Being that I am poor but would still like to learn how to skydive, I was wandering if one could cut the cost of learning to skydive by mastering most of your aerial maneuvering techniques in a wind tunnel (wind tunnels tend to go for around $25 for a minute of “free fall” as opposed to around 150 for a minute of real free fall). The skills required to maneuver and stabilize are the same in both wind tunnel and free fall, so I just figured that there should be some program where you can save by learning all that stuff on the ground. Of course I’d have to fork out for a number of real skydives, but anything that will make it more affordable. Let me know if anybody can find any info.
Basically I want to get certified so I can do it on my own terms, for a reasonable price.
Asked by:Aaron
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The time you spend in the tunnel itself does not count toward the USPA license. However, the fact that you will be able to be stable in free fall and control your body will greatly increase your learning curve in the sky and help you progress to the A license very quickly. It took me 8 jumps to get through AFF because I failed level three. I would expect that you would not fail a level (unless you forget to pull) because you’ll understand how to fly your body better than a new jumper/body flier.
I have my coach rating and have made jumps with new jumpers with as few as eight or nine jumps. I have to chase these poeple through the sky and the jumps are productive but not very much. I have also made a couple jumps with new jumpers who have lots of tunnel time and we although they have less than 20 jumps the coach jump is very productive as they are not orbiting nor flying away from me and making me chase them.
The tunnel time will help you a lot. I love the tunnel myself, I don’t have that much time it them mostly because like you I have limited cash and since I have my C license I can jump fro about $27 a jump right now. I get a canopy flight and body flight… I love flying my canopy and I just don’t get that from the tunnel. The best thing for me in the tunnel is learning to fall straight down, that was the most important thing I took from my first tunnel experience. Learning to make quick and precise moves is huge in the sport.
Good luck in the tunnel and in the air!! We’ll likely run into each other at a boogie someday and make some jumps!
Blue Skies!
Yes, I’ve done both. As a skydive teacher I think that.s a good idea. A wind tunnel is actually more difficult to fly on. Your air space is cone shaped not the whole sky.
It won’t count as far as actual air time but it will help your progression once your in free fall. Not only to cont role your body but basic awareness.
I don’t know if it would save money. Only your 1st jump is expensive. Check with your dropzone you’ll find your progression jumps to be much less expensive. Tunnel time won’t get you out of 1st jump fees or classes.
Might get you through AFF or Tandem training more quickly.
Tunnel time doesn’t get you a skydive. So there are other challenges and rewards to skydiving.
Do the sky dive it is worth every penny.