So you want to learn to skydive?

Great! The adventure of learning to become a parachuter is an exciting experience and leaves you with a rewarding feeling you simply can’t get anywhere else.

You will find out what it is like to fall from approximately 13,500 feet (exact altitude depends on several factors) and reach speeds of about 120-150mph. You will activate or “pull” your parachute at about 5,500 feet and enjoy a ride under canopy for about four minutes. Many drop zones provide video footage and photographs for an extra fee.

Take the first leap

The first step is to find a drop zone in your area. The website DropZone.com has a list of international drop zones that provide you with contact information for drop zones all over the world.

Where can I begin?

To begin, you have three options: tandem, static line or AFF (accelerated free fall). In a tandem sky dive you are attached to an instructor. Static line is becoming less common. Many drop zones do offer static line, but it is typically not advertised and requires extra preperation to setup. The AFF program can be completed in as little as one week if you have the time, dedication and depending on the operational hours of your DZ.

The Accelerated Free Fall Course

AFF begins with a first jump course that introduces you to the basics. Plan to spend about four to six hours of time in the classroom and 30 minutes to go over the specifics of your jump. Whether or not you jump the same day and when depends on factors such as instructor availability. The instructors will instruct you on the climb-out and exit of the aircraft, free fall, canopy flight, landing and emergency procedures. They will assist you during free fall and communicate using hand signals. You will not be attached to your instructors as you would in a tandem sky dive, but they will exit the aircraft with you while holding your jumpsuit grips.

YouTube video of a first AFF jump

After each sky dive in the AFF program you will be debriefed, your sky dive will be critiqued and your instructor(s) will write notes in your log book to keep track of your progress.

The completion of AFF requires a minimum of six jumps with an instructor or more if all jump objectives are not completed. When you graduate AFF you will be allowed to jump solo or with USPA licensed coaches and instructors. To progress further towards obtaining your license you will be required to make several jumps with USPA coaches.

What free fall maneuvers will I learn?

Your last jump for the USPA license is called a “check out dive”. I recently received my USPA A license after making my check out dive.

The plan was to exit together and separate. Then to execute a series of maneuvers: left 360 degree turn, right 360, back flip, barrel roll, 180 degree turn, track away for 5 seconds, re-dock with the instructor, left 90 degree turn, right 180 and left 90. Not all of these maneuvers had to be completed, but are what we planned. I actually completed every one. Well, my back flip probably reminded Pete of a turtle turned over on it’s shell, but it doesn’t have to be perfect.

It sounds like a lot, especially when you’re a beginner, but it’s really not. You get used to it and learn to go over your dive plan continuously before you jump so that your prepared when it’s time.

Those are the kind of maneuvers you can expect to make early on.

So what exactly are all the requirements to receive a USPA license?

The full list of objectives are listed on the USPA A-license proficiency card which you can download from the USPA website here in Adobe Reader PDF format.

Additionally, the USPA provides the “dive flow” for each jump in further detail (called a category).

Category A
Category B
Category C
Category D
Category E
Category F
Category G
Category H

Answers to many questions, safety guidelines and other information is provided in the Skydiver’s Information Manual (referred to as the “SIM”).

Other Drop Zone activities

Drop Zones host many different types of events for skydivers, but you will also have the opportunity to participate and socialize at boogies (large gatherings), cook outs and late night parties. You might also have the chance to jump from a hot air balloon or helicopter.

What does it cost to skydive?

Each drop zone differs in pricing, but these are estimates in U.S. dollars.

Tandem	$175
AFF jump 1 and first jump class	$330
AFF jump 2 and 3	$180/each
AFF jump 4 - 6	$165/each
Solo jumps (w/gear rental)	$54
Solo jumps (with your gear)	$24
Coached jumps	$115

*Prices vary according to the drop zone

To complete AFF expect to spend $1200 and an additional $1400 to obtain your license.

Once you have your license you might decide to buy your own gear. Most new skydivers buy used gear to start out. A brand new complete rig will typically cost about $5500. You can buy a complete used skydiving rig for around $3500. You’re not required to buy your own gear and can rent the DZ gear.

What can I do once I am licensed?

