The truth is that we were all once in your shoes – gazing up at the sky, watching skydivers land their parachutes, envisioning our own heart-racing adventures. Getting your skydiving license through the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program is absolutely possible and yes, even YOU can do it! With our comprehensive guide into the realm of Accelerated Freefall, we hope to shed light on what makes it a popular choice for novice skydivers and big dreamers alike.

What is AFF?

Accelerated Freefall, known as AFF, is a highly-renowned training method commonly used in the sport of skydiving to help individuals achieve their skydiving license and skydive on their own. It serves as the primary pathway for beginners to develop freefall and canopy piloting skills while under the guidance of trained instructors.

While AFF is well-known within the skydiving community, it is a common misconception that everyone knows what AFF is. AFF may sound like a technical term to newcomers ears, but it is, in fact, a gateway to the incredible freedom of our sport.

Why is it Called AFF?

In the historical context of skydiving, AFF marks a significant departure from the traditional static line method used in the past. Beginner skydivers would initiate their skydiving training by jumping with a line attached to the aircraft, ensuring a gradual deployment of the parachute.

Thanks to the revolutionary change to AFF, students were granted the opportunity to experience  immediate freefall right from the first solo jump. With AFF, beginner skydivers are not tethered to the aircraft by a traditional static line allowing only parachute flight. Instead, they are able to jump at full altitude with two instructors to experience the thrill of freefall, setting the stage for a more engaging and rapid learning curve – a.k.a. Accelerated Freefall.

What Makes AFF So Good?

We’ll agree that nothing is perfect. And while AFF tends to be a bit more costly due to the involvement of more instructors and higher altitudes, the pros of AFF far outweigh the cons. Here are the pros of learning to skydive using the AFF program:

• Accelerated Progression: We get it. You want to learn everything you need to know to become a sick skydiver, ready for whatever – this is why AFF is the most popular way to get your skydiving license! AFF empowers students to gain essential skills quickly and efficiently, fostering a deeper understanding of the sport without getting discouraged or skipping any crucial steps.

• The Global Standard: AFF has become the standard training program within the skydiving industry all over the globe. This standardization ensures consistency in training methodologies and enhances the overall safety and effectiveness of the learning process. So get on the AFF train!

Understanding AFF’s Variability

While AFF is the global standard, dropzones are empowered to adjust the program as necessary to fit their needs. As long as the program follows the loose guidelines of the Integrated Student Program (ISP) and is approved through the United States Parachute Association (USPA), it is A-OK! Be sure to confirm that the AFF program follows this format at the least:

• First Jump Course: Also called, “Ground School”, this is where the student will make NO jumps but attend a four to eight hour classroom style course to learn everything they need to know about skydiving, from the gear and to parachute flight, to body flight positions and more.

• Assisted Freefall: Even after your thorough ground school instruction, we wouldn’t just hurl you out of a plane and say “good luck!” During your first jumps you will be accompanied by USPA-certified AFF instructors who support you while you gain real-life, hands-on experience. 

• Self Supervision: The final stage of training is self supervision. Self supervision is a crucial aspect of AFF that emphasizes independence and confidence in executing jumps without direct assistance. This autonomy becomes vital as students progress through the course and begin to question what they’re supposed to do after the course has ended. By the end of the program you will have the confidence to say “I got this!” as you leave the nest! 

What Happens After AFF?

Once a student reaches the self-supervision stage – typically after completing seven or eight AFF jumps – the focus shifts to acquiring additional skills. These skills are necessary to meet the  requirements for obtaining an A license. 

The curriculum here at Start Skydiving emphasizes a structured approach to skill acquisition, ensuring a well-rounded foundation for future jumps. After the AFF jumps, you will move onto coach jumps where you will be instructed by a coach to help teach you these skills:

• Tracking
• 5,500’ Clear-and-Pull
• 3,500’ Clear-and-Pull
• Forward and Backward Movement
• Forward and Backward Movement with Docking
• Downward and Upward Movement and Fall Rate Control
• Down and Up with Forward Movement to Dock
• Diving and Swooping

At Start Skydiving we also offer continuing education opportunities to learn advanced belly-flying body positions, center-point knee-turns, and side-sliding.

