Solo Skydiving in India - How to learn, Cost, AFF, USPA-A and Everything

In this video, I'm going to be breaking down the process of skydiving in India including the cost for Indians, AFF Program and USPA-A license.

I will be sharing everything you need to know to turn your dream of solo skydiving into a reality.

But wait, why should you listen to this video?

- Am I just another Vlogger sharing information from Google?
No, I am not just another vlogger. I'm Shweta Parmar and I have over 300+ jumps and a USPA-C license. I've traveled to different countries for skydiving and I am India's fourth and Gujarat's first civilian licensed woman skydiver.

So, yes, you can trust this information.

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- How do you become a solo skydiver?

In order to become a solo skydiver, you must first go through an AFF course.
AFF is an introductory program to skydiving that includes both ground instruction and supervised skydiving from the aircraft.

It is designed to teach you the necessary skills to become a licensed skydiver.

During the program, participants work with two instructors or one instructor who teach important skills such as parachute deployment, emergency procedures, and freefall body positions.

You will receive a minimum of 1 day on-ground training in basic skydiving procedures, free fall body position, canopy deployment, canopy control and safety routines.

You will normally do your first actual skydive the following day.

Let's take a look at the 7 levels of the AFF program:

AFF Level 1 - Your first skydive! (Category A)

On your first jump, you can expect to jump from an altitude of 13,000 ft to 15,000 ft.

You'll be held on to by 2 instructors, who will guide you through hand signals to adjust your body position, check your altimeter, and practice deploying your parachute before deploying it for real.

AFF Level 2 - Refine your body position (Category B)

This skydive is almost identical to the AFF Level 1 skydive.

This is a chance to practice the same procedures again, only this time you will know what free fall “feels like” before leaving the plane!

If the instructors are confident you are relatively stable in the air one of them may release you for a little while and then take hold of you again to watch you deploy your parachute.

AFF Level 3 - Instructors release you (Category C)

This skydive contains similar routines to those on AFF Level 1 and Level 2 skydives but additionally both instructors will release you from their grip to see how well you maintain heading and stability.

AFF Level 4 & 5 - Practice 90, 180, 360 degree turns (Category D1 & D2)

By now you are well on your way to becoming a fully-fledged skydiver. On this skydive you will be accompanied by just 1 instructor.

You will practice 90, 180, 360 degree turns in both directions.

AFF Level 6 & 7 (Category E1 & E2) - Gain confidence in your own stability and ​​Putting it all together

You will perform a "front loop", “Back loop”, and “barrel roll” - in mid air and then regain your stability.

Assuming they are happy with your progress, he will tell you: Congratulations you have completed your AFF!

After AFF, comes USPA-A license:

After successful completion of the 7 or 8 AFF levels, there is a set of jumps that enables students to reach the minimum requirements to apply for an international skydiving license.

These consolidation jumps are performed “solo”, under the supervision of an instructor in the aircraft.

You are required to complete a series of jumps with coaches and instructors and display a number of skills before you are approved for your A-License.

Usually, you are required to do 3 or 4 coach jumps before your final A license practical test.

Coach jump teaches you group fall skills which includes tracking, fast fall, slow fall

You need to learn to pack your own parachute and jump with it to finish all requirements on the USPA A License Proficiency Card.

Once a student completes all levels and reaches 25 skydives, the real fun begins.

Once licensed, A-holders can jump with their friends! Imagine flying up to your friend in the sky and holding their hand? It’s unbelievable!

- But, How much does skydiving cost for Indians?

Skydiving is especially expensive for Indians as we have to travel to different countries to experience solo skydiving.

If we include traveling, stay, food, and course fees, it may cost you between 3.5 Lakh to 4.5 Lakh depending on the country you are traveling to.

- Are there skydiving schools available in India?
Unfortunately, there are no skydiving schools located in India, so Indians must travel to other countries to participate in such activities.

However, there are various skydiving schools located all over the world, including countries like Thailand, Dubai, Spain, Russia, United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

We hope this video was helpful and we wish you luck in becoming a solo skydiver! Blue skies!! If you loved our content, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share our content.