From AFF Graduate to A-License: Your Complete Guide

Last Updated: January 2026 | By Juan & Christina Arango, USPA Examiners

Your complete guide to navigating solo progression after AFF—from your first solo jump through earning your A-License.

📋 Quick Navigation

→ Staying Current: The 30-Day Rule → Your New Responsibilities → Essential Video Resources → Understanding Your A-License Progression Card → Planning Each Jump → Coached vs. Solo Jumps → Cost Management & Budgeting → Post-AFF Nerves Are Normal → Who Can You Jump With? → Canopy & Landing Skills → 25-Jump Progression Reference

The Structure Changed, But You're Still on Track

Congratulations! You've completed your AFF jumps and are now cleared for solo freefall. This is a thrilling new phase where you have the freedom to practice and explore—but it also means you're fully in charge.

Here's what changes after AFF:

During your student progression, your instructors told you exactly what to work on each jump. Now? You're the driver. You still have your A-License proficiency card to guide you, but it's up to you to decide which skills to tackle, when to practice them, and how to make every jump count toward your A-License (which requires a minimum of 25 total jumps—including your AFF jumps).

This guide will help you navigate this transition—from understanding your new responsibilities to planning strategic jumps that build real skills while staying safe and having fun.

1. Staying Current: The 30-Day Rule

⚠️ Critical USPA Requirement
You must jump at least once every 30 days to remain current during your A-License progression. If you exceed 30 days between jumps, you'll need recurrency training—which means repeating your last jump with an instructor and incurring additional costs.

This isn't just a bureaucratic rule—it's about safety and skill retention. Your freefall and canopy skills deteriorate faster than you think, especially at low jump numbers.

Strategies for Staying Current

Plan ahead: Look at your calendar for the next 30 days. When can you realistically jump?
Jump on less busy days: If your DZ is open on weekdays, take advantage—less crowded, more instructor availability, faster load times
Build weather contingency: Don't wait until day 28 to schedule your jump—weather might not cooperate
Budget for it: Staying current is cheaper than recurrency training
Winter jumping: If you're in a seasonal climate, factor in months when you can't jump

💡 Reality Check
If you can't commit to jumping every 30 days, you may want to pause your progression until you have more consistent availability. Starting and stopping repeatedly costs more money and slows your learning.

2. Your New Responsibilities

Welcome to being a self-sufficient jumper! Here's what you're now fully responsible for:

2.1. Gear & Pre-Jump Checks

If you're renting gear, remember: you're now fully in charge of your pre-jump checks. Rental gear can be the most abused equipment at the dropzone, so be thorough. Don't skip steps because you're excited or in a hurry.

Your Pre-Jump Checklist:

Inspect container, pilot chute, bridle, and pins
Check RSL and AAD (confirm it's on and set to student mode)
Verify altimeter is working and zeroed
Test leg straps, chest strap, and all adjustment points
Confirm main and reserve handles are accessible and secure
When in doubt, ask someone to double-check your gear

📹 Need a Refresher?
Watch our student gear check video on YouTube for a detailed walkthrough.

2.2. Manifesting Etiquette

You're in charge of manifesting yourself now. Make the manifestor's life (and yours) easier:

Be packed and ready before manifesting
Smile and politely ask which load you can get on
Remember your load number and call time
Avoid changing your mind about loads or altitudes once manifested
Gear up early: Start gearing up at least 10 minutes (15 at busier DZs) before your call time
If you're rushing, miss the load—it's better to be safe than sorry. A misrouted chest strap can kill you.
Higher pulls: If you plan to pull above 3,500 feet, let others on the load know so they can help position you for appropriate exit order

2.3. Clothing Considerations

Whether jumping in warm or cold weather, if you're not wearing a jumpsuit, be aware of potential issues with your clothing:

⚠️ Clothing Safety Checklist

Pockets: Zip up all pockets—anything loose can fly out in freefall
Hoods: Keep hoods secured and out of the way so they don't block your vision or catch wind
Tucked in: Tuck in all shirts and layers securely so they don't ride up and cover your handles
Drawstrings: Secure or remove drawstrings that could catch on gear
Handle check: Do a final handle check before boarding to ensure clothing hasn't shifted over your cutaway or reserve handles

Loose clothing can cover your emergency handles in freefall—a potentially fatal mistake. When in doubt, wear a jumpsuit.

3. Essential Video Resources

These instructional videos will help you throughout your A-License progression. Watch them multiple times as you build experience:

💡 Pro Tip
Bookmark these videos and watch them multiple times. You'll notice new details each time as your understanding deepens.