Other Considerations

Here is some additional information that is important to understand about the AFF program:

• Recurrency Requirements: Staying current while navigating the AFF program involves making regular jumps and skill maintenance. According to the USPA, students going through the AFF program who have not jumped within 30 days should make at least one jump under the direct supervision of an appropriately rated USPA Instructor. If it’s been over four months since your last jump, you will be required to repeat the entire first jump course over again, starting back off at the previous category that was most recently completed (or Cat-D). Consistency is key to retaining the skills acquired during the course and getting the most out of your training program.

• Passing/Failing Levels: AFF consists of multiple levels, each with specific skill objectives. The successful completion of these objectives is what determines a pass or fail. All jumps must be passed before moving onto the next and receiving your official A license certification. Which means there is the potential to fail a jump. When this happens, you will simply need to repeat the jump until it is passed. This will be determined by your instructor/coach.

• Tandem Jumps: Some dropzones require a tandem skydive before AFF or even as a part of the AFF course. At Start Skydiving, we do not REQUIRE tandem skydives in our program, but we strongly recommend that you complete at least one tandem before enrolling in AFF. Tandem jumps provide valuable insights and acclimatize beginners to the skydiving experience before needing to focus on remembering specific skills while skydiving. It is also a great way to “try before you buy” if you’re unsure about starting AFF.

• Pricing Options: Most AFF programs give you the option to prepay for the entire program upfront in order to save some money in the long run. If you’re unable to do so or are unsure if you want to commit to the program right away, you do have the option to pay as you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our FAQs page provides a lot of great information about the AFF program at Start Skydiving. Here are some of the questions we get most frequently:

Is there an age requirement to learn how to skydive? The minimum age to learn skydiving at Start Skydiving and any other USPA-member dropzone is 18 years old.

Is there a weight requirement for enrolling in AFF? At Start Skydiving, you must weigh less than 235 lbs.

Do I have to do a tandem skydive before beginning AFF? It depends on the dropzone, at Start Skydiving we do not require a tandem skydive, but we strongly recommend that you do complete one.

How long does it take to complete ground school? Ground school typically takes a full day (4-8 hours).

Are weather limitations different for students versus licensed skydivers? Weather restrictions are more limited for students as compared to licensed skydivers.

How much does it cost to rent gear? At Start Skydiving, all rental gear is included in the price of the AFF program.

How long does it take to complete AFF? The program can be completed in as little as two weeks but depends on your availability and commitment, and the weather. Most students take a month or more to complete the program.

What if I don’t pass a particular AFF course category? If you don’t pass a category on your first try, you simply repeat it until you do! (Repeat jumps are billed separately.)

How do I land if I’ve never jumped before? In the beginning, students will be guided on landing the parachute via radio communication from the ground by an instructor. (It helps to know what to expect if you’ve made a tandem!)

What happens after AFF? Once you complete the AFF program and a total of 25 jumps, you are eligible to apply for your USPA A License – the first of four skydiving license levels.

What are the different skydiving license levels?  The USPA issues four skydiving licenses: A, B, C and D. 

What can you do with each skydiving license? With each skydiving license, you earn new privileges in the sky:

• A License: jump without supervision
• B License: perform night jumps, eligible for the USPA Coach Rating after 100 jumps
• C License: Eligible for the USPA Instructor rating (not including Tandem Instructor), participate in certain demonstration jumps, jump with a camera, may ride as passenger on USPA Tandem Instructor training and rating renewal jumps.
• D License: Eligible for all USPA ratings (including Tandem Instructor).

Accelerated freefall serves as a dynamic and all-inclusive entry point into the world of skydiving. It’s immediate freefall, global standardization, and self-supervision emphasis make it an appealing choice for those seeking an accelerated learning experience. 

Start Skydiving stands out as a premier destination for aspiring skydivers. We offer an invaluable amount of experience from our professional instructors and with our state-of-the-art aircraft, fantastic facilities, and commitment to safety – you’ll be glad to learn from the best of the best! Our student experience is top-notch and is bound to set the bar for a high-quality skydiving career full of memories, knowledge, and adventure. 

Start skydiving with Start Skydiving – book your AFF First Jump Course today!

The post Understanding Accelerated Freefall (AFF): A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners appeared first on Start Skydiving.

How Many Skydives Before Solo?

If you’ve frantically been Googling “how to solo skydive,” you’ve discovered by now that more often than not, a single tandem skydive is a prerequisite. Yes, just one! How come? Safety! Everything in skydiving is safety oriented. 

