Four ways to make a first skydive
How USPA describes tandem, AFF, IAD and static-line jumps.
Our take written by Freefall Fanatics
USPA describes four ways to make a first skydive, and all four are part of its Integrated Student Program toward an A License. In a tandem jump the student is harnessed to an instructor and shares a parachute; in Accelerated Freefall the student has their own parachute and jumps with two instructors.
Instructor-Assisted Deployment and Static-Line start with an instructor helping with parachute deployment as the student exits solo. The 78 Training Centers listed below are the U.S. Group Members USPA marks as providing training toward a license.
Our summary of USPA's descriptions quoted below.
No matter which way you choose to make your first skydive, Tandem, Accelerated Freefall, Instructor-Assisted Deployment or Static-Line are all part of USPA's Integrated Student Program and are the first step to earning your A License .
You'll make your jumps at a drop zone , an independently run business offering skydiving training. USPA-affiliated drop zones must follow USPA Basic Safety Requirements and use USPA-rated instructors.
Tandem
You’ll be harnessed to an instructor and will share a parachute.
Freefall : Student and instructor are harnessed together. Freefall lasts 30-60 seconds.
Parachute : Share the same large parachute with an instructor. Student may be allowed to deploy or steer the parachute but is not required to.
Accelerated Freefall
Experience freefall with your own parachute and accompanied by, but not harnessed to, two instructors.
Freefall : Jump with two instructors who hold onto student in freefall. Freefall lasts 30-60 seconds.
Parachute : Student is expected to deploy their own parachute and navigate to the landing area.
These are USPA's general descriptions, quoted as found on October 14; verify training times and freefall details with the drop zone you choose.
Instructor-Assisted Deployment and Static-Line
An instructor joins you in the airplane and assists with parachute deployment as you exit the aircraft solo.
Freefall : Very little at the start; gradually introduced around the 6th jump.
Training Centers
Some Group Member and International Affiliate drop zones are also "Training Centers," which provide equipment and training for students to become licensed skydivers.
Our count: 78 U.S. Group Members are Training Centers on the USPA locator.
USPA Training Centers in the U.S.
| Drop zone | Where |
|---|---|
| Skydive Alabama | Cullman Regional Airport-Folsom Field (CMD), Vinemont · Vinemont, AL |
| Skydive Arizona | Eloy Municipal Airport (E60), Eloy · Eloy, AZ |
| Skydive Marana | Marana Regional Airport, Marana · Marana, AZ |
| Skydive Phoenix | Hidden Valley Airport (AZ43), Maricopa · Maricopa, AZ |
| Bay Area Skydiving | Byron Airport (C83), Byron · Byron, CA |
| Silicon Valley Skydiving | San Martin Airport (E16), San Martin · San Martin, CA |
| SkyDance SkyDiving | Yolo County Airport (KDWA), Davis · Davis, CA |
| Skydive California | Skydive California (private), Tracy · Tracy, CA |
| Skydive Elsinore | Skylark Airport (CA89), Elsinore · Lake Elsinore, CA |
| Skydive Perris | Perris Valley Airport (L65), Perris · Perris, CA |
| Skydive San Joaquin Valley | DB Cooper Field, Bakersfield · Bakersfield, CA |
| Mile-Hi Skydiving Center, Inc. | Vance Brand Airport (LMO), Longmont · Longmont, CO |
| Skydive Colorado Springs | Fremont County Airport, Penrose · Penrose, CO |
| Skydive Danielson | Danielson Airport (LZD), Danielson · Danielson, CT |
| Skydive Monterey Bay | Marina Municipal Airport (OAR), Marina · Marina, CA |
| Connecticut Parachutists, Inc. | Ellington Airport (7B9), Ellington · Ellington, CT |
| Jump Florida Skydiving | Lake Wales Airport (X07), Lake Wales · Lake Wales, FL |
| Skydive Emerald Coast | Defuniak Springs Municipal Airport, Defuniak Springs · DeFuniak Springs, FL |
| Skydive Palatka | Kay Larkin Field, Palatka · Palatka, FL |
| Skydive SW Florida Club | Shell Creek Airport (F13), Punta Gorda · Punta Gorda, FL |
| Skydive Sebastian | Sebastian Municipal Airport (X26), Sebastian · Sebastian, FL |
| Skydive Spaceland-Clewiston | Airglades Airport (2IS), Clewiston · Clewiston, FL |
| iSkydive America – Miami | Homestead General Aviation Airport (X51), Homestead · Homestead, FL |
| Skydive City Zephyrhills | Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (ZPH), Zephyrhills · Zephyrhills, FL |
