Getting certified is the first step to being able to jump by yourself.  When you graduate AFF or Tandem Progression you can jump solo or with USPA certified instructors and coaches.  You have to get your A-license to be able to jump with other people who aren’t coaches or instructors. 

The A-license requires you to complete objectives listed on an ‘A-Card’ that include landings within 20 meters of a target, packing a main parachute, passing an oral quiz, planning landing patterns, coaching jumps, etc.  This license requires a minimum of 25 jumps and the A-card must be signed off by a USPA rated instructor.

What this means is that you can go to most USPA drop-zones in the country and they will allow you to jump with minimal training. It also means that you can jump from altitudes ranging from 3,500 to 14,000 feet.  This pretty much means that you are no longer a student... although all skydivers are constantly learning new things and improving their skills.  This also means that you are eligible for competition.  Georgia Tech sends club members to the National Collegiate Competition every year to compete in many different events.  All you need is your A-license.

Skydiving never gets boring with an array of disciplines to try: Freefall Relative Work (RW), Canopy Relative Work (CReW), Freeflying, Skysurfing, Accuracy Landing, etc.  There are many people with thousands of jumps and they still learn about and love the sport.  There is always something new to try and something new to learn. 

For more information about the A-license, see the USPA official website:

And the A-License Proficiency Card: