Learn to Skydive at Skydive Arizona
Ready to earn your USPA A License? Our Accelerated Skydiving Program in Eloy, Arizona takes you from a required tandem skydive through ground school, instructor jumps, solo progression, and coached jumps. Complete your license in as little as seven days or train at your own pace.
Future skydivers welcome • Train in Eloy, Arizona—between Phoenix & Tucson
How to Get Your Skydiving License
- How many jumps do I need? A minimum of 25 skydives, plus USPA proficiency, written, oral, and check-dive requirements.
- How long does it take? Some students finish in as little as 7–10 days; others progress over several weeks or months.
- Do I need experience first? You’ll need a tandem skydive completed within the prior 12 months before entering the program.
- Where do I train? At Skydive Arizona in Eloy, Arizona.
2026 Ground School Dates
Seats are limited! Please call to confirm availability.
- February 7, 13, 21, 27
- March 7, 13, 21, 27
- April 4, 10, 18, 24
- May 2, 8, 16, 22
- June 6, 20
- July 10, 16, 25 (July 11th is World Skydiving Day!)
- August 8, 22
- September 12, 26
- October 2, 10, 17, 24, 30
- November 7, 13, 21
- December 4, 12, 18, 26
2027 Ground School Dates
Seats are limited! Please call to confirm availability.
- January: 2, 8, 16, 22, 30
- February: 5, 13, 19, 27
- March: 5, 13, 19, 27
- April: 2, 10, 16, 24, 30
- May: 8, 14, 22 , 28
- June: 12, 26
- July: 10, 24
- August: 14, 28
- September: 11, 25
- October: 1, 9, 15, 23, 29
- November: 6, 12, 20, 27
- December: 3, 11, 17, 20, 27
Accelerated Skydiving Program: From Tandem to A License
Step One
Complete A Tandem Skydive
Your journey begins with a tandem skydive—the best introduction to freefall, parachute flight, and landing. You’ll need to complete a tandem within 12 months before starting the Accelerated Skydiving Program.
Tandem Skydive $259
Student/military $239 w/ valid ID.
For groups of 4+ please call.
Step Two
Attend Ground School
Often referred to as the First Jump Course (FJC), this classroom based portion of the program will cover:
- Equipment orientation
- Freefall body position & main deployment
- Basic canopy piloting skills & landing hazards
- Equipment problems & emergency procedures; and
- Aircraft procedures
There is a lot of information to cover, so plan on spending the day with us.
All students must have completed a tandem skydive in the past 12 months to take this course.
Step Three
Build Skills in the Wind Tunnel
Inside of a 14-foot wind chamber, you will practice the physical skills needed to be successful in the sky.
With an instructor, you will learn stable body positioning, turns, and practice deployment.
Your time will be recorded and put on to a USB Flash drive. Your skydiving instructors will be able to review it with you to prepare for your first skydive – Category A.
Step Four
Make Your Instructor Jumps
Category A Skydive. This is the skydive you have been preparing for! You will have two instructors with you during your jump. Once you deploy your parachute, you will rely on the skills you learned during ground school to navigate yourself to a pre-determined landing area.
Category B-E Skydives. Once you have passed your Cat-A jump, you will progress through the next six jumps. Each of these jumps is with one instructor. You must pass all objectives on each jump to progress.
These jumps will prepare you for your first SOLO jump.
Step Five
Begin Solo Jumps
Once you’ve demonstrated the required skills, you’ll begin making solo jumps. This is where you put your training into practice and build confidence under your own parachute.
Your progression up until this point will prepare you for your solo skydives. These jumps are helpful to refine your skills and put into practice what you have already learned.
The next step will be your coached jumps!
Step Six
Progress Through Coached Jumps
Coached jumps develop the next level of freefall control, movement, and group-skydiving awareness. You’ll continue working one-on-one with experienced instructors as you move toward your A License.
- Stability control
- Deployment at the correct altitude
- Landing in a clear area
- Knowledge of the equipment.
The remaining three categories, F-H, prepare you for more advanced freefall control. More importantly, you get ready for skydiving in groups—in freefall and under canopy!
Your next 13 jumps will be supervised by one of our instructors who will coach you through the next set of skills!
Step Seven
Learn to Pack Your Parachute
After you complete your instructor jumps and begin working on your solo and coached jumps, you’ll take a hands-on packing class with an instructor or FAA parachute rigger. You’ll learn how to pack your own main parachute and complete proper gear checks.
They will help you learn how to pack your own parachute and perform proper gear checks for other skydivers. After learning how to pack, you will skydive with at least one of your own pack jobs!
Step Eight
Pass Your A-License Exam
Yes, you will need to do a little book work to receive your A-license.