| Skydive DeLand, Inc. | DeLand Municipal Airport (DED), DeLand · DeLand, FL |
| Skydive Georgia | Cornelius Moore Airport (4A4), Cedartown · Cedartown, GA |
| Skydive Monroe | Monroe-Walton County Airport (D73, Monroe · Monroe, GA |
| Des Moines Skydivers | Knoxville Municipal Airport (OXV), Knoxville · Knoxville, IA |
| Chicagoland Skydiving Center | Koritz Field (RPJ), Rochelle · Rochelle, IL |
| Skydive Indianapolis | Frankfort Municipal Airport (FKR), Frankfort · Frankfort, IN |
| DZONE Skydiving - Boise | Parma Municipal Airport, Parma · Parma, ID |
| Skydive Skydown | Caldwell Executive Airport, Caldwell · Caldwell, ID |
| Skydive Chicago, Inc. | Skydive Chicago Airport (8N2), Ottawa · Ottawa, IL |
| Skydive Kentucky | Addington Field (EKX), Elizabethtown · Elizabethtown, KY |
| Jumptown/MSPC, Inc. | Orange Municipal Airport (ORE), Orange · Orange, MA |
| Skydive Northstar | Waseca Municipal Airport (ACQ), Waseca · Waseca, MN |
| Flight Providers LLC | Bolivar Airport (M17), Bolivar · Bolivar, MO |
| Skydive New England | Skydive New England Airport (ME64), Lebanon · Lebanon, ME |
| Pepperell Skydiving Center | Pepperell Airport (26MA), Pepperell · Pepperell, MA |
| Midwest Freefall Sport Parachute Club, Inc. | Kunstman Airfield, Ray · Ray, MI |
| Skydive Adventures | Quentin Aanenson Airport (LYV), Luverne · Luverne, MN |
| Skydive Missoula | Stevensville Montana Airport - 32S, Stevensville · Stevensville, MT |
| Piedmont Skydiving | Mid-Carolina Regional Airport, Salisbury · Salisbury, NC |
| Skydive Fargo! Inc. | West Fargo Airport (D54), West Fargo · West Fargo, ND |
| Jump Omaha | Plattsmouth Municipal Airport, Plattsmouth · Plattsmouith, NE |
| Skydive Cross Keys | Cross Keys Airport (17N), Williamstown · Williamstown, NJ |
| Skydive Central New York, LLC. | Whitfords Airport (B16), Weedsport · Weedsport, NY |
| WNYSkydiving | Pine Hill Airport (9G6), Albion · Albion, NY |
| Fyrosity® | Perkins Field Airport (U08), Overton · Overton, NV |
| Skydive The Falls (Youngstown) | Windsor Shear Airport, Youngstown · Youngstown, NY |
| Cleveland Skydiving Center | Gates Airport (7D8), Garrettsville · Garrettsville, OH |
| Eugene Skydivers | Hobby Field (77S), Creswell · Creswell, OR |
| Aerohio Skydiving Center | Ashland County Airport, Ashland · Ashland, OH |
| Canton Air Sports | Lee Airfield, Alliance · Alliance, OH |
| Start Skydiving | Middletown Regional Airport (MWO), Middletown · Middletown, OH |
| Pacific Northwest Skydiving Center | Mulino State Airport (4S9), Mulino · Mulino, OR |
| Maytown Sport Parachute Club | Donegal Springs Airport (N71), Marietta · Marietta, PA |
| Skydive Philadelphia | Pennridge Airport (CKZ), Perkasie · Perkasie, PA |
| Skydive Carolina! | Chester Municipal Airport (DCM), Chester · Chester, SC |
| Flying Tigers SPC | Anderson Regional Airport (AND), Anderson · Anderson, SC |
| Music City Skydiving | Humphreys County Airport (0M5), Waverly · Waverly, TN |
| Skydive East Tennessee | Dumplin Field Airport (86TN), Dandridge · New Market, TN |
| Skydive Tennessee | Tullahoma Regional Airport (THA), Tullahoma · Tullahoma, TN |
| Skydive Spaceland-Dallas | Tri-County Aerodrome (48TX), Whitewright · Whitewright, TX |
| Skydive Spaceland-Houston | BB Airpark (TE88), Rosharon · Rosharon, TX |
| Skydive Spaceland-San Marcos | Fentress Air Park (XS90), Fentress · Fentress, TX |
| Jump TN | Greeneville Municipal Airport (GCY), Greeneville · Greeneville, TN |
| Ogden Skydiving Center | Ogden-Hinckley Airport (OGD), Oden · Ogden, UT |
| Skydive Utah | Bolinder Field-Tooele Valley Airport (TVY), Erda · Erda, UT |
| Skydive Orange, Inc. | Orange County Airport (KOMH), Orange · Orange, VA |
| Skydive Suffolk | Suffolk Airport (SFQ), Suffolk · Suffolk, VA |
| Vermont Skydiving Adventures Inc | Ass-Pirin Acres (VT11), Addison · Addison, VT |
| Malone Parachute Club | Franklin County Airport (FSO), Swanton · Swanton, VT |
| Kapowsin Air Sports | Sanderson Field (SHN), Shelton · Shelton, WA |
| Skydive West Plains | Ritzville Aero Recreation, Ritzville · Ritzville, WA |
| Seven Hills Skydivers of Madison, WI | Mathaire Field (WI97), York Center · York Center, WI |
| Skydive Twin Cities | Baldwin Airport (WI14), Baldwin · Baldwin, WI |
| Skydive Midwest | Sylvania Airport (C89), Sturtevant · Sturtevant, WI |
Ready to skydive? Contact a drop zone. Drop Zones are independent businesses that have their own practices and are the best source of information about your specific skydive.