Skydive Graduates who just got their A Skydiving License Skydiving Certification

Skydive Orange Student Skydiver Program - Graduates* - New Certified Skydivers who just got their "A" Skydiving license!

Graduates* and Instructors- Skydiving Students should fill out the information on this page when they get their Skydiving license. We'd like graduate's information submitted in a timely manner. Instructors- please have graduates email their information right away when they graduate!

NEW! - Get 6** Free skydives from 2 1/2 miles high ($510 value) when you graduate!

*Graduate Student**	Student comments

Brian Graham A License Date - 04/18/2008 Alexandria, VA	First Skydive (Tandem) - 08/19/2008 AFF Start Date - 09/24/2008 What I like the most about Skydive Orange - I most like that I can fly through the blue skies at Skydive Orange. To top it all off, Orange is full of crazyfun people, massive bonfires, tall stories, and all around cool, easy nights. Advice for other student skydivers - Take you time and relax. Get a good nights sleep and watch the previous nights' fun and caffeinated stuff in the morning. There is no need to be in a rush to get your "A" license. I would also highly recommend going to the wind tunnel in NC. It is a great facility and an invaluable confidence boosting experience for the novice skydiver. Advice you wish you had been given - I learned rather quickly that there are varying ideas as to how to do it "right" in skydiving. Stick with the advice of your instructors. If you do take advice from others make sure to keep it to the seasoned veterans. Always defer to your AFF instructors. I have found that the AFF program taught at Orange is designed to teach you skills and habits that are generally accepted as being the safest. On multiple occasions I have been given advice on how to do things differently that what is taught in the SIM to only discover why the method taught in the SIM is far superior than any other. What I don't like about Skydive Orange - Hmm, what isn't there to like? It would be nice if there was some sort of bunkhouse, with a little tiny bit of heat in the winter. Don't be such a wimp! Find some cute skychick to bunk up with ;). Suggestions for Skydive Orange - LazyBoy recliners in the Otter! And anything else you think appropriate - "Nobody is a natural at this sport, unless you sit on a twig and sh*t through feathers." - a very wise skydiver
	DAVID NEGLEY A license Jan. 12 ,08 Rhoadesville, VA A few things I liked about skydive Orange was being fortunate to live like 15 min. up the road. but besides that there was a great group of instructors and staff, that with out there help I would have never made it through the AFF program so safely. Some advice for other students is learn to pack and pack correctly, hard openings and line twist suck! I feel I was given great advice from all of the staff, just make sure you pay attention, watch and learn. What i don't like about skydive orange is the weather lately it sux, sort of made my AFF training a little drawn out but what can you do . suggestions for skydive Orange more weekday jumps!!!
Kane Crisler A License: 2/24/2008 Arlington, VA	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: The people are great! The instruction is always available for those that are interested in learning. Further, Skydive Orange is committed to safety. There is not a rule that can be broken or bent. Safety is a priority while we are jumping. After the sun goes down... not so much. Advice for other student skydivers: Be prepared to sacrifice your friends and personal lives to the skydiving gods. Tough choices will have to be made. Even though your Grandmother is dying or your girlfriend is having a birthday party, blue skies demand your presence. Skydiving gods are jealous gods. They do not share well. What I don't like about Skydive Orange: I forget to eat and there is never enough time to make a quick run to Gas&Stuff. At least not without missing the plane, and we certainly must prioritize! Suggestions for Skydive Orange: Get an official sponsor. Maybe a beer company that will pay for us to jump. That would be nice! Thank you for the pre-pay program!!!! It really is a great deal!!!
