Static Line

What is static line?

On your first static line jump you will exit our aircraft at 3,200 feet. The main parachute is deployed automatically by the ‘static line’, attached to the aircraft, as you jump. You always wear two parachutes, the main and the reserve which is for use in the unlikely event that the main parachute does not function correctly.

The climb to an altitude of about 3,200 feet takes about four minutes and pretty soon your ‘jumpmaster’ will be preparing you for your jump.

Assisted by the jumpmaster you position yourself for exit and await the “GO!” signal. The time for sight seeing is over as for the time being you concentrate on adopting the body position for the dive you have repeatedly practiced in your training.

Your main parachute is automatically opened seconds later. Once your checks are complete you have time to take in the birds eye view from 3,000 feet that only a skydiverwill know.

You will navigate your steerable parachute back to a target landing in our suitably large student landing area, you will have time to reflect on all that has passed. You will have become one of the few people in this country who can say: “I have jumped out of a perfectly good aeroplane”

Progression:

The training for a solo jump can take up to six hours as there is a lot of material, including practical assignments to be completed.

In the winter we generally train our students on the Saturday and jump on a Sunday. Otherwise, it may be possible to jump on the day you train but this cannot be guaranteed as Ireland is subject to changeable weather. Training courses are held on the 1st Saturday of every month (you are required to book you place in advance) and run from at 9am to 5pm. You will be equipped with all the necessary skills to make your first jump. This includes equipment, navigation and landing procedures.

We have a weather station on the drop zone and have a strict policy of not jumping in conditions deemed unsuitable by our Chief Club Instructor for safety reasons.

Your chances of jumping on the weekend you train are greatly enhanced if you stay on the drop zone for the weekend. There are B&B’s locally, there are bunkhouses on site or you can camp. We can help you book accommodation. This may also make it possible for you to undertake more jumps in the weekend.

The full static line progression requires that you complete 23 predetermined jumps, before you can be classified as a “Graduate Skydiver”. Each jump has a specific task and is designed to further your progression in the sport. Before attempting any of these tasks candidates must be cleared and briefed by an instructor. A snap shot of a candidates progression will be reflected in a signed log book. “Remember no log book, no jump, no excuses”. The various tasks relating to the pre-determined jumps are detailed below:

jumps 1-3. Three static line jumps (no task)
jumps 4-6. Three dummy-rip-cord-pull (DRP) jumps
jump 7. First free fall a three second stable delay
jump 8. Five second stable delay
jump 9. Ten second stable delay
jump 10. Fifteen second delay
jump 11. Fifteen second delay with altimeter
jump 12. Twenty second delay with altimeter
jump 13. Unstable exit
jump 14. Dive exit
jump 15. Right turn 360
jump 16. Left turn 360
jump 17. Alternate turns 360
jump 18. Backloop
jump 19. Track
jump 20. S Track
jump 21. Half series
Jump 22. 2500ft Hop and Pop

Student is now a GRADUATE skydiver

What next?

You will need to complete your packing test. Every skydiver needs to know how to pack their own parachute. At this point, you will have received training and plenty of practice!

The 6 jump course is an advanced in-air coaching program consisting of 6 jumps and is common to both AFF and Static line.

You are now a licensed skydiver, welcome to the family. At this point, you are cleared to jump with other skydivers and we will usually organize a “welcome to the family” jump, with the friends that you’ve made at this point, to celebrate.