Learn · Compare schools

HOW TO CHOOSE A SCHOOL

Price is the worst way to choose an AFF school. Wrong choice = timeline and cost blow up. 9 objective criteria to compare — the framework anyone who's already done AFF would use.

9 CRITERIA — MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT

01

Active ENAC certification

Verify on ENAC registry the school is authorized for AFF. Unregistered operators = illegal + insurance void.

How to check: Public ENAC registry + ask for school certificate number.

CRITICAL

02

Operating aircraft count

Schools with 2+ planes = more jumps/day, less waiting. 1-plane schools = if it breaks, weekend is lost.

How to check: Ask how many planes + capacity (Cessna 182 = 4 pax, Porter PC-6 = 10).

HIGH

03

AFF instructor/student ratio

Standard: 1 instructor per 2–3 concurrent students in levels 1–3. Overcrowded schools = long waits + instructor fatigue.

How to check: Ask how many active AFF students in a typical weekend.

HIGH

04

Average annual weather

Southern Italy (Sicily, Puglia, Sardinia) = 40–60 more operational days/year than North. Huge timeline/budget impact.

How to check: Ask operational days/year (%). Serious schools know or can calculate.

HIGH

05

Weather cancellation policy

Each school handles differently: refund, voucher, flexible rescheduling. Ask upfront.

How to check: Read T&C + ask what happens if they cancel 3 weekends in a row.

MEDIUM

06

In-house reserve repack

Schools with qualified in-house rigger = controlled maintenance. Outsourcing can delay reserve cycles.

How to check: Ask if rigger is employee or external + how many reserve cycles/year.

HIGH

07

Rental vs sold gear

Do they rent or sell gear? Both ok, but sellers have incentive to push early purchase before you know what you need.

How to check: Ask for "course-only" package without gear purchase.

MEDIUM

08

Reviews and local community

Check Google reviews + ask in Italian forums (ParacadutismoItalia FB, Reddit r/skydiving). 50+ positive reviews = track record.

How to check: Google reviews + r/skydiving (search school name).

MEDIUM

09

Transparent cost vs bundles

Some schools give fixed AFF bundle price. Others bill per-jump. Both valid, but bundle = fewer surprises.

How to check: Ask for written quote with all line items (course, repeats, materials, exam).

LOW

6 RED FLAGS

If you find 2 or more in the same school, move on. None is worth the risk.

  • !Price "too low" vs average (€1,400 for full AFF): likely hidden line items missing.
  • !They can't tell you jumps per average weekend. Every serious school has this in CRM.
  • !They don't show ENAC registry or dodge the question. Biggest red flag.
  • !Instructors with less than 500 jumps on AFF levels 1–3 (most delicate). ENAC minimum = yes, but expect more.
  • !All-perfect 5★ reviews with no critical ones. Likely purchased.
  • !They don't show you the plane before the briefing. A serious school is transparent about gear.

INITIAL CALL — SCRIPT

These questions asked in a 10-minute call save you €1,000 and 3 months. If the school gets annoyed = you already have your answer.

1. Do you offer full AFF course? All-in price to A-license?

2. Average April weekend — how many jumps can I do as an AFF student?

3. How many operating planes? How many seats each?

4. How many certified AFF instructors? How many parallel students?

5. What happens if you cancel a weekend for weather? Refund, voucher, reschedule?

6. Is your reserve rigger in-house or external? How often maintenance?

7. What's your operational-days percentage over the year?

8. Can I see the ENAC registry and certification number?

START BY COMPARING

36 ENAC schools in Italy. Browse the public profiles, then apply the framework.

School list →

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