Tell me about....

[smegballs]

... jumping out of perfectly functional aeroplanes.

Me and a few friends decided we want a go at parachuting.
We want to start with doing static line jumps rather than tandem, as you seem to learn a lot more with the static line. 6 hours ground instruction as opposed to 30 mins.

Much to do apart from finding a local place and booking it?

[G]

For even more money you can also do 'AFF' - Accelerated Free Fall.
Your first jump will have free fall 'on your own', but with two other people holding on to you.

I did the first day of this - generally messed up the free fall bit - thus the people holding on to me were useful! Unfortunately due to weather I did the jump a good few months after the main training and after a good few aborted days - meaning that for this last time I didn't really bother to go through all the routines so much prior to jump day.

Need better weather for AFF as you jump from higher than with a static line.

At least, despite them shouting on the radio which I couldn't really hear - my descent was fine and I landed the closest of the people that day (and stayed on my feet etc).

[oldpink]

as long as your under 45 (think its 45) you should be Ok
over 45 you need a certificate from your doctor before you can jump
I did the static route and enjoyed it then followed it up by more static followed by actual free fall and loved it
____________________
I have become comfortably numb

Theory & hazard 24-may 2016, CBT 8th June 2016, MOD 1 2nd Aug 2016 Mod 2 2nd-Nov 2016 - Current bike CBR 600 RR

[smegballs]

Well my local prices seem to be £240 for the static line course (1 jump), and £1500 for the whole AFF course.

From what I've read, doing the AFF course gets you a Class A license. Which is the entry-level requirement for being able to solo jump.

Seems like the sensible thing would be to do the static as a one-off "something fun to do" and see how I feel after that.