Skydiving, without a doubt, is one of the most thrilling activities you can engage in. Traveling thousands of feet up in the sky and then jumping out of a moving airplane gives you an adrenaline rush like nothing else can. That’s why the sport has hundreds of thousands of followers around the globe with more enthusiasts joining in on the thrills every day.
If you’re thinking about trying skydiving you might be wondering; how much is it to go skydiving? What does skydiving cost if, for example, you just want to try it once?
How much does it cost to go skydiving? The answer is approximately $300.00, although that can go up or down a little based on where you choose to go. It can also change a bit depending on if you make a reservation ahead of time, make plans to jump tandem your first time, or want to jump solo.
Maybe you want to learn how to skydive so you can do it regularly? If so, you might be also wondering what skydiving requirements you need to meet?
Maybe you’re searching for answers to questions like how long it takes, what kind of equipment you’ll need to purchase, and more. Keep reading and we’ll give you all the answers you’re looking for about skydiving! Enjoy!
How Much Will Your First Skydive Cost?
As we mentioned, the cost to skydive is approximately $300, give or take a few bucks. What that $300 gets you is one jump with a highly experienced and certified sky diving instructor, otherwise known as a tandem jump.
A short lesson is also included so that you know what to do and what’s going to happen. (Mostly you will just be enjoying the jump but there are a couple of things you need to know.)
What, Exactly, is Included in the Cost of 1 Skydive?
The tandem skydiving cost includes everything below:
- A brief lesson, during which your instructor will teach you the basics of skydiving. That includes basic procedures, some small responsibilities that you have, and what you can expect from start to finish.
- Your instructor, a highly trained and very experienced skydiver. You will be attached to this person during the entire skydive and, for the most part, they will do everything while you enjoy the jump and the view.
- The harness, goggles, and jumpsuit you need to make the jump. (You’ll be sharing a parachute with your instructor.)
- An airplane ride – To take you up into the sky above the target landing area.
- From 30 to 60 seconds of freefall through the sky.
- Approximately 5 to 7 minutes of parachute flying time during which you’ll be able to see the world the way the birds do.
What are the Skydiving Requirements You Need to Meet?
Skydiving is a risky sport, there’s no denying that. To reduce the risk substantially, there are a few requirements that you, and the skydiving company, need to meet.
- Filling our Paperwork – There is a waiver you’ll need to sign, registration paperwork you need to fill out, and, of course, you’ll need to pay the company that’s taking you up. Some companies will offer photographs and videos of your skydive and so you’ll need to order those as well.
- Meeting Your Instructor – The most important person you’ll meet when you skydive the first time is your instructor. They will be experienced and licensed from the United States Parachute Association or USPA to be a tandem skydiving instructor.
- Getting Into Your Gear – Before taking off for the wild blue yonder you’ll be helped into your skydiving jumpsuit. Your tandem harness will also be put on so that you can be attached to your instructor. Plus, you’ll be given your goggles to protect your eyes during the jump.
- Waiting to Load Onto the Plane – To jump out of a plane, you need to ride it up into the sky first, of course. Most airfields where they teach skydiving are general aviation airfields with relatively loose scheduling parameters compared to commercial airfields. What that means is you might have to wait, but usually not too long. A good idea is to bring a snack and some water.
- Flying to Jump Altitude – It normally takes about 20 minutes to get to 10,000 feet, which is the altitude most skydiving companies use for beginner, tandem jumps. Normally you’ll be seated in front of your instructor so that, when the time to jump is close, they can attach your harness to theirs.
- The Jump Itself – Once you’ve reached 10,000 feet, the plane is positioned over the landing zone and the time is right, the door will open. At this point, attached together, you and your instructor will perform the exit maneuver you were taught back on the ground. The next thing you know you’ll be falling through the sky! You’ll fall for about a minute until you reach an altitude of approximately 5500 feet.
- The Parachute Will Be Opened by Your Instructor – Once you hit 5500 feet your instructor will pull their ripcord and their parachute will billow out above you, slowing your rate of descent considerably. From now until you reach the ground again, about 5 to 7 minutes, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the world. Enjoy it!
- The Landing – Here’s where more of the training you received pays off. When instructed, you’ll pull in your arms and bring your legs up as the instructor flares the parachute to slow it down. Then, you’ll land gently on the ground. (Keep in mind that the amount of time it takes for the adrenaline to wear off varies from person to person.)
Can A Person Jump Solo on their First Skydive?
While it is recommended to tandem jump the first time you go skydiving, there are some people who want to do it solo and also learn how to become skydivers.
To do that, however, you would need to take an Accelerated Freefall course or AFF. This is a course that trains you how to skydive solo and lets you jump solo right from the start.
One of the biggest differences with an AFF course (besides jumping solo, of course) is that you’ll jump with 2 instructors by your side. Not attached to you, but with you during the jump.
Before you jump you’ll also take a full day of instructions, which are more intense than when you tandem jump for obvious reasons. While all 3 of you freefall the instructors will use hand signals to communicate with you. Things like your body position, the altitude, etc.
When you reach 5500 feet they’ll advise you to pull the ripcord and deploy your parachute. Once you do, they will do the same and the three of you will make your way to the ground. In most cases, you’ll get instructions from the ground through a headset so that you land safely.
Keep in mind that, to do this, it usually means that you sign up for the entire AFF course, which is normally 25 jumps. The cost for an AFF course average between $1800.00 and $3200.00, which is obviously much higher than a single, tandem jump. Knowing that large price difference, it would behoove you to be very sure that you want to take up skydiving as a hobby before you start.
How Much Does it Cost To Learn How to Skydive Solo?
As we mentioned, an AFF course costs between $1800 and $3200. That, however, is not the only cost you will incur if you want to learn how to skydive solo and do it on your own regularly. Those extra costs are as follows:
Need to Own All the Gear
Many folks who are learning how to skydive rent their gear from a skydiving school. There are quite a few pieces of equipment and gear you’ll need including:
- A Parachute
- An Automated Activation Device (AAD)
- A Helmet
- An Altimeter
- A Jumpsuit
- A pair of Goggles
Renting all of this equipment would cost about $40 to $50 per jump, which could get expensive rather quickly. If you decide that you want to purchase all of your gear you can expect to spend somewhere between $4000.00 and $10,000.00. You can often spend a bit less if you purchase used equipment.
Jumping Itself
Once you’ve gone through all of the training and received a license (the A license is first) the cost for each jump will be about $40.00 to $55.00 each time (assuming you now have all of your own equipment).
Membership in the USPA
To get your ‘A’ license you’ll need to apply for (and pass) the United States Parachute Association’s (USPA) written and oral tests and become a member. Annual membership costs $78 or you can purchase a lifetime membership for $2500.
What is Required to Get an A License?
If you’ve taken an AFF course you should have everything that’s required to get your A License from the USPA when you’re finished. That includes;
- Making a minimum of 25 jumps
- Making 5 jumps with at least one other person
- Fulfilling all of the USPA requirements for an A License Proficiency Card
- Passing the written and oral exams from the USPA
- Getting your proficiency card stamped from the USPA
Final Thoughts on How Much Does it Cost to Go Skydiving
Now you know how much skydiving cost and most skydiving requirements to get an A license! We hope you liked this “how much to go skydiving” article. If you did, please consider sharing it with friends, family, and colleagues who might have an interest in learning how to skydive.
Also, if you want to leave a nice comment, please do, we’d love to hear it! Best of luck learning how to skydive!
We would love for you to join our Facebook group over here and subscribe to us on YouTube as we start to show you the benefits to outdoor diversions and show why you should take time to enjoy them and not be stuck inside.
