The TAF/AFF Jumps
Stage 1 Training & Jump – TAF/AFF
Stage One consists of a full day of theory and practical training, in the classroom,
on the ground and in the training harnesses. You will make your Stage 1 jump
in the afternoon. After exiting the aircraft you will maintain a stable body
position, breathe normally, be aware of your height and surroundings and you
will practice deploying your parachute. At 5000 feet you pull the ripcord to
open the main parachute. This Stage 1 jump is a straightforward introduction
to skydiving and parachuting with easily achievable goals.
Your Stage 1 jump is made in Tandem (TAF) for advanced training purposes and
safety. (Note: when learning to fly & drive you are not alone for your first
time, always assisted by an Instructor.) Stage 1 in Tandem is totally different
to a normal Tandem skydive/joyride in that YOU perform all the maneuvers and
the Instructor goes along for the ride. This is exceptional hands-on training
as the Instructor is with you at all times throughout the jump – from
exit to landing. When you deploy the parachute the Instructor teaches you about
your parachute, how it functions, how to handle it, flight patterns, wind indicators
& directions, drop zone location and orientation and most importantly how
to land your parachute. This kind of training is invaluable and prepares you
for your next jump (Stage 2).
After your jump you will receive a certificate, sticker, student log book,
a safety binder with an ‘A’ Licence manual.
Bookings are essential
for Stage 1. The Stage 1 Training Course commences every Saturday, Monday and
Wednesday at 9am, other days are available on request.
Stages 2 – 4
Stages 2 onwards can be TAF or AFF, the choice is yours. If you choose TAF, these
jumps are made in Tandem, and for AFF, the jumps are made with two instructors
who accompany you for the 60 second freefall until you deploy your own parachute.
The pre-jump training for these skydives require up to 2 hours each. These
jumps focus on maintaining a stable body position throughout the entire
freefall, altimeter and height awareness, maintaining hover control (falling
straight down), changing your body position to achieve forward movement and
turns, parachute deployment and fun. After opening, other goals include the ability
to locate the drop zone and directional arrow, canopy control, flight patterns
and landing the parachute.
Stages 5 and 6
For the TAF/AFF Course, these skydives are made with one Instructor and
by this stage you are able to hold a stable flying position and you are ‘height
aware’. You will be released completely by your Instructor – you
are flying! Your extra goals for Stage 5 & 6 are, while in freefall to achieve 360 degree turns,
move forward, dock with your Instructor and have FUN!.
The sequence of turns and docks is repeated as remaining altitude permits.
Stages 7 and 8
Goals for Stages 7 & 8 are to have more fun with a dive exit, back loops,
turns and tracks (maximum forward movement). You will also perform slow and
fast fall rates and also tracks with intentional turns – yahoo!
By this stage you will have learnt all the basic techniques of freefall skydiving
and parachuting and you will have acquired the skills and experience necessary
to jump by yourself without Instructors. Also, you will have had over 8 minutes
in freefall - Yahoo!
Stage 9
This is your qualifying jump and is performed solo from a lower exit altitude
of 4,000 feet to give you the experience of a shorter freefall (maximum 10 seconds)
and a sub-terminal velocity parachute opening.
Course Completion
Once you have completed the nine jumps of the TAF/AFF course you will receive
a course completion certificate, stickers, a copy of the Australian Skydiver
Magazine, an ‘A’ Licence Manual and ‘A’ Licence application
card. You are then qualified to go solo jumping (or with an Instructor) any
time you wish. The TAF/AFF course with Ramblers is recognised internationally
and the best news is that jumps are at a great price, and gear hire and
packing are easy to arrange!
Video as a Training Tool
Having your Course jumps videoed is the single most valuable training aid available
– for you and your Instructor. The video never lies - it shows exactly
what is happening, from aircraft exit to canopy opening and your parachute landing.
Instructors can give you the most thorough and accurate briefings of your jumps
– as you can see and understand what is happening and they can explain
to you why it is happening. By way of video footage and with the assistance
of slow motion the good and the bad are revealed, described, understood and
progressed upon, making your learning curve higher and faster. Besides, everybody
LOVES seeing themselves on video, especially when skydiving! Note that videos for all Courses
are at a discounted price.
Jump Height
Ramblers Drop Zone at Toogoolawah is the only drop zone in south Queensland
that offers TAF/AFF Course jumps from 14,000 feet. (Most drop zones only
offer jumps from 10,000 feet for around the same price!)
Jumping from 14,000 feet is of huge benefit to you as a learner, as you receive
much more freefall time (10,000 feet = 35 secs, 14,000ft = 60 secs) to complete
your jumps successfully without rushing, much greater value for money and a
lot more fun (almost double the freefall – yahoo!)
Ramblers Drop Zone at Toogoolawah is the only drop zone in south Queensland
that offers TAF/AFF Course jumps from a large turbine aircraft. (Most drop
zones only have small Cessna type planes that seat up to 5 people max.) Jumping
from our modern turbine plane gives you a quick ride to height (only 15 mins),
more room to move around (safer & easier), a large door to exit from (safer
& easier, no climbing out on wing struts), plus seats up to 17 jumpers.
Skydiving Courses
Come and get your knees in the breeze … become a qualified skydiver and enjoy a life
full of incredible fun, new friends and freefall - yahoo! Ramblers specialise in
skydiving/parachuting instruction and coaching and have been teaching people how to
skydive since 1974! We take people with no experience through all levels to become
competent and qualified skydivers, competitors, Instructors and even World
Champions!
