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

2008 AFF Skydiving certification program Graduates!

2009 Skydiving graduates	2008 Skydiving graduates
2007 Skydiving graduates	2006 Skydiving graduates

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
Shaun Withers 20 Sep 08 Upper Marlboro, MD	First, Thank You to the instructors and coaches at Skydive Orange. They were more than happy to take time to sit with me and help me through some of the trouble I had in the program. That being said the program was great. Everyone has things they excelled in and things it takes a little more time to grasp. A little advice to new students, don't try to start in the beginning of spring, weather will frustrate the hell out of you. The whole experience is wonderful. I also recommend staying down there on weekends. While hanging around the tiki bar you can learn so much more from the experienced jumpers and get your fill of stories too. Beyond the fact you are jumping out of an airplane on purpose, the people you meet are awesome. Meet one of your new regulars. A couple of minor suggestions to the management, a little better pro shop. not much of a selection for equipment. Also someone to help rookies like me with equipment choices. Other than that I hear there is a new hangar in the works. That would rock.
Marc Werner 20 September 2008 Springfield, VA	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: Great staff that works hard to get everyone trained in a timely manner. Advice for other student skydivers: Be patient there may be several wind wind and overcast days, but you will get it all done. Advice you wish you had been given: Start learning to pack early so you don't wait until your last couple of jumps to get it down.
	John Sinclair Graduated on 9/14/08 Oakton , VA What I like the most about Skydive Orange: The instructors actually WANT to teach you how to skydive well and never fail to give constructive criticism. Also, there is nobody at the drop zone that doesn’t absolutely love skydiving. I also enjoy the sign that reads “Unattended children will be sold.” Advice for other student skydivers: Save up, pre-pay, and get the 12 free skydives. I spent nearly a year and a half getting the A license because I relied on scrounging around for cash to jump month to month. You get much more out of the instruction when you are able jump often. Advice you wish you had been given: Plan on camping out, it’s impossible to wake up at 6am and drive in the morning. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: Stay fun, keep lawyers out, and build a bigger fire pit.
Julie Price A License Date: 13 September 2008 (about 18 months after starting) City and State I live in: Woodbridge , VA	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: - Well, I am not sure where to start. From the first day I started my Student Progression, everyone was fantastic. Steve H was out in the cold with me (just me) for First Jump Course in Jan 2007, and the very next day, Nick K and Matt H were out in a blizzard teaching me (and a couple others) how to pack. When I had my first set back, everyone was very encouraging and safety was the most important factor of getting back in the air. When my first AFF jump went REALLY bad, I was given some great advice (all the instructors I had ROCKED), came back the next day, and did much better. When I had my second (and very long) setback, again, everyone was great with helping me continue to learn even though I was on the ground, safety was the key consideration in helping me get back on track with the Student Progression, and I was embraced as part of the family – even though I wasn’t jumping. - So, if I had to sum up what I like the most about Skydive Orange – the staff is fantastic, the safety for students is a key consideration, and the folks there make you feel like family!! Advice for other student skydivers: - Don’t get discouraged with how long the Student Progression may take you. From weather, to shut-downs, to injuries – you may have more time waiting on the ground than you would like. But don’t get discouraged – heck, I had to wait 18 or so months – and it was totally worth it! Use that “downtime” to ask questions and learn (packing is a good place to start). The Experienced Jumpers care, and will share their knowledge and experience with you if you ask (and don’t be afraid to ask). - HELP OUT!!! This could be going to get the Pilot’s Lunch, offering to pick of someone who landed off if you are on a weather hold, emptying a trash can, restocking toilet paper (you use it too), or throwing away garbage other’s have left around. Skydive Orange is now your home too – so take care of it! - Oh yes, and the most important – BE KIND TO MANIFEST (STUDENT AND EXPERIENCED)!! Anyone who knows me will understand why this is here!!! Advice you wish you had been given: - Actually, since my Student Progression took so long, there was plenty of time to get LOTS of advice (and really good advice). There isn’t really any advice I wish I had been given – I was around long enough to get it (I think)!!! But I still have A LOT to learn!!!!! - Oh wait…..I thought of one………Don’t get on a load in the morning with Schmike the night after Mexican or chili!!!! Yep, that is advice I wish I was given!!!!! What I don't like about Skydive Orange: - Some folks feel they shouldn’t have to clean up after themselves. Skydive Orange is a Club and our Home Away From Home. Everyone there should care enough and take an interest in keeping it a great (and clean / picked up) place to be!!! But Ned, this isn’t something you can fix! One last thing I would like to say: Thanks so much to everyone for helping me get through the setbacks I had, and for helping me and encouraging me all the way through the program. I look forward to jumping with all of you (at different times of course, my skills aren’t that good – but maybe one day)!!!
