EP Skydivers, Grahamstown, teaches the most static line students in South Africa than any other club. Our reputation speaks for itself. To do a Static Line Jump you must be at least 18 years old (16 with parental consent).

Students who choose this option will need to complete ground-school training, which is basically a 6 hours long theory course, 3 hours on the Friday night and another 3 on the Saturday morning. This is followed by the practical evaluation. The course includes aircraft & exit procedures, landings, emergencies, and much more. The training continues with hands-on practical exercises in the classroom, in the training harnesses and in the aircraft.

Each student on the course will need to satisfy the instructor that they have a good grasp of the material covered in the day's training before they will be cleared to make their first static line jump. Once that has been done, each student is issued with a static-line rig and can make their way to the plane. Once at the designated jump altitude of 3,500 feet, the jumpmaster will dispatch the students from the aircraft. As the student exits and falls away from the aircraft, the static line (which is attached to a strong point in the plane) automatically pulls the parachute from the container on the student's back and begins opening. All the student needs to do is exit the plane with a good ARCH.

The Static Line progression consists of 4 'no-load' static line jumps on which the students will need to demonstrate their ability to exit the aircraft correctly, as instructed in the ground-school. The 4 'no-load' jumps are then followed by a series of DRCP (Dummy Rip Cord Pull) jumps. DRCP jumps are static-line jumps on which the students will need to demonstrate their ability to successfully pull a rip-cord. The students will need to complete 4 successful DRCP jumps in a row before they will be cleared for freefall.

The student cleared for freefall will then proceed through a series of 16 freefall progression jumps. Once these freefall jumps are successfully completed the student will move on to the Intermediate Skills Programme (another 7 jumps). Once you have passed these tests you will be issued with your licence.

Click here to download the course dates for 2012.

ACCELERATED FREE FALL (AFF)

The Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program is designed with the serious skydiving student in mind. It costs a bit more than the static line option, but is well worth it if you know that skydiving is the sport for you.

Students who choose to go the AFF route will also need to complete ground-school training. The student can either attend the static-line ground-school and do one static-line jump and then do a short conversion course to switch to AFF, or they will need to complete full ground-school training with an AFF instructor.

After a ground school, the students will be ready to freefall with 2 certified instructors flying with them. The course has 8 levels, with one jump each for levels 1-7, and a further three jumps for level 8. On levels 1-3 the students will be accompanied by two AFF instructors. On levels 4-7 the students will only be accompanied by one AFF instructor and on the level 8 jumps the students will be jumping solo. Each jump builds upon skills learned in previous dives, so the students must pass each jump to move to the next level.

Many people pass the course in the minimum required jumps (10), but some require more. During the course the students learn how to perform equipment checks, how to handle aircraft and freefall emergencies, the basics of body flight and how to control their canopies to a safe landing. Upon graduation, students will be fully qualified to skydive without the assistance of a jumpmaster.

After the AFF course, you must complete your 7 ISP jumps successfully in order to get your licence.

AFF Level Break-Down
Jump altitude: 10,000 feet.

AFF Level 1
Includes: Ground school (Instruction), First jump, Two Instructors, Rental of equipment, Club membership till end of year, PASA student membership till end of year, Logbook.
Edited video footage of jump put onto DVD optional.

Levels 2 & 3
Includes: Briefing for level, Jump, Two Instructors

Levels 4 to 7
Includes: Briefing for level, Jump, One Instructor

Level 8 & 9
Two solo consolidation jumps including briefing

Level 10 test
Graduation Jump

click to enlarge