Can I Skydive Solo?

Yes! You Can Make Your First Skydive Solo in DeLand

When most people think about skydiving for the first time, they picture a tandem jump attached to an instructor. But what many don’t realize is that you can actually begin learning to skydive solo from your very first jump through a training method called Accelerated Freefall (AFF).

At Skydive DeLand, AFF is designed for people who want more than just the experience of skydiving – they want to learn the sport itself.

What Is AFF Skydiving?

Accelerated Freefall (AFF) is a first-time skydiving training program that teaches you how to become an independent skydiver and from here, earn your first skydiving license!

Unlike tandem skydiving, where you are attached to an instructor, AFF students:

  • Exit the aircraft on their own
  • Wear their own parachute system
  • Learn body position and altitude awareness
  • Practice stability and basic freefall skills
  • Deploy their own parachute
  • Fly and land under radio guidance

You are not “alone” in the process – instructors jump alongside you during the early levels to provide support and guidance in freefall.

Can Beginners Really Skydive Solo?

Yes. Thousands of people begin skydiving through AFF every year.

AFF was specifically developed to train first-time skydivers safely and efficiently through a structured progression system. Students receive:

  • Ground school training before jumping
  • Equipment instruction
  • Emergency procedure training
  • One-on-one coaching

Your first skydive includes preparation both on the ground and in the air, helping you build confidence before ever leaving the airplane.

AFF student in the middle learning to skydive with instructors on each side in freefall

Why People Choose to Skydive Solo

For many people, tandem skydiving is the introduction to the sport. But others know from the start that they want to fully learn how to skydive.

People choose AFF because they want:

  • A more hands-on experience
  • To learn real skydiving skills
  • To become licensed skydivers
  • More personal progression and challenge
  • To be part of the skydiving community

At Skydive DeLand, AFF students train in an environment deeply connected to the history and progression of the sport itself.

What Happens on Your First AFF Jump?

Your first AFF skydive begins with a detailed training course covering:

  • Aircraft procedures
  • Body position
  • Altitude awareness
  • Canopy control
  • Emergency procedures

Then it’s time to jump.

During the skydive:

  • Two instructors accompany you in freefall
  • You practice stability and awareness skills
  • You deploy your own parachute
  • You fly the canopy to the landing area with radio assistance

It’s one of the most immersive and rewarding ways to experience a first skydive.

Is AFF Better Than Tandem?

Not necessarily…  they’re simply different experiences.

Tandem Skydiving

Best for:

  • Trying skydiving for the first time
  • Bucket-list experiences
  • Less training commitment
  • Experiencing freefall with instructor guidance
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AFF Skydiving

Best for:

  • Learning to skydive independently
  • Becoming a licensed skydiver
  • Building long-term skills
  • Taking an active role in the jump

Some people begin with tandem.
Others jump directly into AFF.

Both are valid ways to start skydiving and all count towards your license requirements.

How Much Does It Cost to Skydive Solo?

AFF costs more than a tandem skydive because it includes:

  • Instructor training
  • Ground school
  • Specialized student equipment
  • Progression jumps

However, AFF is an investment into learning the sport rather than simply experiencing a single jump.

For current pricing and training information, visit:
👉 https://skydivedeland.com/learn-to-skydive/

AFF skydiving student learning to solo freefall at Skydive DeLand

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I skydive solo my first time?” – the answer is yes!

Learning to skydive through AFF is challenging, exciting, and incredibly rewarding. Every licensed skydiver started somewhere, and for many, it began with that very first solo skydive.

At Skydive DeLand, the next generation of skydivers starts here.

Can you skydive solo your first time?

Yes. Through Accelerated Freefall (AFF), first-time students can begin learning to skydive solo with instructor supervision and structured training.

What is AFF skydiving?

AFF (Accelerated Freefall) is a skydiving training program that teaches students how to skydive independently through ground school, instructor-guided freefall, and progressive skill development.

READY, SET, SOLO!