Mike Ingham, USCG September 13, 2008 Arlington, VA	What I Liked: I am really glad I decided to go with Skydive Orange for my training. The emphasis on safety is second to none. When and if you should ever run into an emergency, you will be confident that you will know how and be able to react to the problem. Rumor has it that Uncle Ned pays well, which attracts the best instructors in the area who are always willing to help. Everyone there is really friendly and loves to party after a long, fun day of skydiving. Advice to Future Skydivers: If you are reading this, and thinking about taking the class, go ahead and DO IT!! I have been talking about doing this for so long, and now that I’ve got my license, I wish I would have done it sooner. Bring a tent, sleeping bag and what ever else you need to spend the night. There is plenty of room for you to throw down a tent and showers when you need them. Stay the night, you’ll have a good time and be there when class starts. Advice I Wish I Was Given: Most of the people on here say that they wished they had pre-paid. I did and have to get this to Ned so I can get my free jumps. Work the numbers, gear rental $90/day or $25/jump, plus the taxi ride to altitude which is $25 on weekends. You really get more out of the program if you can make more then one jump a day. What I Don’t Like and Recommendations: Having a place to stow your things would be nice. Parking is just outside the hanger so it’s not really that big a deal other then the convenience factor and your stuff can get hot in the car. It’s tough to look cool in pictures wearing a purple jumpsuit. My recommendation; anything but purple. An air conditioned lounge would be a nice place to hang out during your down time. The airport isn’t Metro accessible. Do you think we could extend one of the lines down there?
Sean Levesque A License date: 8/15/2008 - just before the Boogie! Herndon, Virginia	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: Honestly the people make the difference at Orange. Every instructor, member, and coach took safety and training VERY seriously and for good reason. I absolutely love staying over for the weekends, when possible. Advice for other student skydivers: Don't get frustrated by having to re-jump a category. Also, seriously relax in the arch - it makes all the difference. In the end, learning the necessary maneuvers was extremely rewarding and ultimately helped to build up my confidence as each jump went by. Stay for the sunset jumps because you won't want to miss it. Sign up for the party list. Advice you wish you had been given: Wear knee pads. Particularly if you downgrade and kinda suck at timing your flares. Swollen knees really suck and it makes packing very uncomfortable. What I don't like about Skydive Orange: The waiting to get on a load. It was a little confusing in the beginning trying to know when I needed to be ready or could go grab lunch. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: Keep the white board updated so people know when they're up next. Maybe clean up the website a little? Anything else: My first experiences at Skydive Orange are unforgettable and getting my A license is probably one of my greatest personal achievements. I would like to sincerely thank Ned, Steve Hetrick, Hank, Lambert, Charlie, Tim, Brian, Laurel, Nick, Dan, Jeb, and Santiago for coaching me through AFF. Everyone else, your advice, support and friendship were very much appreciated and because of you I stuck with it when I got frustrated.
Jake Marion A License Date: 8/14/08 City and State I live in: Purcellville, VA	What I like the most about Skydive Orange What I like most about Skydive Orange is the emphasis on safety. Dying was not my goal when I started skydiving and the instructors did a great job teaching me how not to be dead when I meet the ground. Advice for other student skydivers My advice for other student skydivers is to set aside a separate beer fund for every time you make a milestone achievement in the sport of skydiving. This is not for you to drink it is for the staff. Advice you wish you had been given There is no shortage of advice floating around the hangar. What I don't like about Skydive Orange What I don't like about Skydive Orange is the purple jumpsuits. The only way anyone would look right in those jumpsuits is if they weighed 400 pounds and wore a Barney mask.
Dan Kotrapu A License Date: 7/19/08 Arlington, VA	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: Our instructors are fantastic! Everyone is really patient and encouraging. Most of all, they are just good people. Everyone made me feel welcome. Advice for other student skydivers: Do a wind tunnel trip at your first opportunity. Although this is not related to the AFF program at all, the tunnel time definitely helps your progression. Trust me. It is worth the time and money. First of all, you get superior coaching that you can only get in the tunnel. My coaches were Dan Glanz and Lambert. Second, 30 minutes of tunnel time is basically 30 skydives. Also, I would recommend learning to pack as soon as possible. Convenient opportunities are few and far between. Keep asking and be proactive about it! Advice you wish you had been given: Hmmm. I think I had the good advice the whole way through the program. My advice to new students is: don't stress out. The AFF program is a mere 25 skydives. You just cannot expect to get everything right. What I don't like about Skydive Orange We could probably use more comfortable seating for students. The tables are good for debriefing, but really hard on the backside if you're sitting and waiting. I try to hang out on the mats or the few couches, but the space gets limited quickly. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: Keep doing what you are doing!
