- Do we need to make reservations per person to jump?
Yes, each person who would like to jump need to register. To register people
can purchase a jump at www.cuffsevents.org click on the registration tab and
choose from the options, pay online or call drop zone 856-629-7553. If you
call be sure to tell them you want you jump at the CUFFS Charity event on
July 12th
- How do the donations work?
I'm in the process of setting up online donations. The best way to donate now is to send checks payable to PBA Skydive Charity and mail to P.O. box 27 Berlin, NJ 08009 Attn: C.U.F.F.S. After the event The PBA holds a Check presentation/dinner for the Athletes at Lucien's manor in Berlin, NJ
- Do we need donations to jump?
Unlike the MS bike ride that the PBA does every year in where you have to get a minimum amount of pledges/donations to ride, the C.U.F.F.S. charity is more relaxed, each person who jumps just need to register.
That being said, I do try to get people or business that jump or sponsored a jumper to raise more then the amount required to jump. Individuals who pay for their own jump can go to friends and family co-workers and raise money "who would pay money to see John Smith jump from a perfectly good airplane!" you would be surprised $10.00 here $20.00 there adds up fast. You get to jump for free and the charity gets the remaining as a donation.
Your company can sponsored you, some companies have done some nice things for us. Rita's water ice sponsors a jumper, but this year they are allowing members of the PBA and the Special Olympics to scoop water ice at the Berlin location and donating 25% of that days totals to C.U.F.F.S. We will pack the place on July 5th!
- Do the fees to jump go towards the foundation?
The cost for the jump is paid to the drop zone, this covers your training,
instructor, equipment and ride to altitude. Video payment pays for the
camera guy, DVD and still photos. Now the charity does benefit, for each jump
completed the drop zone donates $20.00 and for each video completed they donate
$5.00. People say that's all?? But when you do 160+ skydives and 95% of them
have video that money adds up fast.
- What kind of donations are needed?
Some companies have donated product or services, this is ok where the charity
can use it. For example Copy Plus in Berlin donates all the flyers and
posters this we can use it cuts out and expense that the charity would have
to pay otherwise. The problem that arises is when a store wants to give food/drinks
for the kids, this is great and but there is a cafe at the drop zone and
they donate what they make back to the charity. don't want to step on anyone's
toes. The best way to support is with a cash donation, checks payable to
PBA Skydive Charity and mail to P.O. box 27 Berlin, NJ 08009 Attn: C.U.F.F.S.
- How do you donate without jumping?
Make checks payable to PBA Skydive Charity and mail to P.O. box 27, Berlin, NJ 08009 Attn: C.U.F.F.S.
- What is Tandem Skydiving?
Tandem Skydiving is the best method for making your first skydive. It takes a minimal amount of instruction, and allows you to make your initial skydive(s) with an instructor harnessed to you for the entire skydiving experience.
- How does free fall feel?
Free Fall is not the stomach churning feeling of a roller coaster.
The sensation of free fall is more like flying than falling.
- What are the age requirements?
You must be at least 18 years old.
- How fast do you fall?
When you leave the aircraft, you are moving horizontally at the same speed as the aircraft, typically 90-110MPH. During the first 10 seconds, a skydiver accelerates up to about 115-130MPH straight down. (A tandem pair uses a drouge chute to keep them from falling much faster than this).
It is possible to change your body position to vary your rate of
fall. In a standard face-to-earth position, you can change your fall
rate up or down a few (10-20) miles per hour. However, by diving or "standing
up" in
free fall, any experienced skydiver can learn to reach speeds of
over 160-180MPH. Speeds of over 200MPH require significant practice to achieve.
The record free fall speed, done without any special equipment, is 321MPH.
obviously; it is desirable to slow back down to 110MPH before parachute opening.
Once under parachute, decent rates of 1000ft./min. are typical. A lighter student with a bigger canopy may come down much more slowly, and, obviously, a heavier person may have a somewhat faster decent. Experienced jumper's can canopies descend (in normal glide) at up to 1500ft./min. During radical turns, the decent rate can go well over 2000ft./min.
- How hard is the landing?
The canopies used today bear little resemblance to the classic round canopies of years gone by. Today, nearly all jumpers and jump schools use "square" canopies for parachuting. These canopies are actually rectangular in shape, and when open, act like an airplane wing (or an airfoil). They are more like gliders than umbrellas.
The aerodynamics of the square canopy provide it with exceptional maneuverability, allowing the jumpers to land almost anywhere they wish. This wing shape also provides tippy-toe soft landings for even the novice jumper. The days of landing like a sack of flour are history. Most students land standing up on their first jump.
- Can you breathe and/or talk in free fall?
Breathing is easy in free fall, but talking is almost impossible. The rush
of the wind makes it difficult to hear.
- What should I wear?
Comfortable cloths and sneakers.
- What happens if the parachute doesn't open?
In the unlikely event that the main parachute doesn't open properly, there is a reserve parachute in the top of the container which has been inspected and packed by an FAA certified parachute rigger. All of our reserve parachutes are also equipped for your safety with the most reliable and modern computerized AADs (Automatic Activation Device) available, the CYPRES.
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