Skydiving Resources

Official Docs Associations Dropzones Tunnels Events Safety Training Equipment Marketplaces Media Podcasts Books Community Disciplines Licenses Glossary
Official Documents & Safety Information
USPA Resources
ResourceDescriptionLink
USPA SIMStandards, safety requirements, and training curriculumuspa.org/sim
USPA SIM OnlineInteractive online versionuspa.org/sim-online
Instructional Rating ManualRequired for Coach, AFF, Tandem, S/L Instructor ratingsuspa.org/irm
USPA DownloadsForms, waivers, rating applications (PDF)uspa.org/downloads
Parachutist Starter MagazineFree guide for new skydiversuspa.org/startermag
British Skydiving & FAI
ResourceDescriptionLink
British Skydiving Ops ManualUK safety and operational standardsbritishskydiving.org
FAI Sporting Code Section 5International competition rules and recordsfai.org/isc-documents
FAI Certificates of ProficiencyInternational A, B, C, D license standardsfai.org/certificates
National & International Associations
National Governing Bodies
OrganizationCountryLink
USPAUSAuspa.org
British SkydivingUKbritishskydiving.org
APFAustraliaapf.com.au
CSPACanadacspa.ca
DFVGermanydfv.aero
FFPFranceffp.asso.fr
International Organizations
OrganizationDescriptionLink
FAIWorld Air Sports Federation. Ratifies records, coordinates competitions.fai.org
ISCFAI commission for skydiving records and competitionsfai.org/isc
PIAParachute Industry Associationpia.com
Dropzone Directories
ResourceCoverageLink
USPA DZ LocatorUSPA member DZs worldwideuspa.org/dzlocator
Skydiving Source865+ DZs worldwideskydivingsource.com
Dropzones & TunnelsWorldwide + eventsdropzonesandtunnels.com
DropzoneFinder100+ countriesdropzonefinder.com
Skydive Forum DZs1000+ with reviewsskydiveforum.com
British Skydiving DZsUKbritishskydiving.org
Wind Tunnel Directories
ResourceDescriptionLink
Indoor Skydiving World385 tunnels in 60+ countriesindoorskydiving.world
Indoor Skydiving SourceComplete database with prices and reviewsindoorskydivingsource.com
Major Tunnel Chains
ChainLocationsLink
iFLY40+ US + Internationaliflyworld.com
AERODIUM115+ projects, 46 countriesaerodium.technology
TornadoProEurope + Internationaltornadopro.eu
158
Europe
93
North America
52
Asia
48
Rest of World
Events, Boogies & Calendars
ResourceDescriptionLink
Mile High Hub CalendarWorldwide event calendarmilehighhub.com
Dropzones & Tunnels EventsBoogies across Europe, USA, worldwidedropzonesandtunnels.com
Notable Annual Boogies
Christmas Boogie
Empuriabrava, Spain · December No reg fee, 15000ft all day
New Year's Boogie
Skydive Sebastian, FL · Dec-Jan World class organizers
Midnight Sun Boogie
Salangen, Norway · July Jump 24h above Arctic Circle
Iceland Boogie
Reykjavik, Iceland · August Jump glaciers
Burning Spring Festival
Empuriabrava, Spain · June Art, music & skydiving
Safety & Incident Data
ResourceDescriptionLink
USPA Safety & TrainingOfficial incident reports and statisticsuspa.org
British Skydiving ReportsUK incident statistics (248,000+ jumps/year)britishskydiving.org
Recreational Skydiving StudySystematic review of 62M+ jumpsPMC/NIH
Key Safety Statistics
0.27
per 100K jumps (USA 2023)
5,200+
CYPRES AAD saves since 1991
80%+
Fatalities from human error
#1
Cause: low turns / hook turns
Training & Coaching
Canopy Training
ResourceDescriptionLink
Flight-1Industry-leading canopy coaching (100-500 series)flight-1.com
SeriesFocusFor
100Foundation - safe landings, flare techniqueAll skydivers
200Essential skills - airspeed management, dive recovery100 series done
300Advanced - high-performance turns, 90°+200 series + experience
400Air-to-Air - live radio from instructor flying alongsideAdvanced pilots
Wingsuit Training
ResourceDescriptionLink
Squirrel CoachesFirst Flight Course (FFC) instructors worldwidesquirrel.ws/coaches
Next Level WingsuitStructured progression FFC to advancednextlevel.ws
Online Learning
ResourceDescriptionLink
Krav to FlyOnline skydiving courses, coaching resources, and progression guides for all levelskravtofly.com
Equipment Manufacturers
Canopies
ManufacturerNotable ProductsLink
Performance DesignsSabre, Katana, Velocity, Valkyrie, Stormperformancedesigns.com
JYRO (NZ Aerosports)Safire 3, Crossfire 3, JFX 2, Krakennzaerosports.com
AerodynePilot, Triathlon, Solo, Smart (reserve)aerodyne-int.com
Fluid WingsGangster, HKT, Winxfluidwings.com
Containers / Harnesses
ManufacturerProductsLink
UPTVector 3, Micron, Sigma IIuptvector.com
Sun PathJavelin Odyssey, Aurorasunpath.com
Mirage SystemsMirage G4miragesys.com
VSEInfinityvelocitysportsequipment.com
AerodyneIcon A, Icon Vaerodyne-int.com
AADs
ManufacturerProductLifespanLink
AirtecCYPRES 212.5-15.5 yearscypres.aero
AADVigil Cuatro20 yearsvigil.aero
MarSm2 Multi15.5 yearsmars.cz
Wingsuits, Helmets & Altimeters
Wingsuits
Squirrel · Phoenix-Fly · TonySuits · Intrudair
Helmets
Cookie · Bonehead · Parasport · KISS
Altimeters
Alti-2 · L&B · AON2 · Dekunu
Gear Marketplaces
New Gear Retailers
RetailerLocationLink
ChutingStarGeorgia, USAchutingstar.com
Rock Sky MarketIllinois, USArockskymarket.com
Para GearIllinois, USAparagear.com
SkydiveShopEuropeskydiveshop.com
Used Gear
PlatformDescriptionLink
FB: Skydiving Gear For Sale~42,000 membersFacebook Groups
Skydive Forum ClassifiedsFree listingsskydiveforum.com
Gravity GearBrokerage with escrowgravitygear.com
Buying tips: Always have a rigger inspect used gear. Check reserve repack date, AAD lifespan, container-canopy compatibility, and service bulletins.
Publications & Media
PublicationDescriptionLink
Parachutist MagazineOfficial USPA publicationparachutist.com
Skydive MagFree international online magazine, 30K readersskydivemag.com
Blue Skies MagazineIndependent air sports voicechutingstar.com
Podcasts
PodcastDescriptionLink
Jump Twenty SixSkydiving stories, interviews with world-class jumpers, industry insights, and discussions about progression and safety.jumptwentysix.com
Gravity Lab RadioConversations with skydivers, tunnel flyers, and aerial athletes about training, mindset, and the science of human flight.gravitylabradio.com
Browse more skydiving podcasts on Feedspot
Books
The Parachute and Its Pilot
by Brian Germain

