First Skydiving License in Italy: ENAC Requirements, Timeline and Costs

Wondering what it actually takes to get your first skydiving license in Italy — how many jumps you need, which doctor to see, how much it will cost and how long it will take? You're in the right place. This article walks you through the official process step by step, without oversimplification and without shortcuts. Because understanding the rules clearly from the start is the first act of safety you can perform.

The ENAC License: What You Actually Get

First, a clarification that many aspiring skydivers aren't aware of: in Italy there is no official 'A license', 'B license' and so on as legal documents. The terms 'A license', 'B license', etc. are commonly used in schools and within the international community — but they come from FAI/USPA conventions (the international and American aeronautical federations), not from categories defined by Italian regulations.

What ENAC — Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile, the authority that regulates skydiving in Italy — issues is a single Skydiving License. Ratings you earn over time are then endorsed on this license: Special Techniques (CS, for disciplines such as freefly or wingsuit), Instructor, Senior Instructor (IPS), and Examiner. When this article refers to 'first license' or 'A level', it means the ENAC document you receive at the end of your initial full training program — the starting point for everything that follows.

Entry Requirements: Age, Health and Paperwork

Let's use a concrete example: Mario is 22 years old, weighs 78 kg, is in good health and has never jumped before. What does he need to do before he even sets foot in a school?

Here is the entry requirements checklist (always verify the current ENAC regulations or ask your school directly):

1. Minimum age: typically 16 with written parental consent, 18 for full independence. The exact threshold is defined by the current ENAC regulations.
2. ENAC Class 2 medical certificate: your family doctor won't do. You need to see an ENAC-authorized medical examiner (sometimes referred to internationally as an AME — Aeromedical Examiner, though the formal Italian term is medico certificatore ENAC). This specialist assesses your fitness according to aeronautical standards. Your school can point you to the nearest certified medical centers.
3. Aero club membership: to take part in sport activities and competitions, you must join an aero club affiliated with Aero Club d'Italia (AeCI). Many schools handle this step directly at enrollment.
4. No fixed legal weight limit: weight limits and physical conditions are assessed by the school and instructor based on ENAC regulations and available equipment. If you have any concerns about your specific situation, ask the school before signing up.

The Training Path: AFF or Static Line?

In Italy there are two official training pathways, both conducted at ENAC-certified skydiving schools.

The AFF course (Accelerated Freefall) is today the standard method at the vast majority of Italian schools. From your very first jump you exit at high altitude — typically around 4,000 meters, which is where this portal gets its name — with one or two AFF instructors physically alongside you in freefall. The course is structured in progressive levels (generally 7–8 levels, the exact number depending on the school and regulations), each with specific technical objectives you must meet before moving on.

The Static Line course is the traditional pathway: your first jumps use an automatic opening device attached to the aircraft, from a lower altitude. Progression is more gradual. It is still available at some Italian schools, but less common than AFF.

Which is better? It depends on you, the school and how you learn. AFF immerses you in freefall right away; Static Line builds the foundations more gradually. Talk to the instructors at the school you've chosen — they'll help you figure out which path suits your situation best.

How the AFF Course Works: Step by Step

Back to Mario. He enrolls in the AFF course at an ENAC-certified school. Here's what's ahead of him, in order:

1. Ground school: safety, regulations, equipment (the rig — the complete system of parachute, container and harness), emergency procedures. This is not optional. It is the foundation on which everything else is built.
2. Practical ground training: simulation of freefall body positions, deployment procedures (the 'pull' — the action of opening the main canopy), and emergency drills. This is where you learn to recognize a malfunction and respond with the correct sequence: cutaway (releasing the main) + reserve deployment.
3. AFF levels 1–9 (the exact number depends on the school and regulations): each level has technical objectives you must demonstrate. If you don't pass a level, you repeat it. That's not failure — it's how motor learning works.
4. Consolidation jumps: after the AFF levels, you complete a minimum number of solo jumps to consolidate your skills before the exam; the overall minimum jump count is defined by current ENAC regulations, so check with your school or at enac.gov.it.
5. Theoretical and practical exam: a written test on rules and technique, plus an in-air evaluation with an ENAC examiner.
6. Issuance of your ENAC Skydiving License.