Charlie Gittins 2/24/2008 Winchester, VA	What I like the most about Skydive Orange The friendly atmosphere and comradery found at Orange. It is like a big family with everyone helping each other out. The instructors are great and all are willing to share their knowledge in order to make students better and safe skydivers. They all adhere to the admonishment that "the only dumb question is the one that was left unasked." Advice for other student skydivers Read the SIM, study and practice the emergency procedures because they can save your life. Take the harness seriously and make sure you know your own comfort level for altitude for cutaway (I added 500 feet to all of the safety altitudes to give myself a couple of seconds additional reaction time). Fly the landing pattern and hit the altitudes briefed. Watch the packers and start practice packing a parachute early in your training. Take the packing course the first time it is given because sometimes it is hard to find a class. Packing is a skill that I found requires some significant practice. Advice you wish you had been given I should have followed the advice to pre-pay the course because I would have an additional 6 free skydives. What I don't like about Skydive Orange I had no real complaints. Obviously, the facility is old and there is no heat, except in the bathrooms and the classroom, so cold days are less than ideal, but the friendly collegial atmosphere makes up for the downside and with the new hangar coming, the facility issues are likely to see significant improvement. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: More emphasis on packing and canopy flight in the very early stages of training. And anything else you think appropriate. My student experience was great, notwithstanding a couple of set-backs of my own causation. The instructors all were caring and competent and always willing to offer suggestions. I felt well trained and when I had an emergency, I knew exactly what to do because the procedures had been drilled and thoroughly reviewed. This is a great DZ with the proper concern for safety while having a great time. I have and will recommend SOI to anyone interested in trying the sport. Thanks to all the instructors who watched in amusement as I progressed through the program: Steve, Lambert, Ned, Nick, Sid, Bob, Leslie, Mike F, Gigi, Dan G, and any others that I may have inadvertently overlooked. You are all great instructors and a pleasure to jump with. Thanks also to the packers who put up with the zero P 300 Sq ft canopies that I jumped for most of the program.
Hart Wood January 12, 2008 Great Falls, VA Hart proudly sporting his well earned A license stamp!	What I like most about Skydive Orange: Definitely the community, from the very knowledgeable and helpful instructors to the regular jumpers and students who are all just great people to be around. Even the weekends when I didn't get to jump at all, I never regretted spending that time at the hangar because it's always a great time no matter what. Advice for other student skydivers: Learn to pack early and don't put off jumping your own pack job until the end. Practicing packing early will make everything easier in the long run. Also, always have your sleeping bag in the car, because spending the night at Orange is always necessary. It's an awesome time and a great way to meet everybody there. Advice you wish you had been given: Prepay the AFF program. I never really knew I could do that until I was already 7 or 8 jumps in, and it would have saved a lot of hassle paying and given me a few more free jumps. What I don't like about Skydive Orange: Nothing that's their fault. The winter weather just made for a whole lot of waiting. Thanks to everyone at Orange, from the staff to the regulars to the other students, for making it such an awesome few months, both in the air and on the ground. I'll definitely be sticking around for a long time.
Heather Hetland January 12, 2008 Springfield, VA	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: Everything from the drive to the DZ to the people that are there throughout the weekend make Skydive Orange the wonderful experience that it is. The instructors are very knowledgeable and are willing to help you and answer all of your questions! They want you to learn and have fun. =). Advice for other student skydivers: Each weekend, bring your sleeping bag, a good attitude, your listening ears, and some snack food. You can never have too many blankets when it is below freezing at night. A good attitude will help you leap over the hurdles. You can learn a lot about the sport and the people at Orange just by listening to their experiences. And snack food? Everyone loves food. Advice you wish you had been given: Well, this was advice that I was given that I think is worth passing on. Learn how to pack ASAP. By the time I had to jump my own pack job, I was comfortable enough with packing that I wasn't so nervous about jumping it.. What I don't like about Skydive Orange: Waiting, whether it was for weather or instructors. However, there are plenty of things to do while waiting. You could learn how to pack, take an observer ride, take a quiz, etc. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: It would be nice if the students had a place to put their stuff besides the tables. These past few months have been so challenging and fun. Thank you to everyone at SOI for everything you have done. I am excited to see what this next year will bring!
	Elizabeth Kang A license Date: January 6, 2008 Chevy Chase, Maryland What I like most about Skydive Orange: The People. They are great. All the instructors and the other divers. Makes for a GREAT atmosphere and experience Advice for other student skydivers: Relax!! Enjoy it and don't worry about passing the maneuvers in a category. You will get it. Advice you wish you had been given: All advice I got was great. Can't think of anything they didn't tell me. What I don't like about Skydive Orange: The waiting - some of it avoidable! Suggestions for Skydive Orange: A little more organization. More jumpsuits and rigs for smaller people!! Thanks to everyone at Skydive Orange- especially all the Staff. You make a wonderful sport awesome, but always keep it safe.
