AFF vs. A-License: What’s Actually Different

Key Takeaways

This guide covers tips for skydiving for the first time, from ground school through landing, so you can feel prepared and enjoy the experience. You’ll learn why paying attention during training and communicating with your instructor can make your jump smoother and more comfortable. We also share practical first-time tandem skydiving tips, including where to look during freefall, how to manage your breathing, and how to get the most out of your video package. Finally, we explain why it’s important to slow down after landing and take a moment to appreciate what you’ve accomplished. Whether you’re excited, nervous, or a little of both, these tips will help you make the most of your first skydive.

Thinking about learning to skydive? You likely have already encountered two terms that may seem interchangeable: AFF and A-License. While they’re not the same thing, they are directly connected. 

The Accelerated Freefall course is a training program that teaches you how to skydive. The A-License is a certification issued by the United States Parachute Association (USPA) after you demonstrate mastery of the skills and knowledge required to independently skydive.

Let’s dig into AFF training and A-License certification, what happens when you graduate AFF, and how the path works at Skydive Tecumseh.

AFF vs. A-License at a Glance

The easiest way to understand the difference is to think of AFF as the training and the A-License as the credential.

The USPA’s Integrated Student Program (ISP) provides a framework for training students from their first jumps through the A-License.

What Does Graduating AFF Actually Mean?

Accelerated Freefall training begins with the First Jump Course (FJC), also known as Ground School. This section of the AFF curriculum covers the fundamentals you’ll need in the air, including body position, altitude awareness, parachute deployment, canopy control, emergency procedures, and communication with instructors. From there, the learning moves into freefall.

On your early AFF jumps, you’ll be accompanied by USPA-rated instructors who provide direct in-air guidance as you learn to control your body and complete specific tasks. As you demonstrate proficiency, the level of instructor involvement gradually decreases and your training becomes more independent.

Under USPA’s Basic Safety Requirements (BSR), AFF students must remain under the direct supervision of an appropriately rated instructor until they demonstrate the required skills to progress. Later student jumps may be supervised by a USPA Coach under instructor oversight.

Graduating AFF means you’ve successfully completed this initial progression, but it does not mean you’ve automatically earned your A-License. After AFF, you’ll continue making jumps to build experience and complete the remaining requirements on the A-License Progression Card. This stage focuses on refining both freefall and canopy skills while demonstrating that you can safely manage a skydive with increasing independence.

What Does Earning an A-License Actually Mean?

An A-License is the first level of skydiving certification issued by the USPA. According to the USPA, an A-License candidate must:

• Be a current USPA member in good standing
• Complete the requirements on the A-License Progression Card
• Reach 25 jumps
• Pass the practical exam, known as the check dive
• Pass the written exam with a score of at least 75%
• Pass the oral exam with a score of 100%

Per the USPA, A-License holders may jump without supervision, pack their own main parachute, participate in formation skydives, and train for and perform water landings.

This is what makes A-License skydiving such an important milestone. You move beyond student progression and demonstrate that you have the foundational skills and knowledge to responsibly participate in the sport as a licensed skydiver.

And earning the license isn’t simply about reaching a number of jumps. The required progression card and exams ensure that you’re developing the specific skills and knowledge needed to make responsible decisions in the air.

How Long Does it Take to go from AFF to an A-License?

There’s no universal timeline for earning your A-License. Your progress depends on how frequently you jump, how quickly you demonstrate the required skills, weather conditions, and whether you need additional training or coaching along the way.

The AFF portion itself is only the beginning. Once you’ve completed the AFF skydiving course, you’ll continue making jumps toward the 25-jump requirement while completing the skills on your A-License Progression Card. The USPA emphasizes that student training continues under instructor responsibility until the student receives an A-License.

At Skydive Tecumseh, the average student needs approximately six coaching jumps after completing the AFF progression to finish the A-License proficiency requirements. Any remaining jumps needed to reach the 25 jump minimum are self-supervised. 

This means you don’t have to view the journey as one overarching commitment. You can progress jump by jump, building experience as you go.

What the AFF-to-A-License Path Looks Like at Skydive Tecumseh

At Skydive Tecumseh, your path toward a skydiving license starts with AFF Ground School and your first training jump.

The current AFF progression includes:

• Ground School & AFF Level 1
• Category B
• Category C1
• Category C2
• Category D1
• Category D2
• Category E

Skydive Tecumseh AFF students start from 14,000 feet with two instructors before progressing to jumps with one instructor as skills develop.

After completing AFF progression, you’ll move into coaching and self-supervised jumps while working toward the A-License requirements. Your instructors and coaches will help you identify the skills you still need to demonstrate and prepare for your final check dive and exams.

The result is a progression that takes you from learning the fundamentals to demonstrating that you can put them into practice independently.

FAQs about Learning to Skydive

Is the AFF Course Worth It?

AFF is a structured way to learn to skydive if your goal is to become a licensed skydiver. You’ll train in freefall, canopy control, and emergency procedures with instructor guidance.

If you just want a one-time experience, a tandem skydive is usually a better fit. If you want to learn to skydive independently, AFF is the starting point.

What Is the A-License in Skydiving?

The A-License is the first of four skydiving licenses issued by the USPA. Achieving the A-License means you’ve met the requirements to skydive without direct supervision.

To earn it, you must complete the AFF curriculum, reach 25 jumps, and pass written, oral, and practical exams. After that, you can jump independently and continue advancing in the sport.

What Can You Do With an A-License?

Once you earn it, you can skydive without direct supervision, pack your own main parachute, and participate in basic formation skydives. From here, many skydivers choose to continue advancing through the USPA license system, which includes the B, C, and D licenses. Each level represents increased experience, additional training, and expanded privileges in the sport.

• A-License (25 jumps): First license level; allows you to skydive independently without instructor supervision and participate in basic group skydives.
• B-License (50 jumps): Adds advanced training like night jumps and water landings, with more freedom in group skydiving.
• C-License (200 jumps): Indicates a highly experienced skydiver; opens opportunities for larger formations and pursuing coach or instructor ratings.
• D-License (500 jumps): Highest USPA recreational license; qualifies skydivers for advanced demonstrations, professional-level jumping, and many instructional ratings.

How much does it cost to get your A-License?

The average cost of earning an A-License is about $3,500, although individual costs vary.

Ready to Start Your Skydiving Journey?

Your first jump is just the beginning. If your goal is to become a licensed skydiver, AFF is where the journey starts. At Skydive Tecumseh, you’ll have a structured path to develop your skills, gain experience, and work toward your USPA A-License with guidance from experienced instructors.

Take your first step toward becoming a licensed skydiver by booking your AFF Ground School. Blue skies!