 The
first jump experience begins with 4 hours of ground school where each student
learns the skills he or she will need to make a safe and successful skydive.
Advances in parachute technology and airfoil design over the last several
decades have made skydiving a relatively safe sport. Skydivers, contrary
to popular myth, are not daredevils risking their lives for an adrenaline
rush and just hoping their parachutes open.
However, because skydiving is a high speed sport, and
because even today's safe, sophisticated equipment sometimes fails to operate
properly, it is important that every skydiver- from the first-timer to the
advanced jumper- knows the emergency procedures to follow if something goes
wrong. Our safety conscious instructors spend a great deal of time in the
ground school talking about safety and procedures for those rare emergency
situations.
 At Skydive Ft. Wayne, we take students through the "Static
Line" progression of instruction. Part of the 4 hour ground school teaches
new students how to make a static line jump. We explain how the gear functions,
what the different parts are for, and how things will happen when everyone
gets in the plane to go. We also teach students how they will need to sit
and move around in the plane, and what will happen when it is time to open
the door, let the wind rush in and get ready to jump! Jumpers will tell
you that no amount of description can prepare you for the real experience
the first time the door comes open and you push your way out onto the step
in the howling wind, but we cover the procedure again and again so that
when the adrenaline hits and your senses overload, you can still climb out
at the right time and do the right things.
Hard arch, Check the Jumpmaster for the OK, Look up,
GO! On your first jump as a static line student, you don't have much freefall
time- the static line (which opens your parachute for you) is only about
10 feet long. But take it from a person who was hoping for freefall right
away- the static line jumps are just what you need. You will LOVE the experience,
and you don't have to worry if your mind locks up. The first jump is such
an incredible assault on the senses that many people remember vivid impressions
rather than specific details. After my first jump, I was grateful I began
on the static line. It is safe and helps you get used to the things you
are doing when you let go of the airplane and drop yourself into empty space.
And with good practice and coaching, after 5 static line jumps, you should
be ready to step off into the air without your tether- totally on your own.
(But this is another topic entirely).
After your parachute opens and inflates above you, enjoy
your ride under canopy! Skydiving is really two sports- flying your body
and flying your parachute. Both sports are incredible fun, but they are
very different from each other. Under canopy, you are basically flying a
glider wing. During ground school, our instructors will teach you to safely
turn, maneuver and land your parachute. In addition, you will be in constant
radio contact with an instuctor on the ground during your first several
jumps. The canopies are large and forgiving, so if you do everything you
are told, your landing will probably not be any harder than walking down
the stairs & you will feel great about it!
So if you are curious & in the area, check
us out. Ground school is offered almost every Saturday and Sunday during
the jump season (call ahead for a spot). |
