What to Expect on Your First Jump
Nervous? Good. That means you're about to do something real. Here's exactly what happens, from the moment you book to the moment you land.
Pick your path
There are two ways to make your first jump with us. A tandem takes one afternoon, and you jump attached to an instructor. The First Jump Course takes a weekend, and you land under your own parachute.
Either way, a $50 deposit holds your spot when you book online. The rest, $180 for a tandem or $130 for the course, is due on jump day.
Skip ahead to your tandem day or your First Jump Course weekend, or compare the two below.
Two ways to make your first jump
- Best for: Anyone who wants the thrill with an instructor doing the flying: People who want to fly their own parachute, and maybe get licensed
- Training: 10 to 20 minutes: Friday 6 to 10 pm and Saturday 8 to 11 am
- How you jump: Attached to a certified instructor: On your own, using a static line, a cord that opens your parachute as you leave the plane
- Exit altitude: 10,000 feet: About 3,500 feet
- Freefall: Yes, about a minute at 120 mph: Not on your first jump. Freefall comes at jump 6.
- Price: $230: $180, and it includes gear rental and semester club dues
- Leads to a license?: It can, and you get $50 off the First Jump Course afterward: Yes, this is step one toward your USPA A-License
Which should you pick?
Go tandem if you want the experience with zero pressure. Your instructor handles everything, and you enjoy the view and the freefall. It's also the perfect gift.
Take the First Jump Course if you want to jump and land your own parachute from day one, or you've ever dreamed of becoming a licensed skydiver. It's one of the lowest-cost ways to start in the Midwest.
Not sure? Start with a tandem. If you love it, we take $50 off your First Jump Course, which brings it to $130.
Ready to pick one?
Both start with a $50 deposit. Call 785-268-7235 if you want a hand deciding.
Your tandem day
One afternoon, start to finish. Slots are 8 am and 1 pm almost every weekend.
Arrive about 30 minutes early
Before your jump time
Plan to show up about 30 minutes before your jump time. You're welcome to come sooner to hang out and watch the experienced jumpers.
Sign your waiver and meet your instructor
First thing
You sign the waiver, then meet the instructor you'll jump with. Every one of them holds a USPA instructional rating and has hundreds, if not thousands, of jumps. Ask them anything.
Train for 10 to 20 minutes
Aircraft safety, body position, landing
Your instructor covers aircraft safety, freefall body position, and how the landing works. They handle the important stuff.
Gear up
Harness on
You wear a harness that attaches to your instructor at each shoulder and each hip. Your instructor's rig carries two parachutes, each sized for two people.
Ride to altitude
About 10,000 feet
You climb to about 10,000 feet, nearly 2 miles up, in our Cessna 182. Enjoy the view on the way up.
Freefall
About a minute at around 120 mph
You exit the plane together. Freefall lasts about a minute at around 120 mph. At about 5,000 feet, you can pull the parachute yourself, or let your instructor do it.
Under the open parachute, then landing
About 5 minutes
Once the parachute is open, you get about 5 minutes floating down, and you can help steer if you like. Wild ride or calm and gentle, your call. Coming in to land, your instructor takes over for a soft, on-target touchdown.
Want to go again? If time permits, just ask.
Your First Jump Course weekend
Two days of training that end with you flying your own parachute.
Friday evening classroom
6 to 10 pm, K-State Student Union
The classroom session. The exact room is emailed to you after you sign up. This part is required. Miss Friday and you can't jump Saturday, so plan for both, and the deposit isn't refundable if you miss the Friday session.
Saturday morning at the airport
8 to 11 am, Abilene Municipal Airport
Hands-on practical training. You work through everything you need to know to exit the aircraft, operate your parachute, and land safely.
Saturday afternoon, your first jump
Usually between noon and 5 pm
You exit at about 3,500 feet. A static line, a cord attached to the aircraft, opens your parachute as you leave. An instructor guides you to the ground by radio through a helmet speaker. Exact timing can shift with weather or aircraft maintenance.
Before you come
- What to wear. Weather-appropriate clothing and tennis shoes. Boots are fine, but skip boots with shoelace hooks. They can snag.
- Medication. If you take medication, check with your doctor before jumping.
- No alcohol. No alcohol at the airport while we're skydiving, even if you're done jumping for the day. If you're under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or narcotics, you won't be allowed to jump. 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.
- Bring your people. Friends and family are welcome to watch. This is an airport, so please keep an eye on your kids. Pets are discouraged, but if you bring one, keep it leashed and away from the parachutes on the packing floor.
- Mind the propellers. Keep children and pets well away from them. If you walk into a propeller, you will die. It has never happened here, and we'd like to keep it that way.
- Book a few days ahead. Walk-ins are welcome for tandems, but booking ahead helps us confirm an instructor for you. We jump year-round and we're busiest March through October.
Add video or photos
- Inside video, $55. Your instructor wears a wrist camera for a selfie-style shot of your jump.
- Outside video or photos, $80. A videographer jumps alongside you, shooting from just feet away.
Outside video depends on videographer availability. Tell us you want it when you book and we'll try to have someone ready for you.
Who can jump
- Age. You must be 18 or older. This is a USPA requirement.
- Weight. The general limit is about 220 pounds. Between 220 and 230? Get in touch first and we'll talk it through. For tandems, the combined weight of you, your instructor and the gear must stay under 500 pounds. For solo jumping, our student harnesses are certified under Technical Standards Order c23b, which sets a maximum exit weight of 254 pounds. Subtract the gear and that leaves about 220 pounds for the jumper.
- Health. We're not medical experts, so if you have a question about your fitness to jump, ask your doctor. Solo First Jump Course students need full use of both arms to steer and land safely. Had a shoulder injury? Tell your instructor before a tandem, and talk to us before you jump solo.
Weather and rescheduling
We jump nearly every weekend the weather is good. If weather, aircraft maintenance, or the unexpected pushes your jump, we'll tell you the next available date and your deposit stays with your booking.
Before you drive out, check live jump conditions for winds at Abilene, or email [email protected]. You can also call 785-268-7235.
Ready to jump?
$230 for a tandem, $180 for the course, and a $50 deposit holds either one. Rather talk it through? Call 785-268-7235.