Learn How to Skydive

So, you wanna know how to skydive? Are there skydiving classes? What does the skydiving process look like? We’ll answer your most pressing skydiving solo questions and give you a step-by-step breakdown of learning how to skydive. Buckle up, because you’re in for a life-changing ride!

1. First Time Skydiving: Tandem 

How many tandem jumps before solo skydiving? Technically, zero tandem skydives are required before pursuing a solo skydiving license! However (and this is a big however), it is strongly recommended that you complete one tandem skydive before pursuing skydiving solo. A tandem skydive presents the thrill and practical skills behind skydiving to a total novice, without the added pressure of going at it alone – you’re with a professional skydiving instructor the entire time! 

Think about tandem skydiving like exposure therapy to skydiving solo. It takes you through the mental preparation, the sensations of the airplane and open door (eek!), the body position needed in freefall, and the intentionality of flying and landing a parachute (aka canopy). 

So, can first-time skydivers go solo? At some places, yes. It’s the same process, just minus the initial tandem skydive. 

Skydive Key West is proud to be a tandem-only dropzone! We love being the gateway for first-timers to experience the beauty of the sky and making tandems our sole focus allows us to give YOU the best experience possible. 

2. Take A First Jump Course (FJC) 

An FJC consists of ground school, where solo skydiving students learn from qualified instructors in a classroom setting. The course usually takes 6 to 8 hours and closes with the students completing their first solo jump! 

There are a few commonly used methods for teaching people to skydive solo: 

Static Line (SL)

This type of skydive is primarily used in the military, but many modern-day skydiving schools use it to teach beginners how to skydive. Central to this method is a static line – one that doesn’t move; it remains attached to the plane – being fastened to the skydiving rig of the jumper. When the jumper leaves the aircraft, the static line pulls the deployment bag from the rig to initiate canopy deployment.

Instructor-Assisted Deployment (IAD)

IAD skydiving is just like a static line jump, but instead of having the parachute deployed via something attached to the plane, it’s deployed by someone inside the plane when you leave. During an IAD jump, a certified instructor holds the pilot chute (which is what solo skydivers throw to deploy their main parachute) and releases it as the solo student leaves the aircraft. This deploys the main parachute for the student, and gives the instructor an awesome vantage point of watching it! 

Accelerated Freefall (AFF)

This method is the most widely used in the civilian skydiving world and is deemed the most comprehensive way to teach someone how to skydive. The primary difference between AFF and the other two methods is that AFF includes freefall time! During the first few jumps of AFF progression, the student is accompanied by two instructors who hold onto their jumpsuits during freefall. 

All three of these methods entail the solo student being on their own during the canopy flight and landing portion of the skydive, which is why ground school is super important. Incorporating indoor skydiving into a progression plan is advantageous as well because it significantly supports the development and refinement of freefall skills.

3. Get Licensed! 

The United States Parachute Association (USPA) has four licenses that can be achieved. They rank from least to most experienced and are earned in a successive order – the A License through the D License. After completing one of the student progression programs mentioned above, a skydiving student will conduct jumps with coaches, which proves their competency to fly with others. 

What’s the hardest part about skydiving? Learning to skydive can present many challenges – every one unique to each student. Some students struggle with forward movement, while others get tripped up with the exit from the plane; the important thing is to persevere through the discouragement! 

After completing the student progression program, required coach jumps, and necessary skills, a skydiver earns their A License! 

4. Invest In Gear 

Skydiving gear is an investment, and it’s essential to be discerning when choosing what you need. Student skydivers and those with a fresh A License will rent gear, and many people opt to buy used gear until they’re much further along in the sport. People generally purchase gear from buy/sell groups, gear stores at dropzones, or straight from the manufacturer.  

5. A Few Tips From The Pros 

Is it hard to learn how to skydive? Compared to learning to drive, learning to skydive is pretty hard. But compared to learning to do another extreme sport, it’s pretty on par! Here’s a few tips to keep in your back pocket: 

• Stay relaxed, but diligent. We know, it’s an oxymoron. But seriously, relaxing while also being able to react at any moment is key. 

• Practice on the ground. Go through emergency procedures constantly to instill muscle memory! 

• Never stop learning. Confidence and cockiness are not the same thing, and cockiness causes complacency, which is not a good thing in this sport. Be intentional about learning something from every skydive and remember that there is no such a thing as a stupid question. 

Is solo skydiving in your future? Although we can’t teach you, we can take you on your first tandem jump – book today! We can’t wait to share the gift of human flight with you!