learn to skydive
Learn to skydive with Skydive Auckland's AFF program and you can be skydiving solo in only 8 jumps!
Skydive Auckland’s AFF skydive training program will teach you all the skills you require to be able to skydive solo, learning comprehensive skills for flying your body and piloting your parachute. Upon completion of our learn to skydive program you will be able to skydive on your own – what an achievement.
Accelerated Free Fall Program (AFF)
Ground Training Course | $229 |
AFF Level 1 | $399 |
AFF Level 2 | $399 |
AFF Level 3 | $399 |
AFF Level 4 | $399 |
AFF Level 5 | $299 |
AFF Level 6 | $299 |
AFF Level 7 | $299 |
AFF Level 8 | $299 |
Solo Skydive (after level 8) | $95 |
Refresh Course (if required) | $50 |
Ground Training Course
The first step towards learning to skydive is to complete one of our AFF Ground Training Courses, which take place once per month. This 1-day skydiving course lasts 8 hours and teaches you everything you need to know, including how to exit the plane, hold a specific body position and fly and land your parachute safely. At the end of the day you are ready to throw yourself out of a plane and start your journey to skydiving solo. Following completion of the Ground Training Course you can choose to take to the skies to do your Level AFF 1 jump on the same day, weather permitting.
The total price of the full AFF course, assuming you do not need to repeat any AFF jumps or do a refresh course, costs $2,991 NZD. Learning to skydive solo at Skydive Auckland with our 8 level AFF program is on a ‘pay as you go’ basis. This means you only pay on the day, for the skydives that you do. All jumps include equipment hire, parachute packing and full instructor briefing and debriefing.
How quickly you progress through the AFF programme depends on several factors such as your ability, availability and the weather. We have had students complete the AFF programme in 3 days with perfect weather conditions. You need to do at least one jump every 30 days to meet NZPIA requirements otherwise a theory refresh course would be required.
AFF Level 1
TAFF
This is a tandem jump, consolidating everything you have learned during your AFF training courses. You’re in charge on when/how you exit the aircraft and during your 45 seconds of freefall, you will respond to hand signals to adjust your body position, keep altitude awareness and deploy your parachute before flying it down and landing yourself.
AFF Level 2
2 Jumpmasters
With a jumpmaster on either side and your own parachute, you will be required to demonstrate a relaxed body position, responding to signals and some practice deployment touches, before deploying the parachute yourself. Altitude awareness is always a priority, throughout freefall and during your safe solo parachute flight and landing.
AFF Level 3
2 Jumpmasters
Building from Level 2, your body position is predictable and controlled. You must achieve solid, smooth practice touches and be consistent throughout the skydive, keeping a solid position throughout.
AFF Level 4
2 Jumpmasters
A strong and controlled exit is paramount on this level. We want to see you fly! With minimal input from your jumpmasters this level is all about maintaining a heading and solo flight.
AFF Level 5
1 Jumpmaster
With only one jumpmaster, the focus is heading control. You will demonstrate that you can fly solo, as well as changing your direction smoothly, accomplishing turns in both directions. Your deployment must be strong and your radio control during parachute flight minimum.
AFF Level 6
1 Jumpmaster
Demonstrating leg awareness, that you can move forward on command and giving you the ability to consolidate your turns. We want to see 360 turns and to move to the next level, a solo deployment of your parachute.
AFF Level 7
1 Jumpmaster
One of the most fun levels, you’re going to forward roll out of the plane, tumble and show us you can regain stability quickly. Your jumpmaster will be giving you minimal signals.
AFF Level 8
1 Jumpmaster
Your independence jump, you will consolidate everything you have learned so far, demonstrating all your skills, with little / no input from your jumpmaster. This is your evaluation skydive, and when you pass, you’re ready to go SOLO!
A Certificate
Once you complete your 8 level AFF program here at Skydive Auckland, the learning and fun doesn’t stop there, you can now work toward achieving your first internationally recognised skydiving licence, the NZPIA A Certificate.
During the A Certificate training program your learning curve will continue to be steep, as you are taken step by step through our unique progression system specifically designed to enable you to build on what you have already learned, so you can safely jump with other people. You will discover a variety of ways to exit the aircraft, how to jump safely from low altitudes and learn more advanced body positions and skills. Learning to skydive has never been so much fun!
After the 8 Level AFF Program our A Certificate training program includes:
- 5 coaching jumps ($149 each), further developing your freefall skills. The price of each jump includes the instructor, brief & debrief, equipment rental and parachute packing.