Samantha Crane Washington, DC A License: December 24, 2007	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: The instruction is really top notch. All of the AFF instructors and coaches really make you feel relaxed and comfortable about your jumps. I have always felt that each of my instructors had a genuine interest in seeing me succeed and went above and beyond what was in the SIM chapters with respect to instruction for each jump. Each instructor took the time to give me little tips and do drills that made passing each jump a breeze. When I got stuck, they were more than willing to give me the extra attention that I needed to get past the hurdle. There is a great atmosphere at Skydive Orange that makes you inclined to want to spend your days jumping and nights hanging out with everyone at the drop zone. It is easy to make quick and lasting friendships since everyone is so welcoming. Advice for other student skydivers: Come down Friday night and stay through Sunday. This is a great group of people to both jump with and hang out with. The more often you jump the more you’ll retain between jumps and the better you’ll get. Don’t get frustrated if the weather doesn’t cooperate, instead get some of the things you can do on the ground checked off: take a packing class, do an open canopy orientation, learn how to calculate your exit/opening point, get ahead on your training, or take your quizzes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and talk to the experienced jumpers. Just remember to talk to your instructor before trying anything anyone else suggested. If you are jumping during the cold months, a pair of latex gloves under your jump gloves really helps to cut the wind. Advice you wish you had been given: The wind tunnel is a great tool if you have the extra money! What I don't like about Skydive Orange: It would be nice if there was someplace for students to put their stuff during the day (i.e. student lockers/cubbies). Suggestions for Skydive Orange: It would be really nice if the new hanger had heat in the classrooms (this winter has been cold!) and cubbies/lockers for students. Thanks to all of the Skydive Orange instructors, coaches, experienced jumpers, and other students. You’ve made Skydive Orange a second home for me. I look forward to spending my weekends here. You guys are the best!
Kevin “Squirrel” Wilson Arlington, VA (aka Dumpster Diver) A License 17 Nov 2007	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: Everyone was more than willing to help answer questions. The staff, as well as the other jumpers, made sure that you had fun while being safe. Advice for other student skydivers: \|If you do not understand the landing pattern, or if a piece of equipment doesn’t feel right, just ask. Advice you wish you had been given: I wish I was given different positions to perform unstable maneuvers. What I don't like about Skydive Orange: The price was quite steep in the beginning. More frequent packing classes would be nice, but other than that, you guys have it under control. Don’t crash into anything while landing!
Natalie Prendergast November 11, 2007 Arlington, VA	Everyone that works and jumps out at Orange is amazing. The group has such a good time- during hours and after hours. Jumping during the day and hanging out by the fire at night makes for great conversation, good times, and close friendships. Advice for other student skydivers: I suggest bringing a sleeping bag and staying for the whole weekend. Knock out your jumps as quickly as you can- the learning curve is huge when you're able to go right back up and fix/ progress on something you just finished doing. Everyone is willing to help you out and offer tips. That said, listen to what anyone has to say, but only take the good advice. If you have any questions, ask your instructor. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: -Lockers/ area for students to keep their things while down at the DZ on the weekends -A greater number of small jumpsuits I am thrilled about breaking into the sport of skydiving! Thank you to EVERYONE for the wonderful memories and great times. I am going to miss all of you- if you're down in the Lone Star state in the next couple of months, please drop me a line!! I WILL MISS YOU!!!!!
Regina Elwell Silver Spring, MD 11/11/2007	What I like the most about Skydive Orange I love the atmosphere all of the jumpers and instructors create. It's a very open and friendly group that makes everyone feel welcome. Advice for other student skydivers Once you start the AFF program don't stop or take long periods off in the middle of it. I found the most improvement in my jumps when I was jumping more and more often. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: Having this year be the year of the small, female AFF student it was a little frustrating waiting for a rig and fighting over small jumpsuits. It would be nice to see Orange invest in a couple more jumpsuits and rigs for the student program especially as it keeps growing. I would like to send a special THANK YOU to all those involved in my student program and who helped me achieve my A license --- especially Steve, Lambert, Grayson, Leslie, Brent, Tim, Nick, Sid, Dan, Laura, Bob and of course Ned!
Lyndsay C Curtis Centreville, VA Oct. 14, 2007	The greatest thing about Skydive Orange is their propensity towards safety. The day I walked in to do my first tandem, just spectating the staff and jumpers made me feel very much at ease after observing their desire to make this sport as fun and safe as possible. During the student program, I made a couple jumps at other dropzones, and can honestly say that Orange by far has the safest and most efficient training program. The staff is always willing to answer questions that you may have, and it helps to sit in on any sort of counsel sessions that might be going on around you during the day. When it's time to fly, it's always a good time!! Advice for other student skydivers: Learn to pack early!!! There's nothing more unnerving than taking your first pack job on your check dive (I speak from experience), The sooner you get it out of the way, the sooner you understand not only the anatomy of canopies and how they fly, but also the importance of maintenance and why no one really wants to pack anyway. Advice you wish you had been given: I can't think of anything... I learned a lot through asking questions and making my own mistakes. And advice is always given freely. What I don't like about Skydive Orange: Packing lessons should be held at more convenient times. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: I think you guys have it under control. If the weather is bad, be patient. The staff will do everything they can to get you up in the air, but will always put your safety first. They want you to come back! Thanks to all the staff for helping me accomplish this!!!
