Kellen James Lynn – Arlington, VA
Arlington, VA / aaf
The instructors in the AFF program are on par with any top-tier coaches in any sports discipline. They do very well at breaking down and teaching skill-sets and instilling the confidence needed to execute a dive successfully.
It’s difficult to make a summation of my experience learning to skydive through the AFF program at Skydive Orange without words like “INCREDIBLE”, “FUN”, “WELCOMING” & “GRATIFYING”. The drop-zone itself is housed in a fantastic spacious hangar, designed to house all jumping equipment and able to accommodate parachute packing for student and fun jumpers. The parachute packers, who are full-time staff, are all super friendly and great at what they do – removing all doubt I had of accomplishing the looming task of canopy flying. The aircraft, a Super Otter, is everything you could ask for in regards to speed in getting to altitude and space at the door. Last but certainly not least, the student landing area is WIDE open and very friendly for new canopy pilots to learn how to fly and land a pattern.
In regards to my expectations coming into my first class, I honestly didn’t know if I’d have steel in my veins or butterflies in my stomach the first time I looked out the exit door of the Super Otter. Any uncertainties I might have had were evaporated because the AFF instructors made me feel confident to fly through thorough preparation on the ground and excellent brief’s before and after a skydive. I felt my knowledge base of belly-to-earth and canopy flying build after every jump and the program is excellently designed to re-use skills learned in past lessons and add to the skills in your toolbox. The instructors in the AFF program are on par with any top-tier coaches in any sports discipline. They do very well at breaking down and teaching skill-sets and instilling the confidence needed to execute a dive successfully. Also, there is always a plethora of licensed instructors/coaches and sport jumpers with LOADS of experience, which helps big time with rounding oneself with good habits learning to fly.
If I had to give any advice to future students it would be to socialize when you’re at the drop-zone. It’s easy to hang out in the student area and on the comfy couches, but to really make for a great experience, I would highly recommend pumping people for information about their background, experience with different disciplines in skydiving and just shooting the breeze! Everyone I met at Skydive Orange has a pretty cool story and are SUPER easy-going, making it a lot of fun building relationships.
The only thing I didn’t like was the weather in May! But I am thankful that the AFF staff do a fantastic job keeping an eye on weather conditions and communicating with students in regard to our ability to jump on a given day.
My only suggestion would be DON’T LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH! Skydive Orange has a great thing going on and I would highly recommend the AFF program to anyone interested in getting started in the sport. THANKS A MILLION! SEE YOU IN THE SKY! – 6/24/2016
Jack Harding – Fredericksburg, VA
Fredericksburg, VA
I can't imagine learning how to skydive at any other drop zone.
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