What to Expect on Your First Jump
Nervous? Good. That means you are about to do something real. Here is exactly what happens, from the moment you book to the moment you land.
You must be 18 or older and weigh under about 220 pounds. A $50 deposit holds your spot online, and the balance is due on jump day. Tandems exit at 10,000 feet. First Jump Course students exit at 3,500 feet via static line, Friday evening and Saturday.
Who can jump
A few things to know before you book.
Age. You must be 18 or older to skydive with us.
Weight. The general limit is about 220 pounds. If you are between 220 and 230, get in touch and we will talk it through. The combined weight of the student, instructor, and gear must stay under 500 pounds for tandem jumps. Our student harnesses for solo jumping are certified under Technical Standards Order c23b, which sets a maximum exit weight of 254 pounds.
Health. If you take medication, check with your doctor before jumping. You will not be allowed to skydive if you are under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or narcotics. For solo First Jump Course students, you need full use of both arms to steer and land safely.
Reserve your spot
A $50 deposit holds your place when you book online. The remaining balance is due on jump day.
That is all you pay now. No surprise charges at checkout. Show up, pay the balance, jump.
Two ways to make your first jump
Tandem. You jump attached to a USPA-certified instructor. About 10 to 20 minutes of training, then freefall from 10,000 feet. Your instructor handles the parachute. All you do is show up and enjoy it.
First Jump Course. A two-day solo course where you learn to jump on your own. You exit the plane at about 3,500 feet and a static line opens your parachute. By the end, you have landed under your own canopy.
Not sure which one is right for you? Read New to Skydiving? or check the FAQ.
Tandem: your day
Before you arrive. Plan to show up about 30 minutes before your jump time. That gives you time to sign your waiver and meet your instructor.
Training. Expect about 10 to 20 minutes of instruction covering aircraft safety, freefall body position, and landing. Your instructor handles the important stuff. There is not much to stress about.
The jump. You climb to about 10,000 feet, then 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. Once it opens, you get about 5 minutes floating under canopy. Your instructor steers you to a soft, on-target landing.
After. If time permits and you want to go again, just ask. If skydiving turns out to be your thing, we take $50 off the solo First Jump Course for having jumped tandem with us.
First Jump Course: your two days
Friday evening, 6 to 10pm. Classroom session at the KSU Student Union. The exact room is sent to you after you sign up. This is required. If you miss it, you cannot jump until you complete the training. The deposit is nonrefundable if you miss the Friday session.
Saturday morning, 8 to 11am. Hands-on practical training at Abilene Municipal Airport. You work through everything you need to know to exit the aircraft, operate your parachute, and land safely.
Saturday afternoon. Your first jump, weather permitting. You exit at about 3,500 feet. The static line attached to the aircraft opens your parachute automatically as you leave. An instructor guides you to the ground by radio through a helmet speaker. You usually jump between noon and 5pm, though exact timing can shift with weather or aircraft maintenance.
If weather or something else pushes your jump, we will let you know the next available opportunity. We jump nearly every weekend the weather cooperates.
Also: Read the FAQ