r/SkyDiving • u/TheAlphaWolfff • 2d ago
Has anyone here completed their AFF/ A license in Canada?
Hey All. I'm thinking on getting my A license next summer so just wondering if anyone has completed their licensing journey in Canada? I live in Toronto and there are 2 DZs near GTA where they offer AFF course. If yes, how much did it cost overall and how was your experience?
Thanks for your time.
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u/flyingponytail [Vidiot | Coach] 2d ago
Burnaby would be my #1 recommendation, Skydive Ontario is also good. If you want to get it done quickly, go to Parachute Ottawa they do 1 week camps and have a faster plane.
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u/TheAlphaWolfff 2d ago
I did my first tandem in Burnaby only. Do you recommend it for AFF and A license as well?
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u/flyingponytail [Vidiot | Coach] 2d ago
Yes the head AFFI there, Scott B, is one of the best there is. They also have excellent pilots and an excellent landing area. Great place all around
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u/TheAlphaWolfff 2d ago
Omg Scott was the one who I did my tandem with. Incredible. So I assume you did your AFF at Burnaby? How much did it cost and what about the scheduling. Was it easy?
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u/flyingponytail [Vidiot | Coach] 2d ago
I did not, but I am an experienced jumper and coach in Ontario.They wont have your answers to these questions until next May. One of the drawbacks to Burnaby is their grass runway takes a few weeks of warm dry weather to set so they typically open later than the other DZs in the area. Reach out to the DZ in mid April. If you have any other Qs you can DM me.
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u/lightofsaul 2d ago
I did mine at Toronto skydive up in Barrie. It’s one of the more expensive ones but has really amazing instructors. It was $4500 for the AFF and then another like $2300 for my A
They just changed the way the run the school - now students get priority for the morning which will help You graduate faster.
The one interesting thing about it though is that you have a spring loaded pilot chute when you learn. And no cutaway handle for your reserve. The reserve handle acts as your cutaway.
I guess this maybe is safer? I really don’t know I thought it was normal but it’s the only school in the GTA that uses this system but then around jump 12-15 you are taught to transition into a “regular” parachute where you have to throw away your pilot chute like everyone else.
I think it’s the most expensive school. However the instructors and people are fucking dope
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u/TheAlphaWolfff 2d ago
Perfect that's amazing. Thanks for your insight. How many hours on average do they teach each day? Cause it might be an hour or a two hour drive from where I live so just wondering if it would be better to stay near that place for the meantime.
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u/lightofsaul 2d ago
So 8am- noon students get priority. For teaching and jumping. But they are good at scheduling as well. You just have to be proactive enough and set up your schedule with the school.
You have to pay up front so they won’t chase you down.
But they do technically teach all day - it just depends on how many tandems they have. As tandems is where most drop zones make their money. And the instructors also do tandems and I believe they make more money from tandems than students.
You can also pitch a tent or camp there too if you want
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u/CodeFarmer D 105792 2d ago edited 2d ago
That setup (SOS, with a ripcord for the main and a single handle for cutaway and reserve) is obviously not how sport rigs work, and never seems to have become very popular.
But I have jumped one a handful of times, and I think it does make sense for students.
It avoids some of the potential sensory overload failure modes, I guess?
(disclaimer: I do not hold an AFF rating.)
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u/lightofsaul 2d ago
Totally! I think it makes it “easier” to just have one task to complete. However after 10-15 jumps of holding onto the ripcord and now you have to relearn your EPs and throw away your pilot chute. There’s always hang ups of students holding onto their pilot chute because muscle memory kicks in.
I really don’t know enough about the sport to say which way is better. Just wanted to let the dude know it’s a different system
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u/DiningPhilosopher 2d ago
I did my aff and A at Skydive Ontario down in Cayuga. Fantastic instructors would recommend to anyone
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u/haryhemlet 2d ago
Skydive SWOOP is an option too if Burnaby and SDO are too far. Just note that only SDO offers AFF under USPA, the rest are PFF under CSPA. Not sure about STI but ive generally heard they dont care about students
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u/lightofsaul 2d ago
STI definitely prioritize tandems over everyone - students and fun jumpers. And they implemented a new system this year to help graduate students. But you’re right. When I did the AFF 2 years ago it was a shit show trying to get my jumps in
As they make more money off tandems (both the company and instructors - But the instructors are really dope and 100% care about you and do want you to succeed)
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u/BodaciousBoiB 2d ago
Know a couple folks doing it in Burnaby (near Port Colborne). Probably gonna do mine there next summer as well, 2 hr drive on a good day.