How to Start Solo Skydiving: Complete AFF Guide 2025

1. What "Solo Skydiving" Means

Solo skydiving means you jump and control everything yourself — freefall, parachute, and landing.

You do not start alone. You train with instructors first.

Solo skydiver in complete control during freefall

2. Start With AFF (Accelerated Freefall)

AFF is the standard way to become a solo skydiver.

• You jump from full altitude (≈13,000 ft)

• 1–2 instructors jump with you

• You learn real skydiving skills from jump #1

• This is the fastest and safest method

AFF Level 1 - Student with two instructors learning proper body position

3. Attend Ground School

Before your first jump, you complete ground training.

You learn:

• Aircraft exit

• Stable body position

• Altitude awareness

• Emergency procedures

• Parachute control and landing

This usually takes one full day.

Ground school training - learning theory and safety before the first jump

4. Do Your First AFF Jump

Your first jump includes:

• Full-altitude exit

• Instructors holding you

• You deploy your own parachute

• You fly and land the canopy yourself

This is your first real step into solo skydiving.

Deploying your own parachute - a crucial skill learned on jump #1

5. Complete AFF Levels

You progress through 7–8 AFF levels.

• Each level tests specific skills

• Instructor assistance reduces gradually

• Final levels are fully unassisted freefall

• Once you pass → you are cleared for solo jumps

6. Get Your A-License

After AFF, you complete 25 jumps to earn an A-License.

With this license, you can:

• Jump solo

• Jump with other skydivers

• Rent gear at dropzones worldwide

A-licensed skydivers enjoying formation flying together

7. Basic Requirements

• 18+ years old

• Normal physical fitness

• No serious medical conditions

• No extreme strength needed

8. Where to Train

Train at a dropzone with:

• Certified instructors

• Student-friendly aircraft

• Consistent operations

Location matters less than quality of training.

A professional dropzone - your training home for becoming a licensed skydiver

That's it.

This is the exact path to start solo skydiving:

Ground School → AFF → Solo → License