4. Understanding Your A-License Progression Card

You still have structure—your A-License proficiency card outlines exactly what skills you need to demonstrate. The difference? No instructor is telling you what to work on each jump. That's your job now.

What's on Your Card

Freefall skills: Floating exits, diving exits, adjusting fall rate, moving forward to take a dock, tracking
Canopy skills: Flight patterns, landing accuracy, emergency procedures
Jump requirements: Coached jumps, hop-and-pops, solo practice jumps
Knowledge requirements: Spotting, aircraft emergencies, equipment, regulations

Your proficiency card is your roadmap. Review it regularly and plan which skills you'll work on each jump day.

⚠️ Critical Safety Note
Do not attempt to practice new freefall skills (floating exits, diving exits, adjusting fall rate, moving forward to dock, tracking) on your own without first being taught by a coach.

After each coached jump where you learn a new skill, you should continue practicing that skill on subsequent solo jumps to build proficiency.

5. Planning Each Jump

This is a big shift from AFF, where everything was dictated for you. Now, you plan your entire jump from start to finish before you even get on the plane:

Your Jump Planning Checklist

Exit type: How will you get out? (Poised, floater, solo dive?)
Freefall maneuvers: What skills will you practice? (Turns, tracking, stability practice?)
Maneuver timing: Perform all disorienting or faster fall rate maneuvers (flips, barrel rolls, tracking) at the beginning of your jump when you have maximum altitude
Pull altitude: Confirm your deployment height (typically 3,500 feet for students)
Canopy maneuvers: Plan your canopy work (rear riser turns? Half-braked flare practice?)
Landing pattern: Visualize your approach and target landing area
Landing accuracy goal: Identify your target before every jump—even "fun" jumps

Exit Order & Separation

It's your responsibility to know the load's exit order and the required separation time between groups on jump run. (Hint: it's not always 3-5 seconds!) Ask the pilot or load organizer if you're unsure.

Spotting

You're in charge of spotting for yourself now. Know how to open the door in case it becomes your responsibility. Learn this on the ground from an experienced jumper.

📷 Camera Rule

At many dropzones, jumping with a camera—even a GoPro or cell phone for selfies—is not permitted until you have 100+ jumps. The USPA recommends skydivers have 200+ jumps before adding the distraction of a camera.

Cameras shift your focus from flying safely to getting footage, which has led to accidents and fatalities. Check your dropzone's specific camera policy and respect it—your life depends on maintaining focus during these early jumps.

6. Coached vs. Solo Jumps

Your path to A-License includes both coached jumps (working with a USPA Coach) and solo jumps (you're on your own). Understanding the difference is key:

6.1. Coached Jumps

AFF got you to solo freefall, but it didn't teach you group freefall skills. Your coached jumps fill that gap. You must complete coached jumps with a USPA Coach to learn:

Floating exits and diving exits
Adjusting your fall rate to match others
Moving forward to take a dock
Tracking and horizontal movement
Breakoff procedures and separation

⚠️ Important
You must first be taught these skills by a coach before attempting them on your own. After each coached jump where you learn a new skill, continue practicing that skill on your solo jumps to build proficiency and muscle memory.

Check your proficiency card to see which jumps require a coach and which skills they'll be evaluating.

6.2. Solo Jumps

These are your jumps to practice skills on your own. Use them strategically:

Practice skills you've learned from coached jumps (exits, fall rate, tracking)
Perfect your stability and body position
Work on landing accuracy
Build canopy skills confidence
Complete hop-and-pops (required)

💡 Don't Waste Solo Jumps
Every jump should have an objective—whether it's perfecting a floating exit you learned yesterday, or landing within 20 meters of target.

7. Cost Management & Budgeting

Let's talk money. Getting to 25 jumps adds up fast, so here's what to budget for:

Typical Costs Per Jump

Item	Cost Range
Jump ticket	$25-35
Gear rental	$35-50
Packing (if paying packer)	$10
Coached jump fee	Varies by DZ
Total per jump	$70-100+

Total for remaining jumps to A-License: Varies based on where you finished AFF, but expect $1,000-2,000+

The Packing Trade-Off

You can save $10 per jump by packing your own main parachute, but there's a catch:

Pros:

Save money ($10/jump adds up)
Develop critical packing skills that atrophy quickly without practice
You'll never get better at packing if you don't practice it

Cons:

Limits how many jumps you can make in a day (packing takes 15-30 minutes)
Takes time away from studying, debriefing, or planning your next jump

💡 Our Recommendation
Pack at least once every day you're at the dropzone. This builds the skill while still allowing you to pay the packer for additional jumps that day so you can maximize jump frequency. Packing is a perishable skill—practice it regularly or it deteriorates fast.

