The timeline of how long it takes to complete our student program and obtain your USPA “A” License is entirely up to you. While there are some factors such as weather that may delay us on occasion, we like to say, “You can’t jump if you’re not here!” We’ve seen students complete the program in just a couple weeks and some that took years, it all depends on your schedule, how often you can be at the dropzone, and how motivated you are to get it done! That said, the typical schedule we see for people working full-time jobs is 2-4 jumps per week, putting the total timeline around 1-3 months.

We also like to point out that the more consistent you can be as a student, the faster you’ll pick up the necessary skills. We would rather see you come take 2 jumps every Saturday for 13 weeks than 4 jumps one day, then a month break, then another 3, then 4 more weeks off, etc. It takes repetition and consistency to build the physical skills and mindset necessary to be a safe skydiver, so the more consistency you can bring to your training, the faster and safer you’ll be as you progress. It’s also important to know that the USPA requires students to take a jump once every 30 days (at a minimum) to stay current. If you have to take a break longer than 30 days, you will require an additional recurrency jump to ensure you still remember what you have learned up to that point and are capable of being safe enough to progress in the program.

At RMS, we offer two flexible options for completing our student program. The first is a pay-as-you-go approach, which is great for those who prefer to spread out their investment over time or may need the flexibility to continue their training elsewhere in the case of a move out-of-state or other life event. Broken out this way, the total cost is detailed below (assuming no make-up or recurrency jumps are required):

• First Jump Course (Ground School & First Jump): $290
• Coached Jumps 2-25: $160/jump
• Total: $4,130

The second option is to pay in full for the whole program when you show up for your FJC (first jump course). This option is preferable for anyone with the ability to commit to the program as this method provides nearly a 15% reduction to the total price, as detailed below:

• Complete USPA “A” License Program – Single Payment: $3,600

Selecting this option also allows for some built-in flexibility in the case make-up or recurrency jumps are required, as we guarantee up to 30 jumps or your completed “A” License (whichever comes first) for those who elect the Single Payment option. This option, along with all of our online payments, however, is non-refundable, so when selecting this option, students must be prepared to complete the whole program through RMS.

Both of these options include all Coach/Instructor time and supervision, jump tickets, rental gear, log books, and everything you will need to successfully complete the student program and obtain your “A” License.

The USPA requires 25 jumps supervised and coached by a USPA-rated Instructor or Coach before students can be granted their “A” License. Some students pick up the required freefall and canopy skills quickly and their last few jumps are simply additional jumps to have fun or learn additional things until they reach that 25 mark, while some struggle with certain maneuvers and require additional jumps (or are forced to take a break and require a recurrency jump) before checking off the requirements to obtain their “A” License, but we find the 25-jump mark to be pretty consistent of what it takes for a beginner to reach the point that they can confidently and safely skydive solo!

Typically, yes! Our USPA-rated Coaches and Instructors will typically record your jumps on their own cameras in order to be able to analyze and debrief your performance after touching back down to earth.

Video is an invaluable tool in improving and we like to help track your progression through its use! This is a standard and included part of our student program and you are always more than welcome to keep the videos for yourself as well!

The only fee required outside of the cost of the Student Program are the fees that the United States Parachute Association (USPA) charges to become a member of the USPA and to apply for the student’s license.

The USPA is the organization that defines the requirements and grants the “A” License, so once the student program is completed through RMS, students must register as USPA members (a $78 yearly fee is associated with the required membership) and subsequently apply for their “A” License (a $36 fee is associated with this application) as well as take an online exam within their membership portal to be granted their “A” License.

Once the exam has been passed and fees have been paid, our instructors will sign into their own USPA Member portal and check off that all requirements have been met by the student and the student will instantly be rewarded with their new “A” License and License Number which will be used to verify their membership status anywhere they travel to jump!