Skydive Day South – Netheravon (SP4 9SF)

Who do we jump with?  The Army Parachute Association (APA).  The Army Parachute Association works to the exceptionally high safety standards of the British Army as well as those of British Skydiving.  Their facilities cater for the tandem student and also their supporters and have a spectator area very close to the tandem landing area. For more information please see their website: www.netheravon.com

Will I have to complete any forms? You will need to complete 2 forms before your skydive.
The first form is your British Skydiving Self-Declaration Medical (Form 115A). It is really important you read through this thoroughly. If for any reason you are unable to self-declare, you will need a Doctor’s Certificate – Form 115B. Please email fundrasing@nras.org.uk to request a copy of this form.
Your second form is the online Tandem Skydive waiver which will be emailed to you around 3 days before your jump. Included in this is the British Skydiving Provisional membership agreement. You cannot jump without either of these forms. These forms will need to be signed by a parent/guardian if the person jumping is under 18.

What can you expect on the tandem jump day? You will check in at reception where the paperwork and final payments will be completed. You then attend a 30 minute training session where you are taught everything you need to know for the most exhilarating experience of your life. Once the training has been completed, the jump programme is organised! 20 minutes before your jump you will be called in to get ready and harnessed up. You are now ready for your 20 minute ride to 13,500ft ready to plunge into the skies, reaching 120 mph before the parachute is deployed, slowing you down for a peaceful descent over the Wiltshire countryside.

Prepare to wait! When you book, you will be given an arrival time. This is not the time you will jump! Please be prepared to spend the whole day at the parachute centre! Every effort is made to get you into the air as soon as possible, but sometimes a delay is unavoidable, particularly if the weather makes jumping unsafe or you have been delayed in arriving.  Please do make any supporters aware that there may be a lot of waiting around too.

Do I have to be fit to take part? There is no set level of fitness required for Tandem skydives.  You will be asked to complete a medical form. If you have any medical conditions listed on the BPA 115A form, you will need your doctor’s approval and you will need your doctor to sign the BPA 115B form (and bring the signed form on the day – a copy is not acceptable it has to be the original).

Is it safe? Skydiving is an extremely well-regulated sport. All the instructors are very experienced and hold British Skydiving qualifications. The equipment used is the best available and is maintained to very high standards. The aircraft used operate under Civil Aviation Authority regulations. Skydiving will only take place when the weather conditions are suitable.

Can I have a video/pictures taken of my skydive? If you wish your jump to be filmed, you may book one of their trained camera flyers who will capture every moment of your jump from start to finish.

The highly experienced camera flyers are available at the drop zone and they can arrange for your Tandem skydive to be filmed for an additional fee of £140.  Pre-booking your camera flyer is recommended as there are limited camera slots on the day, you may miss out on having this memorable experience recorded, so do let us know if you would like your skydive filmed and we will book it in with the APA for you.  The payment can be made on the day directly to the APA.

Can I wear a Go-Pro? British Skydiving regulations state that camera equipment may not be carried by students doing a tandem jump. This is due to safety as they do not want a piece of camera equipment damaging the parachute.

Are refreshments available? Café facilities are available providing hot and cold drinks and meals from 8am. Alcohol consumption is forbidden before your jump, however, alcohol is available for post-jump celebrations. You are welcome to bring a picnic with you if you would prefer.

Can I bring people along to support me?

You may bring friends and/or family members with you. Please do be aware there is nothing for children to do. Please let your guest(s) know that they must bring photo ID as we are on an MOD site. You will need to book your guests in and will receive a link to the form on the Monday before your jump. Under 16’s are very welcome, but do not need ID (we will still need their names in advance).  They are very strict and if the name is not on their list unfortunately they won’t be given access. You will also need to bring photo ID with you to gain access to the airfield.

 

Can I bring a dog with me?

Netheravon Airfield Camp has a strict “NO VISITING DOGS” policy, therefore, we respectfully request that you leave your dogs at home. If you bring your dog, you may be turned away.

How do I get to the airfield?
The NRAS Skydive day will take place at: Airfield Camp, Netheravon, Wiltshire SP4 9SF

The parachute centre is located between Salisbury and Marlborough just off the A345, approximately 5 miles north of the A303. Airfield Camp Netheravon is sign posted on red military road signs from the village of Netheravon. The Camp is situated on a hill above the village itself.

According to the Netheravon website, Sat Navs will direct you to the wrong place if you enter the Airfield Camp postcode. Use SP4 9RY instead, this will get you to the road just before the entrance to the airfield camp – continue along this road, keeping the hangar on the right until you reach the end.

On arrival – On arriving at the Camp, tell the guard that you are doing a parachute jump in aid of NRAS, and park your car as directed. You, along with all adult members of your party, will need to book in so this is where you will need your photo ID with you. Having been issued with your pass, you will either be escorted to the car park (with a car in front of you showing you where to go) or you will follow the road up onto the airfield and drive to the very end of the road where you will see signs to parking areas on the left and right. Please do not park on the grass.  When you see a double decker bus on your right, you are almost at the car park.

Do I need to get personal insurance? Five million pounds worth of third party insurance is included in your first jump with the Army Parachute Association. Personal insurance is not compulsory but many jumpers do take out some protection, and we would always advise this as a precaution.  There are many companies who provide skydive insurance, so we recommend that you search the best company for you.

What happens if the weather is bad? Skydiving is very weather dependent! Good visibility and broken cloud is required for all forms of skydiving, and the cloud base should be no lower than your parachute deployment altitude. The maximum ground wind speed for Tandems is 20kts. NRAS will liaise with the APA the day before the jump and contact all jumpers the afternoon before to indicate whether the weather may cause a problem the following day. (In the event that weather disrupts the jump day – your jump will be rescheduled for another date.)

What should I wear? If it’s a cold day wrap up warm but not bulky as you will be provided with a jumpsuit to wear over your clothes. On a hot day a t-shirt and trousers/shorts are ample. Trainers are recommended and must be secure on the feet. Do not wear any open toed shoes i.e. sandals.

Can I wear my glasses, contact lenses or dentures? The goggles fit over glasses and will also be fine for contact lens wearers. If you wear dentures, or anything else that could become dislodged while in freefall, have a chat with your instructor about it before you jump.

How can I collect sponsorship money? We would encourage you to set up a personal online sponsorship page on the Just Giving website if you have not done so already. Instructions are on our website here – https://nras.org.uk/resource/set-up-your-fundraising-page/. Online fundraising pages save you having to chase people to pay in their money. When your supporters donate online via JustGiving, the money comes directly to NRAS and, if your sponsor declares they are a UK tax payer, Gift Aid will automatically be claimed (the tax back) on their donation, enlarging it by 25% at no cost to them, you or us!

How do I pay in my sponsorship money to National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS)? You will need to contact Charlotte (charlottea@nras.org.uk) at NRAS  in advance of the jump day to confirm you have reached your minimum sponsorship level of £450. You may raise the sponsorship money using an online page. If you choose to do this the money will come directly to us. If you collect sponsor money please either bring it on the day or send your forms and cheques directly to the NRAS address in White Waltham. (Please do not send cash in the post.)

How is the cost of the jump paid for? NRAS will pay the jump costs (£250 per jump) for each jumper out of the sponsorship raised. NRAS will only pay these jump costs on learning in advance of the day that each jumper has met their individual sponsorship level of £450.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR NRAS:

Charlotte Allum – Fundraising & Events Officer

Call: 01628 823 524, ext. 131

Email: charlottea@nras.org.uk

National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS)

Beechwood Suite 3, Grove Park Industrial Estate, White Waltham, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 3LW

Registered Charity Number: 1134859