Lisa Tillman Fredericksburg, VA A License Date 9/30/07	What I like the most about Skydive Orange The people from the Staff to the other skydivers... Everyone actually cares about each other and their safety wether it is about skydiving or about their personal lives. Skydive Orange is like a family that I am very proud to be a part of . Advice for other student skydivers Always listen to your instructors and do not get mad or frustrated because they are training you to be safe and have fun, and they are looking out for your best interest. Advice you wish you had been given I was given good advice...GO TO THE TUNNEL (grin) What I don't like about Skydive Orange AS A STUDENT. the wait time because of instructor shortage/or instructor to student ratio Suggestions for Skydive Orange: Try to balance instructors to students I am no longer a student and I am there all the time...so I figure (grin) I LOVE SKYDIVE ORANGE AS A STUDENT AND AS A GRADUATE. Thank You to all of you for your patience especially while I had that issue in "C"
Ryan Owens Reston, VA A License Date: 22 Sep 2007	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: The people and the social atmosphere Advice for other student skydivers: Come up as much as possible until you get your license. Advice you wish you had been given: Same as above – come up as much as possible until you get your license.
Name: Tom Rose A License Date: 9/16/07 Bristow, VA	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: Their attention to safety, and the overall willingness-to-help that every individual there has. Whatever the problem is, whatever the question is, whatever the task at hand is, staff or not, everyone at Skydive Orange wants to help. They are a family. Advice for other student skydivers: Be curious and ask as many questions as possible. There is a lot more to learn outside of the student instruction manual than there is in it. Advice you wish you had been given: For a more stable solo exit from the airplane, extend your legs out. I learned this in the middle of the program. It would have helped me at the beginning too. What I don't like about Skydive Orange: I have only good things to say about Skydive Orange. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: The radios that are used for the assisted landings at the beginning of the program are hard to hear at times. Maybe louder radios, or even some type of earpiece attachment, could be used. Many people out there think that skydivers are just crazy. You could not pay them any amount of money to jump out of a plane, and that's fine. But, for you people that are temped to skydive though still have some doubts about it, or want to do it but claim you don't have the funds, I say come to Skydive Orange on a nice weekend and at least watch. Watching is exciting too, and its free. You will get a good opportunity to see and and learn what this sport is all about that way. You will also get to meet many folks that just made their first jumps, and you'll realize pretty quickly that these folks don't need to talk much, because their smiling, glowing faces say it all.
Bryan Taylor A License earned September 3, 2007	Just sending you a note to let you know I earned my A license yesterday. At 44 years of age, 29 jumps, 28 with you, I finally reached a lifetime goal. I did my check dive with Steve Doherty and as with most of your instructors, he was very professional. He did an excellent job of giving me the "don't be stupid" speech afterward too. Rest assured, I have a wife and four kids so I plan on being safe. Two of my boys have expressed interest in skydiving and when they come of age (and I'm still in the area) we plan on paying you a visit. The oldest is out of country, but has done his first jump with your crew. I look forward to making this a family affair. I've enjoyed being your student and look forward to using Sky Dive Orange as my premier drop zone while I am stationed here in the Northern VA area. I will be calling you shortly to order my first jump suit and plan on renting your rigs until I become more comfortable with my under canopy training. I've become all too well acquainted with the PLF and would like to gain some more experience with stand up landings!!! Overall, I give your program an A++. You are well organized and give the student a relaxed atmosphere, something nervous skydiving students need. Most of your instructors are very calm, some are particularly motivating. A couple put too much stress on the students though. In attempting to make us pay attention to detail, they make one nervous, lending to mistakes. But, like I said before, all in all you have a great staff. Lambert, Ostrich, Steve Hetrick and Steve Doherty were some of my favorites. Nick and Mike also deserve credit. Your pilot is superb!!! One instructor (who's name escapes me, short thin guy who always does his part in cleanup) goes way out of his way to say hi whenever I arrived. I do wish you would do something about the wind. The weather channel always seems to get it wrong, I spend way too much time grounded ;-) Thanks again
Jordan Graves 1 September 2007 Arlington, VA	I love how you feel like part of a family at Orange - if you're struggling with something everyone is pulling for you, and if you accomplish something everyone is there to celebrate. Plus the obvious - best instructors around...and really well defined calf muscles. The best advice I have to offer is to prepay for the whole program. My 'emergency' credit card is now my skydiving credit card, but at least I earn AA miles. Also, always have a sleeping bag on hand. You may plan on doing a few jumps on Saturday and then leaving, but...yeah right. There's no advice I needed or would have liked that I didn't receive. The coolest thing about these guys is how they all love talking about skydiving and watching videos during their down time, so its really easy to just hang around and hear something mentioned, and then ask about it.
