Dropzones in Spain

Skydiving in Spain: Sun, Safety, and Spanish Skies

Spain, a country renowned for its vibrant culture, stunning coastlines, and guaranteed sunshine, is also one of Europe’s premier destinations for experienced and first-time skydivers alike. With year-round favorable weather conditions and high-altitude jump opportunities, the Spanish skies offer an unforgettable experience, whether you're looking to complete your first tandem jump or put some jumps on your logbook during the winter season.

With approximately 25 recognized dropzones scattered across the Iberian Peninsula and its archipelagos, Spain provides a diverse range of locations, from dry inland plateaus to spectacular coastal views over the Mediterranean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean. This content serves as an essential guide to the regulations, gear requirements, and safety standards professional skydivers must adhere to when planning a trip to jump in Spain.

---

Essential Regulations for Licensed Skydivers

While Spain welcomes international jumpers, it operates under strict European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guidelines, complemented by rules set by the national governing body, the Real Federación Aeronáutica Española (RFAE), and specific requirements maintained by individual dropzone safety officers. Foreign jumpers must be meticulous in preparing their documentation and equipment.

Documentation and Licensing Requirements

When arriving at any Spanish aerodrome, all licensed jumpers must present comprehensive documentation for inspection. You should expect a thorough check-in process to verify your competency and compliance with local safety standards.

The mandatory documents typically include:

• Current Skydiving License: Your national license (e.g., USPA, BPA, FAI, or equivalent) must be valid and ready for inspection.
• Logbook: A correctly completed and up-to-date logbook is mandatory to prove currency and jump experience, especially when attempting advanced disciplines or jumping smaller canopies.
• Equipment Documents: You must provide clear documentation for your reserve parachute, including proof of a valid repack. In Spain, the reserve repack cycle is typically 12 months. Valid paperwork for your Automatic Activation Device (AAD) is also required.

Mandatory Insurance and Liability

One of the most critical requirements for skydiving in Spain is Third Party Liability (TPL) insurance, often referred to as Civil Responsibility insurance. This is mandatory for all licensed jumpers and covers potential damage or injury caused to a third party (on the ground or in the air) due to negligence.

• Foreign Insurance Check: While many foreign TPL policies are accepted, local safety officers reserve the right to review the full policy wording.
• Local Coverage: If your existing policy is deemed insufficient, the dropzone may require you to purchase temporary local coverage, often through an affiliated federation like FEADA (Andalucía Air Sports Federation) or similar regional entities, to ensure compliance with Spanish law.
• Medical Costs: International jumpers should be aware that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for EU citizens or standard travel insurance may not cover extensive medical or repatriation costs specific to a sports injury. Having adequate personal accident and medical coverage is highly recommended.

---

Equipment Safety Standards and Technical Rules

Spain enforces key equipment mandates that are non-negotiable for all jumps, emphasizing modern safety technology.

Automatic Activation Device (AAD)

An AAD is mandatory for all licensed skydivers jumping in Spain, regardless of experience level. Devices must be current, maintained, and have valid documentation. Non-compliance with AAD requirements will result in the jumper being unable to use their equipment.

Canopy and Wingload Guidelines

While Spain does not enforce a rigid, national "wingload" system (like the one previously used in France, which tied wingload directly to license level), many major Spanish dropzones operate with stringent, experience-based canopy recommendations designed to promote safety. These rules effectively regulate the canopy size a jumper is permitted to use.

Experience Requirements for Advanced Canopies

Individual dropzones often implement clear minimum jump requirements before permitting the use of higher-performance elliptical and cross-braced canopies:

• Intermediate Ellipticals: Jumpers typically require a minimum number of jumps (often 200 jumps or more) and an appropriate license level (B-License equivalent) before being cleared on certain semi-elliptical or full elliptical canopies.
• High-Performance Canopies: For highly advanced, high-performance elliptical or cross-braced canopies (such as Velocities or Valkyries), skydivers may be required to have 500, 750, or even 1500+ jumps in their logbook, depending on the specific model and the dropzone's safety guidelines.

Always be prepared to present your logbook for a gear check and clearance from a local Chief Instructor (CI) or Safety Officer (SO) before using a smaller canopy.

Rules for Filming and Advanced Disciplines

• Cameras: Due to safety concerns regarding snag hazards and distraction, only jumpers with significant experience are usually permitted to jump with a camera. A common minimum requirement across Spanish dropzones is 200 jumps. All camera mounts must be secure, and the helmet must be inspected.
• Freefly and Tracking: For disciplines like freefly and tracking, an audible altimeter is mandatory. Jumpers with low experience levels may be required to complete coached jumps before being cleared to fly in multi-person formations.

---

General Information and Jump Environment

The Spanish skydiving environment is characterized by large, efficient operations, often using turbine aircraft (like Dornier G92s or Caravans) to reach high exit altitudes, frequently up to 15,000 feet (4,500 meters), offering extensive freefall time.

Weather and Seasonal Considerations

The Mediterranean and Southern Spanish climates are extremely reliable for skydiving, offering clear skies and low rainfall, especially in the autumn and winter months when much of Northern Europe is grounded. While summers are busy and hot, the shoulder seasons (spring and late autumn) are ideal, providing comfortable temperatures and excellent jumping conditions.

Medical Certificates for Training

If you are planning to enroll in a solo training course, such as the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program, the Royal Spanish Aeronautical Federation requires you to provide a basic medical certificate signed by a doctor, certifying you are fit to participate in the sport. This requirement is less common for already licensed jumpers but is essential for new students.

---

ALLWAYS ADD A DISCLAIMER AT THE END ABOUT CHECKING LOCAL REGULATIONS BEFORE SKYDIVING

---

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this guide is intended for informational purposes only and is based on general safety standards and typical dropzone requirements in Spain. Skydiving regulations, mandatory equipment rules, and experience minimums for specific gear or disciplines (e.g., wingload checks, camera jump requirements) can and do vary between individual dropzones, regional air sports federations, and the Spanish Civil Aviation Authority (AESA). It is absolutely essential that all licensed skydivers contact their chosen dropzone directly and confirm all required documentation, insurance minimums, and equipment standards before traveling to Spain or making a jump. Failure to comply with current local regulations may result in being denied jumping privileges.