Getting Licensed

Since Odense, I managed to get a couple more skydives done and showed up on this day needing 7 more to complete my license. To get the A-license, one needs to have performed 25 jumps:

  • 7 Jumps with AFF instructors
  • 1 Hop and Pop from 1500m
  • 1 Hop and Pop from 1000m
  • 4 Coached jumps with a jumpmaster
  • 12 Solo jumps
The A-license allows you to jump self-supervised, and to jump with others. I had a clear goal in mind for the day - finish up and get that A.

To achieve my goal, the day became quite hectic, as I first spent the morning working, shortening the time I had to actually jump. I also wanted to avoid paying too much for packing, and decided to pack my own parachute between jumps for most of the day, while still aiming to be on every other lift. Somehow, I did manage to follow the plan, and even finished my final 2 coached jumps during the day, as well as the hop and pop from 1000m. I've heard so many people say they felt a great deal of anxiety about doing such a low jump for the first time, but I had spent a bunch of jumps making sure I could exit with perfect stability, and ended up feeling no fear at all - whether that is healthy or not, I'll leave unsaid. In any case, the day went perfectly and I got all 7 jumps in, granting me my A-license and the privilege of being allowed to jump with others going forward.

Here's a video from my last coached jump before my license:



I can barely believe it, but four weeks ago I had my very first jump and now I'm officially a skydiver!

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