Skydiving: EVERYTHING you need to know - Quick 2026 Guide

Updated on September 19, 2026 · 8 min read

Skydiving is an experience that combines adrenaline, freedom and personal challenge. The mere thought of jumping from a plane thousands of metres up may seem crazy, but those who have tried it describe the experience as memorable.

In this article you'll discover how a parachute jump works, the main types of jump, how much skydiving costs and where to jump in Italy.

Skydiving: the quick answers

If you are looking into skydiving for the first time, these are the five things you want to know straight away. Each answer links to a full article on the subject.

• What altitude do you jump from? Our aircraft climbs to 4,200 metres, among the highest altitudes used for tandems in Italy. The details are in what altitude you skydive from.
• How long is the freefall? About 50-60 seconds, with speed settling at around 200 km/h. All the numbers are in how long freefall lasts and how fast you go.
• How much does it cost? A tandem jump is €180 on weekdays and €200 at weekends. The full comparison is in our guide to skydiving prices in Italy.
• What is the minimum age? 16 with parental consent, and there is no upper age limit. The full picture is in the minimum age for skydiving.
• How safe is it? On a tandem every phase is handled by an instructor, and every rig carries a reserve parachute and an automatic activation device. More in how safe skydiving really is.

Here are the same numbers in order, from the moment you leave the aircraft to the landing.

How does a parachute jump work?

Tandem skydiving is an experience that combines adrenaline, technique and a deep connection with the outdoors. Whether you're a beginner or an aspiring skydiver, understanding the stages of a jump is essential to fully enjoying this adventure.

1. Preparation: before the jump you take part in a briefing where the instructor explains the procedures, the correct freefall position and the landing (we recommend comfortable clothing and trainers).
2. Climbing to altitude: you board the aircraft and climb to 4,200 metres. This phase takes about 25 minutes.
3. The jump and freefall: once you are out of the aircraft you experience freefall for about 50-60 seconds, at a speed of around 200 km/h.
4. Parachute opening: at around 1,500 metres the instructor, or the solo skydiver, opens the canopy and the descent continues for 5-10 minutes. If the main parachute did not open, don't worry: there is always a reserve.
5. Landing: the skydiver steers the canopy to a soft landing in a safe area.

From take-off to landing the jump takes a little over half an hour, while the full experience — arrival, briefing, kitting up, the jump and the handover of your video — takes 2-3 hours. The adrenaline it leaves behind, on the other hand, lasts a lifetime.

The History of Sky Diving

The idea of a parachute was born in the Renaissance with Leonardo da Vinci. In 1485 he drew the first sketch of a device capable of slowing a man's fall. The first documented jump happened in 1797 thanks to André-Jacques Garnerin. In fact, André, once he reached a jump altitude, threw himself from a hot air balloon with a rudimentary parachute.

Types of Parachute Jumps

Tandem Skydiving (ideal for first-time skydivers)

The tandem jump requires the participant to be securely attached to an experienced instructor using a special harness (therefore two people). The instructor manages all phases of the jump, from exiting the plane, during freefall, to landing, allowing the passenger to enjoy the experience in complete safety.

AFF Course (Accelerated Free Fall)

For those who wish to become an autonomous skydiver, the AFF Course represents the standard training program. Perhaps also the most comprehensive when it comes to skydiving. This intensive program consists of theory lessons and you'll be able to make several practical jumps, initially assisted by one or more instructors.

Sport skydiving

For those who have experience, there are disciplines such as freefly, wingsuit flying and relative work, which allow you to evolve as a sky athlete.

Tandem or AFF course: where to start

Almost everyone starts with a tandem: it is the only way to jump with no preparation at all, and you simply turn up on the day. The AFF course answers a different goal, which is becoming a solo skydiver.

A tandem is a one-off experience: you are attached to an instructor who handles the exit, the freefall, the opening and the landing, and all you have to do is look around. AFF is a path of 7 levels, each with a jump from 4,200 metres: on the early levels you fly with two instructors, then with one, until you are fully independent. There are no fixed dates and it fits around your own pace.

Many people do a tandem first to find out whether skydiving is for them, and only then sign up for the course. The path is described level by level in our article on the AFF skydiving course, while costs and enrolment are on the AFF course page.

How Much Does It Cost to Skydive?

Prices for a parachute jump vary based on the type of experience chosen and the location:

• Tandem jump: between €180 and €300, with the option to purchase photos and videos separately.
• AFF Course: costs between €1,300 and €2,000, including theoretical training and the first assisted jumps.
• Personal parachute: if you want to practice sport skydiving, you will have to buy one, whose price per parachute ranges between €3,000 and €7,000.

Many centres offer group discounts or special packages with video and photos of the jump, so you can immortalize the experience. You can find all the up-to-date details on our prices page.

At our Casale Monferrato dropzone a tandem jump is €180 on weekdays and €200 at weekends and on public holidays, with photos and video available separately and gift vouchers valid for 12 months. For a comparison with other Italian schools, the full read is our guide to skydiving and tandem jump prices in Italy.

Where to Skydive in Lombardy and Piedmont?

Northern Italy offers some of the best destinations for skydiving, thanks to breathtaking scenery and certified skydiving centres. Among the best locations are:

• Casale Monferrato (Piedmont) – It is one of the most popular destinations for skydiving in Italy (between Milan and Turin). At the famous Casale Monferrato airport you can try a tandem jump with a view of the Monferrato hills. It will be a spectacular experience among mountains, plains and the Po River, precisely between Turin and Milan.

Our centre, Accademiadiparacadutismo.it, is one of the most renowned and experienced.

Why choose our skydiving school?

If you are looking for a place to try a parachute jump for the first time, Casale Monferrato is definitely an excellent choice!

Our school was founded in 1965 and operates from Francesco Cappa airport in Casale Monferrato, province of Alessandria, about an hour's drive from Milan, Turin and Genoa (75 km from Milan). The aircraft climbs to 4,200 metres over the Monferrato hills, there is free parking, and jumps run from 9:00 am until late afternoon.

How to get here, when we fly and how the day is organised are all covered on our page about skydiving in Casale Monferrato and on the where we are page. To jump, just pick a date from the book now page.

Conclusion: Why Try Skydiving?

Skydiving is not just an extreme experience. In fact, it's a way to overcome your limits, experience a sensation of absolute freedom and live a moment you will never forget.

Whether you want to try a tandem jump for the first time, get a license as an autonomous skydiver, or simply treat yourself to an out-of-the-ordinary experience, skydiving is something worth doing at least once in your life.

💡 Are you ready to try this incredible experience? Book your jump and experience the emotion of freefall! 🚀

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