When you skydive for the first time, it’s easy to become overstimulated. During the tandem skydiving process, you’re introduced to a lot of NEW. Such as unfamiliar equipment and procedures, being in an airplane with the door open, and the sensations of freefall – your first time flying through the sky with nothing else but your incredible instructor! 

Tandem skydives are a great way to be introduced to the freedom of body flight, and for our frantic Googlers, are a fantastic first step in the gradual progression to skydiving solo. As a precursor, it offers insight to the sport before making the commitment to send it solo. 

Mental Preparation

Let’s start hyping yourself up! We’re not mathematicians, but we would bet that skydiving is about 90% mental and 10% physical. 

• Do research.
  Entering the skydiving realm can be STRESSFUL. How can that be reduced? Education. We encourage you to reach out to us or do your own research about any concerns you may have. Whether you’re worried about the safety stats of the sport, how to dress, or what to eat on the day of your first solo skydive, we’ve got your answers! Solidifying these questions beforehand will give you the assurance you need to take the next steps in learning to jump solo. 

• Breathe deeply.
  Practice some techniques that help to calm your nerves and re-engage your mind. There’s lots of learning that goes on before an initial solo jump, and if you find yourself feeling nervous, it’s good to have some tricks in your back pocket that you know will help keep you composed. 

• Be present.
  Skydiving is all about enjoying the present moment! The next time you find yourself in a situation where you find your mind wandering, consciously work to bring yourself back. 

• Increase stamina.
  Skydiving is a mentally demanding sport, and understandably so! Doing things that push your mental limits will help your brain gain stamina and be more quickly adaptable for all the “new” you’ll experience on your first solo jump! 

• Embrace fear.
  This may be our most significant piece of advice: whole heartedly embrace the fear. Hug it! Love it! Accepting the (totally normal) fear about skydiving will make it easier to overcome. On the other hand, if you resist it, it will be a constant uphill battle. Taking the first step of acceptance allows you to conquer it! 

Physical Preparation 

Don’t worry … it’s not a prerequisite to look like a bodybuilder or marathon runner to skydive solo. If it was, (almost) all skydivers would be banned! That being said, skydiving is a physically demanding activity. 

When we skydive, our bodies have to resist the wind, which is flowing by at over 100 mph. Imagine sticking your arm out the window of a moving car, now multiply that by 10 and with your entire body! Let’s go over a few key moments of a skydive and how you can prepare your body for them. 

• Prepare for the plane.
  Climbing into the plane, crouching down, scooching along the seat, and waddling to the door all take a degree of flexibility. Practicing some toe touches can help prep for this. 

• Prepare for the sky.
  Arch! The “banana” position is the most common position in skydiving, and is the position you will be in while in freefall, during both a tandem skydive and first solo skydive. The arch can be practiced by lying on your stomach and pushing your chest up with your arms into a cobra position. Stretch that tummy! 

• Prepare for the ground.
  The landing will go one of two ways – a stumble or a fabulous walk out, either way A+, you did the dang thing! Doing some squats, hamstring stretches, and quad stretches can help prepare your body to stick your first solo landing. 

What about attire? We suggest wearing clothing that allows for mobility and is weather appropriate. No open-toed shoes, please! 

Training & Education 

Is there an actual class that teaches you to skydive solo? You betcha! Accelerated Freefall (AFF) is the most all-encompassing, intensive, and efficient way to teach beginners how to skydive alone, and we are so proud to use this method! A First Jump Course (FJC) is taught by a certified tandem instructor and takes place prior to the first solo jump. This five to eight hour course takes place on the ground and extensively covers every part of the skydive, how to safely handle any possible situation, and how to deploy your parachute and have a successful first solo jump – woo! 

Solo Skydiving Requirements 

How can you skydive alone? By meeting the following requirements! 

• 18 years old (no maximum age limit)
• Maximum of 235 lbs 
• Be height-to-weight proportionate
• Generally good physical and mental health

Requirements or restrictions in the skydiving world are never put in place to exclude anyone, but to ensure the experience is safe and fun for both students and instructors. 

Are you ready to get a tandem under your belt, discover skydiving is the best thing since sliced bread, and learn to skydive solo!? Book your First Jump Course today! We cannot wait to have you and welcome you to our sky fam. Blue skies.

The post How To Prepare For Your First Solo Skydive appeared first on Start Skydiving.

How Do You Get Certified to Skydive?

