The solo freefall was designed as an “accelerated” way to learn skydiving. The solo freefall jump is for the jumper who wants the maximum skydiving experience!
Imagine yourself as the point-man on a skydiving team. Poised on the step of the plane, you check in with your jumpmaster(s) and cameraman (optional), give the count, and GO! Freefalling from more than two miles up, for nearly a minute, then deploying your chute and steering yourself through the 5-6 minute canopy descent to the drop zone.
That can be you, in as little as one day! Ground-school instruction starts in the morning, about 4-5 hours. You’ll learn about your equipment, aircraft procedures, freefall drills, steering and landing. Once you demonstrate proficiency (typically later in the afternoon), you’ll go up to 11,000 feet or more, Instructors in the air are there to observe and instruct, but are not attached to you as they are for tandem jumping. Once under canopy, it is a complete solo experience as you steer and land your canopy.
The Solo Freefall method of learning to skydive has been in place since 1982 and has the best safety record of all the first-jump methods.