Become a Skydiver: The AFF Course
The sky is yours.
Congratulations! You've decided to try what is probably the most incredible experience of your life. The clubs of Cerfontaine, Namur and SPA offer the most modern and safest method to become a solo skydiver: the AFF - Accelerated Free Fall - also known in French as Progression Accélérée en Chute Libre.
The AFF progression is designed to be didactic and methodical.
The student first takes a theory course followed by an exam. They learn the basics of skydiving: equipment, the physics of flight, and incident management, illustrated with visual aids, anecdotes, and the instructor’s shared experience.
First training jump
After the theory exam, the student performs their first jump: a didactic tandem with an instructor, replicating exactly the actions they will need to perform when jumping solo with their own equipment.
Second jump: first jump with their own gear
The student exits the aircraft for about one minute of freefall, accompanied by two qualified instructors able to intervene at any time to correct body position or initiate deployment if needed.
The course includes 7 levels that can be validated in 7 jumps. In practice it may be necessary to repeat a level for safety reasons. Some students finish in as little as 3 or 4 days!
The 7 AFF levels
- Level 1: Didactic tandem - awareness, altimeter reading, canopy flight and landing.
- Level 2: Getting familiar with freefall, altitude management and deployment.
- Level 3: First release by instructors - fully solo freefall.
- Level 4: Axis control in freefall - from this level, only one instructor accompanies.
- Level 5: Turns and level changes.
- Level 6: Flips and horizontal moves (track).
- Level 7: Qualification jump - the student strings all drills solo
Once under canopy, the student flies an approach pattern set with their instructor and lands safely in the landing area.
Medical notice
It is not permitted to start AFF training after a shoulder dislocation.
After AFF
Long interruption for less than 100 jumps
During AFF training, the jump logbook will be checked to verify if the instructional goals of the previous jump were achieved. After an interruption, the student may always be required to go back to a lower level.
Break of 3 months to 1 year
- An AFF student who has not completely finished their training will resume with a level 4 jump or lower.
- An AFF student who has finished their training but does not yet have the A license will resume with a level 4 jump.
Break of more than 1 year
- A skydiver with less than 100 jumps will need to retake a theoretical refresher and, if necessary, an AFF jump whose level will depend on the instructor's assessment.
In all cases, a safety + landing area refresher briefing will be given.
After your AFF + minimum 5 solo jumps, you can start the CSC course, which allows you from 25 jumps to join other experienced skydivers.
Important information for everyone
- Insurance and license valid from January 1st to December 31st. License and club membership are inseparable.
- Every January 1st: mandatory medical visit. From 50 years old: cardiology check every 2 years.
- Jump limits are in place for your safety - they must be respected.
- Always listen to instructors' advice and remarks.
- Always ask questions if in doubt.
- Be ready and checked 10 minutes before takeoff.
- Do not forget to pass your various licenses (FF, Track, Video, etc.).
"A good skydiver is one who lasts over time"
See our Safety section to learn more.