Erin P. Hamilton "ehamilto" A License Date: September 1, 2007 Washington, DC	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: There's a great group of instructors and employees. Everyone really wants to help you learn. Everyone cares about your progress and your safety, and not just instructors. Other people that just jump there are always willing to help out or hang out. It's not only a safe place to learn, but its really fun too. Everyone is so relaxed and the environment is so much fun, that it's really hard to ever be nervous. Advice for other student skydivers: Come often and come prepared. Going through the student program quickly is helpful because you're constantly buildng on things you did in previous jumps. Also, learn to pack early because nothing is more frustrating than being told you can go jump again.....as soon as your rig is packed. It may be fun hanging out at the picnic tables, but until you get licensed, you really need to spend time actually learning something. Be prepared for weather holds, and be patient. You can learn just as much on the ground from listening to and watching more experienced people, so don't give up the second the wind goes above 14 mph. And do as many jumps as possible on nice days, because you never know when the weather will change. Advice you wish you had taken: Listen to everyone, but only do what your instructor tells you. When you hear someone at the manifest desk ask a volunteer to go get the pilots lunch, they mean YOU. What I don't like about Skydive Orange: The distance from DC...but I've turned out to be a very good sleep driver at 6am every Saturday! And the drive is worth it anyway- I'm always so happy when I'm at Orange! Suggestions for Skydive Orange: Have packing classes more frequently and at more convenient times. And maybe try to provide lockers or cubbies for students so we don't have to leave our crap where its always in someone's way. My experience at Orange has been so fantastic so far. Every week I look forward to spending the weekend there, and having to leave on Sunday is the worst part of my week. The best part about Orange is that you're not only having fun while you're jumping, you're having fun the entire day (or weekend in my case). There are such great people that both work and jump there, so there's always someone to talk to or hang out with or get pointers from.
Hyoung Keun Yang Seoul, South Korea A License Date 08/19/2007 City and State I live in Rosslyn, VA	What I like the most about Skydive Orange The people in there, instructors (Special thank to Hank, Steve H, Lambert, Nick, Steve D, Kevin, Tim, GiGi, Mike F, Rob G, Nate, Kelton, Brandon, Ned, and so on) Videographers (Bobby P and Jake), packers (John and Joe), and other jumpers ( I can't name them now... Ah~~so many)! Most gorgeous and baddest people I've ever met! Advice for other student skydivers I think no need to be patient because you can't have time to be frustrated or cranky. Even though the weather sucks, you can hang out with other jumpers or drink beer in the tiki bar. Just have fun! If you get pissed off by weather or whatever, that's your loss! Chill! Altitude, arch, legs, and RELAX! Never miss sunset load and beer chugging! Advice you wish you had been given Skydiving is not an extreme sport. What I don't like about Skydive Orange Student goggles (Welder). Those are not cool. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: Why don't you guys make an address book or internet cafe? Thank again all instructors, staffs and US Army Golden Knights.
