Training Courses

How do I learn to skydive?
Different training methods are available, each with their own merits. The aim of any skydiving training program is to teach the student freefall, parachute- piloting and packing skills in order to enable to skydive in a safe and professional manner.
Completion of any one of the training courses will give the student the necessary skills to “look after himself” and to be a safe skydiver under minimal supervision.
All training is conducted by experienced and fully licensed instructors. During the course, video training aids are used in briefings and de-briefings to highlight important aspects to students.
During any course, the student should be available for the better part of the day, which is why it is recommended to take time off work or to plan for the training on weekends or public holidays.
Given 4 committed students, a training course can be arranged. A skydiving course can also be organized together with a fun skydiving weekend at the Lake, with Tandem Jumps and Fun Jumps for the newly qualified students.

There are two mainstream training methods, namely AFF -  Accelerated freefall and Static Line Progression. AFF is a modern quick track training method using two instructors who jump with the student.
Static Line Progression is a more classical approach, which only requires one instructor. The course costs are very similar with both methods. The static line method takes somewhat longer to complete, as more jumps are made, while the AFF method is a faster and generally considered a more modern training method, which can be completed in a shorter time frame. There is an AFF variant called PFF – Progressive Free Freefall, which starts off with tandem jumps.
All these training courses are sanctioned by the Malawi Parachute Association. Anyone with previous skydiving experience will be able to carry on where they left off – there is no need to start from the beginning.

Static Line Progression

The full Static Line Progression course can be done in 8 jumping days. The student will need to be available for the full 8 days, so it is advisable to take some time off work for the course duration. The course starts off with static line jumps and gradually progresses on to short and then longer freefall jumps. Below is a summary of the Static Line Progression course program. It assumes that the student progresses normally and does not require to repeat any jumps. This program completes with a minimum of 22 Jumps, which fulfils the  A-license requirements. The student may apply for his license right after graduation. Due to the high jump numbers of this program, the graduate will learn good canopy piloting skills and he will be confident in packing his own parachute.
A suggested 11 days should be allocated to complete this course. This makes some allowance for some bad weather and possible repeat jumps.

AFF -  Accelerated freefall

The AFF skydiving course is designed to teach the student how to skydive quickly and safely using the very latest training techniques.

AFF has been used to teach thousands of students to skydive with great success all over the world, in fact with AFF a student can become a qualified skydiver in just a few days. There are 10 levels to the AFF course - each consisting of training on the ground, a skydive and a debriefing. Each skydive consists of a set of manoeuvres that need to completed before moving on to the next level. This program can be completed in as little as 4 jumping days.

Level 1 – First Jump

Level 1 is the first jump. It includes a full theory training called the first jump course covering all aspects of freefall skydiving, aircraft procedures, equipment, canopy control, landing and unusual or emergency procedures.
On the first jump you will be accompanied by 2 instructors, one who will hold you on each side. You will be required to respond to hand signals to adjust your body position, check your altimeter and practice deploying your parachute before deploying it for real! You will then land your own parachute.

Level 2 – Stable Body Position

This skydive is almost identical to Level 1. This is a chance to practice the same procedures again, only this time you will already know what freefall “feels like” before leaving the plane! If the instructors are confident that you are relatively stable in the air, one of them may release you for a little while and then take hold of you again to watch you deploy your parachute.

Level 3 – Full  Release

This skydive contains similar routines to those on AFF Level 1 and Level 2 skydives, but additionally both instructors will release you from their grip to see how well you maintain heading and stability. This will be the first time you are in freefall with no one “holding” on to you!

Level 4 – 180° Turns

By now you are well on your way to becoming a fully-fledged skydiver. On this skydive you will be accompanied by just 1 instructor. You will practice 180° turns in both directions.

Level 5 – 360° Turns

Similar in content to level 4, only this time you will practice turning a full 360° in both directions. You will gain the basic skills required to turn around in freefall.

Level 6 – Loops and Delta

You will perform loops - a little like a somersault in mid air and then regain your stability. You will also practice "tracking" - rapid forward moving designed to create distance between you and other skydivers.

Level 7 – Full Series

This skydive includes a little bit of everything you have learned throughout the whole course. You will exit the aircraft, perform a front loop, turn 360° to your left and 360° to your right and then track away from the instructor at the end of the skydive.

Level 8 – Full Series Solo

A solo jump - entirely on your own without the instructor. A repeat of level 7. This is a chance to show your instructor what you have learnt in Level 7 and that you are confident do this on your own.

Level 9 – Spin Test

The purpose of this jump is to become unstable and demonstrate the ability to become stable again before proceeding to deploy your parachute.

Level 10 – Hop and Pop

Possibly the least technically demanding jump! A solo jump - entirely on your own. You get out the aircraft, get stable, wait a few seconds and then deploy your parachute. The purpose of this jump is to give you a taster of what it feels like to get out of a plane at a 'lower' altitude.

PFF - Progressive freefall

Progressive freefall brings together the best of both words of static line and AFF. It is a fast track training method only requiring one instructor. The PFF course can also be completed in only 4 jumping days – a long weekend is all that is required. The first jump course theory can be completed on Friday afternoon and the first jumps can be done on Saturday morning. Save for some bad weather, or repeat jumps, the student will graduate on the following Tuesday after completing a minimum of 10 jumps.

Certification

After completion one of the above training programs, the student is a graduate skydiver and will need to complete a total minimum of 20 jumps before applying for an A-License.
Students are encouraged to do these extra jumps shortly after their training, to become confident in the skills learnt during the course. Coaching jumps are a great way for new graduates to learn advanced freefall skills and to strengthen the skills already learnt.

Requirements

Following is some information regarding the minimum requirements for participation in a skydiving course.

* The minimum age is 16 years. If the student is under 18, written parental consent is required.
• Reasonable health and fitness are a pre-requisite.
• * Each student is required to accept the terms and conditions of the training program and sign an Indemnity form.
• * The maximum weight for a student skydiver is 100kg fully clothed. Exceptions can be made for those with a good level of fitness.
• * In terms of footwear, trainers or similar soft soled shoes work best. Shoes or boots with hooks are not permitted.