Skydiving Licenses A B C D: The Complete AeCI Progression

Wondering exactly what the letters A, B, C, and D mean when it comes to skydiving licenses — and how long it takes to earn each one? You're in the right place. In Italy, the sport license system is managed by the Aero Club d'Italia (AeCI) — the national aeronautical federation recognized by CONI and affiliated with the FAI — and is structured across four progressive levels. Each level opens up new possibilities: greater autonomy, higher exit altitudes, different disciplines, and ultimately the chance to pursue operational roles certified by ENAC. In this article I'll walk you through every step, with indicative requirements, so you know exactly where you stand and where you're headed.

First Things First: Who Issues the Licenses and Who Regulates the Activity

It's worth clarifying this upfront, because confusion is common. In Italy there are two bodies with distinct and complementary roles:

• AeCI (Aero Club d'Italia) → issues sport skydiving licenses (A, B, C, D) and manages membership through affiliated local aero clubs. It is the governing sport body.
• ENAC (Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile) → publishes the technical-operational regulations for skydiving, certifies skydiving schools, and issues operational licenses (Tandem Master, AFF Instructor, Jump Director).

In short: your A license is AeCI. The school where you earn it is ENAC-certified. These are two separate things — and both are required.

The Starting Point: The AFF Course at an ENAC-Certified School

Before we talk about licenses, you need to complete a course. The standard pathway in Italy today is the AFF (Accelerated Freefall) course: a progressive program that has you exiting the aircraft from the very first level, accompanied by qualified instructors in freefall. The traditional alternative is Static Line (SL), still offered at some schools, where your first exits use an automatic opening device attached to the aircraft.

The AFF course typically consists of 7–9 progressive levels, each with specific technical objectives (stability, turns, solo freefall, deployment). Once you've passed all the levels and completed the required consolidation jumps, you can sit the exam for your first license. All of this takes place at an ENAC-certified skydiving school — don't cut corners with uncertified operations, because your training and your safety depend on it.

The Full Progression: A, B, C, and D Licenses at a Glance

Here's an overview of the four levels. The jump numbers below are indicative and based on the AeCI framework: regulations are updated periodically, so always verify the current details directly on the AeCI website or with your school.

A LICENSE — The First Milestone

Indicative requirements:
• Completion of the AFF (or SL) course, including passing the practical and written exam
• Minimum total number of jumps (typically around 25, combining AFF levels and consolidation jumps — verify the current figure)
• Knowledge of basic emergency procedures
• Membership with an AeCI-affiliated aero club

What it allows you to do:
• Jump independently at your dropzone without an instructor
• Jump with other licensed skydivers, with some discipline restrictions
• Continue progressing toward the B license

Real-world example: Mario is 28 years old, weighs 78 kg, and has no health issues flagged by his medical exam. He completes the AFF course over six weeks, completes the required consolidation jumps, and passes the written and practical exam. He earns his AeCI A license. From that point he can jump solo — but he still needs to build experience before accessing more technical disciplines.

B LICENSE — True Operational Autonomy

Indicative requirements:
• Minimum total number of jumps (typically around 50–100 — verify the current figure)
• Demonstrated competency in freefall and on the ground
• More in-depth knowledge of canopy flight theory

What it allows you to do:
• Access a wider range of activities at the dropzone
• Participate in group jumps with formations (FS — Formation Skydiving, the discipline in which multiple skydivers build formations in freefall)
• Begin exploring disciplines beyond the standard stable body position

C LICENSE — Specialization

Indicative requirements:
• Higher minimum total jump count (typically in the hundreds — verify the current figure)
• Specific competencies in one or more disciplines
• Eligibility to compete in national competitions

What it allows you to do:
• Access advanced disciplines such as Freefly (FF: flying head-down or seated, with speeds that can exceed 280–300 km/h), CF (Canopy Formation, building formations with open canopies), or wingsuit (a suit that increases aerodynamic drag and reduces descent speed)
• Participate in organized events and competitions
• Begin approaching the requirements for ENAC operational licenses

D LICENSE — The Highest Sport Level

Indicative requirements:
• High total jump count
• Documented experience across multiple disciplines
• Often a prerequisite (alongside other specific requirements) for applying for ENAC operational licenses such as AFF Instructor or Tandem Master

What it allows you to do:
• Operate at the highest sport levels
• Apply — if you choose — for ENAC operational license courses, which allow you to teach, conduct professional tandem jumps, or direct jumps as a Jump Director

Important note: the D license is the top tier of sport licensing, but operational licenses (Instructor, Tandem Master, Jump Director) are a separate pathway, regulated by ENAC, with their own additional requirements.

