A License Skydiving: Everything You Need to Know Before You Start

Wondering what it really takes to earn your A license in Italy — not the glossy brochure version, but the real one, with actual timelines, money, and commitment? You're in the right place. Our editorial team consulted certified AFF instructors, and this is the question they get asked most often at the dropzone. In this article you'll find everything an aspiring skydiver needs to know before signing up for a course.

What the A License Is and Why You Need It

The A license is the first official credential issued by the Aero Club d'Italia (AeCI), the public body responsible for issuing sport and recreational aviation certificates (VDS), and it authorizes you to jump independently — without an instructor physically attached to you. Without it, you can do tandem jumps (where you're harnessed to a qualified instructor), but you can never jump solo, plan formation exits, or access most Italian dropzones as an independent skydiver.

Think of it this way: the A license is your driver's license. The sooner you have it, the sooner you're free to build your experience however you choose.

Basic Requirements: Who Can Start

Before we get into courses and costs, make sure you meet the minimum requirements. Here's a quick checklist:

✅ Minimum age: generally 18 (some schools accept 16–17-year-olds for the course with parental consent — check with your ENAC-certified school).
✅ Body weight: typically within the limits of the school's available equipment — roughly between 45 and 100 kg, but this depends on the specific gear. Always ask in advance.
✅ Medical clearance: a medical examination is required. It's not a competitive sports physical, but certain cardiovascular conditions, epilepsy, or balance disorders may be disqualifying. The school's doctor or a sports medicine physician will tell you what's needed.
✅ No prior experience required: the AFF course starts from scratch.

A concrete example: Mario is 28, weighs 82 kg, exercises regularly, and has no known medical conditions. Mario can start tomorrow morning. Giulia is 19, weighs 58 kg, but has a history of epilepsy: she needs to obtain medical clearance first. That doesn't necessarily mean she can't jump — but she needs to follow the correct procedure.

The Process: From Day One to the A License, Step by Step

The standard pathway in Italy is called AFF, short for Accelerated Freefall. It's the internationally recognized method adopted by ENAC-certified schools and is structured in progressive stages:

1. Ground school — Before you set foot on a plane, you study: basic aerodynamics, emergency procedures, canopy handling, how the AAD (Automatic Activation Device — the device that automatically deploys the reserve parachute in an emergency) works, and much more. Don't skip this part: it's the foundation of everything.

2. AFF levels (typically 7–8 levels) — Each level is a jump with one or two instructors alongside you in freefall. Each level focuses on specific skills: stability, turns, horizontal movement, and solo deployment. If you don't pass a level, you repeat it. That's not a failure — it's the system working exactly as it should.

3. Consolidation jumps — After completing the AFF levels, you make jumps on your own (or with observers) to consolidate your skills. ENAC regulations require a minimum total number of jumps before you can sit the exam: always check the current version of the regulations on the official ENAC website.

4. Theory exam — Written, held at the school or at an ENAC office. It covers regulations, basic meteorology, equipment, and emergency procedures.

5. A license issued — Once you've passed the exam and met the jump requirements, the school submits your documentation to ENAC. The license arrives by post or can be collected in person.

What It Costs: A Realistic Estimate

This is the question everyone asks and nobody wants to answer clearly. I'll give you an honest estimate, along with the variables that affect it.

The total cost of reaching the A license depends on:
— The school and its geographic location (schools in northern Italy tend to have different pricing from those in the south).
— The number of levels repeated (each repeat has a cost).
— Equipment: during the course you use the school's gear, which is included in the course price. Buying your own after you're licensed is a separate chapter entirely.
— Additional expenses: medical exam, federation membership, study materials.

In general terms, adding up the full AFF course, consolidation jumps, and additional expenses, someone who earns their A license without repeating any levels will typically have spent several thousand euros. Don't expect to do it for less than €2,000–3,000, and budget a margin for possible repeats or extra jumps. Always ask the school for a detailed, itemized quote.

How Long It Takes: Real Timelines

It depends on three main factors:

1. The season — In Italy you can jump year-round in milder regions, but at dropzones in the north the main season typically runs from spring through autumn. If you start in October at a northern dropzone, you may face a winter break.

2. The weather — Skydiving depends on wind, cloud cover, and visibility. Days off are normal. Don't plan on finishing the course in two weekends: it's nearly impossible.

3. Your availability — Someone who can come to the dropzone every weekend will progress much faster than someone who comes once a month.

Concrete example: Marco, 32, jumps every weekend from April through September. He earns his A license in about 5–6 months. Federica, 25, jumps one weekend a month due to work commitments: it takes her a year and a half. Both end up with the same license. There's no race.

How to Choose the Right School

On this point I'll be direct: choose ONLY ENAC-certified schools. There are no legally valid shortcuts in Italy. A non-certified school cannot issue recognized credentials, and jumping with unlicensed instructors is both illegal and dangerous.

Practical criteria for choosing:

1. Verifiable ENAC certification — Ask for the certification number and check it on the ENAC website.
2. Number of AFF instructors available — A school with only one instructor may have long gaps between levels.
3. Equipment in good condition — Don't be embarrassed to ask when it was last inspected.
4. Willingness to answer your questions before you sign up — If a school is evasive, that's a red flag.
5. Geographic proximity — The dropzone closest to home is often the best choice: you'll be going there dozens of times.

In Summary: Your Action Plan

If you're reading this and thinking about getting started, here are your concrete next steps:

1. Check the physical and medical requirements — Talk to your doctor if you have any doubts.
2. Identify two or three ENAC-certified schools in your area — Use the ENAC website or contact the Federazione Italiana Paracadutismo.
3. Visit the dropzone in person before signing up — One day at the dropzone tells you more than a thousand websites.
4. Ask for a detailed, itemized quote — Line by line, no vagueness.
5. Plan around the season — If you want to start in spring, look into it during winter: courses fill up.
6. Set aside your budget with a margin — Add at least 20% to your estimate to cover unexpected costs and repeats.

The A license isn't a distant goal. It's a structured process with clear rules and a defined objective. What it takes is accurate information, a good school, and the patience to respect the pace of the process. Freefall takes care of the rest.