Becoming a licensed skydiver isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It takes a lot of dedication, commitment, and a thorough understanding of the safety of skydiving. The most popular way to achieve your skydiving certification is through the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) Program. This structured training program is recognized by the United States Parachute Association (USPA) and is designed to guide beginner skydivers from their first jump to becoming qualified, A-licensed skydivers. The program includes classroom time, training materials, one-on-one instruction, all required jumps, and gear rental. Please note that you must be at least 18 years old and weigh less than 235 lbs to participate in the AFF program.

Requirements for a USPA A License

USPA skydiving licenses serve as an official documentation, recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and all other USPA-member dropzones, proving that the individual performed the duties necessary and has the knowledge and skills to skydive properly. Once you become a licensed skydiver, dropzones will use this license number to check if your license is valid and current before your jump. The USPA A License is the first you will receive after completing the necessary requirements to become a certified skydiver. From there, the A license will serve as a prerequisite to achieve other licenses such as: B, C, and D licenses. Here is what is required to receive your USPA A License according to the USPA:

• Completed/passed 25 freefall jumps
• Completed, signed, and stamped USPA A License Proficiency Card (must be sent within 60-days of validation)
• Complete five group freefall skydives involving at least two participants
• Passed the written and oral USPA A License Exams
• USPA Membership

AFF Skydiving Program: The Breakdown

The AFF program begins with a skydiving ground school, where an AFF instructor will teach you everything you need to know in a classroom setting before doing the real thing. This opens the floor for any questions/concerns you may have and gives you that hands-on experience before your jump. AFF skydiving typically includes 7 – 9 levels, each focusing on specific skills and tasks. On the first few jumps, you’ll be accompanied by certified AFF Instructors who will provide hands-on guidance while in freefall. As you progress throughout the program, you’ll gradually take on more responsibilities and independence until you are ready to take on solo jumps. 

The Integrated Student Program (ISP) developed by the USPA is a comprehensive training outline that meets the USPA Basic Safety Requirements (BSRs) – it can be used as a guide, giving skydiving centers the freedom to develop their own student programs with a twist (as long as all qualifications are met through the USPA). Here is the breakdown of the Jump Institute AFF Program at Start Skydiving:

• AFF Ground School (or First Jump Course): 4-8 hours of ground school training where you will learn all of the necessary skills to begin your jumping journey.
• AFF Cat-A Jump: Two-instructor jump
• AFF Cat-B Jump: Leg extension and heading control
• AFF Cat-C1 Jump: First two-instructor release-dive
• AFF Cat-C2 Jump: First solo-instructor release-dive
• AFF Cat-D1 Jump: Right and left 90-degree turns
• AFF Cat-D2 Jump: Right and left 180 and 360-degree turns
• AFF Cat-E1 Jump: Right and left barrel-rolls
• AFF Cat-E2 Jump: Back-loops and front-loops
• AFF Cat-E3 Jump: First unsupervised solo free fall jump
• Coach Jumps: Categories F-H5
• Continued-Education Coach Jumps
• Self-Supervised Solo Student Jumps
• A License Checkout-Dive
• Parachute Packing Class

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Licensed Skydiver?

Skydive license prices can vary depending on location and the specific dropzone you decide to get your license at. Your skydiving certification can be paid in full or paid as you go – usually there is a hefty discount associated with paying the license in full. 

Here at Start Skydiving we offer our extensive program for $3,460 (at a 20% discount) if paid in full as compared to the total of $4,325 if paid per jump. This may sound like a lot at first but when you break it down and consider all that goes into it (25 jumps, all gear rental for each jump, and dedicated instruction) it can be easier to understand. Especially when you compare it to the tandem skydiving price of $279. At Start Skydiving, we do not require a tandem skydive, however, any tandem skydives you have made will count towards the 25 jump requirement for your license.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Skydiving Certification?

AFF is a self-paced program that depends on your availability and commitment. This means the more often you jump, the quicker you will progress and complete the program. The AFF program can be completed in as little as two weeks, but most students take about a month or more to complete the program. Students must jump every 30 days to stay current or they may have to repeat the first jump course.

Not all skydiving centers provide a skydive school, so we suggest researching “AFF skydiving near me” to get the best results. Make sure to read reviews, check their safety record and inquire about training methods. Remember, safety should always be your top priority when choosing a skydiving training center.
Come see what makes our AFF program at Start Skydiving truly one of a kind and book your AFF First Jump Course today! Blue skies.

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