Skydive Midwest
The Accelerated Tandem Progression Program was developed by the USPA (United States Parachute Association) to transition tandem skydivers to licensed/solo skydivers. It allows the student to become acclimated to freefall under the supervision of a tandem instructor prior to going solo. You will receive additional ground instruction prior to your tandem jumps and will be required to complete a series of tasks during your tandem skydive in order to eventually progress to solo jumps in the AFF Program. This program also includes 10 minutes of coaching at an indoor wind tunnel. This helps ensure more successful progression skydives and a higher pass-rate of each level. You will also receive under canopy instruction on landing patterns and lading procedures while under the direct supervision of your instruction. This is the fastest and most successful route to your skydiving license!
This program is designed so you have the option to pay as you go (per jump) OR prepay and save.
| Class | GROUND SCHOOL | 5-8 Hours | $120 |
| Jump 1 | Cat A Tandem | 1 Instructor | $169 |
| Jump 2
Tunnel |
Cat B Tandem
IFly Indoor Wind Tunnel Training **Paid directly to IFly Instructor |
1 Instructor
10 Minutes |
$169
$200 |
| Jump 3 | Category C2 | 1 Instructors | $169 |
| Jump 4 | Category C2 | 1 Instructors | $169 |
| Jump 5 | Category D1 | 1 Instructors | $169 |
| Jump 6 | Category D2 | 1 Instructors | $169 |
| Jump 7 | Category E1 | 1 Instructors | $169 |
| Jump 8 | Category E2 | First Solo! | $50 |
| Jump 9 | Category F | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Jump 10 | Category G1 | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Jump 11 | Category G2 | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Jump 12 | Category G3 | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Jump 13 | Category H1 | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Jump 14 | Category H2 | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Jump 15 | Low Altitude | Solo | $50 |
| Jump 16 | Low Altitude | Solo | $50 |
| Jump 17 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 18 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 19 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 20 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 21 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 22 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 23 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 24 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 25 | Check Dive | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Packing Class | Packing Class | 2-5 Hours Average | $50 |
| Total | $2,736 |
Accelerated Free Fall is a training program developed by the USPA to allow a person to become a licensed skydiver in a structured but slightly more aggressive method. You are not required to do a tandem jump prior to beginning the AFF program, however we recommend experiencing a tandem first or ATP for most people. A 4-6 hour ground school and a high level of demonstrated aptitude is also required prior to the first supervised solo. 2 AFF instructors will accompany you on your first solo skydive giving in-air instruction with learned hand signals in free fall. You will be wearing your own rig and jump unattached to an instructor, deploying and landing the canopy yourself!
This program is designed so you have the option to pay as you go (per jump) OR prepay and save.
| Class | GROUND SCHOOL | 5-8 Hours | $120 |
| Jump 1 | Category A | 2 Instructors | $219 |
| Jump 2 | Category B | 2 Instructors | $219 |
| Jump 3 | Category C1 | 2 Instructors | $219 |
| Jump 4 | Category D1 | 1 Instructor | $169 |
| Jump 5 | Category D1 | 1 Instructor | $169 |
| Jump 6 | Category D2 | 1 Instructor | $169 |
| Jump 7 | Category E1 | 1 Instructor | $169 |
| Jump 8 | Category E2 | First Solo! | $50 |
| Jump 9 | Category F | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Jump 10 | Category G1 | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Jump 11 | Category G2 | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Jump 12 | Category G3 | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Jump 13 | Category H1 | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Jump 14 | Category H2 | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Jump 15 | Low Altitude | Solo | $50 |
| Jump 16 | Low Altitude | Solo | $50 |
| Jump 17 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 18 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 19 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 20 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 21 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 22 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 23 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 24 | Solo | $50 | |
| Jump 25 | Check Dive | Coach Jump | $119 |
| Packing Class | Packing Class | 2-5 Hours Average | $50 |
| Total | $2,886 |
Becoming a licensed skydiver is easy! At the end of our ATP or AFF Programs (and 25 jumps) you will achieve your USPA ‘A’ License. A USPA License is recognized pretty much anywhere in the world! The best part is, once you become licensed your skydiving experience becomes much more affordable. Licensed jumpers with their own equipment jump for as little as $24/jump!
No, you do not. However, for most students a tandem skydive or Tandem Progression jump is strongly recommended. Tandem skydives are a great way to get acclimated to the overwhelming thrill of skydiving. You can schedule your ground school for our AFF or AFP programs and start skydiving solo any time!
There are 2 big differences between AFF and ATP:
ATP- The first 2 jumps in the ATP program are tandems. The 3rd jump in ATP is a solo jump assisted by an AFF Instructor. The ATP program includes training in an indoor wind tunnel.
AFF- The first 3 jumps in the AFF program are solo jumps assisted by 2 AFF Instructors. The AFF Program does not include any training in an indoor wind tunnel.
For most students the ATP program is the way to go. Both programs include excellent instruction but the advantages of ATP over AFF are many.
ATP- You progress faster and will likely become licensed faster. All jumps in the ATP program are “Single-Instructor” jumps. This means we can get you manifested and in the air faster, with fewer staff members required for your training jumps.
ATP- You get coaching at an indoor wind tunnel. The 10 minutes spent in the wind tunnel are equivalent to 10-12 skydives worth of freefall experience. Receiving indoor coaching will make you more likely to pass all of your levels without having to repeat any.
ATP- You will receive valuable under canopy instruction with your tandem instructor making the canopy flight and landing easier to understand more completely.
AFF- You don’t have to do any tandems. Your 1st jump is technically a solo skydive assisted by 2 AFF Instructors during freefall.
AFF- AFF is slightly less expensive but does not include any tunnel time and holds a higher potential for repeating levels.
Tandem Progression jumps are different from regular tandem skydives. First, you must attend a full AFF/ATP ground school prior to doing an ATP tandem skydive. You would be thoroughly briefed by your ATP instructor prior to each jump, expected to perform certain tasks in freefall and under canopy as well as be debriefed after the jump. ATP tandems are more than just a thrill ride, they’re part of your formal skydiving education. That being said, 25 jumps are required to obtain a skydiving license. Up to 2 regular tandems outside of the ATP/AFF program DO count towards your total jump number required for licensing.
The AFF Ground School is much more in depth training than what is received during a tandem training class. Your course instructor will cover equipment, aircraft emergencies, exit, freefall body position, deployment, emergency procedures, canopy flight, landing pattern and more. The class takes approximately 4-8 hours depending on the class size and aptitude of the student. You will be expected to demonstrate understanding of the material taught in order to perform a solo skydive.
Sometimes it is necessary to repeat a skydive. Mastering body position, turns and stability can take time- All students are different and learn at their own pace. Don’t get discouraged, many great skydivers have had to repeat a level of AFF. We want you to be safe and successful and our instructors will do everything they can to help you move forward in the program. The best way to ensure passing all levels in the program on the first try is to consider doing ATP. The tandem progression program includes 10 minutes of coached time in an indoor wind tunnel. This valuable time really makes passing the levels a breeze.
Yes, you can! However, it’s important to know that safety and the student’s education takes priority. Your videographer is trained to capture the experience from a vantage point that does not hinder learning and allows the student to complete the tasks assigned for that level/skydive. They will only come in for that close up shot after the goals of that training jump have been met. All footage will be edited to music and delivered via thumb drive. Purchase Video & Pictures for an ATP or AFF jump **HERE**