General First Jump Questions:

Do I have to be 18?

YES.  You need to be 18 to sign our waiver and binding contract.  You also must be 18 years of age to participate in AFF Jumps for the same reason. The waiver surrenders specific legal rights and as a result cannot be signed by someone else on your behalf.

Do I have to sign a waiver?

Yes, everyone signs a waiver of liability for Skydive City. If you wish, you can preview our basic waiver here. You must be 18 years of age to sign such a contract.

Should I do a Tandem jump, or an AFF jump?

We think that ANY skydive is a good one to do! Accelerated Freefall (AFF) is more for those that really want to learn all they can about skydiving.

Tandem Jumps are more of an introduction, but do count towards your future training. If you only plan to make one jump ever, we recommend a Tandem. If you think you might become a regular skydiver and pursue the sport, then try an AFF.

What kind of clothes should I wear?

You should wear comfortable sneakers and clothes appropriate for the season; shorts and a T-shirt on a hot day are fine and if is a colder day, long pants and a comfortable long sleeve shirt. We have jumpsuits and goggles available for you.

What about if I wear glasses or contacts?

No problem, we supply goggles that will fit over your glasses or keep your contacts in.

What if I am too old or in poor physical condition?

We look at people individually to assess their ability. We may not be able to take you if your weight exceeds 220 pounds, or you are in poor health. We have taken people as old as 90+ years of age and have a lot of experience with paraplegics and quadriplegics.

Skydiving is a very physical activity, and we will not let you jump if we do not feel that it is safe for you to do so.  The physical requirements for AFF are somewhat more stringent than for Tandem, see "AFF FAQ's" below for more information.

How hard will I land?

'Ram-Air' (square) parachutes these days fly like airplanes or gliders and sail through the air. They can slow down a great deal, so most of our landings are soft stand-up landings or sometimes we 'sit-down' when landing. Very hard landings are extremely rare and injuries are even more rare, but they can and do happen.

Do you jump in all weather?

No, we will not be jumping when it is raining, very windy or when the clouds are lower than 9,000 feet, but we still can do your training. That way you can be ready to jump right away if you have to come back another day. Weather can causes unexpected delays, so please be patient, we are trying to get you in the air as quickly and safely as possible.

What other extra costs are involved?

None. Our prices include everything you need to make the jump that you are paying for. Also, there is no tax on jumps. The only optional extra cost item you may choose is Video.

Are customers expected to tip their Instructors?

No, tipping is not required nor expected, but of course, it is always appreciated if you feel they did a great job.

What is the training for Tandem?

You will be briefed on what tandem skydives are all about and how to perform during a normal tandem jump. After this is complete we will brief you on the equipment, the freefall, parachute ride and landing. Then we will get you on an airplane as soon as possible.

How long will this all take ?

This initial formality usually takes about 30- 45 minutes. With the training, preparation, aircraft ride, jump, and video dubbing, you should plan on being here for about 1/2 a day. Usually, we will have you on your way home in 2-3 hours.

After I have completed my tandem skydive what's next?

If you wish to continue to learn how to skydive, then Skydive City has an excellent staff on hand with over 50,000 jumps combined to teach you how to solo skydive through a program called AFF (Accelerated Freefall).  Of course, you can continue to learn via tandem as well, but there is only so much we can teach you - then eventually you will solo via AFF.

Do I have to do a tandem skydive for my first jump?

No, you can start right away in the AFF program which will begin with an initial 6 hours of ground school preparation before you actually jump. Please plan on spending the entire day to complete your first AFF jump.

Can I split a video with someone else?

Not really.   The video person jumps with just one Tandem or AFF student.  We cannot have Tandems in freefall right along side of each other, but one camera can film you and your friends on the ground, in the aircraft, and landing on the same video. We cannot film two separate tandems simultaneously in freefall.

What if the parachute does not open?

All sport parachute systems contain two parachutes, a main and reserve. The Tandem Instructor is highly trained on the use of the system and while a parachute malfunction is very rare, it can and does happen.  The reserve parachute flies and lands almost identical to the main parachute.

Will I get sick?

Some people get a little motion sickness during the parachute ride, but not the freefall. If you are susceptible to motion sickness, then perhaps a Gravol or Dramamine will help. We can fly the parachute like the wildest roller coaster that you have ever been on. We can also fly it smooth, flat and slowly if you prefer that.

 

Do I need a reservation?

Yes, we only schedule the AFF Gropund School on specific days of the week, so please call to book and check availability.

What are the Physical Requirements?

You do need to be in good health to do the AFF program.  Less than 240lbs (109kg) and be able to jump off a table or chair, land-tuck-and-roll on your own.  If you have any physical limitations, then please let us know.

What is the training for AFF?

On the day of the class, you will generally arrive early in the morning (8:00-8:30am), complete your waiver and start the classroom training. Your day will be a mixture of classroom and practical training to prepare you for a freefall skydive.

How long will this all take ?

Plan on spending a whole day here to complete either First Jump. Your training is about 6 hours, so usually by mid-afternoon, you will be ready to jump. After the jump, your skydive will be reviewed by our staff, your paperwork completed, and you can be on your way. It is not uncommon to complete two skydives on the first day here. Please plan on being here the entire day for the first AFF jump.

Why all the training when a Tandem takes so little time?

AFF assume that you will be making a solo jump, even though two Instructors jump with you during AFF. You need to know how to take care of yourself in freefall and throughout the parachute ride, so intensive training is required for that first jump. On a tandem jump, your Instructor is with you from exit to landing.

After my First AFF Jump, what's next?

AFF consists of seven levels of freefall training. Once Level One is completed, it usually takes only about an hour to prepare for each additional level. You can expect to do 3 levels in a day, if you have the time to spend at it. That means you can complete Level 2-7 and graduate in only 3 days.

Details on out complete AFF program here>>

What must I do to get licensed?

To get a USPA license to skydive takes 25 jumps, plus several technical requirements, and demonstration of specific skydiving skills. It does cost money, and your best bet is to discuss options with your Skydiving Instructor. We have lots of information to help you!