During these jumps, students should perform unassisted, with the Jumpmaster present only to observe and act as safety. Students who pass level 7 are considered graduates of the formal portion of the training. However, at this point the student needs guidance and practice in the more advanced skills required to stay safe during more complex skydives. This portion of the training also integrates the student into the experienced jumper population on the drop zone, since these are the people that conduct these jumps. For some, AFF is a bit agressive in the beginning.
Students begin with the tandem phase of training.
Three jumps are made with an Instructor, and the training is focused on fundamental skills such as air awareness, proper body position, and parachute control. The use of tandem training helps students relax and enjoy each jump, without the anxiety of jumping alone in the early stages of training. This phase of the program gives newcomers the confidence and skills they need to advance to the AFF phase of the program. Landing modern, gliding canopies present challenges for newcomers. The tandem jump phase of the IAF program helps students meet these challenges better than traditional training methods since each jump is also a parachute control class.