Blog

Introduction:

Are you interested in skiing and think you could make it your career? You don’t have to be passionate about becoming a professional skiing instructor – you need a certain number of jumps, proper training and a certificate. Each country has different rules (e.g. USPA in USA, BPA in the UK), and it also depends on the type of instructor (tandem, AFF, etc.).

How many jumps are required?

What training courses are available?

What is the certification process?

How much time and cost do you think?

If you are seriously thinking of becoming an instructor, this guide will clear all your doubts!

Basic Requirements to Become a Skydiving Instructor

 Excitement alone is not enough to become a skydive instructor! First of all, you:

✔ Minimum age should be 18+ years

✔ Medical fitness certificate required (it’s a dangerous sport!)

✔ Being a licensed skydiver (from an organization like the USPA/BPA) is required.

✔ Must have experience with 200-500+ jumps (depends on instructor type).

✔ Being first-aid & CPR certified is also important.

✔ Good communication skills are required,

Get experience first

Before getting the instructor certificate, you will need to get as much skydiving experience as possible. Here is a detailed description: Step-by-step progression: First jump course (FJC): Your skydiving journey begins with a tandem or solo jump. Many people choose a different program to progress faster. Solo license progression:

a-license (25 jumps): Jump alone under supervision.
b-license (50 jumps): Learn control and basic accuracy.
c-license (200 jumps): Training to jump at night and take off in water.
d-license (500 jumps): Advanced code, long freefall and more complex structures.

During this, focus on: Improving the position and stability of the body.
Look for different types of jumps (racing, trekking, free flying, etc.).
Log each jump with a description (starting, exit type, structures, etc.).

Choose Your Instructor Path

Once you’ve gained experience and earned your D-license, you can choose the type of instructor you want to become:

1. Tandem Instructor

If you love seeing the joy and excitement on someone’s face as they jump for the first time, then you’ll probably enjoy being a tandem instructor. You’ll be responsible for both you and the student during the jump.
Requirements:
• Minimum 500 jumps
• At least 3 years of skydiving experience
• Tandem training course from a certified organisation
Read my story: Tandem Skydiving: The Day I Jumped — to know what it’s like from a student’s view!

2. AFF (Accelerated Freefall) Instructor

If you enjoy teaching and want to help students learn to jump solo, the AFF instructor route is ideal.
The following are the Requirements:
• At least 6 hours of free-fall time
• Minimum 500 jumps
• AFF Instructor rating course completion
You’ll teach students everything from safety checks to exit techniques and canopy control.

Related Skydiving Guides You’ll Love

If you’re serious about this career (or just curious about skydiving in general), check out these helpful guides on my blog:
• 💰 How Much Does Skydiving Cost? — A full breakdown of prices, from tandem jumps to training costs.
• 👕 What to Wear for Skydiving — Learn how to dress right for comfort and safety.
• 🪂 Tandem Skydiving: The Day I Jumped — My personal story of my first jump experience.
• 🛡️ Is Parachuting Safe? — Everything you need to know about safety and equipment.
• 🌤️ Is Skydiving Worth the Risk? — Honest thoughts on fear, excitement, and freedom.
These articles will help you understand not only the career side of skydiving but also the heart and thrill behind every jump.