The moment you earn your A license marks one of the most significant transitions in any sport: you are no longer a student, no longer learning under direct instructor supervision for every jump. You are a licensed skydiver, authorized to jump at any drop zone in the world, to make your own decisions about what you jump, where you jump, and with whom you jump. This freedom is exhilarating — and it comes with responsibilities you have not had before.
What Your A License Actually Means
The USPA A license is the first of four rating levels — A, B, C, and D — that mark progressive skill development in skydiving. The A license certifies that you have completed basic training in all fundamental skydiving skills and are competent to jump independently without instructor supervision. It is not an advanced rating — it represents only that you have demonstrated basic competency. The B, C, and D licenses represent increasingly advanced skills and experience.
The requirements for the A license include completing all AFF levels and a solo jump, demonstrating proficiency in freefall and canopy skills, completing a minimum number of jumps — typically 25 to 30 total including AFF and solo jumps — and passing a USPA A-license proficiency card that covers emergency procedures, equipment knowledge, and landing area orientation. These requirements exist because the A license is genuinely the threshold of independent skydiving.
As an A-license holder, you can jump at any drop zone that accepts your credentials, provided you meet their currency requirements — typically a minimum number of jumps in the last 90 days. You are authorized to jump with other A-license holders and above in groups, to begin learning specialized disciplines like formation skydiving, and to pack your own main parachute.
Building Jump Numbers After AFF
After AFF, the journey to becoming an experienced skydiver requires one thing above all else: jump numbers. The skills learned in AFF must be reinforced through repetition, and new skills must be developed incrementally. There is no shortcut — the only way to become an experienced skydiver is to accumulate jumps, and there are no substitutes for this process.
The first 100 jumps after AFF are often called the "beginner sport" phase. During this period, you should be focused on building consistency in basic skills: stable body position, altitude awareness, clean deployments, accurate landings, and good judgment in varying conditions. Do not rush into advanced disciplines during this phase — build the foundation first.
Many drop zones offer coaching programs specifically designed for post-AFF jumpers who want structured progression. These programs provide coaching on specific skills — formation docking, canopy piloting, tracking — in a supervised environment. Taking advantage of these programs accelerates skill development and provides the feedback that prevents bad habits from becoming ingrained.
Finding Your Place in the Skydiving Community
As a new A-license holder, you are entering a community with its own culture, social structures, and unwritten rules. The skydiving community at any drop zone is a social ecosystem that you are now joining as a peer, not as a student. Building relationships, contributing positively to the community atmosphere, and showing respect for experienced jumpers are all part of being an accepted member of the community.
The most valuable relationships you can build as a new skydiver are with experienced jumpers who are willing to share their knowledge. These mentorship relationships are not formal — they develop organically through your interactions at the drop zone. Be respectful of others' time and knowledge, show genuine interest in learning, and be generous with your own contributions to the community.
At the same time, be cautious about advice that conflicts with your training or with your own honest assessment of your skills. Not all advice from experienced jumpers is good advice, and some experienced jumpers have developed risky habits they may unconsciously want to share with you. Trust your training, trust your instructors, and when in doubt, ask a second opinion from someone whose judgment you trust.
Deciding What Kind of Skydiver You Want to Be
Skydiving offers many different paths after basic licensing. Some skydivers focus on building jump numbers and developing general proficiency, eventually pursuing higher licenses and more complex skills. Others develop specialized interests — formation skydiving, canopy piloting, accuracy landing, freefly, wingsuit flying, or camera flying — that become their primary focus.
There is no single right path in skydiving. Some skydivers are perfectly happy jumping once a month with friends and have no interest in pursuing advanced disciplines. Others become consumed by competitive formation skydiving or record attempts. The sport is large enough to accommodate all levels of engagement, from casual recreation to competitive athletics.
The important thing is to be intentional about your progression. Decide what you want from the sport, and pursue it deliberately. If you want to be a formation skydiver, seek out coaching and mentoring in that discipline. If you want to be a canopy piloting specialist, find the coaches and training programs that can help you develop those skills. If you just want to enjoy jumping with friends, that is equally valid — just do not pretend that casual jumping is the same as deliberate skill development.