For those of you asking, “What is an A-license?” It's the first requirement after you’ve decided to learn how to jump solo. It’s your entry into skydiving after you’ve decided to turn it into a hobby. After all of the training and hard work to become a “licensed jumper,” it’s a membership made official by a license that is issued through the United States Parachute Association (USPA) and you can officially skydive around the world.

So yeah… Skydiving isn’t exactly a cheap sport to get into. If the idea of joining our amazing community is something you’re considering, we’d be doing you a massive disservice if we didn’t say that up front. It can certainly feel like a whole lot of coin to pony up, but there is much to consider when you’re eyeing that price tag.

It’s April finally! It’s been nearly six months since your last skydive. How do you make sure you’re current and ready to go?  No matter what license you hold, whether it’s an A or a D, you should always enter the new season with caution. Skills get rusty after a layoff, even if you’re extremely experienced.

Getting re-current can sometimes feel like a chore we must complete before having fun with our friends again, but it’s much more than that. Practicing emergency procedures and receiving proper ground training is extremely important, and you should be able to clearly identify any malfunction or situation you may experience prior to jumping.

For many of us, opening day at the DZ means spending our precious daylight getting re-current, getting repacked, putting money on account, catching up with friends and more. I’ll give you some tips here to help you prep to maximize the amount of time you can spend in the sky and be ready to go.

There’s simply no doubt that one of the most valuable encounters anyone can ever have is with a talented teacher. A good teacher or instructor isn’t simply someone who is able to convey facts and figures, hand out lesson plans or grade exams. It’s someone who has not only the ability to see how to reach their students but finds ways to inspire them, regardless of the subject.