There are two training courses available at Ramblers:
- TAF/AFF Tandem Assisted-Accelerated Freefall Skydiving Course
- SL Static Line Parachuting Course
Ramblers offers courses 7 days a week at Toogoolawah Drop Zone, courses starting
daily.
The courses are designed for beginners with no experience. All equipment is supplied.
Both courses give you the knowledge & experience to become a qualified and licensed
skydiver, as laid down by the regulations of the Australian Parachute Federation. Both
courses cover freefall skydiving and parachuting techniques with particular emphasis
on FUN and freefall sequences, body position, safety, canopy flight and landings.
TAF/AFF Course
Ramblers has developed a course that combines the best of the original TAF and AFF
programs.
The biggest fun factor of skydiving is the freefall and the TAF/AFF courses give you
plenty of that! Both courses consist of nine skydives (stages) in total, eight of which
are freefall jumps from 14,000 feet - that's over one minute of freefall every jump -
yahoo !!
On those 8 jumps your personal instructors will leave the aircraft together with you to
instruct you one on one during the freefall.
Static-Line Course
The Ramblers Static-line course is an option for learners who want to do more jumps
for less cost. The main reason being that you share your instructor costs with 2 other
learners and the early jumps are done from a lower altitude.
The Static-Line course consists of 17 jumps. The first 5 jumps are static-line, done
from 4000 feet (Your parachute opens automatically). The next 11 jumps are solo
freefall jumps gradually building up your freefall delays from 3 seconds to 1 minute
(You open the parachute yourself).
TAF/AFF Course Packages
Stage 1 and First Jump
Complete the First Jump Training Course – a full day of theory and ground training.
Make your jump in the afternoon.
‘Introduction’ Package
3 jump package over 2 days
Complete Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the TAF/AFF Course over a 2 day period (weather
permitting). This is an ideal package for people who want to check it out without
committing to the full course and for travellers with time and financial restraints. The
TAF/AFF courses with Ramblers are recognised worldwide allowing you to continue
through the course at other drop zones around the world.
‘Introduction’ Package includes three TAF/AFF Course jumps plus free accommodation,
Ramblers Club Membership, a Log Book, T-Shirt and membership to the Australian
Parachute Federation.
‘Completion’ Package
Full Course 10 jump package over 5 days
Complete the full nine jumps of the TAF/AFF course over a 5 day period (weather
permitting). This package is ideal for travellers and locals south Queenslanders alike.
By completing the course in a short time frame you are creating the best learning
environment possible and maximising your skills.
‘Completion’ Package includes full nine jump TAF/AFF Course plus free
accommodation, packing course, Ramblers Club Membership, a Log Book and T-Shirt
PLUS a BONUS jump valued at $80 for FREE! (Bonus jump includes gear hire and
pack).
'Accreditation' Package
Full Course, 'A' Licence, 15 jump package over 6 - 8 days
This is a streamlined package designed to help you achieve your 'A' Licence is as few
jumps as possible. The package includes the 10 jumps of the TAF/AFF Course, 3
stages with video, plus extra jumps, full packing course, basic accommodation and the
extras of log book, goggles, tshirt etc.
Please note that this package does not guarantee your 'A' Licence as this depends on
your skills in the air and under canopy plus being able to land your parachute
accurately and consistently without assistance.
‘Addiction’ Package
‘A’ Licence 20 jump package over 7-10 days
The ultimate skydiving holiday! This is the most mind-blowing adrenaline packed
holiday you are ever likely to experience – spend a full week (or longer) skydiving and
achieve your ‘A’ Licence – that’s your open licence to skydive! Yahoo!
‘Addiction’ 20 jump package includes the full nine jumps of the TAF/AFF course PLUS
an extra 11 freefall skydives. All stages of the course include freefall video on DVD,
and on completion of all AFF stages, a CD of digital photos from a dedicated
photoshoot jump. All gear hire for the 20 jumps is included plus you will become a
member of the Gear Hire Scheme giving you cheap gear hire for 12 months after the
package is completed. Included is membership to the Australian Parachute Federation
and the Ramblers Skydivers Club. You will also receive a 200-jump Log Book, a pair of
goggles and a T-Shirt. You will also achieve your packing course and accreditation,
and you will also achieve your ‘A’ Licence. Caravan accommodation is included for the
7 days. This package gives you over $350 worth of freebies!
Static-Line course packages
Stage 1 and First jump
Complete the First Jump Training Course - a full day of theory and ground training.
Make your jump in the afternoon or the next morning.
First Freefall package
6 jump package over 3 days
Complete Stages 1 and 2 of the Static-Line course over a 3 day period (weather
permitting). This is an ideal package for people who want to check it out without
committing to the full course and for travellers with time and financial restraints.
Stage 1 consists of 5 Static-Line Jumps and Stage 2 will be your first complete
unassisted freefall.
A-Licence package
Full course. 17 jump package over 7-10 days
The CHEAPEST way to achieve your international A-licence.
All Static Line Courses include:
- Free onsite Accommodation
- Video and a Course DVD
- A-License fee
- Packing Lessons
- Textbooks (A-License Manual, APF Operational Regulations, High Performance
Canopy Manual)
- Equipment
- Training
- Jump Logbook
For Course Dates, please visit the Ramblers online Calendar of events.
Other dates available, minimum numbers (3) apply.
Conditions apply (min. age 16, max. weight 100kg, min. numbers 3)
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