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After working as a jump pilot for the past seven months, I finally decided to take the plunge myself! I never would have considered skydiving until working at this place, but after seeing hundreds of people leave the plane, I had to give it a shot.
I did a static line class two weeks ago, then made my first two static line jumps yesterday, on Saturday afternoon.
For those of you who don't know, a static line jump is basically where you fly to 3,000 AGL, climb out on the wing strut, then let go and a 15 foot nylon cord connected to the floor of the plane deploys the parachute for you as you fall away. Then you float down for about 3 minutes under canopy and get talked through the landing via a handheld radio. Static line jumps are the first steps to learning how to freefall and deploy the chute on your own.
All I can say is...WOW! This is awesome. I'm completely hooked. The falling away is crazy...with all the wind, it doesn't feel like falling. The ride under canopy is so beautiful, nothing like dangling 2000 feet in the air with nothing around me. I want to get my USPA Class A license this summer.
If you ever get the chance to go skydiving, either via static line or tandem, DO IT!
__________________ http://cessna140.flyblog.com CFI, CFII, MEI
1400+ TT
Flight Instructor for a Cessna Pilot Center (Part 61)
Jump pilot for a dropzone
3+ years as an active CFI
Aircraft owner (1946 Cessna 140)
Be careful, skydiving is a very addictive habit!
Over 850 jumps and 12 plus hours of freefall, I know....
Not to mention all the pretty girls and the flashing for the extra altitude
I did it once, it is actually what got me hooked on flying. When getting on the plane, a Super Otter, the pilot said someone could sit up front. On the ride up I said I always wanted to learn to fly, he then said grab the yoke and fly. I flew it all the way up, it was awesome!
The skydiving was cool too. One of the most exhilarating things I have ever done.
Where did you get to do a static line jump? I have been considering doing it again and would love to do that.
Nice man! I want to do it so badly but afraid Ill become addicted lol. How much would one need to spend to get a Class A?
At my dropzone the static line class and first jump is $175, although I got it free because I work there as a pilot. Then the rest of the training jumps are $60, regardless of if it's on a static line, or freefalling with a coach.
Oh, and the first freefall after you are good enough to not need a static line is free. They must've taken their marketing plan from drug pushers ("Go on, try a hit for free, see if ya like it..." and then you're hooked!).
So figuring on paying for about 30 jumps to get a Class A, I think they estimate about $2000 total.
Of course, just like flight training, there is more than one way to skin a cat. These are my estimates at my drop zone. Go to other places flying different types of planes, using different training methods, and you'll probably come up with different numbers.
__________________ http://cessna140.flyblog.com CFI, CFII, MEI
1400+ TT
Flight Instructor for a Cessna Pilot Center (Part 61)
Jump pilot for a dropzone
3+ years as an active CFI
Aircraft owner (1946 Cessna 140)
Where did you get to do a static line jump? I have been considering doing it again and would love to do that.
Crete Skydiving Center in Crete, Nebraska. That's in the southeast corner of the state. Small little dropzone out in the middle of nowhere, but great leadership, great equipment, great instruction. I think it'll be an excellent place for me to learn.
__________________ http://cessna140.flyblog.com CFI, CFII, MEI
1400+ TT
Flight Instructor for a Cessna Pilot Center (Part 61)
Jump pilot for a dropzone
3+ years as an active CFI
Aircraft owner (1946 Cessna 140)
Not to mention all the pretty girls and the flashing for the extra altitude
Can I come work at your DZ? I've heard of this phenomena, although unfortunately haven't experienced it yet...
__________________ http://cessna140.flyblog.com CFI, CFII, MEI
1400+ TT
Flight Instructor for a Cessna Pilot Center (Part 61)
Jump pilot for a dropzone
3+ years as an active CFI
Aircraft owner (1946 Cessna 140)
At my dropzone the static line class and first jump is $175, although I got it free because I work there as a pilot. Then the rest of the training jumps are $60, regardless of if it's on a static line, or freefalling with a coach.
Oh, and the first freefall after you are good enough to not need a static line is free. They must've taken their marketing plan from drug pushers ("Go on, try a hit for free, see if ya like it..." and then you're hooked!).
So figuring on paying for about 30 jumps to get a Class A, I think they estimate about $2000 total.
Of course, just like flight training, there is more than one way to skin a cat. These are my estimates at my drop zone. Go to other places flying different types of planes, using different training methods, and you'll probably come up with different numbers.
Thanks for the info man. I was looking around and came up with about that same number. Well goodluck and have fun!
Crete Skydiving Center in Crete, Nebraska. That's in the southeast corner of the state. Small little dropzone out in the middle of nowhere, but great leadership, great equipment, great instruction. I think it'll be an excellent place for me to learn.
Ah, nice, nowhere near me. Sounds like fun though. Most of the places around me require 3 tandem jumps with a jump class then a few solo jumps with instructors until you are signed off. I think I would like the static line better.
Learning to skydive! 
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