Summary Table: A, B, C, and D Licenses at a Glance

| License | Body | Min. jumps (indicative) | Discipline access | Notes |
|---------|-------|------------------------|-------------------|-------|
| A | AeCI | ~25 (verify) | Basic solo jumping | First license, post-AFF/SL course |
| B | AeCI | ~50–100 (verify) | FS, formations | Real operational autonomy |
| C | AeCI | Hundreds (verify) | FF, CF, wingsuit, competitions | Specialization |
| D | AeCI | High (verify) | All | Prerequisite for ENAC operational licenses |

Exact numbers must always be verified against the current AeCI regulations or through your ENAC-certified school. Don't rely on figures you've heard at the dropzone — the regulations are the only authoritative source.

General Requirements That Apply at Every Level

Before thinking about which license you want to reach, make sure you meet the basic requirements:

1. Minimum age — Typically 16 with parental consent to begin a course, 18 for full autonomy. Verify the current figure in the applicable ENAC regulations.
2. Medical clearance — A certificate of fitness for sport activity is required. The type of certificate (standard or competitive) may vary depending on your level of activity. Your school will tell you exactly what's needed.
3. AeCI membership — To obtain and renew your licenses you must be a member of an AeCI-affiliated aero club. Membership is renewed annually.
4. Physical requirements — The school and instructor may apply weight limits and physical fitness criteria based on ENAC regulations and individual assessment. This isn't discrimination — it's safety.
5. Up-to-date logbook — Every jump must be logged. Your logbook is your record of progression and will be checked at every license exam.

How Long Does It Take? A Realistic Timeline

There's no standard timeframe, because it depends on how often you jump, the season, weather conditions, and your personal progression. That said, here's a realistic scenario to give you a sense of direction:

• A license: anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for someone jumping regularly on weekends during the spring and summer season.
• B license: generally at least one full season of activity after the A license, often more.
• C license: several years for someone jumping consistently and dedicating themselves to specific disciplines.
• D license: years of steady practice, competitions, and advanced training.

Real-world example: Giulia is 24 years old. She starts her AFF course in April, completes all the levels by May, does her consolidation jumps through May and June, passes her exam, and earns her A license in July. She jumps regularly through the rest of the summer and into autumn, builds experience in FS, and by the end of the season is approaching the requirements for her B license. It's not a race — every jump counts.

Safety: What You Need to Know Before You Start

Skydiving is an activity with managed risk — not zero risk. Each license isn't just a piece of paper: it's certification that you have the skills to independently handle increasingly complex situations, including emergencies. That's why the progression is gradual and cannot be skipped.

Some things that are non-negotiable:

• Never jump without the appropriate training for the type of jump you're doing.
• Never buy used gear without the supervision of a qualified rigger: the rig (the complete system of parachute, container, and harness) must be suited to your level and body size.
• An AAD (Automatic Activation Device) is not optional for first-level license holders: check the regulatory requirements.
• Any jump outside your technical comfort zone should be discussed with your instructor beforehand — not after.

If someone tells you 'come on, you don't need a license, it's just a jump' — that's the person you should not be jumping with.

In Summary: Your Roadmap

Here's the full pathway laid out clearly:

1. Choose an ENAC-certified skydiving school.
2. Complete the AFF (or SL) course through all required levels.
3. Complete the required consolidation jumps.
4. Pass the written and practical exam → earn your AeCI A license.
5. Build experience, jump numbers, and skills → B license.
6. Specialize in one or more disciplines → C license.
7. Reach the required technical maturity and jump count → D license.
8. If you want to teach or conduct professional tandem jumps → separate pathway for ENAC operational licenses.

Every step has its own timeline. Don't rush: the sky isn't going anywhere, but a jump made before you're ready can have serious consequences. Build your progression carefully, choose your school wisely, and enjoy every jump for what it is — a skill that sharpens with time.