Tandem or AFF: Which Is the Right Choice to Start Skydiving

Are you wondering whether to do a tandem jump or sign up directly for an AFF course to get your skydiving license? It's the question I get asked most often at the manifest of the DZ in Fano, and I completely understand the dilemma: information out there is fragmented, prices aren't always clear, and the difference between the two options isn't always well explained. In this article I'll walk you through everything you need to know before deciding — without oversimplifying, and without leaving anything out.

First things first: what do you want to get out of it?

This is always the first question I ask. It's not a trivial one, because tandem and AFF serve completely different needs. Here's a quick breakdown:

| Goal | Right choice | |---|---| | I want to experience it once, with someone guiding me | Tandem | | I want to find out if skydiving is for me before investing in a course | Tandem (or instructional tandem) | | I want a license and to fly solo | AFF course | | I want to become an instructor or Tandem Master someday | AFF course (it's the mandatory starting point) |

The rule is simple: a tandem jump is not a licensing pathway. It's a wonderful experience, with extremely high safety standards, but at the end of the jump you haven't gained any independent skills. If your goal is to fly solo, you need to do AFF.

The tandem jump: what actually happens

In a tandem jump, you — the passenger — are harnessed to the front of a Tandem Master (TM), an instructor holding a specific ENAC operational license for this activity. You exit the aircraft together at around 4,000 meters, freefall for approximately 50–60 seconds, then the TM deploys the main canopy and pilots it to landing. You're there, you experience everything, but you control nothing.

That's not a drawback — it's simply the nature of the activity. A well-conducted tandem jump is an intense and safe experience. But it doesn't teach you how to handle an emergency, it doesn't teach you how to fly a canopy, and it doesn't give you the tools to jump solo. Full stop.

Some ENAC-certified skydiving schools offer what's known as an instructional tandem, where the jump is incorporated as the first step of a broader training pathway. In this case the TM explains what's happening and lets you try a few inputs on the controls. It's an interesting option if you want a gradual approach, but check with the school exactly how it's structured.

The AFF course: the real path to your license

AFF stands for Accelerated Freefall. It's the standard pathway to earn your first sport skydiving license, issued by AeCI (Aero Club d'Italia), the national federation responsible for sport skydiving in Italy.

The course must be completed at an ENAC-certified skydiving school (ENAC — Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile — is the authority that regulates operational activity). There is no such thing as a DIY AFF pathway or one run by uncertified schools: if someone offers you something outside this framework, that's a red flag.

Here is the typical structure of an AFF course in Italy:

1. Ground school — Before any jump, a theoretical and practical session where you learn body positions, emergency procedures, how the equipment works (the rig — the complete system of parachute, container, and harness), and safety protocols. This phase is non-negotiable.
2. Levels 1–3 — You exit the aircraft with two AFF instructors (AFF-Is) in freefall, one on each side. They physically hold you during freefall, correct your body position, and guide you through deployment. You are the one who pulls the pilot chute handle (pull altitude is typically above 1,500 meters, but confirm the current regulations with your school).
3. Levels 4–7 (or more) — Progressive reduction of support. First one instructor, then jumps where the instructor observes without holding you, through to supervised solo jumps. Each level has specific objectives that must be met before moving on.
4. Consolidation jumps — After completing the levels, a minimum number of additional jumps is required before you can sit the exam for your first license.
5. Exam — A theoretical and practical assessment. Pass it, and you receive your AeCI sport skydiving license.

Important: if you don't meet the objectives of a level, you repeat it. That's not a failure — it's standard practice, and any serious instructor will tell you so upfront. Progression is individual.

Requirements: who can do what

Before booking anything, verify these requirements directly with the school and in the current ENAC regulations, as thresholds may vary or be updated. Here are the general reference points:

Tandem:

• Age: typically 18; in some cases 16 with written parental consent (check with the DZ)
• Weight: each school sets its own limits, generally around 100–110 kg, sometimes lower depending on equipment
• Physical condition: no serious cardiac or neurological conditions; if in doubt, consult your doctor before booking
• No prior experience required

AFF course:

• Age: typically 18 for full autonomy; in some cases 16 with parental consent, but verify the current regulations
• Medical certificate: a sports fitness certificate is required
• Membership: you will need to join an AeCI-affiliated aero club
• Commitment: the course takes multiple days, often spread across several weekends or weeks, depending on weather conditions and aircraft availability

Here's a concrete example. Mario is 28 years old, weighs 85 kg, has no relevant medical conditions, and wants his license by the end of summer. He's never jumped in his life. The right choice for Mario is the AFF course at an ENAC-certified school. He could do a tandem first to get a feel for freefall, but it's not required — many people start directly with AFF and do just fine.

Giulia, on the other hand, is 35, weighs 70 kg, and has no interest in jumping solo: she wants to experience it once with her husband for their anniversary. For Giulia, a tandem jump is the perfect choice — there's no reason for her to sign up for an AFF course.

Costs and timelines: what to expect

I won't give you exact figures because they vary from school to school and change over time. But here are the parameters to help you get your bearings:

Tandem: a single tandem jump in Italy typically starts at a few hundred euros, depending on the DZ, exit altitude, and any add-ons (video, photos). Total time for the experience: roughly half a day including the briefing, waiting, the jump itself, and landing.

Full AFF course: the cost is significantly higher, as it includes ground training, all levels, consolidation jumps, membership, and the exam. Budget for an investment measured in several hundred euros, sometimes exceeding a thousand depending on the school and the number of repeated levels. Always ask for a detailed quote before enrolling, and confirm exactly what's included.

Timeline: an AFF course cannot be completed in a single weekend. Weather conditions in Italy are unpredictable, and each level requires a day with a suitable jump window. Allow anywhere from 4 to 8+ weeks to complete the course, depending on the season and your availability.

A word on safety — no sugarcoating

Skydiving is an activity that carries real risk, managed through training, procedures, and certified equipment. It is not 'completely safe' in the sense that zero risk does not exist — and anyone who tells you otherwise is not being straight with you.

What makes the difference is choosing an ENAC-certified skydiving school with instructors holding a valid ENAC operational license. Do not trust anyone operating outside this system. Always ask to see the school's certification. Every jump you make within an AFF course is supervised by professionals trained to handle emergencies — but your own training is an integral part of that safety. Don't skip briefings, don't underestimate emergency procedures, and don't cut corners on opening altitudes.

An AAD (Automatic Activation Device — common brands: Cypres, Vigil) is fitted to student equipment as an additional safety net. But it is not a substitute for training: it's the last link in a chain, not the first.

In summary: how to choose

Here's the final checklist to help you decide:

☐ I just want to experience it once → Tandem ☐ I'm not sure and want to try before committing → Tandem, then reassess ☐ I want a license and to fly solo → AFF course at an ENAC-certified school ☐ I have a long-term goal (instructor, advanced disciplines) → AFF course is the only starting point ☐ I'm under 18 → Contact the school and verify the current requirements under the applicable ENAC regulations ☐ I have health concerns → Talk to your doctor first, then to the school

Whatever you choose, do it at a reputable facility. Ask questions, verify things, ask the uncomfortable questions. A good instructor doesn't get impatient when you ask — they encourage it. I say this with years of experience and thousands of jumps behind me.