Obtaining Your Skydive Class A License

Jump count: 32

What is a Class A skydiving license ? And how do I get one?

-  This skydiving license can be obtained in as little as 25 jumps, given the student completes the necessary AFF or *Accelerated Free Fall class.  It permits a skydiver to legally skydive at any drop zone, it permits a skydiver to fly with groups or formations and registers you as a graduate of the AFF class with the USPA (United States Parachute Association) which then identifies and certifies you wherever you jump.

Class was an 8 hour, hands on run through of all the basic, but very critical, knowledge a person must know and understand before making their first jump.                

                         *(it's not required to make a tandem jump before you take the AFF class)

AFF Class Topics

*Parachute functions including application and location of all 3 pull handles and their purposes

*How to safely load into the aircraft and the steps for proper exiting technique at jump altitude-13,500'

*Proper belly flying positioning for stable flight during free fall 

*Free fall objectives including awareness steps and hand signals 

*Proper pulling sequence for safe canopy deployment

*How to control and accurately fly your canopy including landing methods 

         -and of course-

*Parachute malfunction and emergency procedures 

After completing and passing the necessary 7 instructed jumps, you must then obtain at least 25 jumps in a decently short time period.  It took me 8 weekends of skydiving to obtain my class A license.  Its a good idea to jump consistently to keep the knowledge and experience fresh in body and mind, remember, a free fall is about 60 seconds you are given to learn from during each jump.  That may seem like a quick ride but believe me, time slows down as your riding gravity's saddle and racing to the earth at a minimum of 110 miles per hour.  

Once all jumps have been completed and your experience card has been fulfilled and signed off on all required jump objectives/maneuver/topics, you must take and legally pass a 3 page written test, required by the USPA, which initials air traffic edict, laws and emergency procedures in all aspects.  

I have completed all my necessary jumps, been signed off on all the necessary knowledge reviews, passed the required tests and finally been certified a licensed skydiver :)  Time to spread my wings!

To enroll in an AFF class, contact your local Drop Zone!