TANDEM SKYDIVING FAQs

Follow these directions to our DZ on the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. On your GPS, manually enter our address or many driving apps will take you to the center of the airport.

Our drop zone is just 30 minutes from Tampa and Lakeland and approximately an hour from Orlando, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Gainesville and Ocala. Jumpers visit Skydive City to make a tandem from Miami, Palm Beach, Sebastian, Naples, Sarasota, Deland, Jacksonville, and Pensacola.

It’s hard to evaluate without knowing what to look for in a skydiving drop zone.

• What might I want to know?
  • Our tandem student instructors are selected independent contractors who operate small businesses performing skydiving training here and at other drop zones, especially northern drop zones in the summer. They are licensed and have appropriate ratings. Even so, do not rely on these representations. Skydiving is a high inherent risk activity. Equipment can malfunction. Instructors could make mistakes. There are numerous unknown and unforeseeable risks. You are welcome to visit Skydive City any time and check us out.
• What is the drop zone’s customer service reputation? Its business reputation? Reviews? 
  • Skydive City is known for “Good Vibes.” We care about you, your experience here, how much fun you have, whether you are getting good value. Sure, we sometimes make customer service mistakes, but we really do care to get it right. If you don’t get satisfaction from the front-desk, go straight to the owners, Susan or Joannie. We’ll always take your call.
• What will your total experience be like? Will you have fun? Will I just make a jump and leave, or will it be an experience? How can Skydive City make my jump extra special? 
  • You only make your first jump once. Skydive City provides a unique experience because so many highly experienced skydivers come from all over the world just to jump here. In addition to making your own Tandem Skydive, you will see the best skydivers in the world skydiving in action at our place. You will be among champions. Maybe you want to become come one of them? Wait till you see them performing stunts on our world-class competition ‘swoop’ pond.

Skydiving is an inherently dangerous activity; no amount of care, caution, instruction, warning or expertise can eliminate these inherent risks which can and do cause death and severe injury. Risks include but are not limited to parachute equipment malfunction or failure to function; defective or negligent design or negligent operation or use of the equipment; aircraft malfunction or negligent aircraft operation or maintenance; careless or negligent instruction or supervision; walking into a propeller; extremely hard landings; failure to warn or label; and many unknown and unforeseeable risks.

We encourage you to visit the United States Parachute Association website for information on injuries and deaths in the industry. No organization rates the safety or skydiving schools or drop zones.

As a USPA Group Member, Skydive City follows USPA Basic Safety Requirements. Our courses are modeled on USPA-developed first-jump courses. That said, you cannot rely on these facts to conclude that death or injury could not occur at Skydive City or is less likely to occur here than at any other location.

The biggest complaints are occasional long wait times once you get here. We schedule our customers, instructors and aircraft to run exceptionally smoothly. Most days run exceptionally well! Other days, despite our very best effort, we get behind due to weather and unanticipated variables. We ask your patience. We mean it when we say: Please plan to be with us for at least a half-day.

Skydive City has been teaching skydiving for thirty years. Our Tandem and AFF School, FLORIDA’S BEST SKYDIVING SCHOOL™, is managed by Kyle Salvato and Lauren Salvato. Our full-time Tandem instructors are cross trained in AFF and videography. We have numerous dedicated AFF instructors, freefall videographers and skydiving coaches. Our gear is maintained in-house by Paragone Rigging LLC and packed by Twenty-Minute Call LLC packing for quick turn. We model our teaching curriculum on USPA protocols with dedicated classrooms, hanging harness and other instructional aids.

Yes! Bring ID so that we can verify your identity and age.

Yes. Learn more about skydiving age limits.

Yes. Everyone who jumps at Skydive City must sign our Waiver of Rights, Release of Liability and Covenant not to Sue, known as a ‘Waiver.’

In the Waiver, you will agree that you could be seriously injured or killed while skydiving or just being at Skydive City. You will state that you understand the risks involved in skydiving and freely agree to accept that risk. You will also covenant not to sue Skydive City, the skydiving school or anyone in any way related to your skydive or just being here.

There are other contractual terms and representations you will make in the Waiver – such as a photo/video/audio release and an assumption of financial responsibility. Read the clauses of the document carefully. Consult an attorney if you do not understand the Waiver.

If you cannot accept the terms, do not sign. This legally binding contract cannot be signed by someone else on your behalf.

Our weight limit is 220 lbs * flexible up to 250 Lbs based on height compared to weight.

The key factor is weight loading on the parachute and the instructor’s ability to remain in control of the skydive. Depending on body type, we may be able to accommodate you. Please call and ask if we are able to do so. Learn more about skydiving weight limits.

You should be in good health and physical condition to skydive and should not be on medication. We are not medical personnel and cannot make any determination about your fitness or medical condition to skydive. We know that some conditions can be properly managed, but that determination is between you and your doctor. Our instructors will work with persons with physical limitations to accommodate their desire to skydive. Ask our instructors. Instructors also needs to know about any recent donations of blood. People who participate in SCUBA diving should not fly for at least 24 hours afterward.

