The Accelerated Freefall Course.

Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) means a simpler, faster and far more exhilarating way to master the art of skydiving. AFF is the fastest way to get into freefall on your own.

The AFF training program is a comprehensive skydiving and parachute training scheme that develops early confidence in the student. This is a more advanced course than the conventional static line parachute course.

The standard 60 seconds of free fall for each and every jump develops a relaxed behavioural pattern and promotes calm breathing patterns, which together help ensure good awareness and accurate reactions to instructions. Ultimately, the AFF student is afforded a very high level of awareness, a skill not often attained for the same investment in a static line course.

Skydiving is all about the freefall – and the AFF course gives you plenty of that!! The AFF course consists of nine skydives in total, eight of which are freefall jumps from 12,000 feet or above – that's one minute in freefall every jump – yahoo!

This course is designed to give you the knowledge of how to perform all the basics that are needed to become a safe, qualified and licensed skydiver, as laid down by the Rules and Regulations of the Australian Parachute Federation. The course covers skydiving and parachuting procedures and techniques with particular emphasis on the freefall sequences, body position, safety and landings.

Stage 1

Stage One consists of a full day of theory and practical training, in the classroom and on the ground. You will make your jump in the afternoon. During freefall you will maintain a stable body position, breathe normally, be aware of your height and surroundings, and you will practice pulling your ripcord. At 4,500 feet you pull the ripcord to activate the main parachute. This Stage 1 jump is a straightforward introduction to skydiving and parachuting with easily achievable goals.

Your Stage 1 jump can be made in Tandem for safety and training purposes. Stage 1 in Tandem is similar to a normal Tandem skydive except that YOU have to perform all the functions and maneuvers and the Instructor goes along for the ride. This is exceptional hands-on training with your Instructor, as he is there at all times and teaches you dz location, orientation, how to handle your parachute, and most importantly how to land your parachute. This kind of training is invaluable and prepares you for your next jump (Stage 2) which is a freefall skydive with your own parachute.

After your jump you will receive a certificate, sticker, log book, "A" licence manual, safety binder and a FREE TShirt!!

Stages 2 – 4

The pre-jump training for these skydives require up to 2 hours each. The jumps are made with your own parachute equipment. Two instructors will accompany you in freefall until you deploy your parachute.

These jumps focus on maintaining a stable body position throughout the entire freefall, relaxation, altimeter checking and height awareness, ripcord pulls, maintaining hover control (falling straight down), and changing your body position to achieve forward movement. Other goals for these jumps are the ability to locate the drop zone and directional arrow, canopy control and landing by yourself.

Stages 5 – 6

These freefall jumps are made with only one instructor, and by this stage you are able to hold a stable position, and you will be released completely by your Instructor. Your goals for Stages 5 & 6 are to achieve 360 degree turns, forward movement and ‘docking' techniques. The sequence of turns and docks is repeated as remaining altitude permits.

Stage 7 & 8

Goals for Stages 7 & 8 are to perform a dive exit, a backloop, turns and tracks (maximum forward movement). You will also perform slow and fast fall rates, and also tracks with intentional turns.

By this stage you will have had 8 minutes in freefall!

Stage 9

This is a qualifying jump and is done in solo from a lower exit altitude of 3,500 feet to give you the experience of a sub-terminal velocity (soft) parachute opening.

Course Completion

Once you have completed the AFF jumps and met the requirements you will receive a course completion certificate. To become a qualified skydiver, the aim is to achieve your "A" licence from the Australian Parachute Federation.

Information above courtesy of Susie McEvoy, member of the Ramblers Skydiving Club and the editor of the Australian Skydiver Magazine.