Realistic Timelines: How Long Does It Take?

It depends on three main factors: your availability, weather conditions and how frequently the school operates. There is no fixed minimum time to complete the course — there is a minimum number of jumps required, as defined by ENAC regulations.

Under optimal conditions (available weekends, good weather, active school), Mario could complete the AFF course and earn his license in 2–4 months. With limited availability or an unfavorable season, it can stretch to 6–12 months. There's no rush: the license doesn't expire based on how long it took to earn — it depends on how you maintain it afterward (see below).

One point worth being clear about: don't rush the process by skipping levels or cutting consolidation jumps to save time or money. Every jump in the training program exists to build a motor habit that activates automatically in an emergency. This isn't bureaucracy — it's the physiology of learning under stress.

Costs: What to Expect

Costs vary considerably from school to school, by region and by the type of aircraft used. I won't quote specific figures here because the market changes and I don't want to give you a number that may be wrong by the time you read this. Always ask for a detailed quote from the school before enrolling. What I can tell you is how the expenses are typically broken down:

| Cost item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Ground school and ground training | Often included in the enrollment fee |
| Each AFF level (jump + instructors) | Cost per level varies; early levels with two instructors cost more |
| Consolidation jumps | Cost per solo jump, usually lower than instructor-assisted levels |
| ENAC Class 2 medical certificate | Specialist appointment, paid separately outside the school |
| Aero club membership (AeCI) | Annual fee |
| Final exam | Often included in the course package — confirm with the school |
| Personal equipment | Most schools rent the rig for the course; personal purchase comes later |

A practical tip: ask the school whether they offer a complete course package (from first jump to exam) at a fixed price, or whether each jump is billed separately. Complete packages are often better value and give you cost certainty.

Keeping Your License Current After You Earn It

Earning the license is just the beginning. ENAC regulations include recency requirements to keep it 'current'. If you don't meet them, your license lapses and getting back in the air requires check jumps with an instructor.

The three requirements to always keep in mind are:
1. At least 15 jumps in the last 12 months, including at least 1 in the last 3 months.
2. At least 10 minutes of freefall in the last 12 months.
3. A valid ENAC Class 2 medical certificate.

Mario earns his license in September and then doesn't jump through the entire winter season. If by March he hasn't made a single jump in the past three months, his license is no longer current. It's not the end of the world — but it means he can't jump solo until he completes the required check jumps with an instructor. Keep this in mind when planning your season.

Choosing the Right School: What to Look For

Not all schools are equal, but every school that can train you for an ENAC license must be ENAC-certified. That is the minimum, non-negotiable requirement. A school without ENAC certification cannot provide training that counts toward an Italian license.

Beyond certification, consider:
1. The presence of qualified AFF instructors with ENAC ratings.
2. The availability of a suitable aircraft (a Cessna 208 Caravan or a Twin Otter allows standard exit altitudes with multiple students; a Cessna 182 is more limited).
3. How frequently the school flies: a school that operates only a handful of weekends per year will significantly extend your course timeline.
4. The availability of rental equipment for the course.
5. The atmosphere: you're about to put your trust in these people in situations where clear communication is vital. Trust your instincts when you visit.

Summary: The Path in 6 Steps

To recap everything we've covered, the path to your first ENAC skydiving license looks like this:

1. Choose an ENAC-certified skydiving school.
2. Complete your ENAC Class 2 medical exam with an authorized ENAC medical examiner.
3. Join an AeCI-affiliated aero club (your school will usually guide you through this).
4. Complete the AFF course (or Static Line): ground school, ground training, progressive levels, consolidation jumps.
5. Pass the theoretical and practical exam with an ENAC examiner.
6. Collect your ENAC Skydiving License — and start keeping it current with at least 15 jumps per year.

If you're reading this article, you're probably about to take one of the most remarkable steps of your life. Take it at the right pace, with the right school, and with the respect this sport deserves. See you at the DZ.