You should agree with the USPA STATEMENT OF MEDICAL FITNESS: “I represent and warrant that I have no known physical or mental infirmities that would impair my ability to participate in skydiving, or if I do have any such infirmities, that they have been or are being successfully treated so that they do not represent any foreseeable risk while skydiving,” and, “I also represent and warrant that I am not taking any medications or substances, prescription, or otherwise, that would impair my ability to participate in skydiving.”

If you are over 70, let us know so that we can help you consider your fitness to skydive.

Your appointment time is your arrival time. Your appointment time is not your flight time. After you check-in, you begin a training session. See our Tandem Training Video.

Eat and drink normally before your jump. Jumping on an empty stomach is not recommended and is the leading cause of feeling unwell under parachute.

No alcohol or drugs in your system on the day of your jump. You may imbibe after your jump.

Close-fitting, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable sneakers. Jumpsuits and goggles are available. Pull back long hair. Remove jewelry (so that it doesn’t get lost in freefall).

We require skydiving appropriate goggles. Some goggles fit over your glasses and help keep contacts in place. Because we cannot sanitize googles, we now sell skydiving appropriate goggles for $12 at Skydive City.

Our large Moby Deck has a great view of the landing areas. They may bring their cameras and folding chairs.

We do our best to schedule friends and family in your group on the same plane. It isn’t always possible, however, given the mix of instructors, students and airplanes on any given day.

In the process of fitting the harness to your body, your instructor may need to touch your person in ways that otherwise would be inappropriate. Our instructors will explain this touching as it is about to occur. Please, if you are uncomfortable, do not continue. Speak to Manifest or the owners. In the airplane, your body will have full direct contact with the instructor and the person in front of you.

We sometimes have a female instructor on staff. Call in advance to learn if they are working on the day you want to jump.

You will be on the same airplane as highly experienced skydivers who know each other very well and are about to perform amazing aerial stunts. They will speak and act with familiarity and reference to what they are doing. Most unnerving can be references to death. You will see certain pre-exit rituals, such as peculiar handshakes and comments. We do not regulate this speech.

Your freefall fall rate is about 110 mph for about 60 seconds. Then the parachute is deployed. After that, it’s about 5 minutes to the ground under parachute.

Some throw up. However, there is no sudden drop feeling. Do not over-eat before jumping. Stay away from foods that don’t agree. Avoid jumping on an empty stomach. Hydrate early and stay hydrated. Do not jump hungover.

It rarely happens. Your instructor is prepared to manage this. If you are at risk for passing out, please advise your instructor.

Very rarely someone feels they lost their breath in freefall. Relax and try not to focus on breathing.

Approximately 5 minutes.

Ask your instructor. If you forget, the instructor knows they are responsible for pulling the ripcord and will do so.

Ask your instructor who may allow you to steer the parachute. The instructor will always be the one to conduct the landing.

Enroll in our Accelerated Freefall Program.

We will not jump when it is raining, too windy or a low cloud ceiling (at least 9000 feet).

If it is likely we will not be able to jump, we send an email as soon as we make that decision. On the day before, or morning of your jump, if you like, call us at 813-783-9399 to check in on the weather here – which could differ from where you are – especially if you are travelling a long way.

Oxygen jumps coming soon!

Our hours necessarily are as predictable as the weather. Hours are 8AM weekends. 9AM weekdays. Until jumping is over for the day or sunset.

You are jumping out of an airplane. No one will take you seriously if you say, “I had no idea that was unsafe.” You must be prepared to take the risk of injury and death. Visit uspa.org for fatality and injury statistics.

For breakfast, coffee, lunch and snacks, visit Hillz Kitchen in The Bird House. See our Hospitality page.

Yes. Some people prefer goggles not worn by others. Buy your own goggles at manifest – along with jerseys, t-shirts, sweatshirts, leggings, cups, glasses, shot glasses, patches, stickers, decals and other Skydive City souvenirs. If you’re lucky, the Manifest may even give your child a free sticker – they’re that nice!

Yes. Dogs must be on leash no longer than six feet. Leash should be controlled by a person. Dogs may not be tied up. Dogs must never be left in a car. Bring a friend to control your dog while you jump.

Many first-time tandem students aspire to wingsuit. A minimum of 200 jumps is required to make a wingsuit jump. And, yes, quite a few of our students achieve that! Start with AFF.

The deposit secures your slot to skydive on the day of your choice. Deposits are non-refundable after 24 hours of booking and will be deducted from your total balance on the day of your skydive. In the event of inclement weather on the day of your skydive, you will be given the option to reschedule without penalty.

No shows or cancellations within 48 hours of your reservation time will result in the forfeiture of your deposit.

Deposits are refundable for the first 24 hours after making an online reservation and will be deducted from your total balance on the day of your skydive. 

In the event of inclement weather on the day of your skydive, you will be given the option to reschedule without penalty. If you are unable to reschedule and are unable to jump due to the weather on the day of your skydive, you will be given the option of a full refund.

