It all begins here! The USPA A license is the first major milestone for skydivers, proving you have the skills and knowledge to jump safely. The course involves a combination of ground training, supervised jumps, and skill demonstrations, culminating in the ability to skydive independently.

The USPA A license is the first skydiving license issued by the United States Parachute Association (USPA). It signifies that the holder has demonstrated the basic skills and knowledge required to skydive safely and independently. Here’s an overview of the USPA A license and what the course typically entails:

USPA A License Overview

• Purpose: The A license is the foundation for skydiving and allows you to jump solo without direct supervision at most drop zones worldwide.

• Prerequisites: To earn an A license, you must complete the USPA A License Proficiency Card, which includes a series of training jumps, written exams, and skill demonstrations.

• Skills Demonstrated: You must show proficiency in freefall, canopy control, emergency procedures, and landing accuracy.

Course Requirements

The process to earn a USPA A license typically involves the following steps:

1. Ground School

• Learn the basics of skydiving, including equipment, body position, freefall techniques, canopy control, emergency procedures, and landing patterns.

• Complete a written exam covering USPA safety guidelines, FAA regulations, and skydiving knowledge.

2. First Jump Course (FJC)

• This is the initial training program, often part of a tandem skydiving progression or Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program.

• Learn how to exit the plane, maintain stability in freefall, deploy the parachute, and land safely.

3. Training Jumps

• Complete a minimum of 25 jumps (as per USPA requirements).

• These jumps include:

  • Solo jumps: To practice freefall and canopy skills.

  • Coach jumps: Supervised jumps with a USPA instructor to refine skills.

  • Group jumps: To learn how to skydive with others.

• Specific skills to demonstrate:

  • Stable freefall and altitude awareness.

  • Controlled turns and forward movement.

  • Parachute deployment at the correct altitude.

  • Canopy control, including navigating to the landing area and flaring for a safe landing.

  • Emergency procedures, such as handling a malfunctioning parachute.

4. Skill Proficiency

• Demonstrate the ability to perform specific tasks, such as:

  • Maintaining stability during freefall.

  • Executing a controlled landing within a target area.

  • Recovering from unstable body positions.

  • Handling simulated emergencies.

5. Written Exam

• Pass a written test covering USPA’s Basic Safety Requirements (BSRs), skydiving regulations, and general knowledge.

6. Endorsement

• A USPA Instructor must sign off on your A License Proficiency Card, confirming that you’ve met all requirements.

Time and Cost

• Time: The time to complete the A license varies depending on the individual’s pace, weather conditions, and availability at the drop zone. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

• Cost: The total cost depends on the training program, location, and number of jumps required. Speak to us today!

After Earning the A License

• You can skydive solo at most drop zones worldwide.

• You can participate in group jumps with other licensed skydivers.

• You can continue progressing to higher licenses (B, C, and D), which allow for more advanced skills, such as night jumps, wingsuit flying, and formation skydiving.