Once you are licensed you will be allowed to jump with other licensed jumpers, not just those that hold a coach or instructor rating. You will be able to jump solo at any USPA drop zone in the world, participate in group or formation sky dives and can learn disciplines such as sit fly, head down, wing suit flying and pursue other licenses that allow you to jump at night or even jump into a stadium.

Skydiving is not just about the actual sky dives that you will make. In the time that I have spent skydiving, I have never been in a place where I’ve met so many different people from all over the United States and other countries that share a common interest. The regulars, visitors and staff treat you no differently than the next person. This is one of the many facets of skydiving you will come to appreciate.

Skydivers, contrary to popular belief, are not crazy or suicidal. We wouldn’t last long if we were. We want to have fun and get better at the sport. We take safety very seriously and watch out for each other. We are always willing to answer any questions that you may have and you will find that we openly engage in conversation with visitors to the DZ, no matter who you are, your ethnicity or age. If you spend a little time at the DZ, you will quickly begin to feel like part of the DZ family.

Where online can I ask questions?

Visit the DropZone.com forums and create a free account. Then create a discussion to ask any questions you might have.

I’m afraid of heights or of falling

I used to feel uneasy standing on the edge of a cliff, so I know the feeling. When you look out the door of the aircraft, the feeling is quite different. Objects on the ground are so small that your brain can’t comprehend height the same way that it does on the edge of a cliff and you will probably find that you’re not as afraid. A lot of first jumpers don’t feel that nervous. Your body doesn’t know what to expect.

You might want to compare free fall to a roller coaster, but the feeling is entirely different. Your stomach doesn’t feel like it’s in your throat. There are no G-forces, because you don’t speed up significantly or act against gravity. You reach terminal velocity quickly (about 120mph) and feel almost immediately weightless. It can actually be very relaxing and calm, except for the wind in your face. You can also breath fine in free fall.

Is it dangerous?

The same as many activities in modern society such as riding a roller coaster or driving an automobile, there is a risk involved. Your instructors will ensure that you learn the necessarily skills and procedures to inspect your parachute before jumping and know how to react in an emergency situation.

This is a graph of sky diving fatalities from 2004 to 2006 in the United States and Europe. Don’t let these numbers scare you. 2.2 million jumps were made at USPA drop zones in 2005.

Relatively few fatal accidents involve student skydivers. This is due largely to the design of skydiving equipment used for students and the quality of instruction and care provided at most skydiving schools.(USPA)

All parachutes are designed for reliability, but student gear is also designed to be easy to use and forgiving. Most skydiving instructors hold a USPA instructional rating and train according to USPA standards. USPA requires students to jump in good weather conditions and into unobstructed landing areas. Students must open their parachutes higher than experienced jumpers.(USPA)

A large percentage of accidents are experienced skydivers participating in high risk landings and jumping with high performance canopies. As a skydiver you will not reach that experience level for many years and always have the option of remaining conservative.

1. Don’t start pulling at lower altitudes early on. I personally still pull at 4500′ although I know people with not much more experience than myself that pull lower. Typically students pull at around 5500′. The higher you are, the longer you have to react to an emergency.

2. Fly the right size canopy. Ask about “wing loading”. As a student I flew a 230 square foot parachute and I weigh 168lbs which gave me a wing loading of about 0.8. The parachute turned very slow and was very forgiving. At about 20 jumps I downsized to a 190 square foot parachute with a wing loading of about 1.0 which is probably ideal. A higher wing loading means your canopy will fly and turn faster. Ask your instructors about wing loading to determine the correct size for your weight.

Listen to your instructors, ask plenty of questions, know the safety procedures and you will have a long career with plenty of stories to tell.

Blue Skies!

Other Websites:
The DropZone.com Forums
Skydive Radio
Skydive Sebastian (excellent video footage of sky dives)
The United States Parachute Association
The USPA Student Handbook
The Rodriguez Brothers
The Pink Mafia
Skydivingmovies.com
YouTube Wing suit Videos
YouTube AFF Videos
YouTube Sit fly Videos
YouTube Head Down Videos

Thanks to Andy Ciordia for the use of his photo and video.