Skydiving for a novice
 

As a believer of why jump out of an aircraft with a perfectly servicable engine i have never understood skydiving!! i seem to have been talked into a situation that as a PPL i would normally never undertake.
The upshot is as my daughter was born very premature and is now a healthy and probmatic 17 and i have been talked into a charity skydive by the bride ! .
Now as i said i am a sensible PPL, so i request advice on a good and safe skydiving school. I live in Manchester although don't mind travelling for quality.
Any suggestions? you daring lot?

Maximus (Established Localiser):ugh:

Cark in the southern Lake District is a winner if the family are coming and need fun diversions.

Tilstock, near Whitchurch, Shropshire if it is to be in a period where you might experience weather delays.

A search on the British Parachute Association will give lots of background information as well as the most current contact details.

Regards
Rob Lloyd

I learnt with Skydive Ltd at Sibson and still jump there.

Chris Allen who runs it is Chairman of the BPA, a PPL and ex-Red Devil. If you want to learn they run a very good AFF course where you jump straight into freefall with two instructors either side of you. There are a series of progressive jumps and the course runs for about twelve jumps.

If you just fancy a one off then they will also organise a tandem jump were you are harnessed to an experienced jumper. They can also give you details of how to organise a charity jump.

The club at Sibson is also good for tandem jumps.

Otherwise most clubs will organise a tandem and as PPrune Towers says, a search of the BPA website will give you info on various clubs around the country.

I would thoroughly recommend the BPA school at Langar (about 15 miles east of Nottm).

As a tender 52 year old I did the AFF course the year before last and it's an experience I will always remember!

I was most impressed by the highly professional attitude from all concerned and would not hesitate to encourage anyone who is interested to take a serious look at the sport.

I understand that one can jump with the Red Devils themselves if you are prepared to raise some money for charidee mate. If you are interested speak to Tina Codd at Northern Events, 0114 2787 136.

I believe that they jump from Langar, close to Nottingham Tollerton, so it shouldn't be too far to travel.

Best of luck!

Thanks for you replies so far,

"The Red Devils" now that would be something !:D

Cheers

Rob, you must be too old to still be jumping out of aeroplanes :E

Hello, Check out the BPA web site www.bpa.org.uk - This site will give all the approved schools in the UK. If you have any questions just PM me. I got my Cat 8 last summer. It is excellent fun. What course do you have mind??

Well, if you don't mind travelling, Peterborough Parachute Centre at Sibson would be a good bet.
Good record, nice people, nice environment.
I only went there to do one jump quite a few years back and ended up as an instructor..so beware..it's catching.
Now, I just enjoy aviation from inside the aircraft but many fond memories.

Javelin, what is this phase "too old" - it's not in my vocabulary!

Checked on the internet recently - the oldest person to climb Mount Everest was 70 years young......now that's got me thinking....

Try this affirmation when you wake up in the morning:-

"The older I get the younger and healthier I become".

Of course, we could always arrange a PPRUNE Jump meet when the weather gets a bit warmer with some tandems for the unbelievers.

Hi,

The nearest Parachute drop zone to Manchester is the Black Knights Parachute Centre, Cockerham, Lancs. This is where I jump so I can't claim this is an unbiased recommendation but I do feel they are very good with 1st time jump students.

Their web site is http://www.bkpc.co.uk

I Hope that helps, if you'd like any more info feel free to send me a PM.


Regards,

FreeFallFun

Javelin,

Time for a pint of catching up - swing that lamp! Between the BPA and PFA could be a good gossip.

And in a pathetic attampt to keep this on topic I was a pilot who got talked into trying out this jumping business.

Very, very addictive.

Regards
Rob

BPA Pilot No. 15, Cat X, FAI D Licence and sheep shaped 'victory' stickers on the side of the Islander after a mutton arrested landing and imprompu spit roast.

I once heard a rumour that the total amount of money raised by charity parachute jumps is less than the money spent by the NHS (read taxpayers) on patching up broken ankles, legs etc of charity parachute jumpers.

Anybody know whether this is true?

Whilst not having the statistics to back it up I suspect that "rumour" is utter nonsense!

My own observation is that any injury is very much the exception rather than the rule probably fueled by the TV celebrity a while ago who broke an ankle (I think) doing a tandem skydive.

If you are thinking of doing it don't be put off by this sort of scaremongering - yes, there is an element of risk but when you see the professional way in which all concerned go about the sport and realise that you are more likely to die whilst angling than skydiving you can go and enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

Not only that charity jumps make a significant contribution to the organisations concerned in a fun way.