LEARN TO SKYDIVE SOLO

You want to learn how to jump out of a perfectly good aircraft?!!
AWESOME!

LET US TEACH YOU HOW

Come and join us at our dedicated sport skydiving facility, Taupō Sport Skydivers, where you will enjoy breath-taking views over the stunning Lake Taupō and Central Plateau mountain ranges.

At Taupo Sport Skydivers, we operate 7 days per week (weather permitting) and provide:

• Highly experienced Instructors with knowledge attained from around the globe.
• Large comfortable turbine aircraft that get you up to altitude in no time.
• Equipment to suit a range of body types, which is maintained to the highest standard.
• Video footage of instructional jumps to fast-track learning and for you to keep once your training is complete.

How does it all work?

You will initially learn how to jump solo by completing an Accelerated Freefall Course, better known as AFF. AFF is the most common pathway for solo skydiving around the world.

AFF consists of a day of Ground Theory Training (Ground School) followed by 8 Levels of training. Each level consists of one jump and new skills to master. There is a pass requirement that must be met for each level in order to progress to the next.

The structure of AFF is as follows:

Ground School – This is a full day of Ground Theory Training that provides you with all of the information required for you to confidently take on your first level of AFF. You will acquire knowledge of equipment, freefall body positions, emergency procedures and landings.

Ground theory training can feel like information overload, but rest assured it is just our way of laying the foundations and showing you the ropes. All of the information is then reiterated during practical training throughout the AFF Levels, together with adaptable teaching methods used by our Instructors to cater for the different ways that students find ease in learning.

Ground School is held on the first Saturday of each month. Private Ground Schools are also available on other dates by arrangement. Ground School is the only day that is pre-scheduled, as it involves spending the full day with an Instructor and can be done in any weather. On completion of Ground School, you can return to continue your training at your leisure and as funds/weather allows.

Tandem AFF (TAFF) – Level 1 of AFF is a tandem assisted orientation jump done with an Instructor. This allows you to try the skills you learnt in ground school, but without the pressure of flying your own parachute on the first jump. This is an awesome way to get a feel for the sensation of freefall, along with receiving assistance to locate the drop zone and landing area.

TAFF’s are usually done the same day as Ground School – Weather Permitting.

AFF Levels 2 – 3 – These levels are done wearing your own parachute system, but require two instructors, one either side, in what we call a harness hold. They assist you with the freefall section of the jump and help you achieve the tasks for these levels. However, once you open your parachute it’s all you! With assistance via radio for your canopy flight and landing.

AFF Levels 4-8 – Once the performance objectives are complete for levels 2 & 3, you move onto single instructor jumps where the skills are increased with you learning heading control with turns and flips in freefall. Once you have proven the skills of good altitude awareness, heading awareness and control, and instability recovery, you are cleared onto solo consolidation jumps.

AFF Level 9+ – After you have completed the AFF Levels you can skydive solo and continue training towards your A Certificate. There is a minimum skill level needed before applying for your Certificate and this is learnt through a number of coaching jumps and practising your skills on solo skydives.

A Certificate Coaching Jumps – Before you can obtain your A Certificate, you need to complete additional coaching jumps with an Instructor. You will complete a minimum of six coaching jumps where you will learn more advanced skills for formation jumping with other skydivers.

A Certificate – Additional skills you will learn prior to receiving your A Certificate:

• x1 Lower Altitude ‘Hop and Pop’ jump (Training for emergency exits)
• Full Parachute Packing Certification (Learning to pack with one of our experienced Packers)
• x11 Advanced Canopy Flight drills (Theory and practical tasks)
• Aircraft Exit variations and techniques
• Advanced Tracking theory and practice
• Canopy ‘Downsizing’ where and when appropriate

Once your training is all signed off and you have completed a minimum of 25 skydives, you can sit your exam and apply for your New Zealand Parachute Industry Association (NZPIA) A Certificate. This certificate is recognised globally and allows you to skydive with other certificated/licensed skydivers.

How much does it all cost?
Skydiving is not a cheap sport, but while you are learning you are able to pay as you go. Some people prefer to complete their training as quickly as possible, but others may opt to do one jump every few weeks.

It is recommended to complete the first 8 jumps in as little time as possible in order to maximise your learning curve and value for money.

Breakdown of the Costs of Learning to Skydive

Total Minimum¹ Costs for each Stage of Training

All prices are in NZ Dollars and are subject to change without notice.

1 Prices DO NOT include repeat or retake levels.
2 Price includes all Instruction, Video (where possible), Skydiving Logbook, Gear Rental and Parachute Packing.
3 NZPIA ‘A’ Certificate and High-Altitude Endorsement required.

How long does it take?
We cannot guarantee exactly how long your training will take, as there are a number of variables.

Skydiving is a weather dependant sport, which means training can sometimes take a while to complete. With suitable weather conditions AFF training can be completed in about a week and an A Certificate achieved in 2 weeks. However, it is common for training to take at least a month, as students only jump when they are available/can afford to skydive.

At Taupō Sport Skydivers we aim to jump on every day that weather conditions are suitable and the skydive aircraft are operating, which makes Taupō a great place to do your training.

While you are learning, you must aim to complete a minimum of x1 skydive every month to remain current.

It is highly recommended to aim to finish the AFF Training Levels as fast as possible.

Below is a table explaining the currency requirements to continue jumping without a refresher.

Congratulations you are now a Licensed Skydiver!
Once you have completed your A Certificate you will be part of a very limited group of people around the world.

We have a fantastic sport scene here in Taupō. Our Taupō Sport Skydivers hangar is an awesome place to hang out with other local jumpers, even on bad weather weekends.

What next?
You can now skydive with other certificated/licensed jumpers and build up your skills and jump numbers to progress through the next levels of certification – B, C and D Certificates. Each has a new level of skills and allows you to do more within skydiving, including working towards becoming a professional skydiver and working in the industry.

We hope to see you in the sky sometime soon!!

Please contact us to book or if you have any questions.

Tauposportskydivers@gmail.com

Taupo Sport Skydivers brought to you by Skydive Source