FAQS ABOUT BECOMING A LICENSED SKYDIVER:

Below is a brief overview of the skydiving licensing process that is offered at Skydive Palatka:

The course you will have to complete is called Accelerated Free-Fall (AFF). This program is designed to start a student immediately into freefall skydiving. You will start out with a first jump course (FJC), which takes about 6 hours and you'll learn about topics such as basic safety procedures, equipment, body position in freefall, canopy deployment and control, aircraft procedures, and landing.

There are 8 levels, or 'categories', to the AFF course: A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2, E, and your first truly solo skydive! Each consists of one skydive and a set of maneuvers that you must complete before moving on to the next level. The first 3 levels are conducted with two instructors, and the remaining levels are done with one instructor. After successful completion of the AFF course, you will have the skills to skydive on your own under ‘self-supervision’. You can watch the entire AFF progression on the USPA YouTube Channel.

It's important to keep in mind that AFF is based on a series of skills which you must demonstrate. Some students can complete AFF in less than the traditional 8 jumps, some students need more. Practicing freefall skills in the wind tunnel will highly improve your freefall abilities and the chances of you completing you AFF jumps faster and more confidently. At UF we are extremely fortunate to have THREE indoor skydiving facilities within 2 hours of Gainesville: iFLy Jacksonville, iFly Tampa and iFly Orlando.

What's a feasible "lowest figure" I could pay before I start doing solo jumps?

I would estimate $1500. This would be spread out across the time it takesk you to complete the program, not a lump sum.

How much does each skydive cost?

The typical cost at Skydive Palatka for a licensed skydiver is $32 per jump.

Tandem jumps can go from $200-ish to upwards of $300. See the tandem FAQs for how much a tandem at Skydive Palatka costs.

Skydiving students and novices typically also have to consider the cost of renting gear if they do not own a rig. Rentals for other skydivers are about $40 per jump, on top of the cost of the jump ticket. Typically, you can expect to spend about $6,000 - $10,000 in the first year you are in the sport, and slightly less for each following year. However, this figure is highly speculative and depends on many variables.

How old do I have to be to skydive?

In the United States, you must be at least 18 years of age to skydive.

Are there any physical requirements to skydive?

It is recommended by most drop zones that you be under 220lbs (100kg) due to equipment limitations. This is sometimes negotiable; always talk to an instructor and ask about your specific situation if you are concerned and still want to skydive.

Any major ailments should be declared on your waiver and verbally to your instructor for everyone's safety.

Do I have to do a tandem for my first time or can I go solo?

You do not have to do a tandem before you go solo. Skydive Palatka allows you to do your first jump solo with the assistance of certified instructors. This will typically require you to sit in on a first jump course for a few hours on the day before you jump. See our overview of the licensing progression.

Does skydiving feel like a roller coaster?

Typically not. Skydiving is a thrill like no other, but most skydivers don't experience the "stomach drop" sensation found on many roller-coasters, because of the high wind-speeds experienced when exiting a plane. Novelty jumps from balloons and helicopters as well as BASE jumping do provide this sensation.

USPA LICENSING LEVELS:

There are currently four different levels of licensing by the USPA.

After you complete your AFF course, you will be allowed to jump by yourself (unsupervised). However, you will still be in student status, and you will have to complete additional requirements to get your first skydiving license, the A license. These requirements are often accomplished through a series of Coach jumps. These are skydives similar to your AFF progression, but using more advanced maneuvers alongside someone with either an Instructor or Coach rating. This expands your pool of available jumpers, since you are not licensed, and will also greatly enhance your training. They are not required, but frankly they should be.

A License (25 skydives)

Persons holding a USPA A license may jump without supervision, pack their own main
parachute, engage in basic group jumps, perform water jumps, and must have—

completed 25 freefall skydives
completed all requirements listed on the USPA A License Proficiency Card
completed five group freefall skydives involving at least two participants
received the signature and official stamp on the USPA A License Proficiency Card or USPA A License Progression Card (ISP) which validates the A license for a 60-day time limit following the completion of the card
- This may now be done online.
The completed and signed USPA A License Proficiency Card or USPA A License Progression Card must be validated within 60-days of completion by sending the card to USPA Headquarters. Once validated, USPA will issue a license number that becomes a permanent record of the member.
- This may now be done online.
passed the USPA-developed written and oral USPA A-license exams conducted by a current USPA Instructor, Examiner, S&TA, Judge or board member

B License (50 skydives)

Persons holding a USPA B license are able to exercise all privileges of an A-license holder, perform night jumps, with 100 jumps are eligible for the USPA Coach Rating, and must have—

met all current requirements for or hold a USPA A license
completed 50 jumps including:
accumulated at least 30 minutes of controlled freefall time
landed within 33 feet of target center on ten jumps
successful completion of the planned formation(s) on ten formation skydives, or ten formation freefly skydives, at least five of which, in either discipline, must involve at least three participants
documentation of live water landing training with full equipment in accordance with the procedures in the Skydiver's Information Manual
complete all of the requirements listed on the USPA Canopy Piloting Proficiency Card
passed the written USPA B license exam conducted by a current USPA I, Examiner, S&TA, Judge or USPA Board member.

C License (200 skydives)

Persons holding a USPA C license are able to exercise all privileges of a B-license holder, are eligible for the USPA Instructor rating (except USPA Tandem Instructor), participate in certain demonstration jumps, may ride as passenger on USPA Tandem Instructor training and rating renewal jumps, and must have—

met all current requirements for or hold a USPA B license
completed 200 jumps, including accumulating at least 60 minutes of controlled freefall time
landed within seven feet of target center on 25 jumps
Successful completion of fifty formation skydives, or fifty formation freefly skydives, at least ten of which, in either discipline, must involve at least four participants
Passed the USPA written C license exam conducted by a current USPA I, Examiner, S&TA, Judge or USPA Board member.

D License (500 skydives)

Persons holding a USPA D license are able to exercise all privileges of a C-license holder, are eligible for all USPA ratings, and must have—

met all current requirements for or hold a USPA C license
completed 500 jumps including accumulating at least three hours of controlled freefall time
completed at least two of the following skills requirements (a requirement may be repeated):
night jump (following the SIM recommendations)
landed within seven feet of the target center on 100 jumps.
participated in a canopy formation of a 3 stack or larger, completing a full rotation.
completed an intentional water jump.
successful completion of one hundred formation skydives, at least twenty-five of which must involve at least eight participants.
Passed the written USPA D license exam conducted by a current USPA Examiner, S&TA, Judge Examiner or USPA board member.
Passed the written USPA D license exam