About Skydive K-State
Since 1964, the Kansas State University Parachute Club has made thousands of skydives over Kansas, and we're proud to call Abilene home.
The short version
- 1964
- Jumping since
- Thousands of skydives over Kansas
- Cessna 182 "560"
- Our own airplane
- A wide-body 182 with engine and propeller upgrades
- USPA member drop zone
- A member of the United States Parachute Association
- USPA-certified instructors and training methods only
Who is Skydive K-State?
We're the Kansas State University Parachute Club. We're a non-profit organization and a registered student organization of Kansas State University. We've been jumping since 1964, and we're the only collegiate parachute club in the United States that owns its own airplane and runs its own drop zone.
You don't have to be a student to jump with us. We offer tandem skydives and solo training on a static line, a cord that opens your parachute as you leave the plane, to everyone, along with professional exhibition jumps. As a member drop zone of the United States Parachute Association (USPA), the national governing body for skydiving in the US, we use only USPA-certified instructors and training methods.
Who jumps here
Just about everyone.
- First-timers come out for a tandem skydive with an instructor. $230, and freefall from 10,000 feet. See tandem details
- Students and non-students take the $180 First Jump Course and train toward a USPA A-License. See the course
- Licensed skydivers from near and far call Abilene their home drop zone. We run weekly jump operations for them. Experienced jumpers
The airplane and the gear
We fly our own Cessna 182, N71560, known around the drop zone as "560." It's a 182M with an upgraded engine and a Hartzell prop. This model has a slightly wider body than most 182s, so there's a little extra elbow room on the ride to altitude.
Our airplane and equipment meet and exceed all FAA and USPA guidelines for skydiving operations. Our pilots are all commercial-rated, and many of them are certified flight instructors as well. Every instructor holds a USPA instructional rating and has hundreds, if not thousands, of jumps.
How we keep it safe
- All instructors are USPA-certified, and hold a USPA instructional rating.
- We use only commercial-rated pilots, many of whom are also certified flight instructors.
- Our airplane and equipment meet and exceed all FAA and USPA guidelines for skydiving operations.
- Every reserve parachute is repacked by an FAA-certified rigger every 180 days, even if it was never used.
- Every jumper carries a main parachute and a reserve.
- The final go or no-go call on any jumping day is made by our staff and instructors on site.
Read the FAQ for the short answers, and see what to expect for how jump day actually runs.
Ready to jump?
Come see the place for yourself. Tandems are $230, the First Jump Course is $180, and a $50 deposit holds either. Call 785-268-7235 with any question.