Mary Dutcher "A" Licensed on 08/19/07 Alexandria, VA	First off, I would like to thank the entire staff at Skydive Orange for making my AFF training a very positive, fun experience. Everyone was always available for direction and always most helpful in answering my many, many questions. The instructors will spend as much time as needed to help you fully understand the lesson materials and jump requirements before each jump. After each jump, they offer insight as to how you can improve your technique so that you are comfortable with your jump before moving on to the next set of requirements. It is quite clear that safety, safety, safety is the main focus at the drop zone. That being said, the atmosphere at the drop zone is very lively and fun – truly a great group of people to spend your weekends with!! My advice to new students: Do not rush through the program! Everyone wants to quickly finish the program, but know your limitations. You may be able to squeeze one more jump in before sunset, but if you are too mentally/physically exhausted to focus you may need to repeat the jump (which can be expensive early on). Also, use weather delays to complete some of the "ground" requirements – learn how to pack, change a closing loop, etc. Just because the requirement is in Category H, doesn't mean you can't do it and have it signed off while you are in Cat E. I would highly recommend the team at Skydive Orange for the AFF Training Program! Looking forward to many more great jumps with you all!! -- "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm" ; ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Angela Proudfoot A License: 8/11/07 Washington, DC	Advice for other skydivers: Study, Practice and Visualize. The SIM is an incredible resource - be sure to study it so you know the techniques and procedures like the back of your hand. Practice arching at home until it becomes muscle memory. Visualize your jumps before you go up in the plane. It really helps to run through them in your mind prior to jumping so you don't forget any of the tasks you are trying to accomplish on that jump. And most of all, through the wind holds, rain, and clouds, remember why you are there. You love to skydive so stick with it - don't let the weather get you down. In the end, you will have your license and it will have been well worth the wait! Advice you wish you had been given: Nothing really - the great instructors at Skydive Orange gave me plenty of advice along the way. Advice for Skydive Orange: Hurry up and finish with the construction! I look like PigPen when I land in the dirt!
Joshua H. Nixon 11 August, 2007 Culpeper , Virginia	1) What I LOVE about Skydive Orange : * The friendly, knowledgeable instructors at Skydive Orange know their stuff – I’ve yet to ask them a question they couldn’t answer from personal experience. * The atmosphere at S.O. – it’s relaxed and loads of fun. The instructors make sure that students are competent and safe, but they’re not overly anal or demanding. 2) Advice for other student skydivers/ advice that I wish I’d been given: * Arrive ON-TIME – the earlier you get started, the more jumps you can get in each day (whoo!). &nbs p; – It’s inconsiderate of other students to show-up late. * If you can, do your student jumps during the week, instead of on weekends – S.O. isn’t normally as busy during the week, so you can get more one-on-one time with the instructors, and you don’t have as many people to compete with for space on loads At the door: take a deep breath and relax!!! :-D :-D :-D 3) What I don’t like about Skydive Orange: I disliked having to wait to jump because there weren’t enough instructors/coaches to jump with the students – because of people being late, etc. My experience as a student at Skydive Orange ROCKED. Despite the dangerous nature of the sport, I never once felt that the actions of any instructor jeopardized my safety; and even when I did unsafe things from time to time, no one held it against me or beat-up on me. I was always confident that I was jumping well-maintained gear under the supervision of trained professionals. All in all, it was waaaaaaaaaaaaay groovy.
Donna Ayers A License August 10th 2007 Solomons Island, Maryland (2+ hour drive)	I want to first thank everyone at Skydive Orange for the awesome experience! I stumbled upon Skydive Orange while coming home from a rafting trip. It was my friend Jen's 25th birthday so we went on a tandem jump. I couldn't explain the experience in words! I came back the following Saturday to start the AFF program...and you know the rest of the story! For future students I would like to offer a little bit of advice. Don't get discouraged! You choose to do this because you love it! Take your time & have fun! The most important thing though, is Safety. Be smart & safe for you, and others around you. Always listen to your instructors, not your buddy with 76 jumps. Any questions or concerns you have, everyone there at Skydive Orange, from the Packers, Video, Experienced jumpers, Instructors, Coaches & Manifest will be able to help you, or direct you to who can. Good luck!!
Billy Wallace Earned his A License on 8/4/07 Woodbridge VA (photo coming soon... or maybe not.)	The instructors at Skydive Orange are really great. They tend to pull you in and create a great atmosphere that made me feel like a part of the family. When I first came to Skydive Orange I didn't know what to expect, but was relieved to find the level of professionalism that I did. It’s a great bunch of guy's here, and I was happy to learn just how seriously they take this sport. They do, what they do, with great attention to detail and a high regard for safety. If I had any advice to give, from my experience here at Orange, it would be: 1. Learn to pack early. 2. Put all your distracters aside, and spend your free time listening and talking to the instructors. They have a wealth of information and are willing to share it freely, if you pose the right questions. (Or sit next to someone who does.) There is a draw back to Orange though. Apparently someone thought that purple matches with orange really well. Maybe it does, but is it really necessary for the jumpsuits to be purple? (Editor's note) - One of our more refined instructional staff members, Howdis Gusting, answers - 'Haint never heard of no one steeling none of our Purple and Orange suits yet!
