Formation Skydiving (belly)

After the A license (~25 jumps), typical progression is: 2-way consolidation → amateur 4-way → national competition. Competitive 4-way requires a stable team, 100+ jumps/year, and dedicated coaching.

12–36 months
Total time
6000–15000 €
Est. cost
5
Milestones
Beginner
Target level
01 — Context

The discipline in brief

Everyone starts here. Belly-to-earth at ~200 km/h terminal, building coded formations of 4, 8, 16, or more. FAI recognizes 4-way, 8-way, and big-way as standalone events. It's the discipline that teaches group flying, freefall communication, slot discipline, and approach timing — skills that remain useful across all other disciplines.

Key gear

Booty suit (wide legs) for surface area in freefall; student-level canopy 210-260 sqft by weight; RSL recommended.

02 — Prerequisites

What you need to start

Min. jumps
25+
Min. license
A
Tunnel hours
2h
Risk
Low

After A-license you can start 2-way; competitive 4-way requires 50+ jumps and dedicated coaching.

03 — Roadmap

5 milestones in sequence

01
License
Consolidated A license

25 minimum ENAC jumps + consolidation to 50 jumps for operational safety (deployment altitude, separation tracking, landing pattern).

Time
2–6 mo
02
Discipline
2-way FS coaching

First 10-20 jumps with dedicated FS coach. Learn approaches, coded grips, group separations.

  • Clean approach from 20 m
  • Controlled grip without drift
  • Separation at 1,500 m
Time
3–6 mo
Cost
600–1500 €
03
Total jumps
100 total jumps

Standard threshold for being "consolidated" in 2-way FS. From here, an amateur 4-way team becomes viable.

Time
6–12 mo
Cost
2000–4000 €
04
Discipline
4-way FS team

Build stable 4-person team + videomaker. Weekend coaching, 50-100 jumps/year/athlete. Typical goal: compete at national intermediate level.

  • Stable team > 6 months
  • 30+ team jumps
  • FAI-accredited coach
Time
12–24 mo
Cost
3000–8000 €
05
Competition
National FS championship

Participation in Italian FS Championship (levels: rookie, intermediate, advanced, open). CIP organizes 2-3 events/year.

Cost
400–800 €
04 — Competitions

FAI/IPC competition circuits

FS-4
4-way FS
★ World Championship
FS-8
8-way FS
★ World Championship
FS-VFS
Mixed Formation Skydiving
★ World Championship
05 — Evolution

Where it comes from, where it leads

Evolves to
Freefly
Disciplines
Technical sheet: FS / Belly
Open →
Hub
All progression roadmaps
Open →
Gear
Gear per discipline
Open →
Sources: USPA SIM (Section 6), FAI IPC Technical Rules, cross-verified Italian community. Timelines and costs are realistic ranges — not promises. Last revision: April 2026.