Ground school is the intensive, safety-focused training session that every first-time solo skydiver must—and many curious tandem students may— complete before leaving the aircraft. It typically lasts between four to six hours and covers the three critical phases of a jump: the exit, freefall stability, and canopy control. Instructors use "mock-ups" of the plane to practice the physical arch position required to stay stable in the wind, and they drill you on "Emergency Procedures" (EPs) until your muscle memory can handle a parachute malfunction without hesitation. You’ll also learn how to read an altimeter and navigate your parachute back to the landing "LZ" by identifying ground landmarks. By the end, you aren't just a passenger; you are a trained pilot of your own body and equipment.