What Skydive University does

Skydive University, Inc. (SDU) is a private, for-profit professional skydiving instruction and coaching organization headquartered at 1600 Flight Line Blvd, DeLand, Florida, operating within the Skydive DeLand drop zone. Founded operationally in 1990 and incorporated in 1993, the company delivers a structured progression of skydiving education from first-jump experiences through professional instructor certifications. Core offerings include the tandem skydive experience (priced from $165–$219 per person), the eight-level Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program (~$1,773 total package), the USPA A License ISP and full A License coaching packages ($3,325 and $3,817 respectively), and a rating certification ladder comprising the Coach Course, Advanced Coach Course, AFF Instructor Course, Tandem Instructor Course, and Examiner Rating Course. Underlying the curriculum is a proprietary teaching methodology developed since 1990, including the Basic Body Flight program, which served as the template for the U.S. Parachute Association's (USPA) Coach Course and other national association curricula.

Name

Skydive University

Legal name

Skydive University, Inc.

Website

https://skydiveuniversity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Skydive University is a private, U.S.-based professional skydiving instruction and coaching organization delivering structured training from first-jump tandem experiences through USPA-aligned A License coaching and professional instructor ratings at Skydive DeLand and partner drop zones internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Skydiving Instruction and Training

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Flight Training (611512), Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Skydiving Centers & Drop Zones (Tandem, AFF Training) (THAAAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Extreme Sports Training, Certification & Coaching (Skydiving/Bungee Safety Courses) (THAAAMAJ), Skydiving Experiences (Tandem, AFF, Scenic Jumps) (THAAAMAA)

Keywords

• Skydiving instruction
• Tandem skydiving
• AFF training
• Skydiving certification
• Skydiving coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Deland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Training Course Fees: Revenue from AFF program packages, coach courses, rating certification courses (Tandem Instructor, AFF-I, Examiner), and coaching sessions at various daily rates
2. Tandem Skydiving: Individual and group tandem skydiving experiences with pricing tiers based on group size
3. Gear Rental and Miscellaneous: Daily gear rental, packing services, and video/photography packages

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Skydive University provides professional skydiving instruction and coaching through a structured curriculum ranging from first-time tandem skydives to advanced instructor certifications. Core offerings include the AFF (Accelerated Freefall) Program, USPA A License ISP and Coaching, and a rating certification pathway covering Coach, Advanced Coach, AFF-I, Tandem Instructor, and Examiner Rating Courses, delivered year-round at Skydive DeLand and at international partner drop zones.

Product overview

Skydive University offers a structured skydiving education ecosystem with progressive programs from beginner to professional instructor levels. Core offerings include the AFF Program (8 levels, Categories A-E) for solo certification, A License Coaching for formation skydiving skills, and tandem experiences for first-time jumpers. The rating certification pathway includes Coach Course (FS Level 1), Advanced Coach Course (FS Level 2), AFF-I Course (freefall instructor), Tandem Instructor Course, and Examiner Rating Course (ERC). All programs operate at Skydive DeLand with USPA-aligned curriculum, supplemented by an E-Learn Store for online course registration and manuals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tandem Jump Experience A tandem skydiving experience where first-time jumpers are harnessed to an experienced instructor and jump from 13,500 feet, with approximately 60 seconds of freefall and 5-7 minutes under canopy. Available to individuals ($219/person), groups of 4-6 ($185/person), and groups of 7+ ($165/person).
• AFF (Accelerated Freefall) Program

Quantifiable outcome

• A License can be completed in as little as one week through focused, structured progression
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Chicagoland Skydiving CenterminorOthers · 1 January 2026Chicagoland Skydiving Center in Rochelle, IL serves as a venue for SDU Coach and AFF Instructor courses. Part of the 2026 course schedule for expanding training reach in the Midwest region.
• Skydive CuautlaminorOthers · 1 January 2026Skydive Cuautla in Mexico hosts SDU Examiner Rating Course (ERC) in October 2026. Part of international expansion of training programs.
• Belgium AirminorOthers · 1 January 2026Belgium Air / Skydive Deland collaboration for Basic-Advanced Coach Course in November 2026. Represents international training partnerships.
• Skydive DeLandcoreOthers · 1 January 2026Primary home base at Skydive DeLand drop zone. SDU operates year-round at this location with access to SkyVan, Twin Otter, and PAC 750 XL aircraft. Drop zone has been operating for over 40 years and is one of the first International Training Centers.
• United States Parachute Association (USPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDU's training programs are aligned with USPA standards. SDU's own coach course was used as the template for the USPA coach course. Programs aligned with 2026 USPA SIM & IRM standards. Examiner Rating Course content influenced USPA's IERC/ERC programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Skydive Hibaldstow: Skydive Hibaldstow is the UK's largest skydiving center, offering tandem, AFF, and coaching courses. Directly comparable to SDU as a major drop zone delivering full skydiving instruction progression to international students.
• Skydive Dubai: Skydive Dubai is a high-volume, internationally branded skydiving operation offering tandem jumps and training at a premium destination. Comparable to SDU as an internationally recognized skydiving school with premium positioning and structured training programs.
• Jump Florida Skydiving: Jump Florida Skydiving is a Florida-based skydiving center offering tandem, AFF, and coaching services. Directly competes with SDU in the same Florida market with overlapping customer base of recreational skydivers and license-seekers.
• Skydive Arizona: Skydive Arizona operates one of the world's busiest drop zones with extensive AFF and coaching programs. Directly competes with SDU for serious student skydivers pursuing licenses and instructor ratings, and shares a focus on year-round operations and structured curriculum.
• Skydive Empuriabrava: Skydive Empuriabrava is one of Europe's largest and most established skydiving centers in Spain, offering tandem jumps, AFF, and formation skydiving coaching. Comparable to SDU as a world-class destination skydiving school with similar training progression and international student base.
• Perris Skydiving Center: Perris Skydiving Center is one of the largest skydiving operations in the US, offering tandem jumps, AFF programs, and rating courses. Directly comparable to SDU as a full-service drop zone delivering the same tandem-to-instructor progression for skydiving students.
• Start Skydiving: Start Skydiving is a Madison, WI-based skydiving operation offering tandem, AFF, and instructor training programs. Directly comparable to SDU as a US-based skydiving school delivering the same tandem-through-AFF-to-instructor pathway.

Broad incumbents

• iFLY Indoor Skydiving: iFLY operates a global chain of indoor skydiving facilities offering recreational flights and introductory training. Comparable to SDU in addressing first-time and aspirational skydivers, and serves as a feeder for outdoor AFF progression, though it does not deliver licensed instruction.
• Paraclete XP Skyventure: Paraclete XP operates one of the world's largest indoor skydiving wind tunnels and uses wind tunnel training as part of AFF preparation. Adjacent to SDU's USPA A License ISP which includes a wind tunnel AFF component, and overlaps in the skydiving instruction ecosystem.

Regional players

• Chicagoland Skydiving Center: Chicagoland Skydiving Center is a Midwest drop zone hosting AFF and SDU rating courses as a venue partner. Comparable as a US skydiving training center with overlapping customer segments, but operates primarily in the Illinois region rather than as a national training destination.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SkydiveUniversity
• Instagraminstagram.com/skydiveuniversity/?hl=en
• Xx.com/SDUniversity1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/skydive-university-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Skydive University