The parachute unit at Marijampolė Aero Club was founded 33 years ago. It has a professional team and the long-standing traditions.
Age to start jumping Pursuant to the valid parachute jumping rules of the Republic of Lithuania, persons of the age more than 14 are permitted to start jumping (a written consent of parents is mandatory). However, for safety reasons, the Aero Clubs administration reserves the right to decide the candidates fitness for parachute jumping in each individual case.
Health fitness The health regulations for parachute jumping are the same as the health regulations for a person to receive a driving licence. Parachute jumping is not recommended in case of the recent whiplash or extremities injuries.
Insurance Insurance is not mandatory for a person to make a parachute jump. It is only recommended to have it. You may insure yourself on-site; it costs about 15.00 EURO. The aircraft with passengers intended for parachute jumping is insured.
Please find below the other terms and conditions for entertainment and sports parachute jumping.
Jump with guided round parachute Jump height: 800 m. Duration of training/instruction: 1.5-2 hours. Jump price: 35.00 EURO. Discount jump price for a group of 10 and more persons: up to 30.00 EURO.
Other conditions:
weight of jumper up to 90 kg;
during jumping, the wind force should not exceed 5 m/sec.;
up to 30 persons per day may be serviced.
Jump with wing-type parachute Jump height: 1200 m. Duration of training/instruction: 2-3 hours. Jump price: 55.00 EURO. Other conditions:
weight of jumper up to 115 kg;
during jumping, the wind force should not exceed 8 m/sec.;
up to 12 persons per day may be serviced.
Two-seat parachute jump with instructor Jump height: 3000 m, including 1000 m of free-flying. Duration of training/ instruction: 20 minutes. Jump price: 100.00 EURO. Other conditions:
weight of jumper up to 115 kg;
during jumping, the wind force should not exceed 8 m/sec.;
advance registration is required;
up to 8 persons per day may be serviced.
Jump with two instructors
Jump height: 3000 m, including 1500 m of free-flying. Duration of training prior to jumping: 3 hours. Jump price: 120.00 EURO. Other conditions:
weight of jumper up to 100 kg;
prior to this jump, an applicant has to make a two-seat parachute jump (free-floating sensation);
throughout a day, 3 persons may make such jumps.
You may order filming for all jump options. Prices of filming:
round parachute jump 18.00 EURO; group 15.00 EURO for each person; raw material 10.00 EURO;
wing-type parachute jump 18.00 EURO; raw material 10.00 EURO;
two-seat parachute jump and jump with two instructors 30.00 EURO.
Sports jumps These jumps are to be made by experienced parachute jumpers who hold the parachuting certificates/licences specifying the parachutist qualification. Prices of jumps:
1000/1200 m- 10.00 EURO
2000/2200 m 12.000 EURO
3000 m 15.00 EURO
When arrived at the airfield, you need to have the identification document, long clothes (long trousers, blouson or similar clothes with sleeves) and flat-footed shoes - sports shoes (gumshoes) are the most appropriate ones. The extreme entertainment is always connected with the increased risk to be injured; therefore, alcohol has nothing to do with this activity.
How to choose the appropriate jump option?
The entertainment jumps may be divided into three groups: an individual jump, when after the passed instruction/training, you jump by your own (round and wing-type parachutes); a jump with instructor, when you have only to hear a short instruction rather than pass a training and everything is done by a professional while you just enjoy yourself (two-seat parachute) and a jump with two instructors- this is quite a complicated jump overfilled with adrenaline that requires from the parachute jumper the accuracy and quick response.
For the first jump, all options will produce an effect. However, when choosing the appropriate option, the jump conditions are to be taken into consideration. On a windy day, jumps are more often made only in the evening, when the wind slackens. An individual jump goes very well with an extreme and active person. For a person of a calm-temper and, probably, for the older persons, we would recommend choosing an individual jump with either a rounded parachute or a two-seat parachute. When making jumps with two instructors, the initial skills of a real parachute jumper are acquired. These jumps are recommended for those, who dream and wish to be parachutists.
Not to be bored while waiting for a jump or when the instruction is held for the parachute jumpers, the accompanying persons at the airfield may:
fly an aircraft
drop at an airfield bar to have a cup of coffee
play table tennis
play volley-ball at a play area
swim in the airfield pond
to make shashlik at a rest place
wireless Internet is available on the airfield territory
Should the scheduled jump fails to take place by bad weather, the heard jump instruction costs nothing (thus, the travelling expenses are compensated). All the received information is valid for one month period.
Information of Marijampolė Aero Club
HISTORY
Marijampolė Aero Club celebrates its 30 year anniversary
Marijampolė (then Kapsukas) Aviation Technical Sports Club started its activities on 1 April 1977. This date is considered to be the founding date of the Club. A pilot, instructor and parachutist of Suvalkiya origin, master of sports Gintautas Varnagiris, who was working in Kaunas ASC at that time, was offered to organize the establishment and activities of the Club.
During the first year of its activity 70 jumpers were prepared for their first jump, many of them stayed in the Club and continued jumping.
During the very first year the representatives of Kapsukas Aviation Technical Sports Club through their hard work, practice and experience shared with experienced jumpers participated in the trainings and competitions with the Lithuanian national parachute sport team. In 1977 the Club's team took the 2nd place in the National Championship. Three members of the Club participated in the international competition in the composition of the National team in Bulgaria. During the first year, 1814 parachute jumps were performed and the total flight time was 206.13 hours. This was evaluated as a successful start of the Clubs operation.