Staying Current Saves Money

Missing the 30-day currency window costs you extra—you'll pay for recurrency training on top of the jump. Jumping regularly is actually the most cost-effective approach.

Consider Used Gear Around Jump 50

If you're committed to the sport, buying used gear around 50 jumps often makes financial sense compared to continued rental fees. Talk to riggers and experienced jumpers about what's appropriate for your skill level.

8. Post-AFF Nerves Are Normal

💡 Here's something nobody tells you:
Many jumpers feel MORE nervous on their first true solo jumps than they did during AFF.

Why? During AFF, you had instructors right there with you. Even when they let go on later levels, you knew they were watching and ready to help. Now? You're truly on your own.

Common Post-AFF Feelings

Imposter syndrome: "Am I really ready for this?"
Decision anxiety: "What if I make a mistake and there's no instructor to fix it?"
Responsibility weight: "Everything depends on me now"
Performance pressure: "I don't want to look like I don't know what I'm doing"

This Is Completely Normal

These feelings are a good sign—they mean you're taking your safety seriously and respecting the sport. Here's how to manage them:

Build confidence gradually: Don't try advanced maneuvers right away. Master the basics first.
Plan conservatively: Simple jump plans executed well beat ambitious plans executed poorly
Debrief yourself: After each jump, review what went well and what needs work
Get video feedback: You won't get feedback on your freefall skills unless you're jumping with someone capturing video. Ask coaches or instructors to review your jump footage when available.
Get landing feedback: Even without freefall video, you can improve your canopy work. Ask someone—even a friend on the ground—to capture video of your landing pattern and landing. This feedback is invaluable for improving accuracy and pattern consistency.
Embrace the learning curve: Every experienced jumper went through this phase

The nerves will fade as your confidence grows. Give yourself grace during this transition.

9. Who Can You Jump With?

⚠️ Before earning your A-License, you can only jump with:

USPA Instructors
USPA Coaches
USPA D-License holders (at some dropzones)

You cannot jump with other A-License holders or unlicensed students during this phase. This restriction exists for your safety and proper skill development.

At Larger Dropzones

Be proactive. Nobody's going to seek you out—you need to introduce yourself and express interest in jumping.

Talk to load organizers: They can match you with appropriate coaches or suggest skills to work on
Ask instructors for recommendations: "I need to work on [skill]. Who should I jump with?"
Introduce yourself: "Hi, I'm [name], I just finished AFF and I'm working on [skill]. Do you have availability for a coached jump?"
Hang out at the DZ: Be present on the ground. Relationships form naturally around packing, debriefing, and hangar talk
Join DZ social media groups: Many dropzones have Facebook groups or Discord servers for scheduling coached jumps

10. Canopy & Landing Skills

Every jump is an opportunity to improve your canopy skills. Your canopy is what gets you safely back to the ground—treat it with respect and continuous focus.

Landing Accuracy Requirements

For your A-License, you need to demonstrate landing accuracy:

2 landings within 25 meters (82 feet) of target
3 landings within 20 meters (66 feet) of target

These distances are achievable, but they require consistent practice and good pattern work.

Pattern vs. Accuracy: What Matters Most?

💡 Critical Priority
While accuracy is a goal, an appropriate landing pattern is of primary concern on every jump. Never sacrifice safety for accuracy. A good pattern that results in a landing 30 meters from target is better than a dangerous low turn that gets you on target.

Canopy Skills to Practice

Holding area management: Stay in your designated area until it's time to enter the pattern
Pattern consistency: Fly the same pattern every time (downwind, base, final)
Wind assessment: Identify wind direction and adjust your pattern accordingly
Flare timing: Practice flaring at the correct height for your canopy
Rear riser turns: Practice when required on your proficiency card
Half-braked approaches: Learn to control descent rate with partial brake input

Identify your target before EVERY jump—even fun jumps. Building consistent landing habits now will serve you for your entire skydiving career.

11. Other Duties: Beyond the Sky

Logging Your Jumps

You are responsible for logging each jump. Record:

Jump number
Freefall time
What you did (maneuvers, skills practiced)
Landing accuracy (within 2m / 6.5 ft, 10m / 33 ft, 20m / 66 ft, 25m / 82 ft)
Signature from a licensed skydiver on EVERY jump

Your logbook is your official record. Keep it accurate and up to date.

