AFF, this is basically a crash course to skydiving (excuse the pun). In just 8 jumps you can become a fully qualified skydiver! As with the RAPS course you begin with a full day in training, then you start right at the top... 12,500ft or higher! You will exit the plane with two instructors, who will both guide you throughout the skydive so you quickly learn as you progress. A qualified skydiver is someone who, in short, has proven to their instuctors they are safe and capable of making solo skydives. AFF has always been seen as the expensive route, but thanks to the decrease in cost and the great weather abroad it's now becoming a very popular method of getting in to the sport. The dropzone had excellent accomodation - the IHOP (International House of Parachutists) was booked for us to stay in and the dropzone even had a swimming pool as well as the obligatory bar!

A view of the outdoor packing
facilities at Perris

Many people say that there is no better way to learn something than to actually do it, and that's what AFF is all about. Learning from the hand signals you are given you can make adjustments to your body position and be flying through the air with control and comfort in no time. After each freefall of around 45 seconds you will deploy your own parachute and be guided by an instructor on the ground via radio. For the first few jumps they will aid you as you practise what you have learnt about flying your canopy and making that perfect stand-up landing. With this program, at each level you will learn new skills such as turns, backflips and tracking. When you have proven to the instructors that you have mastered these skills, you then qualify as a fully fledged skydiver, and the fun can begin !! The AFF course can be done anywhere in the world (including England), but we recommend you join our annual trip abroad. Everyone has a fantastic time, and it's a great opportunity to try some fun jumps, and jump with other members of the club.

Dave and Chris 2-way in the blue
skies over Perris

For obvious reasons, this trip doesn't come cheap. You will need at least one of your loan installments (well what else are they there for?). At the end of the day, it's only money! Since 1999 to 2006, 55 people who have graduated through one of these trips and not a single one of them regrets having gone on the trip or spending the money... but don't take our word for it. Come down to any of our meetings @ The Rising Sun, and talk to graduates of the previous trips, and what they thought of the whole experience. In April 2006 18 people from SkydiveUWE club alone who took this great step and became fully qualified skydivers. Looking to come along in 2007, then come down to one of our weekly meetings, have a chat and watch some video of the previous trips, or send us an e-mail to skydive@skydiveuwe.com.

A Super Twin Otter "The Super Shark" based
at Perris