AFF First Jump Questions

Do I have to be 18?

Yes

Do I have to sign a waiver?

Yes, everyone signs a Skydive Waiver of liability for Kapowsin Air Sports. You can dowload this and fill them out in advance to expedite your check in at our jump center.

Should I do a Tandem jump, AFF jump or a IAD jump?

We think that ANY skydive is a good one to do! Accelerated Freefall (AFF) and Instructor Assisted Deployment (IAD) are more for those that really want to learn all they can about skydiving.

Tandem Jumps are more of an introduction, but do count towards your future training. If you only plan to make one jump ever, we recommend a Tandem. If you think you might become a regular skydiver and pursue the sport, then sign up for an AFF or IAD first jump course.

What kind of clothes should I wear?

You should wear comfortable sneakers and clothes appropriate for the season; shorts and a T-shirt on a hot day are fine and if it’s a colder day, long pants and a comfortable long sleeve shirt. We have jumpsuits and goggles available for you.

What about if I wear glasses or contacts?

No problem, we supply goggles that will fit over your glasses or keep your contacts in.

What if I am too old or in poor physical condition?

We look at people individually to assess their ability. We may not be able to take you if your weight exceeds 220 pounds, or you are in poor health. Skydiving is a very physical activity, and we will not let you jump if we do not feel that it is safe for you to do so. The physical requirements for AFF or IAD are somewhat more stringent than for Tandem, see IAD FAQ's for more information.

How hard will I land?

'Ram-Air' (square) parachutes these days fly like airplanes or gliders and sail through the air. They can slow down a great deal, so most of our landings are soft stand-up landings or sometimes we 'sit-down' when landing. Very hard landings are extremely rare and injuries are even rarer, but they can and do happen.

Do you jump in all weather?

No, we will not be jumping when it is raining, very windy or when the clouds are too low for us to safely jump, but we still can do your training. That way you can be ready to jump right away if you have to come back another day. Weather can causes unexpected delays, so please be patient, we are trying to get you in the air as quickly and safely as possible. Tandems call to check on weather. Student classes (AFF and IAD) will be held as scheduled regardless of weather. If there is any doubt please call.

What other extra costs are involved?

None. Our prices include everything you need to make the jump that you are paying for. Also, there is no tax on jumps. The only optional extra cost item you may choose is the Video/Photo Package.

What methods of payment do you accept?

Visa, MasterCard and cash. Checks will be accepted for deposits only providing they are received 10 days in advance of your skydive.

Are customers expected to tip their Instructors and Videographers?

No, tipping is not required, it is customary and greatly appreciated by your instructors and video people if you feel they did a great job.

Yes, we only schedule the AFF Ground School on specific days of the week, so please reserve online or call to book and check availability. We will hold a class any day of the week for a group of 3 or more. You also have an option to do the ground class and make your first jump at a later date. See Class Schedule

What are the Physical Requirements?

You do need to be in good health to do the AFF program. Less than 250lbs (113kg) and be able to jump off a table or chair, land-tuck-and-roll on your own. If you have any physical limitations, then please let us know.

What is the training for AFF?

On the day of the class (See Class Schedule), you will arrive early in the morning, complete your waiver and start the classroom training. Your day will be a mixture of classroom and practical training to prepare you for a freefall skydive.

How long will this all take?

Plan on spending a whole day here to complete either First Jump. Your training is about 4-5 hours, so usually by mid-afternoon, you will be ready to jump. After the jump, your skydive will be reviewed by our staff, your paperwork completed, and you can be on your way. It is not uncommon to complete two skydives on the first day here. Please plan on being here the entire day for the first AFF jump.

Why all the training when a Tandem takes so little time?

AFF assume that you will be making a solo jump, even though two Instructors jump with you during AFF. You need to know how to take care of yourself in freefall and throughout the parachute ride, so intensive training is required for that first jump. On a tandem jump, your Instructor is with you from exit to landing.

After my First AFF Jump, what's next?

AFF consists of seven levels of freefall training. Once Level One is completed, it usually takes only about an hour to prepare for each additional level. You can expect to do 3 levels in a day, if you have the time to spend at it. That means you can complete Level 2-7 and graduate in about 3 days.

What must I do to get licensed?

To get a USPA A license it skydive takes a minimum 25 jumps, plus several technical requirements, and demonstration of specific skydiving skills. It does cost money, and your best bet is to discuss options with your Skydiving Instructor. We have lots of information to help you!

Welcome to Skydiving and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!