Each student is different, but you can expect to invest a total of about $3,800 to achieve your A-License. You will complete at least 25 jumps and become a competent, confident skydiver! After that, it’s only about $38 to make a skydive at any DZONE® or other Skydiving Center. After completing Category A & B through the tandem method, you will be required to place a deposit of $844 or more to continue throughout the program. Experienced skydivers show up to a DZONE®, place enough money for their weekend of jumping at the desk, and they get after it; get used to the flow!

A pair of skydiving googles is required and available for purchase at any DZONE® Location if you don’t already have a pair from a previous jump.

Students may require additional tandem jumps to meet BSR 2-1(G)4b.

The first portion of your training will consist of USPA Categories A and B conducted using the Tandem method. You will be altitude aware, and perform practice deployments as well as the actual parachute deployment at the correct altitude. You will also begin to learn about forward movement in freefall as well as landing patterns, parachute flight, and PLF (parachute landing fall) techniques.

In addition to any introductory Tandem jumps you have previously made, at least two working tandems shall be conducted with satisfactory completion of the Category A and B requirements from the USPA SIM. You will also demonstrate the ability to reliably deploy in the belly-to-earth orientation at the correct altitude without assistance, per BSR 2-1(G)4b. The goals are simply to become comfortable in freefall, be aware of your body, your altitude, deploy a parachute safely, and the basic operation of a parachute with safe flying and landing procedures.

Successful completion of Category A and B Quizzes.

A pair of skydiving googles is required and available for purchase at any DZONE® Location if you don’t already have a pair from a previous jump.

Students may require additional tandem jumps to meet BSR 2-1(G)4b.

Tandem Method: Minimum 2 Jumps : $338 - $438 each

Prices can vary by location and weight

Time to learn! Before your first non-tandem instructional jump, you will attend Ground School continuing to learn aircraft exits, parachute deployment procedures, flight planning, aircraft safety, and emergency procedures. You will review the necessary requirements to complete your training in the appropriate method specific program your instructor recommends, AFF or IAD.

The DZONE® STUDENT PROGRAM’s (DSP) AFF ground school introduce more freefall body positions, dive flow, altitude awareness, heading awareness, hand signals, freefall emergency procedures, and the Golden Rules. You will train and be quizzed on landing patterns that you experienced via Tandem as well as a re-cap of all items previously covered.

Ground School MAY be conducted before Category A, or in between Categories A and B, depending on availability and student commitment. 

Attendance Required – $98

Before your first solo jump you must join the USPA. Click here sooner than later as we must be able to verify your membership.

Also, beyond this point, you must also have your own helmet and the goggles which you most likely purchased from us on your first Tandem Jump. Before purchasing a helmet, be sure to consult with your instructor(s) at your DZONE® location for an acceptable style of helmet. The Pro-Tec Full Cut has been a popular option in skydiving for many years, offering reasonable protection at a reasonable price.

It’s awesome owning your first pieces of skydiving equipment! You may also opt to purchase your own altimeter, which is highly recommended, at this time but it is not required until cleared through the supervised portion of the student program.

In Category C, you need to establish confidence and relaxed freefall control. A controlled freefall in Category C may include some random heading drift, which you learn to lessen by relaxing and focusing on the basics: altitude, arch, legs, and relax. The instructor shows you more about how to plan a canopy pattern for various wind speeds and directions to improve traffic flow and avoid conflicts with obstacles and other jumpers. You learn to predict, avoid, and react to turbulence induced by wind over obstacles and heated areas among several other new skills.

Successful completion of Category C Quiz.

Minimum 2 Jumps : $298 - $338 each

Prices can vary per location

By now, you have learned to safely control freefall by keeping track of your hips and legs—and relaxing. In Category D, you’ll learn to control heading by modifying the neutral position using your upper body to deflect air. You will demonstrate relatively effortless control of 90-, 180-, and 360-degree freefall turns before moving on to aerobatics, introduced in Category E.

Successful completion of Category D Quiz.

Minimum 3 Jumps : $298 each

Prices can vary per location

Category E is where all methods of instruction begin to converge. Here you will perform barrel rolls, back and front flips, all to test your ability to regain stability after a disorienting manuever. Successful completion of this categories is the first step in self-supervision.

Successful completion of Category E Quiz.

Minimum 3 Jumps : $298 each

Prices can vary per location

To continue to self supervision you will need the following items:

• Satisfactory demonstration of Parachute Packing
• Passing score on USPA A-License Written Exam (open book)
• Your own Skydiving Altimeter
• An instructor sign-off in your logbook and our DZONE® Manifest system

At this point in your skydiving career you are ready to continue your learning on your own and have the skills to safely parachute alone or with a coach/instructor. We recommend you begin working at your own pace following the A-license proficiency card and when you find an area you feel you need assistance with, please grab a coach or instructor to get you on track.

In regards to pricing, you are now a self supervised REAL DEAL SKYDIVER!! You will pay the same rates as a licensed jumper.

You will practice skills your instructor teaches you on the ground prior to the jumps and the instructor will use hand signals during freefall to remind you what to do. After you open the parachute, the instructor may talk to you through canopy flight on a radio while you are actually flying your own parachute.

Gear Rental : $68

Current Local Jump Tickets :  $38

(Jump Tickets fluctuate with fuel and other costs)

The remaining three categories, F-H, prepare you for more advanced freefall control. More importantly, you get ready for skydiving in groups—in freefall and under canopy. After completing all training and jumps at the end of Category H, you may sign up for a USPA A-license check dive with a USPA Instructor.

Successful completion of Category F-H Quizes.

Our coaches are local jumpers like yourself who have progressed and are now giving back to our sport. You only need to pay for their jump ticket, and it’s always nice to pack their rig and get some more practice doing it too! Welcome to the sky-family! We’re already looking forward to seeing you be the coach helping out the next young jumper.

Gear Rental : $68

Current Local Jump Tickets :  $38

(Jump Tickets fluctuate with fuel and other costs)