Learn to Skydive

How do I start?

Choose a school:

USPA maintains a list of current Group Member drop zones in the online drop zone directory. Also, skydiving schools are often listed in the local yellow pages under "parachute" or "skydiving." Many regions are served by more than one skydiving center, and a prospective student should shop around. Ask questions (personal observation is even better) about the types of training offered, the type of equipment used, staff qualifications, etc.

No organization rates the relative safety of skydiving schools. USPA Group Member skydiving centers have pledged to follow USPA Basic Safety Requirements, including providing training by only USPA-rated instructors, and using USPA-required equipment. (Click here for more information on skydiving safety.) For a complete listing of USPA Group Members in your area, click here.

What to expect:

Registration
Upon arrival at the jump center, all jumpers will be required to fill out a registration form and sign a liability release before jumping. This release will verify that the person understands that there is risk involved in skydiving and that the participant freely agrees to accept that risk. The legal release will usually contain a contract or covenant by which the participant agrees not to sue the skydiving school or anyone else if the participant is injured.

Medical Fitness
All participants in skydiving must meet the USPA's Basic Safety Requirements for medical fitness. A person should be in good health and physical condition to skydive and should not be on medication which could affect judgement or performance. Some medical conditions can be properly managed if the instructor knows about them. People who have recently gone SCUBA diving or donated blood may need to wait a few days.

Age
Minors who are at least 16 years of age and have notarized parental or guardian consent may be allowed to participate in some training programs at some schools, according to the state and school policy. The person providing consent for a minor may be required to observe all pre-jump instruction. Most commonly, schools require all participants to be at least 18.

Testing
Upon completion of ground school and before the first jump, it is common practice and good teaching procedure for all students to be required to pass written, oral, and practical tests.

Written tests should be designed to have the student explain his or her knowledge and understanding. Oral tests should be used to develop decision-making ability. Practical tests should be designed so the student can demonstrate reactions and skills.

Tests will not only assure the instructor that the student has learned, but will also give the student confidence that he or she has learned how to safely make a skydive.

Learn more about skydiving in the Skydiver's Information Manual! Each skydiving student should possess a copy while working toward a skydiving license. Click here to purchase a copy of the SIM.

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You may choose among several methods of training, depending on the school and the client's requirements:

Tandem freefall
Solo freefall (USPA Accelerated Freefall)
Instant opening (Instructor-Assisted Deployment or Static-Line)

Skydiving schools can answer any specific questions you have about each program.

Details on USPA's student program are available in the Skydiver's Information Manual. Click here to view (html format).

Purchase the Skydiver's Information Manual

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Tandem freefall

Surveys indicate that most people jumping for the first time choose the tandem method. Some drop zones use tandem jumps to introduce students into the solo training programs. Training generally takes less than 30 minutes, and depending on a number of variables, a student may spend only half a day for the training and the jump.

Both the student and the instructor are attached to the same parachute system. They freefall together for 30 to 50 seconds, depending on jump altitude, typically 10,000 to 13,000 feet. They descend together under a single large parachute with dual controls.

The tandem first-jump training typically costs around $100 less than AFF and about the same as IAD and static-line training. Many schools offer video of the freefall and landing.

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USPA's Accelerated Freefall method of skydiving includes practical instruction on climb-out and exit of the aircraft, freefall, canopy flight, landing, and emergency procedures.

The student exits the aircraft with two USPA AFF Instructors. They freefall together for 30 to 50 seconds, depending on jump altitude, typically 10,000 to 13,000 feet. The instructors maintain a grip on the student's harness to provide in-air instruction as well as assisting with stability if necessary. The student then opens the parachute by around 4,000 feet and pilots it to the landing area.

AFF first-jump training and the jump requires more support from the staff than the other methods and is priced accordingly. AFF training and the first jump can often be accomplished the same day. Many schools offer in-air video of the freefall and landing.

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Both the IAD and static-line programs include practical instruction on climb-out and exit of the aircraft, freefall, canopy flight, landing, and emergency procedures.

Assisted during climbout by the USPA IAD or Static-Line Instructor, the student exits the aircraft solo with the parachute deploying immediately. Exit and opening occur at 3,500 feet, then the student pilots the parachute to the landing area.

IAD and static-line first-jump training typically costs around $100 less than AFF and about the same as tandem. IAD and static-line training and the first jump can often be accomplished the same day. Some schools offer video of the exit and/or landing.

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Vertical wind tunnels simulate the wind in freefall. Large fans produce a current of air strong enough to support a person or small group of people. Some USPA Instructors use a wind tunnel to teach students stability and maneuvering in the airstream to help them prepare for an actual freefall.

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