If you're ready to take the plunge and become a certified sport skydiver, there are few better places in the world to learn than in Northern California, where you'll find blue skies, breathtaking scenery and top-notch instruction. With a little prior knowledge and preparation, you can become a certified skydiver in the Golden State.
United States Parachute Association Licenses
The United States Parachute Association (USPA) issues four skydiving licenses: A, B, C and D, with each license requiring more skill and accomplishment. A is the most basic license and certifies the jumper to skydive solo at any USPA or related international drop zone. Beyond those licenses, the USPA certifies advanced-level jumpers as instructors and demonstration jumpers.
Types
New skydivers are issued an "A" license after completing 25 skydives and passing the license test. "A" licensees may skydive alone, without a coach.
A "B" license requires an "A" license, 50 skydives, water-landing training and a passing grade on the license test. "B" licensees must demonstrate good body control in freefall and demonstrate good landing accuracy.
A "C" license requires a "B" license, 200 skydives, a passing grade on the license test, and more advanced body-control and landing accuracy skills.
A "D" license requires a "C" license, 500 skydives, a passing grade on the license test, and completion of two successful jumps at night.
Accelerated Free Fall Certification
Northern California skydiving drop zones certify new jumpers through a training process called "Accelerated Free Fall," or "AFF." AFF students learn skills and emergency procedures on the ground, then exit the airplane with certified instructors. The instructors supervise the student while the student demonstrates those skills in the air.
Drop zone prices vary somewhat for the full AFF course and are priced per jump. An AFF student may expect to pay between $1,600.00 and $3,500.00 to complete the full course.
Considerations
Your search for a place to learn how to skydive should start at the drop zone ("DZ") listing maintained by the United States Parachute Association (USPA). Although most DZs in Northern California are USPA members, some are not. There is a pronounced difference in instruction.
USPA drop zones have taken a pledge to follow USPA's Basic Safety Requirements. In that pledge, each USPA DZ has promised to offer safe, well-tested training methods, to use only current USPA-rated skydiving instructors and to provide USPA-required safety equipment.
Fitness For Skydiving
A newly certified skydiver needs more than nerves of steel. Long-term success in the sport requires body awareness, flexibility, dexterity and muscular strength.
New skydivers in Northern California have the benefit of being near plenty of excellent outdoor fitness opportunities that contribute well to a cross-training program for skydiving. Activities such as trail running, yoga, indoor skydiving tunnels and rock climbing improve cardiovascular ability, increase strength and fine-tune motor skills that add up to a long, rewarding skydiving career.
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