Can You Skydive Alone? Solo Skydiving Explained

Table of Contents

• Can You Skydive Solo Your First Jump?
• How Can You Skydive Alone?
• What is AFF Skydiving?
• How Many Jumps Does it Take to Skydive Alone?
• How Long Does it Take to Get a Skydiving A-License?
• Do I Have to Do a Tandem Skydive Before AFF?
• Your Solo Skydiving Journey Starts Here

Key Takeaways

Yes, you can skydive alone – but becoming an independent skydiver requires training and dedication. At Skydive Monroe, students begin with a six-hour Ground School before progressing through a seven-level Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program. During AFF, students learn to fly their own bodies, deploy their parachutes, and control their canopies while receiving guidance from experienced instructors. After completing AFF, students continue making coach and self-supervised solo jumps while working toward their USPA A-License, which requires at least 25 jumps and demonstrated proficiency in freefall and canopy flight.

Have you ever dreamed of flying through the skies? Or maybe you’ve watched videos of skydivers jumping from a plane completely on their own – basking in the limitless freedom of the open sky, flying their bodies in interesting ways, and zooming past puffy white clouds – and you’ve wondered how they were able to do that all by themselves.

The truth is, every solo skydiver started somewhere … and that’s usually with a tandem skydive. What begins as a first jump can become a lifelong passion, with many jumpers eventually working toward the goal of making their own independent skydives.

So, can you skydive alone? Yes, but it takes more than simply stepping onto an airplane. Becoming an independent skydiver requires training, practice, and a structured progression that teaches you how to fly your body, operate your parachute system, and make confident decisions throughout every phase of the jump.

Can You Skydive Solo Your First Jump?

The short answer is no, not completely on your own.

While it is possible to begin learning how to skydive from your very first jump, becoming an independent skydiver requires proper training and instruction. A first-time jumper needs to learn essential skills like body control, parachute operation, and emergency procedures before making fully independent jumps.

Most people begin their skydiving journey with a tandem skydive, where they jump while connected to a certified tandem instructor. From there, those who want to continue can begin working toward becoming licensed skydivers through a structured training program.

How Can You Skydive Alone?

Becoming an independent skydiver starts with the right training program. While a first jump can introduce you to the experience of skydiving, learning to jump completely on your own requires developing the skills, knowledge, and confidence to manage every part of the skydive. At most dropzones, including Skydive Monroe, students begin their journey through the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program.

What is AFF Skydiving?

AFF (Accelerated Freefall) is a comprehensive training program designed to teach students how to skydive independently. Unlike tandem skydiving, where a student is attached to an instructor, AFF students learn to take an active role in every part of the jump while receiving guidance from experienced instructors.

At Skydive Monroe, the AFF program begins with a six-hour First Jump Course (Ground School), where students learn the fundamentals of skydiving before making their first jump. Training covers important topics such as parachute equipment, body position, altitude awareness, canopy control, landing procedures, and emergency procedures.

After completing Ground School, students progress through seven AFF levels, with each jump building on the skills learned during previous training. Throughout the program, students work on improving their freefall stability, awareness, parachute control, and overall skydiving skills.

During the early stages of training, AFF instructors provide guidance and support while students develop the skills needed to progress. As students demonstrate proficiency, they gain more independence and continue working toward their USPA A-License.

AFF is one of the most popular ways to learn to skydive because it allows students to begin experiencing the excitement of freefall while following a structured training program designed to build confidence and competence in the sport.

How Many Jumps Does it Take to Skydive Alone?

At Skydive Monroe, students progress through the AFF program before moving on to additional training jumps that help prepare them for their USPA A-License. Each jump builds on the last, allowing students to continue improving their freefall skills, canopy control, and overall confidence as a skydiver.

The goal isn’t simply reaching a certain number of jumps – it’s demonstrating the skills needed to become a capable, independent jumper.

To earn a USPA A-License, skydivers must:

• Complete a minimum of 25 jumps
• Complete all requirements on the A-License progression card
• Pass written, oral, and practical evaluations
• Be a USPA member in good standing

Once earned, an A-License allows skydivers to make jumps without supervision at participating USPA dropzones and opens the door to gaining other skydiving licenses, certifications, and even a career in skydiving. For many students, earning a license is the moment when skydiving truly opens up. What started as a first jump becomes the beginning of a lifelong journey filled with new skills, new goals, and countless views from above.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Skydiving A-License?

The progression through AFF is totally up to you, it depends on how available you are and how successful you are at completing the requirements. Some students who are able to jump consistently may complete their training in a matter of weeks, while others may take several months depending on weather, scheduling, and their individual progression. 

The key is staying current and continuing to build on each skill as you advance through the program. Students who go beyond 30 days without completing a jump will be required to repeat their previous jump. If it’s been more than 90 days, you will need to completely start over.

To earn a USPA A-License, skydivers must complete a minimum of 25 jumps, fulfill the required skills on the USPA A-License Proficiency Card, demonstrate parachute packing ability, and successfully complete the required written, oral, and practical evaluations.

Earning your A-License is an incredible accomplishment, and it’s also just the beginning. Once licensed, skydivers can continue learning new disciplines, jumping with other licensed skydivers, and exploring everything the sport has to offer.

Do I Have to Do a Tandem Skydive Before AFF?

No, a tandem skydive is not required before beginning the AFF program at Skydive Monroe. However, it can be a valuable way to experience freefall before starting your training.

Each level of the AFF program focuses on developing specific skills while in the air, and experiencing freefall for the first time can be a lot to process. A tandem skydive allows you to become familiar with the sensation of freefall, the altitude, and the overall experience before adding the responsibility of learning new skydiving skills.

While a tandem skydive is encouraged, it is completely optional. Some students choose to make a tandem jump first, while others begin their AFF training right away. Either way, Skydive Monroe’s instructors will help you take the next step toward becoming a licensed skydiver.

Your Solo Skydiving Journey Starts Here

With the right training, dedication, and support from experienced instructors, you can turn your dream of flying through the sky into reality.

Whether you’re ready for your first tandem jump or excited to begin AFF training, Skydive Monroe will help you take the next step. Book your tandem skydive or First Jump Course today! Blue skies!