Frequently Asked Questions
I want to make my first jump, where do I start?
Google “skydiving near me” or feel free to ask us through the contact form!
None of my friends want to go with me and I feel intimidated at the idea of going by myself, what might help me?
First of all, so awesome that you are feeling called to the sky and sky family! We feel you. It’s totally understandable to feel nervous to jump and show up at all. Most of us feel both before our first visit to a drop zone! What might help is to know that the skydiving community is a very inclusive group, always happy to welcome new people into what we love so much. This includes YOU!
What should I wear for my first jump?
Skydiving is physically active, so be sure to wear comfortable clothes and sneakers without hooks. Most drop zones outfit students (you, sweeeeet!) in jumpsuits that you can wear over your clothes too. If you have long hair, be sure to bring a hair band or two to tie your hair back. All the skydiving equipment will be provided for you.
Wait, how old do I have to be? And what are the physical requirements?
You need to be 18 years old to jump at any USPA Member drop zone. You want to be in overall good health and physical condition. You defintiely can’t have any medication or substances in your system that could impair your judgment or performance. Before scheduling your jump, check with your chosen drop zone on their weight requirements.
When can I jump by myself?
Based on the training method and a student’s learning curve, your first solo skydive without an instructor in freefall with you will typically happen between the 5th and 10th jumps on a tandem or Accelerated Freefall (AFF) progression. Most people start by doing a tandem jump, where you are strapped directly to your instructor. You can also do Static-Line and Instructor Assisted Deployment (IAD) training if your drop zone offers it. With these, you would jump alone on your very first jump and throughout your training.
How many skydives do I need to earn my license?
If you demonstrate the required skills in freefall and flying your parachute, you will earn your first skydiving A license. The minimum number of jumps to get your A license is 25.
Can I do this??
YES!!! You got this, sister.