The Clubs activities increased with every subsequent year, although the conditions weren't favourable. It was necessary to create at least minimum working conditions in Tarpučiai airfield. Even at that time it was clear that the field was temporary, because the territory had to become a new residential area with the development of the town. Therefore, there were only temporary self-constructed buildings and constructions in the territory of the airfield. However, this had no negative influence on the enthusiasm of the Clubs employees.
Tens of masters of sports, winners of numerous competitions and record-holders were raised. The jumpers of ATSC participated in many competitions organized in the other towns of Lithuania. The Club competed in towns of Estonia, Latvia, Moldova and Hungary. It participated in the sports events in Leningrad, Brest, Mozyr, Simferopol and Alma-Ata.
Different events were organized at the Clubs airfield. Besides the jumping competitions, championships in extreme flight and aeromodelling were also held there. 600 hours were flown and over 9 thousand of jumps were made during one year.
In1989 there were some changes in the management of the Club and G.Varnagiris was replaced by then platoon commander Č.Bendoraitis. The events of 1990 had a crucial effect on Marijampolė Clubs operation. Upon the demolition of SDAALR system, no system was established in Lithuania to finance aviation sports cubs. Re-established Lithuanian Aero Club carried out the functions of Lithuanian aero club coordinator. The fact that at such a difficult time the sport technical resources had to be moved from Tarpučiai airfield to a new place - Sasnava airfield due to the development of the town made the Clubs work even more difficult. With a shortage of funds for wages, fuel and the maintenance of the planes and stock, a difficult period for the Club began. They found an empty location in Sasnava. The Clubs President Č.Bendoraitis was looking for ways to get a foothold in the new airfield.
The contemporary executive committee of the town allocated an initiative contribution to the formation of the resources partial construction of an administrative building and laying of an electric power line. Several portable buildings were brought from Tarpučiai airfield. As there were no financial resources, the staff was reduced and later made redundant; the activities were continued by enthusiasts on a voluntary basis.
The number of flights and jumps was gradually decreasing. A part of the team with increasing difficulties and uncertainty grew apart from the activities of the Club. In 1993 the Clubs pilot Valdas Nevulis replaced the Aero Clubs President Č.Bendoraitis. The remaining in the Club people did their best to preserve existing vehicles, parachutes and other stock.
Anyway the Aero Clubs work didnt cease. The members-enthusiasts of the Club did their best to fit up the administrative building and other premises, find means for partial repairs of AN 2 aircraft and to tackle other problem. Competitions were started to organize at Sasnava airfield and on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Club the firs air festival, which attracted numerous spectators, was held at this airfield.
In 1998-2000 Eimutis Kailius managed the activities of the Club. During this period the flights were more frequent and there were more parachute jumps. A young parachutists group was prepared, which renewed and rejuvenated the team. At the beginning of 2000 Alvydas Danilaitis replaced the Aero Club Presiden E.Kailius. Full of new ideas and energy the new head started looking for investments to create the Aero Clubs facilities , to restore regular flights and jumps and to improve work, sports and rest conditions. Increased staff in one or another way participated in the following projects: completion of the administrative building with a flight control tower, offices, rest rooms and training facilities, installation of plumbing system and building of a garage, play grounds and a café in the territory. The equipment of runways was finalised.
At the end of 2003 the Aero Club President took the initiative to build a new electricity supply line to provide necessary for the airfield voltage in Sasnava airfield. A pond, outdoor showers, a rest house and places for rest outdoors appeared. A grass cutting tractor, KTT levelling rollers and other necessary stock were purchased.
On 3 April 2004 the Ultralight Aircraft Pilot Unit (UAPU) was established in the Club. Since then, Marijampolė Aero Club has joined two links: parachuting and the UAPU. Pilot of the UAPU Giedrius Marčiukaitis was elected to be the leader of the new unit.
Celebrating the 30th anniversary Club has 52 members: 5 members of honour, 5 members of the UAPU and 42 members of the parachute unit.
The Club has purchased new parachute equipment: circular and wing-type training parachutes; a two-seater parachute designed for jumps with a passenger has been introduced. The instructors also had to improve their skills for work with the new equipment and the latter season has consolidated the instructor efficiency.
The facilities of the airfield are continuing to improve. A new holiday camp has been built for jumpers and other aviation lovers.
Last summer President of the Club together with some supporters of the Club visited Ketrzyn airfield in Poland, affiliated with it and became acquainted with their activities. In September Sasnava airfield was paid a return visit: 8 aircraft led by Ketrzyn Aero Clubs President Stanislav Tolvinskij flew to the airfield from Poland. It was decided to develop the cooperation and carry out corporate projects.
The activities of the Aero Club have been expanded: the Club provides training to parachutists, instructs the pilots of ultralight aircraft, the branch of B.Oškinis Childrens Flying School trains young glider flyers. The Club offers pleasure flights by plane, parachute jumps and show jumping during different events. The Airfield held several spectacular aviation festivals.
A new strategic development plan of the Club reaching 2012 has been developed, the plan foresees the development of the airfield facilities providing suitable conditions for light aviation flights and becoming attractive supporters of air tourism under cooperation with Administrations of Marijampolė County and Marijampolė Municipality.
