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Charity Static Line Parachuting

Trying a static line first jumps course gives you a little more freedom than you'd get in a tandem harness, but requires a full day's training to prepare you for what's ahead.

The proper name for Static Line parachuting is a Ram Air Progression System first jumps course. “Ram Air” refers to the type of parachute canopy used, whilst “Progression System” references the further training you can undergo to become a qualified skydiver. It's the simplest, and cheapest, method of taking up skydiving as a hobby and offers the possibility of getting a License in just 18 jumps.

Before the Jump

Your day will be spent in a ground school classroom, learning aircraft exit and landing positions, canopy control basics and malfunction drills, all taught by highly experienced instructors. Once you've passed a short written test, to prove you've taken on the salient points from training, it's time to make your first parachute jump! Depending on the hours of daylight and weather conditions, this may take place immediately or the next morning (or whenever you're next free).

The Jump

Having been kitted up with a jumpsuit, parachute, helmet, radio, altimeter and goggles, with a quick refresh of those all important malfunction drills, you're ready. Your instructor will accompany you in the aircraft to around 3,500ft before inviting you to the door of the plane and letting you get into position. As you exit the plane, your “static line”, attached to both the release pin of your parachute and a D-ring within the aircraft, will pull taught. After just four seconds, your parachute will open automatically, leaving you to fly your canopy back to the dropzone.

Whilst you'll know more than enough to fly the parachute, to ensure everything goes smoothly, you'll be guided down with instructions via the radio you'll be wearing. Easy as pie.

The beauty of Static Line Parachuting is that once you've landed, you can keep jumping! Usually, further jump tickets are around £35 each, and you can progress towards that skydiving license!

Downloads

British Parachute Association (BPA) Solo Fitness Form

Locations

Key Points

ActivitiesTandem | Static Line | AFF

ServicesIndividual Bookings | Events

Where?24 locations across the UK

When?All year round (weather dependent)
Skydiving Events are run on set dates

ConstraintsYou must be at least 16 years old to skydive
Under 18s require parental consent
Over 40s require their doctor's consent
Over 55s are limited to Tandem Skydiving
Max weight: 12 stone (76kg) - 18 stone (114kg)
Some medical conditions are prohibitive

InsuranceAll prices include Personal Accident insurance
and BPA Third Party insurance

Questions?Try our FAQ article

Video by Ed Morley