Q. I wear contact lenses, can I jump with them?

A. Yes, for Tandem and AFF you will get a pair of goggles which protect your eyes in freefall. If you do the static line course and subsequent jumps, pre-arrange with Manifest or the Equipment Officer to get a pair of goggles to jump with.

Q. I do wear glasses. Will it be a problem if I do the AFF course (or tandem and static line) and still wear glasses?

A. No problem. A larger, over-the-glasses goggle is available for freefall jumps. For static line you could also use these goggles or simply tie a retaining strap or elastic to the glasses.

Q. What do I need to take with me to the Drop Zone?

A. You're going to have fun so in order to do so, be comfortable. A comfortable pair of running shoes, without hooks, is recommended and comfortable clothing such as jeans and a t-shirt or sweater Avoid sweaters that have pockets or hoods as these may hinder you if you have to do emergency procedures. Some drop zones provide coveralls for static line. If you do AFF you'll be given a jumpsuit to use. Tandem can be done in a t-shirt and shorts. Some drop zones provide coveralls for tandem skydives. Don't forget sunscreen and a hat or cap - it can get very hot at a drop zone.

Q. What about head protection?

All students doing AFF or Static Line are required to wear a hard helmet which will be issued to you with along with your parachute and other peripheral equipment.

Q. How much will a jump cost me after I've done the course?

A. Prices vary slightly between drop zones. Check their websites for pricing.

Q. How much is equipment hire at the different clubs?

A. Prices vary slightly between drop zones. Check their websites for pricing.

Q. How often must I jump to prevent having to re-do the course?

A. Currency is a very important safety factor in our sport and it is important to jump as often as possible to remain current. Currency requirements are detailed in the course notes booklet handed to all first jump course students.

Q: What do I get for the price of the First Jump Course?

A: Excellent training by professional instructors, student membership of the Parachute Association of South Africa for a period of 12 months or until you qualify for an A licence, whichever is sooner and a PASA course notes and logbook.

Q: How old must I be before I can skydive?

A: You must be at least 16 years old. Persons younger than 18 years, will require written and signed consent from their legal guardian.

Q: If I'm doing a static line jump, what height do I jump from?

A: Static line jumpers exit the aircraft at an altitude of between 3000ft and 3500ft AGL (Above Ground Level).

Q: If I do AFF (Accelerated Freefall), how high do I jump from?

A: AFF students jump from 11 000ft AGL.

Q: How long does the training take?

A: The duration of the course depends on the size of the class, but the average is around 6 hours.

Q: Is 6 hours long enough to learn how to skydive?

A: Yes. You will learn everything you need to in order to perform a safe skydive.

Q: When I leave the aircraft on a static line jump, how long does it take before I land?

A: Approximately 3 to 5 minutes. AFF students will take slightly longer.

Q: How many static line jumps do I have to do before I can freefall?

A: You will need to do a minimum of 8 static line jumps before you can progress to freefall. AFF students do freefall from their very first skydive.

Q: How long will the freefall be on a tandem skydive?

A: Approximately 35 seconds. This is followed by a canopy ride of anywhere between 3 and 5 minutes.

Q: What equipment do I need to start skydiving?

A: None. Drop zones provide all the equipment you will need while you are a student. Once you progress off student status, you will need to consider buying your own equipment.