How Much Does Skydiving Certification Cost

Money, money, money: whether we like it or not, most of us have to consider cost before we get involved in new and exciting hobbies. Especially a hobby that requires a bit of an investment like skydiving. How much does skydiving certification cost? It’s going to depend on what your intention is.  The answer will be much different if you’re interested in the cost to become a licensed skydiver as opposed to the skydiving certification cost if you have ambitions to become an instructor. Here’s why.

Different Levels of Certification

Across the world, there are several levels of skydiving certification and different skydiving licenses costs. Within the sport of skydiving in the United States, there are four primary skydiving licenses: A, B, C, and D.  The skydiving license cost most people have in mind when they begin considering skydiving certification, and subsequently, the one we will discuss most thoroughly, is the “A” license. The “A” License is where everyone starts. It is what indicates to the skydiving world that you have received the appropriate amount of training to be able to jump with other licensed skydivers. 

Skydiving A License Cost

If you’ve already made a tandem skydive and are ready for more, you’ll be pleased to know you’re already on your way to receiving your “A” License. The training progression at WNY Skydiving utilizes two tandem skydiving levels. After progressing through these two levels, your next step will be the First Jump Course and packing class. After the successful completion of this course, you will move into the Accelerated Freefall program (AFF). To help cut down on the skydiving license cost, WNY Skydiving offers a Full AFF Package that includes the First Jump Course, packing class, a logbook, and six jumps for $100 less than the cost of paying each level individually. For a complete skydiving certification cost breakdown, look here. 

Once you have graduated from the AFF program, you will enter the skydiving coach program. Your coach jumps help you to develop more advanced freefall skills and maneuvers to prepare you to pass your “A” license check dive, receive your “A” license, and begin jumping with your friends! The $125 cost of each of these coach jumps includes your training, coach fee, gear rental, and of course, the jump!

What about other skydiving certification costs?

After receiving your “A” License, you can begin to work toward several admirable skydiving goals. You could work toward completing the necessary canopy maneuvers, water training and 50 jumps minimum to obtain your “B” License.  (P.s. at many skydiving facilities the “B” license is required to participate in helicopter, biplane and high-altitude skydiving.)

Or, if you aspire to be like one of the coaches that helped you along the way, you could set your sights on attaining the United States Parachute Association Coach Rating. This particular skydiving certification is the first instructional rating a skydiver can earn in the sport of skydiving. If you intend on pursuing further skydiving certification to become an Accelerated Freefall Instructor or a Tandem Skydiving Instructor, you’ll have to start here because a coach rating is required to attend any other instructor rating course. 

Each skydiving certification opens up new and exciting opportunities within the skydiving community. It might take some time and an investment of your funds but receiving your skydiving license is well worth the cost. Want to know more about skydiving certification costs? Feel free to call us today!