Geoff Cira License date 21 July 2007 Vienna, VA 22180	I drove a hour and half to go to Orange. I really liked the people. They helped me a lot to get through the program. I had only 45 days to do the program since I was going off to college and they helped me get through in less than 30 days. All the jumpers made me feel welcome and gave advice to me most of the time without asking. Having the Otter there made the jumps fun since you got to altitude pretty quickly. Having multiple instructors gave me a good perspective from different people. The staff at Skydive Orange really cares about students. The first thing is always safety, but instructors also try to make you enjoy the program as much as possible. They let you know what's going on and how to fix any problem your having. Advice to other student skydivers: Be patient, the program can get long especially if the weather doesn't hold up. But if you go every chance you get and wait for the weather to cooperate then it can go by pretty fast. Listen to your instructors they know what they are talking about. Just relax we're just jumping out of planes have some fun with it. Advice you wish you had been given: Not much, just that after you get through with the program that you should belly fly for awhile before you try any thing new Advice for Skydive Orange: keep up the good work guys I'm missing this years boogie but I'll be back for next years, you can count on it
Eileen Kane License date 6-10-07 Maple Shade, NJ	What I like most about Skydive Orange is their safety record. I live about 40 minutes from another drop zone but after comparing the safety records and the teaching program and comparing it to the recommended USPA guidelines, I decided to drive 4 hours to come to Skydive Orange for training. Also the people at Skydive Orange are fantastic. Everyone is willing to answer any questions you have and work with you. They make everything so much fun as well as safe. Advice for other skydivers - Be patient. Weather holds are frustrating but very necessary for safety. The wind restrictions are frequent, but if you are patient and get there early and stay for the evening you are usually able to get in a few skydives even on the windy days. The wind usually dies down in the evening. Take advantage of good days and skydive as much as possible. Advice you wish you had been given - I can't really think of anything for this. It seems like you guys have covered all the bases here. Suggestions for skydive orange - Add practicing disconnecting the RSL to harness training for windy conditions.
Elena Ambrosino, Graduated June 3, 2007 From Washington, DC, but moving to Italy soon	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: Without any doubt the people. The staff at Skydive Orange really cares about students. The first thing is always safety, but instructors also try to make you enjoy the program as much as possible. I really had a lot of fun jumping with them!! Instructor or not, every single person at Skydive Orange is helpful and can give you great tips if you ask. Advice for other student skydivers: Be patient! The program can take a long time (especially if you start in the fall). Winter days can be really cold and windy, but don't let that stop you. Advice you wish you had been give: Do as much jumps as possible when the weather is good, since the beginning of the program. Cat A-E jumps are the most expensive, but with few jumps you'll get over with pretty quickly. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: Not much...maybe have a better student email list. I WILL MISS YOU!!

Check out the Skydiving Certification graduates from 2006 and earlier

Graduates and Instructors- Skydiving Students should fill out the information on this page whenever you sign off a new A license Skydiving Certification.

This list of skydivers who've just earned their certification only includes the most recent ones, since we just added this webpage in early 2005. There have been hundreds of certified skydivers who learned to jump here over the last 26 years that people have been skydiving here at Orange. Skydive Orange is the place to get certified for people in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC, and West Virginia. With the addition of a student skydive manager (Student sky diving operator) who manages repeat AFF operations, skydiving training operates more efficiently especially on busy jump days when we make lots of dives.

By "Graduate", at Skydive Orange we refer to a person who has achieved their USPA "A" license skydiving certification and is therefore adequately trained in the basics of skydiving to be a competent, safe skydiver. If you compare us to other skydiving places, odds are they consider someone to be one of their "graduates" if they've just "graduated AFF" meaning they no longer need an instructor in the air with them. While not needing in air freefall assistance is a respectable milestone, it does not mean that that person is fluent in all the areas to skydiving to be able to make sound judgments on their own. Historically, those learning to skydive were allowed to jump on their own with minimal to no additional supervision after "completing AFF" (meaning the first 7 jumps) and all too often this resulted in the all too frequent appearance of the meat wagon at the drop zone, because all the attention those fun freefall skills didn't do anything to teach the details of canopy control.

Get 3 6 Free skydives when you graduate!