Skydiving Classes: What You Need to Know

Ready to take the leap of a lifetime? Skydiving is a fruitful journey that all begins with the right education. Skydiving classes provide the foundation of understanding to ensure you are fully prepared for skydiving – you build confidence, learn about risk mitigation, and get the info needed to responsibly jump out of a perfectly good airplane.

Whether you’re a first-timer curious about tandem jumping or someone aspiring to earn a skydiving license, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about skydiving school!

Types of Skydiving Classes

There are many different ways to earn some skydiving education. Tandem skydiving is the most basic way to get an introduction to skydiving, from there you have Accelerated Freefall (AFF), Static Line training, and Instructor Assisted Deployment (IAD) to get your skydiving license, and even indoor skydiving to practice freefall skills.

Tandem Skydiving

Tandem skydiving is the most popular choice for first-time jumpers as it offers a pre-jump briefing and hands-on experience without having to make the significant commitments of time and resources required to learn to jump solo. 

During a tandem jump, you’re securely harnessed to an experienced instructor who handles the technical aspects of the jump, such as deploying and landing the parachute (aka the canopy). Instructors provide basic safety procedures, body positioning, and safety rules. It is an excellent low-commitment option, perfect for anyone looking to jump with minimal training. 

Accelerated Freefall (AFF)

Accelerated Freefall (AFF) is the gateway to independent jumping. Students begin with ground school training, which usually lasts six to eight hours. In the ground course, you learn body position, canopy control, landing patterns, emergency procedures, and other safety protocols. The first few jumps are supervised. Once you demonstrate stability and control, you move on to solo jumps.

Static Line Training

Static line training introduces jumpers to skydiving in a somewhat “controlled” environment. The parachute is deployed on exit by a static line attached to the aircraft, basically eliminating the freefall portion of the jump so you can focus on mastering canopy control and landing. This method is used frequently for military training and is less commonly used at recreational dropzones. 

Instructor Assisted Deployment (IAD)

Instructor-assisted Assisted Deployment (IAD) is another method of passive deployment for skydiving students who are making their first solo jumps. In an IAD, the instructor controls a hand-deployed pilot chute as you exit the aircraft. As the instructor releases the pilot chute, it opens the parachute.

Indoor Skydiving

Indoor skydiving training in the vertical wind tunnel is a modern tool for learning skydiving. It helps students build freefall skills without the pressure of altitude and time restraints. The wind tunnel is perfect for refining body positioning and gaining confidence before doing outdoor jumps. Now, you can’t practice parachute flying skills in the tunnel, but you can most certainly gain experience flying stably while trying to grab your pilot chute or performing emergency procedure handle touches.

How Can I Learn Skydiving?

When you’re ready to pursue solo skydiving, Accelerated Freefall (AFF) is the gold standard for skydiving training as it is the fastest and most cost-effective way to earn your United States Parachute Association (USPA) A license. The USPA issues four licenses: A, B, C, and D (more on this later). The first step toward earning your A license is signing up for a ground course at your dropzone. 

By starting your skydiving journey with comprehensive ground school training, you learn essential skydiving skills like body positioning, safety protocols, and canopy control before starting your supervised jumps. From there, you’ll progress through the AFF program – each jump encompassing a new challenge to improve your skydiving skills and awareness.

Before pursuing your skydiving license, you’ll want to consider the time and financial commitment required. Earning your A license can cost around $5,000, as compared to a tandem skydive which costs around $300. 

What to Expect in a Skydiving Class

Skydiving classes are designed to ensure every student feels confident and prepared before taking to the skies. Whether you’re gearing up for a tandem jump or training to jump solo, understanding the process and dedicating time to proper preparation are key to a successful and fun experience. Remember, skydiving is not a rollercoaster ride and should never be treated as such – it is a dangerous activity that comes with a certain amount of risk that should be taken very seriously.  

How long is training before skydiving? The answer all depends on which route you’re looking to take for your skydiving journey. A tandem skydiving class typically lasts about 30 minutes and covers basic safety protocols, body positioning during exit and freefall, and how to assist with the landing. During this time, feel free to ask questions and give your instructor a heads-up on any special accommodations you might need during your jump.

Solo skydiving, on the other hand, requires more comprehensive training. AFF ground school lasts six to eight hours or longer, depending on class size, and dives deep into the fundamentals, including canopy control, freefall body positioning, emergency procedures, and the use of key equipment like altimeters and parachutes. 

AFF skydiving classes also involve hands-on practice, such as body positioning drills, parachute control, and mock exits. The exercises might feel silly at first but they will help you build muscle memory so that the movements feel natural in the air and more importantly in emergencies. Ground training prepares you for your first jump, which instructors closely monitor by jumping alongside you. 

The rest of the AFF classes take place in the air! Completing the course can take a matter of weeks or months – you can go at your own pace.  

Skydiving License Levels

Becoming a licensed skydiver is a rewarding journey that transforms you from a novice into a confident, independent jumper. The licenses issued by the USPA range from beginner (A) to expert (D), allowing skydivers to expand their skills and access new experiences in the sport. There’s always something new to learn and accomplish as a skydiver. 

• A License: this entry-level license allows newly-trained skydivers to jump solo, jump at other dropzones, and participate in group jumps. To earn your USPA A license at Skydive Orange, you must:
• Log a minimum of 25 jumps
• Log a minimum of 19 minutes of freefall
• Complete 5 group freefall skydives involving at least 2 participants
• Pass a parachute packing class
• Complete requirements on the USPA A License Proficiency Card
• Pass the USPA written and oral exams
• Apply for the USPA Membership

• B License: for those looking to broaden their skills, this license includes training in advanced canopy control, night jumps, and water landing techniques. To earn your USPA B license, you must:
• Complete all requirements for the USPA A license
• Complete 50 jumps in total
• Perform 10 formation skydives involving at least 3 participants
• Provide documentation of live water landing training
• Complete all of the requirements listed on the USPA Canopy Piloting Proficiency Card
• Pass the written USPA B license exam

• C License: this certification signifies mastery of skydiving techniques, including more complex canopy maneuvers and group formations. To earn your USPA C license, you must:
• Complete all requirements for the USPA B license
• Complete 200 jumps
• Land within 7 feet of target center on 25 jumps
• Perform 50 formation jumps, 10 of which involve at least 4 participants
• Pass the USPA C license written exam

• D License: the pinnacle of skydiving certification, the D license is reserved for highly experienced jumpers with at least 500 jumps. It unlocks opportunities to participate in advanced disciplines like BASE jumping and large-scale formations. To earn your USPA D license, you must:
• Complete all requirements for the USPA C license
• Complete at least 2 of the following skills:
  • Night jump
  • Land within 7 feet of target center on 100 jumps
  • Participate in a canopy formation of a 3-stack or larger
  • Complete an intentional water jump
  • Perform 100 formation skydives, at least 25 involving at least 8 participants
• Pass the written USPA D license exam

Is Learning to Skydive Hard?

Learning to skydive may sound daunting, but with step-by-step professional instruction and diligent practice, what initially feels challenging will become second nature. Thanks to modern equipment, consistent training protocols, and the option to hone freefall skills in the wind tunnel, learning to skydive is more accessible than ever.

Ready to take flight? Learn to skydive at the place where the USPA developed the master curriculum for skydiving classes – right here at Skydive Orange! Book your ground course today. Blue skies!