Every person who wishes to jump in the UK is required to have BPA membership. This covers them on a 3rd party insurance for up to £2,000,000.
Most people have no problems. The weight limit for AFF and Tandem jumps is 15 stone and these weights must be in proportion to your overall height. You do need to be in good health with average fitness for AFF jumps. You do not need to be in excellent health to do a Tandem Jump. We have taken many people who, for one reason or another, are wheelchair bound.
If you are over 40 you will need a doctor's stamp on a medical form. If you are over 16, (minimum age), and under 18, you will require parent/guardian permission.
There is no maximum age for Tandem skydiving however the maximum age for AFF courses is 55 years old.
We personally recommend the Tandem jump to everybody except those that believe they want to take up the sport of skydiving. The reason for this is that a Tandem jump will show you and let you experience free fall without the need for lots of training. You will free fall normally from 13,000 feet with the parachute being opened at 5,000 feet. You then get to glide down the last mile with your instructor to a soft landing.
Approximately 120 miles an hour
Yes you can! Very rarely a 1st time skydiver will have difficulty catching their breath. After a few jumps you would give breathing no more thought than you would now!
All parachutists wear two parachutes when making a jump. If you are a Tandem student the instructor will carry out the reserve drills and use the "spare" if required. If you are an AFF student, as part of the course you are taught how to deal with this situation and what action to take. This is one of the reasons the AFF course takes so much longer to learn.
All student parachute equipment has a device to open the reserve parachute automatically if required.
British weather being what it is you can never guarantee a jump will take place on the day booked. We will give you the option to call early on the day of your jump for an accurate weather check. And if the weather is very poor we will rebook you for a different day of your choice. Do not pay too much attention to the T.V. weather forecast, if years in this sport have taught us anything it is that these forecasts can be very unreliable!
This is probably the most commonly asked question. A fear of heights can often be confused with a natural and healthy respect for the inherent dangers of high places. This respect is necessary and essential to survival!
Registration at the airfield for your jump will require you to pay for a Personal Liability (3rd party insurance). If you require Personal Accident insurance cover, you will need to arrange this yourself. Leaflets are available at the centre and insurance cover can easily be arranged on the day.
Disability is not necessarily a barrier. Tandem skydiving has made it possible for many people to participate, who would otherwise be unsuitable for solo parachute training. The Declaration of Fitness form gives comprehensive information on issues relating to disability and parachuting. It is worth noting that the final responsibility, and therefore the final decision as to a person's suitability, rests with the Tandem Instructor.
The lower age limit for all types of parachuting in the UK is 16. There is no upper age limit for Tandem skydiving. If you are aged 40 or over, you will need to have your Declaration of Fitness form (enclosed with info pack) signed and stamped by a doctor. As stated in the last answer, the final decision as to a person's suitability, rests with the Parachute Instructor.
No. Goggles to fit over spectacles will be provided, and these will securely retain your spectacles in place. Goggles will also protect contact lenses and prevent them from being displaced
