What is the AFF Program?
AFF Program Framework
Leaps of Hope’s Accelerated Freefall (AFF) Program follows a structured model designed to promote safety, measurable outcomes, and long-term personal development. Each phase of the program combines professional skydiving training with evaluation and community support.
1. Participant Selection
Applicants are reviewed through a structured selection process to determine program readiness, commitment, and overall fit. This process helps ensure participants are prepared to engage with the physical, educational, and community aspects of the program.
2. Baseline Assessment
Before beginning training, applicants complete validated mental health screening tools to establish baseline measurements related to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. These assessments provide a foundation for tracking measurable change throughout the program.
Assessment tools include: GAD-7, PHQ-9, and PCL-5.
3. Structured Education
Participants complete a comprehensive ground school conducted under established skydiving training standards. Instruction is delivered by certified instructors and covers safety protocols, aircraft procedures, body flight fundamentals, canopy flight and landing patterns, equipment systems, and emergency response procedures. This ensures each participant develops the knowledge required to safely progress through the program.
4. Skill Development
Participants progress through a structured training pathway that includes wind tunnel instruction, coached skydives, and progressive skill development within the Accelerated Freefall training system. This phase focuses on building technical ability, situational awareness, confidence, and personal discipline.
5. Community Integration
Participants are welcomed into a supportive community that emphasizes mentorship, accountability, and camaraderie. This environment fosters connection and belonging while providing opportunities for leadership and continued engagement in the sport.
6. Outcome Measurement
Program outcomes are evaluated through follow-up assessments and participant progress tracking. This allows Leaps of Hope to measure changes in mental well-being, skill progression, and long-term engagement while continuously improving program effectiveness.
Evidence-Based Evaluation
Leaps of Hope integrates validated mental health screening tools into the program to monitor participant outcomes over time. As data collection expands, this information will support future research evaluating the role of action-based experiences such as skydiving in improving mental well-being.
Wind Tunnel Training
Most skydivers understand the value of the wind tunnel as a tool for progression in the sport. We aim to train our candidates for at least 20 minutes in the tunnel prior to AFF to ensure favorable outcomes for freefall evaluations.
attend Ground school
Ground School is a one day class where you are taught everything about being a BEGINNER skydiver. Covering essential skills, safety procedures, and emergency protocols in a structured classroom and practical setting.
Jump one
Jump one, otherwise known as, Category A. It's finally here, you are about to jump out of a plane and land your own parachute! AFF is a crawl, walk, run process. The DZ's AFFI's are here to assure your success.
Earn your a-license
As you complete each level, you’ll gradually gain more freedom in freefall, working toward the ability to skydive solo. 25 jumps later, you have the opportunity to test out to become a USPA A-Licensed skydiver.
Are You Ready to Skydive Solo?
Take the leap and gain the skills to become a licensed skydiver. Our AFF Program is the first step toward experiencing the skies on your own terms.