Up until this point, you will have completed a short quiz for every jump category A-H. These quizzes are openly discussed with your instructors to ensure you are comprehending the information beyond the physical skills of skydiving.
The final exam pulls information from those quizzes and other resources like the Skydiver’s Information Manual.
Step Nine
Complete Your A-License Check Dive
You have now completed at least 24 skydives, and you know how to supervise yourself as an independent skydiver. The check dive is your opportunity to demonstrate the freefall, canopy, landing, and safety skills you’ve developed throughout the program. An instructor will verify that you’re ready for independent skydiving.
On this jump, you will:
- Spot for yourself and choose a comfortable exit
- Perform a 360-degree turn to the right and left
- Perform a back loop
- Close a distance of at least 20ft with the instructor and dock on them
- Initiate break-off at the appropriate time and track a minimum of 100 feet
- Deploy by 3,000 feet
- Follow your preselected landing pattern
Step Ten
Earn Your USPA A License
After completing a minimum of 25 skydives, passing your A-License exam and check-dive, you are ready to submit your A-License application to the USPA.
With your A-License, you will be able to:
Skydive at any USPA affiliated dropzone
Rent or purchase skydiving equipment
Begin taking supplemental courses for additional licenses and ratings
Congratulations, and welcome to the skydiving family!
What Does it Cost to Get Your Skydiving License?
Program cost varies by pace and package. Explore current Accelerated Skydiving Program pricing and ask our team which route fits your goals.
What Does it Cost to Get a Skydiving License?
Program cost varies by pace and package. Explore current Accelerated Skydiving Program pricing and ask our team which route fits your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a skydiving license?
You’ll complete ground school, instructor-assisted training jumps, solo and coached jumps, a packing class, written and oral exams, and an A-License check dive. Once you meet the USPA requirements and log at least 25 jumps, you can apply for your USPA A License.
How many jumps do I need for a skydiving license?
To earn a USPA A License, you must complete at least 25 skydives and satisfy the required training, proficiency-card, written, oral, and check-dive requirements.
Do I need a license to skydive alone?
Yes. You must complete the appropriate training and receive clearance from your instructors before making solo jumps. A USPA A License allows you to skydive independently at USPA-affiliated drop zones.
Do tandem jumps count toward a skydiving license?
Tandem jumps may count toward the 25-jump total when properly documented and verified, but you still must complete all required training and A-License proficiency requirements.
What is an Accelerated Skydiving Program?
Our Accelerated Skydiving Program is a structured path from your first tandem jump to a USPA A License. It combines ground training, instructor jumps, solo progression, coached jumps, packing instruction, and license testing.
How much does it cost to get a skydiving license?
The total cost depends on your training pace, number of jumps, tunnel time, and package selection. We offer program package pricing that can save up to 10%; contact us for current pricing and the best path for your goals.
Is there a weight restriction?
Yes. The maximum weight for most of our equipment is currently 220 pounds. If you are over 220 pounds, please call us so we can discuss your options.
What is the USPA?
The United States Parachute Association is the organization that establishes training standards, safety recommendations, and licensing requirements for skydivers in the United States.
Can I bring a Go-Pro on my skydives?
USPA regulations limit who can use cameras in freefall. You must have at least 200 skydives before jumping with a camera device in freefall.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes. We provide clean jumpsuits, goggles, and gloves when needed. Please avoid open-toed shoes and boots with hooks.
Will I need my own equipment?
No. You’ll use our student equipment throughout the program. After earning your license, you can rent equipment or begin building your own gear setup.
How long does the program take?
Some students complete the program in as little as 7–10 days. Because skydiving is weather-dependent and self-paced, others complete it over several weeks or months.
Will I be able to breathe in freefall?
Yes. The wind is intense, but you will be able to breathe normally throughout freefall.
I started my program at a different place. Can I transfer to your school?
Yes. We regularly work with transfer students. If you began training at a USPA drop zone, much of your completed training and logged jumps may transfer. Call us so we can review your logbook and progression.
What are the age limitations?
You must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit if you are healthy and have no restrictions that could affect your ability to skydive. We ask students over 65 to obtain a doctor’s recommendation.
Ready to Earn Your Skydiving License?
Your first tandem jump is just the beginning. Train with experienced instructors, build the skills to skydive independently, and work toward your USPA A License at your own pace—or complete the program in as little as seven days.
Choose your next step:
- Already completed a tandem? View upcoming ground school dates and start your Accelerated Skydiving Program.
- New to skydiving? Book your tandem skydive first and begin your path toward becoming a licensed skydiver.
- Transferring from another drop zone? Call us to review your experience and plan your next jump.