Skydiving Guide : Accelerated Freefall Training

Accelerated freefall training is the focus of this installment of our go skydiving guide.

Accelerated freefall (or simply AFF) training is a way of learning to skydive that, as the name suggests, gets you in the air and freefalling on yourself as quickly as possible. It’s the most expensive method of training but is recommended for those who plan on skydiving regularly.

AFF training’s first stage is instruction on the ground. Normally, this takes roughly 6-8 hours. These demonstrations and lectures will cover topics such as exiting the plane, positioning your body, deploying and steering the parachute, and landing.


Following this initial theoretical training, students will go up in a plane with their instructors so that they can put their new learning into practice. As in tandem jumping, the instructor exits the plane with the student, but rather than being attached closely by a harness, the instructor simply holds the student by the hand or wrist.

The instructor guides you so that you’re able and ready to deploy your parachute at the proper time and can land safely on your own. If necessary, in case of any problems arising, the instructor can open your parachute for you.

Once the canopy has been deployed, the instructor will observe the student’s handling of the parachute and following landing will give advice on better ways to handle the next jump.

Following a few more jumps, there could be additional on-ground classes to address more advanced skills. Dedicated trainees usually gain experience, knowledge and skills quickly. They can qualify for a skydiving license after as few as eight assisted jumps and 10 solo skydives.