The definitive guide to canopy flight. Covers aerodynamics, flight planning, emergency procedures, and advanced techniques. Essential reading for every skydiver progressing beyond student level.

Above All Else
by Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld

A compelling story of resilience from a world champion formation skydiver who survived a plane crash that killed 16 skydivers, and his journey back to competition.

The Skydiver's Handbook
by Dan Poynter & Mike Turoff

A comprehensive reference covering equipment, techniques, regulations, and the culture of skydiving. Updated across multiple editions.

Groundrush
by various authors

Anthology of real skydiving stories from jumpers around the world. Captures the thrill, danger, and camaraderie of the sport.

Birdmen, Batmen, and Skyflyers
by Michael Abrams

The history of human flight attempts from early birdmen to modern wingsuits. A fascinating look at the evolution of freefall flight.

Zen and the Art of Freefall
by various instructors

Mental preparation, visualization techniques, and mindset coaching for skydivers looking to improve performance and overcome fear.

Community & Forums
ForumDescriptionLink
r/SkyDivingActive Reddit communityreddit.com/r/SkyDiving
Skydive ForumComprehensive forum with DZ reviewsskydiveforum.com
BLiNC MagazineBASE jumping communityblincmagazine.com
Special Interest
POPS
Parachutists Over Phorty (40+)
SOS
Skydivers Over Sixty (60+)
Sisters in Skydiving
Women in skydiving
Discipline-Specific Resources
Formation Skydiving (FS/RW)
USPA SIM Section 6. Contact major DZs for team training.
Freefly / VFS
Tunnel training essential for progression. USPA SIM Section 6.
Canopy Piloting / Swooping
Flight-1 coaching · USCPA
Wingsuit Flying
Min 200 jumps required. Squirrel Learn · Next Level
CRW (Canopy Formation)
USPA SIM Section 6. Contact DZs known for CRW programs.
License Requirements
USPA License Progression
LicenseJumpsKey Requirements
A25Pass written/oral exams, demonstrate skills, complete ISP
B50Water training, night jump OR 10-way OR 2 CRW, canopy proficiency
C20060 min freefall, demonstrate accuracy
D5003 hours freefall
Glossary
AAD Automatic Activation Device
AFF Accelerated Freefall
Boogie Skydiving party/event
BSR Basic Safety Requirements (USPA)
CRW/CF Canopy Relative Work / Formation
DZ Dropzone
FFC First Flight Course (wingsuit)
FJC First Jump Course
FS/RW Formation Skydiving / Relative Work
IAD Instructor Assisted Deployment
ISP Integrated Student Program
S&TA Safety & Training Advisor
SIM Skydiver's Information Manual
TI Tandem Instructor
VFS Vertical Formation Skydiving
WL Wing Loading
Emergency & Important Contacts
USPA
(540) 604-9740
5401 Southpoint Centre Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
British Skydiving
britishskydiving.org
FAI
Lausanne, Switzerland
Last Updated: April 2026. Always verify with official sources.