No shows or cancellations within 48 hours of your reservation time will result in the forfeiture of your deposit.

Yes. You may reschedule your jump prior to the 48 hours of your appointment time so as not to forfeit your deposit (for any other reason than the weather). If Skydive City has to cancel or reschedule your skydive, no additional deposit is required to secure your slot on a later date.

Yes, you are welcome to show your gratitude to your jump staff for exceptional service, however it is not required to do so.

See up-to-date information in the USPA’s Skydiving Information Manual (SIM). The SIM covers learning to skydive, skydiving license requirements, ratings and extreme jumps.

Another excellent resource is the Safety & Training page on the USPA website. The FAA regulates skydiving. USPA publishes industry safety standards.

Check out our Skydive City video gallery!

Check out the Parachute Industry Association. The leading skydiving companies and manufacturers are members.

Since the early 1960s.

1990

Aqua, Yellow/Gold and Purple.

We are only located in Zephyrhills.

Two Twin Otters, 1 Supervan, 2 Shorty Caravans and 1 Cessna 182.

Depending on the weight of the jumpers, 20-23.

Three. The first RW World Meet in the US was held in Zephyrhills in 1981. Two World Meets were held at Skydive City. The Canopy Piloting World Meet in 2015 and the Wingsuit World Meet in 2017.

Sunshine Factory

Paragone Rigging

Skydive Ratings

USPA National, USPA Open National and Florida State Records achieved at Skydive City Zephyrhills include: in 2019, the formation skydiving Head-Up Large 16-way and Wingsuit Flying Large Formation – Docked 4-way; in 2018, the Canopy Piloting Carved Speed 70m (1.980 seconds) record and the Head-Up Large Formation 12-way record; in 2017, the Wingsuit Flying Female Large Formation No-Grip 8-way record, Canopy Piloting Female Carved Speed record (2.386 sec.); in 2016, the Canopy Piloting Carved Speed (2.120 sec.) and Female Carved Speed (2.411 sec.), the Wingsuit Flying Longest Time competition (95.7 sec.), Greatest Distance Record (4.471 km.), Fastest Speed Record (302.0 km/hr.), the Wingsuit Flying Large Formation – No Grip record; in 2015, the Wingsuit Flying Large Formation No-Grip record; in 2014, the formation skydiving Head-Down Sequential Large Formation 4-way and Female Head-Down Sequential Large Formation 4-way, the Canopy Piloting Carved Speed record (2.034 sec.), the Canopy Piloting Drag Distance record, Canopy Piloting Carved Speed record, the formation skydiving Sequential Large Formation 4-way, the Female Head-Down Sequential Large Formation; in 2013, three Canopy Piloting Carved Speed records, the Female Canopy Piloting Carved Speed record, two Canopy Piloting Drag Distance records and the Female Drag Distance record, and the Wingsuit Flying Large Formation – No Grip 9-way record.

430

3: Jerry Bird, Bill Morrissey and Tony Uragallo. See their banners in the Bird House!

The Bird House was named for Jerry Bird, a founding member of Skydive City – widely recognized as “The Father of Relative Work.” Relative Work means ‘contact maneuvers in freefall.’ There was a time when skydivers had never made contact in freefall! Jerry Bird was the leading pioneer!

Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Martinique, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Turks & Caicos, United Arab Emirates, Unites States (all 50 states), Venezuela, Vietnam.

Skydive City raises and flies their country flags on Moby Deck, at the Sunshine Factory, in the Bunker, on the tops of buildings and in other locations.

Swooping.

Speed, Accuracy and Distance.

Accuracy Landing; Artistic Events; Acrobatic Wingsuiting; Performance Wingsuiting; 4-Way, 8-Way, 10-Way, and 16-Way Formation Skydiving; Mixed Formation Skydiving; Vertical Formation Skydiving; and, Speed Skydiving.

In 2019, Sven Jseppi of North Carolina set the US National, Florida State and unofficial world speed record of 1.980. In 2020, he beat that with 1.949 and was only off the world record by 0.006 seconds. His competition distance record is just sky of 15 meters. During training, he has reached over 170 meters.

Yes! And Skydive City is actively involved in promoting sports in the Pasco County and the Tampa Bay area!

Watch for games and contests where we give away Skydive City merchandise to people who love it here. If you’ve read this far through the Trivia Page, you’re a ringer!

Yes! This is Madeleine Stark, daughter of founder Susan Stark on her first skydive.

Tyler Pohjolainen is the body-building son of founder Joannie Murphy!

Yes! That would be Robert Stark, son of founder Susan Stark. Standby for World Premiere!

Yes. See previous three questions!

Trick Question! There is no DZ dog.

9,955 – and an average of 2,510 hours flying skydivers.

12,000!

Over 13,000! That’s why he manages FLORIDA’S BEST SKYDIVING SCHOOL™!

Zeus is a Z-Hills sponsored 4-Way competition team managed by Amer Kassas.

Ahhhhhhhh. We think you know.