Skydiving FAQ
Here are answers to the questions we hear most about jumping for the first time. Still stuck? Contact us or call 785-268-7235.
Cost and booking
How much does it cost to skydive at Skydive K-State?
A tandem is $230. The solo First Jump Course is $180, which includes your first jump, gear rental, and semester club dues. A $50 deposit holds your spot for either one, and the rest is due on jump day. That is $180 for a tandem or $130 for the course.
Do I need a reservation, or can I walk in?
Walk-ins are welcome for tandems, but booking a few days ahead helps us confirm an instructor for you. A $50 deposit holds your spot when you book online.
When do tandems run?
Tandem slots are 8 am and 1 pm almost every weekend. We jump year-round and we are busiest March through October.
Can I buy a gift certificate?
Yes. Online, a gift certificate covers a tandem and it is $230. To gift the First Jump Course or add video, call us on 785-268-7235 and we will set it up.
What if weather cancels my jump?
We will tell you the next available date and your deposit stays with your booking. Check live jump conditions before you drive out.
How do I sign up?
Right here.
Book a Tandem · Book the First Jump Course · Buy a Gift Certificate
Rather talk first? Call 785-268-7235 or email [email protected].
Who can jump
Do I have to be a K-State student?
No. We are a non-profit organization and a registered student organization of Kansas State University, and we are open to everyone.
Are there restrictions on who can jump?
You must be 18 or older. This is a USPA requirement. The general limit is about 220 pounds. Between 220 and 230? Get in touch first and we'll talk it through.
I have had a shoulder injury, can I still skydive?
For a tandem, this should not be an issue, but please tell your instructor the nature of your past injury. For solo jumps, you need full use of both arms to steer and land safely. If you have dislocated a shoulder before, we do not recommend jumping solo, because opening forces can dislocate a weakened shoulder.
I am taking medicine, should I jump?
We are not medical experts. If you have a question about your fitness for skydiving, please consult a doctor. If you are under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or narcotics, you will not be allowed to skydive.
Safety
Is skydiving safe?
We use only USPA-certified instructors, commercial-rated pilots, and equipment that meets and exceeds FAA and USPA guidelines. Every jumper carries a main parachute and a reserve, and every reserve is repacked by an FAA-certified rigger every 180 days, even if it was never used.
What qualifications do you hold?
We are the Kansas State University Parachute Club, a member drop zone of the United States Parachute Association (USPA), the national governing body for skydiving in the US. We teach using only USPA-certified instructors following USPA safety regulations, and we fly with commercial-rated pilots, many of whom are also certified flight instructors.
What if my parachute does not open?
Every one of our instructors holds a USPA instructional rating and has hundreds, if not thousands, of jumps, and their parachutes have opened on every one. In the extremely rare event of a problem with the main parachute, your instructor will release it and deploy the reserve. You have two parachutes with you on every jump.
The full safety picture, including the airplane, the gear and how the reserves are maintained, is on about Skydive K-State.
Jump day
How high do you jump?
Tandems exit at about 10,000 feet, and freefall lasts about a minute at around 120 mph. First Jump Course jumps are from about 3,500 feet on a static line, a cord that opens your parachute as you leave the plane.
How much training is there?
Training takes 10 to 20 minutes for a tandem, covering aircraft safety, freefall body position, and landing. Your instructor handles the important stuff.
What time do I need to be at the drop zone?
About 30 minutes before your jump, to complete waivers and meet your instructor. You are welcome to show up sooner to hang out and watch the experienced jumpers.
What should I wear?
Weather-appropriate clothing and tennis shoes. Boots are fine, but skip boots with shoelace hooks. They can snag.
Where is Skydive K-State?
At Abilene Municipal Airport, 801 S Washington St, Abilene, KS 67410, just 2 miles south of I-70. It is within 30 minutes of Salina and Junction City, and about an hour from Manhattan.
Can my friends and family come out and watch?
Absolutely, bring them. This is an airport, so there are a few rules about kids, pets and propellers, and they are all on our What to Expect page.
Can I bring alcohol to celebrate my jump?
No alcohol may be consumed at the airport while we are skydiving, even if you are done jumping for the day. Once the day is over, join us in Abilene for dinner and drinks. Joe Snuffy's and La Fiesta are our usual post-jump hangouts.
Can I go again?
Yes, if time permits. Otherwise you are welcome to book another jump, or take the First Jump Course if you want to get your solo license.
See what to expect for the whole day step by step, the full spectator rules and the complete what-to-wear list. Get directions · Check jump conditions
The First Jump Course
What is included in the $180 First Jump Course fee?
The $180 covers your instruction, your first jump, rental of the student gear for that jump, and club dues for the semester. That is the full price of your first jump. A $50 deposit holds your seat and the remaining $130 is due at the course. Subsequent training jumps average about $50, and you can earn your license in as few as 25 jumps. We also offer a package for jumps 2 through 6 for $180 total, gear rental included.
How long is the First Jump Course?
It runs Friday 6 to 10 pm in a room at the K-State Student Union, then Saturday 8 to 11 am at Abilene Municipal Airport. You jump later that Saturday, usually between noon and 5 pm, as long as conditions are safe for first jumpers.
Where is the Friday portion held?
At the K-State Student Union, 6 to 10 pm. After you sign up, you will get an email with the room details. You can also find it on the Facebook event for your course date.
Do I have to attend the Friday night session?
Yes. Miss Friday and you cannot jump Saturday, so plan for both. The deposit is not refundable if you miss the Friday session.
What if weather stops me from jumping on Saturday?
We will tell you the next available date, and your deposit stays with your booking. After class, the jump is on you to schedule, and sooner is better while the training is fresh. We jump nearly every weekend the weather is good, and static line instructors are almost always available.
How much does it cost to retake the class?
If you have not jumped within the last 30 days, you retake the Saturday morning portion at no cost. If you have not jumped within 120 days, you sit through the entire course again at no retrain charge. Beyond 180 days, you sit through the entire course and pay a $20 instructor fee. Club dues apply in a new semester, and any jumps on your account stay there.
The full course page, with the schedule, the training progression and every price, is at see the course. For instructor availability, email [email protected] or ask in our Facebook group.
Ready to jump?
$230 for a tandem, $180 for the course. A $50 deposit holds either one. Questions? Call 785-268-7235.