Skydive Paraclete XP: Skydiving School & Why Ours is the Best

For anyone who has ever watched a skydiver leap from a plane and thought, “I want to do that,” the next step is clear: jump school. Also called skydive or skydiving school, this is where dreamers become licensed solo skydivers – and there’s no better place to begin that journey than at Skydive Paraclete XP!

Skydive Paraclete XP is not only home to world champion skydivers, we are also the home of the Paraclete Student Program (PSP) – an elite solo skydiving school that offers comprehensive, safety-focused training, skydiving instructors rated by the United States Parachute Association (USPA), and a high-performance pathway to skydiving certification.

Whether your goal is to become a licensed skydiver and/or pursue a career in the sky, the Paraclete Student Program provides a best-in-class foundation for getting you there – and far beyond. Let’s break down what makes our program truly stand out in the world of skydiving progression, how much skydiving school costs, and just how long your journey to the skies will take.

What Makes the Paraclete Student Program Stand Out?

There are a few reasons why our student program stands out from any other Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program. Here are just five reasons you should enroll in the PSP, arguably the most revered skydiving school on the East Coast.

1. Wind Tunnel Training Before You Even Jump

PSP is one of the only solo skydiving schools in the United States that incorporates wind tunnel training into the curriculum before you ever leave an airplane. Why is that important?

The vertical wind tunnel at our sister facility, Paraclete XP Indoor Skydiving, allows you to simulate freefall in a controlled environment, with your skydiving instructor within arm’s reach. Your instructor provides hands-on training to ensure that you have all of the information you need in order to fly with stability on your own. This gives you a major head start on learning the fundamentals of body flight position, stability, and movement – all critical for building confidence, competence, and safety skills in the sky. 

PSP includes 15 minutes of wind tunnel training before your real-deal jumps even begin – the equivalent of 15 skydives! Once you start performing your jumps in the sky, you will recognize how fast the 45 to 90 seconds of freefall compares to the same period in the tunnel. This is why wind tunnel training is an essential piece of your progression:

• You spend more time proactively learning, not just reacting.
• Your first jump feels more natural and less overwhelming.
• Your skydiving progression is smoother, faster, and more fun!

2. Top-Tier Instructors & Mentorship

Our skydiving instructors are more than just coaches; they’re passionate mentors with thousands of jumps, instructional ratings, and real-world experience in every facet of the sport. They’ll challenge you, support you, and help you push past fear to unlock your true potential.

Better yet, they stay invested in your success long after you get your skydiving A-license. Many of our students go on to become coaches, instructors, and world-class competitors themselves – and it all starts here.

3. An Incredible Aircraft Fleet

Let’s be honest – not all dropzones are created equal when it comes to aircraft.

At Skydive Paraclete XP, you’ll train on some of the best jump planes in the country, including the powerful Twin Otter and Cessna Super Grand Caravan. These aircraft aren’t just impressive; they’re fast, reliable, and ideal for group skydives and large formation events. That means you’ll learn how to operate in real-world sport skydiving conditions from day one. 

An impressive fleet means a bumpin’ dropzone – and a busy dropzone means you can get your license done faster than you would at a dropzone with slower load turns. We’ve seen students get their license in just two weeks!

4. State-of-the-Art Facilities

Most skydiving schools are pretty bare-bones. But Skydive Paraclete XP is next level. Our focus is to cultivate champion skydivers, and that reflects not only in how we operate but how we maintain our facilities.

Our facilities include:

• A student training center dedicated to hands-on learning, gearing up, and post-jump video debriefs.
• Multi-stall restrooms with showers and camper hook-ups if you need to stay awhile.
• A massive hangar and gear prep area.
• PK’s Grill, an onsite restaurant perfect for refueling post-jump
• A fully stocked pro-shop, so you can grab gear, purchase your first logbook, or scope out your very own skydiving rig – all without leaving the dropzone.

Having these amenities onsite isn’t just convenient, it supports your progression, enhances your comfort and confidence, and fully immerses you in the skydiving culture.

5. Video Debriefs After Every Jump

You can’t fix what you can’t see – and that’s where video comes in.

Every student jump at Skydive Paraclete XP is filmed so that you can sit down with your instructor after you land to review your performance. You’ll see exactly what’s working, what needs work, and get actionable feedback to apply to your next jump.

This is one of the most valuable tools for accelerating your skydiving progression – and it’s a core part of the PSP program.

How Much is Skydiving School?

One of the most common (and important) questions we hear is: how much does it cost to go to skydiving school? It’s crucial to understand the financial commitment of your new hobby and, potentially, the most life-changing career choice you’ll ever make! Skydiving school costs vary from dropzone to dropzone depending on their training program, facilities, and aircraft. 

At Skydive Paraclete, you’ll pay $3,836 for the PSP program and your A License jumps if you choose our Pay As You Go option. Or you can take advantage of our Prepay price of $3,400 and save $436! Keep in mind while you’re budgeting that you may need to perform repeat jumps if you need more time to master specific skills. 

You will also need to purchase a USPA membership in order to obtain a skydiving license – currently, it’s $98.

How Long Does it Take to Learn to Skydive?

The time it takes to learn how to skydive depends on your availability of time and resources – and, of course, the weather gods.

Some students earn their A-license in just two to three weeks of focused training. While others take it at a slower pace, jumping on weekends over the course of a few months or even a year. What’s important is consistency: staying current keeps you safe and helps the learning stick in your noggin.

With the PSP, we work with your schedule – and at your pace. Whether you want to sprint through or take your time, we’ve got your back every step of the way. And we can, because we’re one of the few dropzones in our area that’s open seven days a week, all year-round!

We Train the Best Skydivers

At Skydive Paraclete XP, we don’t just teach students – we train skydivers and launch careers. From your first tunnel flight to your final check dive, you’ll be surrounded by seasoned professionals and a community that thrives on progress.

And the best part? The sky is only the beginning. Once you’re licensed, the opportunities here are endless:

• Join group jumps and attend boogies
• Train for formation skydiving, freeflying, or canopy piloting
• Transition into coaching, instruction, or even competition

PSP is more than a jump school – it’s a launchpad for your next chapter! Ready to start your journey? Learn to skydive at Skydive Paraclete XP and experience the difference for yourself. Blue skies!