Chad Madden A License Date: 08 June 2008 Lexington Park, MD	The instructor staff and the folks that jump at Orange. It's a great group of folks that hang out at the DZ. The crowd is incredibly diverse and most are very personable. Advice you wish you had been given: Student training is cheaper with comparable instructional staff at other DZs. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: Find some way to better organize the daily student processing chaos. Once the instruction begins, there are nothing but positive remarks to be given for the instructor staff. And anything else you think appropriate. Overall, I'm satisfied with the knowledge that the Orange instructors gave me and feel confident that I have been given the information I need to make good skydiving decisions and develop a solid foundation to grow from.
Rachel Buschbach 7/26/08 Manassas, VA	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: Definitely the people. I have made a ton of new friends, many of whom will be lifelong friends. The frustration of being on weather holds is easier because even if you're not getting to jump at the moment, you're still hanging out with great friends. I'm so glad that Orange happened to be the closest DZ to me.. I don't think there's any other place like it! Advice for other student skydivers: Don't be too nervous about your hop and pops. They're no big deal. And be aware that your canopy will open more slowly and not right overhead on them, so don't worry that you're having a malfunction. Also, practice packing as often as you can. It's nerve-wracking to be jumping your own pack job for the first time on your check dive. And as for the afterhours, always bring a sleeping bag and/or tent because you will definitely want to hang out and get to know everyone on the weekends. Don't forget money for the frosty beverage fund. What I don't like about Skydive Orange: I like it all! Can't think of anything negative. Thank you to all the instructors and coaches who always made me feel safe and confident, and who celebrated right along with me whenever I made an accomplishment! Special thanks to Steve Hetrick for running the AFF program so smoothly and always letting me go at my own pace =)
Martin Young 30 May 08 Manassas, Va.	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: Without a doubt the FRIENDLY atmosphere. Everybody comes up and tries to get to know you, especially around the fire pit. Beer Can kicking at sunset load and the taste of that first beer afterwards. Instructors and coaches all kick ass. Finally, the way Steve H. keeps all the students in line and organized and does his best to get us as many jumps as possible. Advice for other student skydivers: Learn to pack as early as possible. Study the SIM - training will go quicker and you'll get in the air sooner. Stick it out on windy days. Chances are it will die out in the late afternoon and you'll be rewarded with one or two jumps. Advice you wish you had been given: Don't scream like a girl as you exit. What I don't like about Skydive Orange: The Purple Jumpsuits. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: Install an exit cam on the otter and beam the video down to the hanger to entertain the crowd on the ground.
Bill Cahill Oakton VA A License Date: 05/25/08 Bill Cahill flying in the wind tunnel in NC.	What I like the most about Skydive Orange: Definitely the camaraderie and the emphasis on safety. The staff and members are always a great source of advice, instruction and tips. Every one out here is willing to help in any way that they can. Advice for other student skydivers: Bang out your Licensing process as quickly as possible. The more often you jump the more comfortable you will be through the process. I did and it really seemed to help me.
Maureen Butler Alexandria, VA License Date: 05/05/08	What I like most about Skydive Orange: The community at the dz is good, everything from the other students that I went through the program with to the experienced jumpers. There is a willingness of the instructor and coaches to offer any information to help you be a better skydiver. Advice for other student skydivers: If you are serious about skydiving as a sport and if you can afford it, go to the wind tunnel with the Skydive Orange instructors as your tunnel coaches. It gives you a certain perspective that you can't quite get in the air. Also, lots of people will give you advice and it may be correct but run it by your instructor first. Advice you wish you would have been given: If you're going to get your license during the winter, prepare to be grounded a lot due to weather, winds, clouds, etc. The days can be long and they don't like it if you leave during the day so bring some food with you and stay hydrated. What I don't like about Skydive Orange: Weather holds, but they are necessary and for your safety. Suggestions for Skydive Orange: A place for students to put their stuff would be great.
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.
	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.

VA / DC/Maryland Skydiving certification program Graduates from other years-

2009 Skydiving graduates	2008 Skydiving graduates
2007 Skydiving graduates	2006 Skydiving graduates

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!

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