Skydive Roadmap
After your first jump
Student Progression picks up where the First Time Jump course leaves off. Once you have your first static line jump behind you, you work through two stages: Static Line Progression, then Freefall Progression, building towards your PASA A licence.
If you already know you want to carry on, we recommend you book the Deluxe FTJ course as it includes three static line jumps, which you need for Static Line Progression.
First Time Jump Course
Where everyone starts. A full day of ground school, then your first jump on your own the next morning on a static line. You need this course and at least one static line jump before you can begin progression.
Static Line Progression
At least three static line jumps, then at least five dummy ripcord jumps, where you pull a dummy ripcord to show the jumpmaster you are ready to deploy for yourself. By the end you will have done at least eight static line jumps.
Freefall Progression
Sixteen jumps, starting with a three second delay and working up through longer delays, turns, backloops and tracking. From here on you leave the aircraft on your own and deploy for yourself.
Your roadmap to a licence
Four stages take you from complete beginner to a PASA A licence.
Stage 1: First Time Jump Course
A day of ground school, then one static line jump from 3,500 feet. The Deluxe course includes three.
Stage 2: Static Line Progression
Eight successful static line jumps.
- Three static line jumps, 3,500 feet
- Five dummy ripcord jumps, 3,500 feet
Stage 3: Freefall Progression
Sixteen jumps, working up in delay and altitude.
- Three second delay, 3,500 feet
- Five second delay, 3,500 feet
- Ten second delay, 5,000 feet
- Ten second delay again, 5,000 feet
- Fifteen second delay, 6,000 feet
- Fifteen second delay with altimeter checks, 6,000 feet
- Twenty second poised exit, 7,000 feet
- Twenty second dive exit, 7,000 feet
- 180 degree turns, 9,500 feet
- 360 degree turns, 9,500 feet
- Backloops, 9,500 feet
- Full series, 9,500 feet
- Delta in two directions, 9,500 feet
- Delta and turn, 9,500 feet
- Delta and track, 9,500 feet
- Spin test, 9,500 feet
Stage 4: Your licence
After Freefall Progression you move on to the Intermediate Skills Progression (ISP) jumps. A PASA A licence needs a minimum of 25 jumps plus your ISPs.
Stage 5: Become a regular
The jumps are only half of it. Camping at the dropzone is free for anyone staying over, there is a braai on Saturday evening, and the conversation around the fire is where you pick up most of what is not in a manual. It is called hangar talk, it costs you a beer or a bag of braai wood, and it is worth more than you would think.
Come and jump
There is nothing to book. Whenever the dropzone is open there is an instructor and a jumpmaster on duty. Turn up with your logbook, find the jumpmaster on duty and tell them what you are doing next. They brief you, you manifest yourself, and afterwards they debrief you and sign your logbook.
Students jump a maximum of three times a day. Settle up at manifest when you leave via EFT.
Every jump price includes your briefing, dispatch by a jumpmaster, all equipment hire and repacking, and a debrief.
Staying current
PASA rules require students to jump regularly to stay current. We recommend at least twice a month. The more often you jump, the more comfortable you are in the aircraft and in the air, and the easier each level becomes.
