Accelerated Freefall

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The Accelerated Free Fall, AFF (dt. Accelerated free-fall ) is a training method for learning the parachuting . “Accelerated” refers to the training path that enables full-height jumping without an instructor faster than conventional training . The training method is also used in the military, now also in the Bundeswehr, as a training method for freefall training.

education

The AFF training was developed in the USA. It is divided into seven levels, each of which has specific learning goals that the student must achieve. One jump is planned per level; If the student does not achieve the learning objectives, the jump must be repeated.

After the theoretical training with practical exercises, the student jumps with two specially trained, very experienced jump instructors on his first jump from around 4000 m height. The two teachers already hold the student by the arms and thighs in the plane and the three of them jump out of the plane together. In freefall the student does certain exercises and the teachers give him hand signals to improve posture. At the right height, the pupil opens his main screen himself. Only when the student's screen opens do the teachers let go. Further tasks are added with each level. From the fourth level onwards there is only one teacher. On the open parachute, the student is usually supported by radio so that he has a safe landing in the designated landing area.

If the seventh level has been successfully completed, the student can now jump out of an airplane by himself until he has reached the number of jumps required for the license test.

comparison

The basic costs are higher than for conventional training because of the intensive individual support . However, the AFF method is the faster and more well-founded form. It is now chosen more often than conventional training.

The big advantage is the short duration of a few days to the student jumping alone and the high motivation due to the immediate experience of free fall.

Details on levels

Tasks to be done during AFF training:

Level 1

  1. Teacher stands in the door from the outside, pupil goes into the door, 2. Teacher secures the pupil from inside.
  2. Student looks at inner teacher and calls "Check in" - teacher gives "OK" or "STOP".
  3. Pupil looks at outside teacher and calls "Check out" - teacher gives "OK" or "STOP".
  4. Student makes a movement with the upper body - up, down and then stepping out.
    Free fall from now on.
  5. Teachers stabilize the student on their stomach.
  6. Student makes an altimeter check and calls the altitude to the teacher who is on the side of his altimeter.
  7. Teacher gives "OK" or signs to improve the student's posture.
  8. Pupil gives the height to the second teacher.
  9. Teacher gives "OK" or signs to improve the student's posture.
  10. If everything is OK, the student makes 3 sham operations on his pull-up handle. He reaches for it and holds it briefly and makes the balancing movement with the other hand over the head.
  11. Student makes an altimeter check and calls the altitude to the teacher who is on the side of his altimeter.
  12. Teacher gives "OK" or signs to improve the student's posture.
  13. Pupil gives the height to the second teacher.
  14. Teacher gives "OK" or signs to improve the student's posture.
  15. The student checks the altimeter every 3 seconds, but no longer gives any altitude information to the teachers.
  16. At 2000 m the pupil shakes his head, that is the sign for "no more work", which means something like: "I don't do any more exercises and the view stays on the altimeter."
  17. At 1700 m, the pupil crosses his arms over his head, the sign for "wave off", that is the announcement that the umbrella will be opened.
  18. At 1500 m the pupil pulls the umbrella automatically and is thus withdrawn from the teachers.

Level 2

Exit as with level 1. Observation cycle as with level 1. Then 2 mock interventions. Look at the altimeter. If the teacher on the left gives "OK", the pupil tries to initiate and stop a 90 ° turn. The teachers continue to hold the student. Look at the altimeter. If the teacher on the left gives "OK", the student tries to turn 90 ° in the other direction. From 2000 m the student constantly looks at the altimeter, at 1500 m he opens his main parachute.

Level 3

Exit and observation cycle as in level 1. A sham intervention. If the position of the student is good, the teachers let go. The student should maintain his position and stop any rotations that may occur. If the student's situation becomes unstable, the teachers hold him tight again. From 2000 m constant height control, the teachers hold the student again until he opens his main parachute at 1500 m.

Level 4

From now on the student only jumps with one teacher. The teacher stands outside at the exit. After the observation cycle, the teacher lets go of the student. The student should turn 90 ° to the left, i.e. until the teacher is in front of him. Then he should turn 90 ° to the right into his starting position. If there is still enough height left, the maneuver can be repeated. At 2000 m the teacher again holds the student until he opens his main parachute at 1500 m.

Level 5

The exit takes place for the first time without contact with the teacher. The teacher stands inside the plane and jumps immediately after the student. After checking the height and making eye contact with the teacher, the student should turn 360 °. After another height check and eye contact with the teacher, he should turn 360 ° in the other direction. If there is still enough height left, the maneuver can be repeated. From 2000 m as at level 4.

Level 6

Exit as in level 5. After checking the height and making eye contact with the teacher, the student initiates a back somersault by stretching his arms and pulling in his legs. Then he should stabilize himself in the prone position again. Then the student shows a 360 ° turn to the left and a 360 ° turn to the right. Finally, the student goes into the track position for 5 seconds. From 2000 m as at level 4.

Level 7

The student does a "dive exit", ie, he jumps against the direction of flight with a head jump out of the aircraft. After checking the height, the student begins the free fall program independently. He shows a back somersault, two rotations of 360 ° and tracks for 5 seconds. From 2000 m as at level 4.

Solo status

If the program of the level 7 jump has been completed to the satisfaction of the teacher, the student receives "solo status". From this point on he is allowed to jump alone, but he receives a jump order from a teacher for each jump until he has passed the license test.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Accelerated Freefall (AFF). In: German Aero Club e. V. Accessed March 14, 2013 .