- 12 Consolidation jumps ($95 each) includes equipment rental and parachute packing.
- Parachute packing (2 courses @ $69 each)
- Canopy course ($89)
- Intro to A theory ($50)
The full cost of the AFF Programme AND A Certificate, assuming you do not need to repeat any AFF or coach jumps, to get all your jumps and be eligible for your NZPIA A Certificate, is $5183 NZD.
Once you have completed all of these requirements, you must complete an online NZPIA A Certificate exam at an additional cost, to gain your NZPIA A Certificate.
If you have already started to learn to skydive somewhere else, or perhaps you haven’t done a skydive in a while, you can continue your skydiving progression with us.
Logbook
You must bring this with you. We are unable to let anyone skydive without a valid logbook. If you have a licence from another country you should also bring this.
Refresh Courses
If you have learned to skydive somewhere else, you don’t hold an NZPIA Certificate or you are uncurrent, you will need to complete a refresh course. All the information on refresh courses can be found here, under the learn to skydive tab.
Refresh courses are required for:
Students (do not hold an NZPIA A Certificate) & have not jumped in 30+ days.
A Certificate: have not jumped in 60+ days
B Certificate: have not jumped in 90+ days
Students and A Certificate holders will also be required to complete a check-out jump, which is $149 including equipment hire and packing.
If you need any further help or advice, please email us
Additional Training Courses
Packing Course (Part 1)
2 hours | $69pp
Learning to pack a parachute is a requirement for your NZPIA Certificate with A Endorsement. In Part one, we will teach you about the parachute system, packing process and how to safely pack a parachute giving you the opportunity to practice from start to finish. You will also be required to complete a theoretical test. After completion of this course we encourage you to practice packing.
Packing Course (Part 2)
2 hours | $69pp
Now you can pack, we’re going to test you! Part 2 is all about getting out tangles and being assessed on your packing technique. On the completion of this you can officially pack a student parachute system and you might have the opportunity to jump your own pack!
Intro to A Certificate
1 hour | $50pp
To gain your NZPIA Certificate with A Endorsement, the NZPIA require you to have basic knowledge in a range of areas including exit order & separation, jump run and spotting, tracking directions, differences between equipment types. This course will give you a good understanding of all these topics, ensuring that you have the knowledge and skill to keep yourself and others safe as well as pass the NZPIA exam.
Canopy Course A Endorsement
1 hour (+ jumps) | $89pp
This is a theoretical course with practical exercises on canopy survival skills, expanding on the basic skills you have learnt during your AFF training and subsequent jumps. Flat brake turns, different types of flares and collision avoidance are presented, then you will demonstrate these skills under canopy.
Canopy Course B Endorsement
1 hour (+ jumps) | $89pp
After completion of your NZPIA Certificate with A Endorsement, you will have a minimum of 25 jumps and therefore 25 canopy flights. This course is targeted towards expanding your understanding, accuracy and competence at canopy flight while also giving you the opportunity to practice more advanced elements. You will learn more about the characteristics of your canopy, stalls, brake fires and how the adjustment of your harness can improve canopy flight.
High Altitude Course
1 hour | $25pp (+ NZPIA fee)
If you want to skydive above 13,000ft, you are required to gain an NZPIA High Altitude Endorsement. This course will provide you with the theory and knowledge to pass the NZPIA exam. You will learn about oxygen levels at higher altitudes, the risk of hypoxia as well as how to avoid and treat hypoxia. This course also includes an introduction to the oxygen system within the SDA aircraft and how to work it.
Freefly & Camera Brief
1 hour | $30pp
Freefly is a popular discipline within skydiving, but what many skydivers don’t realise are the hazards and risks involved. This course gives you the knowledge about equipment and covers the basic safety principles of learning to freefly safely, so you have an understanding for the future. The NZPIA recommends a B Endorsement plus a minimum of 100 jumps, before you can jump with a camera. In this course we teach you about the hazards associated with the camera, particularly distractions it can cause, ensuring you have strong processes in place. You will also receive advice on mounts and installation.
“I wanted to give you some feedback on my journey through the AFF course.
It’s been amazing, one of the best dropzones I’ve been to to get it done. Third time’s a charm right.
You, the instructors and staff have been great.
From the communication in getting booked in and making sure that I would get to jump, rather than make the journey out to Parakai and find it wasn’t suitable weather. To the instructors working through each level, taking the time to answer questions and make me feel relaxed and never rushed to get on the plane and seen as just a number. I have been made to feel very welcome and comfortable by all.
Looking forward to completing my console jumps with you guys soon.”