Skydiving

The real reason for skydiving is the adrenalin! Many skydivers skydive because it is the closest one can get to the dream of flying. By manipulating the shape of the body, as a pilot manipulates the shape of his aircraft's wings, turns, forward motion, backwards motion, and even lift can be generated.

History and introduction
The history of skydiving began with a descent from a balloon by André-Jacques Garnerin in 1797, but it was not really considered an actual sport until after World War II. The term “skydiving” was coined by Richard young in 1951.

Getting Started

• To skydive you must be at least 16 years old, with parental consent required for under 21.
• You must weigh no more then 100kg.
• The quickest way to experience the sport is through tandem skydiving, where you attached to an instructor. Training is quick and is done at the airfield.
• Static line training about 6 hours. You exist the aircraft at 3 500 feet and the parachute deploys automatically from the static line.
• Accelerated Free Fall consists of in-depth training programme for people who want to experience solo jumping. The first AFF jump is done at 11 000 feet with two instructors.
• The AFF progression has 10 levels and upon graduation a person is classified as a classified graduate skydiver.

Variations

• Accuracy landing - Landing as close as possible to a target.
• Blade running - A kind of slalom with parachute.
• Big-ways - Formation skydiving with many people.
• Canopy formation - Making formations with other parachutists while under canopies.
• Formation skydiving - Making formations during freefall.
• Freefall
• Freestyle skydiving
• Military Parachuting
• Skysurfing - Skydiving with a board strapped to your feet.
• Wingsuit flying - Skydiving with a suit which provides extra lift.

Associations and clubs
The Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) is the governing body for all aviation sports including parachuting, on an international level. They are based in Paris, France and have responsibilities of drawing up the rules and organizing the World Championships. Every country wishing to take part in the world championships must be affiliated to the FAI through their national body.

The national body is the Aero Club of South Africa and its sub-committee responsible for parachuting is known as the Parachute Association of South Africa. The structure of PASA consists of two subsidiary associations; The Association of Drop Zone Operators and the Sport Skydivers Association, each functioning autonomously.

There are over 750 PASA licensed skydivers in South Africa.

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