of the jump. Stop new exercises at 7000 ft.
  • LOGBOOK: From now on you have to fill in your logbook after every jump. Filling in your logbook is a registration obligation. You can have your logbook signed at the end of the day.

The following registrations are mandatory:

– Sequence number, date and place of the jump
– The jump height
– The duration of the free fall (if applicable)
– The kind of jump

A-BREVET SKILLS: A-BREVET requirements must be signed off in your logbook by an instructor (I) or assistant instructor (HI).
HARNASTEST: Your harness test will expire after three months. Make an appointment at a drop zone in time to extend your harness test.

 

When you go skydiving somewhere els

There are various drop zones spread across the Netherlands and Belgium. A list of drop zones and contact details can be found at the end of the page. With your papers you can skydive all over the world. It is possible that they will want to jump along, especially if you have only jumped solo after your AFF training.

If you want to jump on a different drop zone, do not just drop by, but call and make an appointment.

Make sure you always have all your papers with you and that everything is valid. Because if you have forgotten something or your papers are not valid, you unfortunately cannot jump. You have with you:

  • Valid membership card of the KNVvL
  • Logbook with valid harness test *
  • Sport parachuting certificate (SPB)
  • Valid medical certificate **

*Any jumper who is not yet in possession of a B license must have a valid harness test to be able to jump. The validity of a harness test expires automatically after three months.

** A parachutist not in possession of a B license must be in possession of a valid medical certificate for every jump. Your medical examination is valid for two years. Make sure you get a new one on time.

We also advise you to check the coverage area of your insurance policies abroad, including those of the KNVvL. Your FAI sports license includes your third-party insurance, but this does not cover you abroad and you will have to take out additional insurance for this.   

 

Aks questions!

Other drop zones may have different rules. Always ask for that!

During your skydive holiday at Airboss we have arranged everything for you; material, folding, plane layout, briefing and debriefing, etc. Obviously for you, but this service is not the same everywhere. You have to ask questions. There are no stupid questions.

What else you should pay attention to:

  • Manifest: You must register on arrival. You will also need to open an account that requires you to deposit an amount in order to jump. The manifest is also the place where you have to sign up to take make a jump.
  • Equipment: In other drop zones they often use different types of parachutes. Your logbook will tell you what type of parachute you jumped with and the size of it. You can show that when they ask for it.
  • Steering briefing: Steering and landing, you have learned it all according to the rules at Airboss. If you are in a strange drop zone, be well informed and briefed about the flying and landing patern.

 

Finally

  • Skydiving is the most beautiful sport there is. It is also a safe sport if you use common sense. Don’t get overconfident or careless. Know what is possible and what is not possible.
  • Always be height aware and respect the opening height.
  • Show responsible and defensive flying behavior under your parachute.
  • You are at all times aware of the procedures regarding safety and conduct.
  • Visualize or practice your backup procedure before starting your jump.
  • Don’t hesitate to ask questions.
  • Have fun!

 

The next step…

Get your skydive A license in one week: > Airboss Academy

Skydiving is fantastic. As you gain more skills, a new world will open up for you. The Airboss Academy is a skydive school in which we offer you the optimal opportunity for this. With our A-license program you will learn better skydiving and you will gain more theoretical knowledge. * You will be intensively involved with skydiving for a week and at the end of that week you will have the A-license in your pocket. This is Airboss Academy:

  • Five formation instruction jumps. These are jumps where an experienced jumper teaches the student jumper to jump with several people. The focus is on safe jumping with other people.
  • Five canopy control jumps. These are jumps that you make to better control your parachute and to fly so that you can land safely and softly.
  • Hop and Pop. You make a jump of 1200 meters, wait a few seconds and then open your parachute. The purpose of this jump is to feel what it is like to jump out of a plane at a lower altitude and open steadily.
  • At least 25 freefall jumps.
  • At least 15 minutes of free fall time.
  • Ten jumps with a landing within 15 meters of the designated landing point.
  • Knowing how to spott from an airplane. This is the determination of the point at which the jumpers are allowed to jump.
  • Being able to pack the main parachute independently.
  • Theory exam. For your A-license you need basic knowledge about: regulations, material, weather and general knowledge. You will receive the study material from us and we will help you with seminars. At the end of the week you take the theory exam.

Study material for the A-license from the book sport parachutist and the BVR and BR can be downloaded here:

> Download A-Brevet study material

** A certification requirements must be signed off in your logbook by an instructor (I) or assistant instructor (HI).

 

Haven’t jumped for a while??

It would be nice if you jump regularly. Good for your confidence, your sense of security and increasing your awareness. But in winter it’s cold and before you know you haven’t done anything for a few months. Then the following rules apply:

  • You must take a harness test every three months. A repetition of the theory and practical skills, such as your reserve procedure. If you have forgotten everything, you are not doing well. You must know your procedures, always. Ultimately, it’s about your safety.
  • If you have not jumped for 6 months or more, you must do a refresher course and make an adapted jump. Make an appointment for this at a drop zone.

Enjoy what’s to come! We look forward to seeing you back at Airboss for many beautiful jumps.

Airboss

 

DROPZONES THE NETHERLANDS
DROPZONES BELGIUM
DROPZONES WORLDWIDE