Post-Jump Equipment Care

Take care of your equipment (rental or owned):

Avoid dragging fabric across the ground
Keep gear out of direct sunlight when not in use
Report any damage or concerns to the gear room immediately
Don't leave your rig sitting on hot pavement

Your Safety, Your Responsibility

Always double-check with an instructor or coach whenever you have questions. Never hesitate to ask for advice regarding what you should or should not do in freefall or under canopy. Your safety is paramount, and there are no stupid questions.

12. Last Helpful Hint: Embrace Weather Holds!

Show up on bad weather days. Some of the best learning happens on the ground! When jumping isn't possible due to weather, it's a prime opportunity to:

Talk with instructors and experienced jumpers
Ask questions you've been wondering about
Watch packing demonstrations
Study your proficiency card and plan upcoming jumps
Build relationships in the skydiving community
Learn from war stories and experiences

The hangar culture is where much of skydiving knowledge gets passed down. Be present for it.

13. 25-Jump Progression Reference

Here's a suggested progression through your A-License jumps. Your actual progression may vary based on your proficiency card, instructor recommendations, and dropzone requirements. Use this as a general guide:

Jump #	Category	Freefall Skills	Canopy Skills	Review Topics
1	A	Maintain an arch and awareness of altitude and hand signals	Follow radio instructions and attempt to fly a recognizable pattern	Emergency procedures; PLF
2	B	Better exit and body position than the previous jump; leg control	Stay in the holding area with minimal assistance; attempt to fly a recognizable pattern; focus on flare height	Alternate landing areas
3	C1	Heading and hover control; earn the release	Stay in the holding area and fly a pattern with minimal assistance; attempt to flare at the correct height; flight cycle drill
4	C2	Heading and hover control with a single instructor; solo pull (instructor is not gripped)	Fly pattern and flare with minimal assistance; flight cycle drill
5	D1	Freefall turns	Rear riser turns; Fly pattern and flare without assistance; work on accuracy	Emergency procedures
6	D2	Freefall turns	Rear riser turns; Fly pattern and flare without assistance; work on accuracy
7	E1	Instability maneuvers: front loop, back loop, barrel rolls	Sweet spot drill; Fly pattern and flare without assistance; work on accuracy	Aircraft procedures
8	E2	Instability maneuvers: front loop, back loop, barrel rolls	Sweet spot drill; Fly pattern and flare without assistance; work on accuracy
9	E	First solo jump: have fun, be safe!
10	Solo	Instability maneuver, followed by freefall turns	Half-braked flare; accuracy	Freefall drift
11	F1	Flat tracking	Half-braked flare; accuracy	Power lines
12	Solo	Practice tracking	Half-braked flare; accuracy	Spotting
13	F2	Flat tracking refinement
14	F	Hop n pop from 5500'
15	F	Hop n pop from 3500'
16	Solo	Practice tracking		RSL and MARDs
17	G1	Moving forward to dock; breakoff sequence	Glide path and turn reversals	Trees
18	G2	Adjusting fall rate	Glide path and turn reversals
19	Solo	Practice tracking and adjusting fall rate	Glide path and turn reversals	Freefall drift
20	G3	Adjust fall rate and then move forward to dock	Glide path and turn reversals
21	Solo
22	Solo	Dive to dock	Low turn recovery
23	H1	Dive to dock	Low turn recovery	Water landings
24	H2	Dive to dock	Low turn recovery
25		A License check out dive!

Note: This table shows the typical USPA ISP (Integrated Student Program) progression. Categories with numbers (C1, C2, etc.) indicate coached jumps with a USPA Coach. "Solo" jumps are your independent practice jumps. Your actual progression may vary based on your dropzone's specific curriculum and your proficiency card requirements.

You've Got This

The post-AFF phase is where you truly become a skydiver. Yes, it's more responsibility. Yes, it requires discipline and intentionality. But it's also where the magic happens—where you start to find your own style, build real skills, and discover what you love about this sport.

Make every jump count. Stay current. Ask questions. Build community. Have fun.

Welcome to the next chapter of your skydiving journey. We're here to support you every step of the way.

Need More Support?

Preparing for your A-License exam? Check out our A-License Exam Prep Guide for comprehensive review of BSRs, emergency procedures, and regulations.

Already have your A-License? Ready to work toward your B-License? Download our B-License Roadmap for strategic guidance on your next 25 jumps.