Skydiving...

[Adamm0621]

Anyone else here jump?  I just found out that there is a drop zone less than ten minutes from my house.  I haven't jumped in over four years (9 jumps total), and I'm looking to get back into it.  I spent about two and a half hours at the drop zone this afternoon just scoping the place out.  I'm really looking forward to jumping again.

[WarrenJ]

I was at a rifle match in New Mexico a few years ago and one guy was a glider pilot and another guy was an AirForce PJ.  The PJ asked the glider pilot if he had ever jumped so he would know how to use the parachute he always flew with.  The glider pilot replied that he didn't see any sense in practicing something that had to be done perfectly the first time anyway.  Don't know if I agree with the sentiment but I thought it was a clever comeback anyway.

Jumping is something I always wanted to try - good luck and have fun!

[Monsterlover]

What does it cost to do that?

Rent gear and go up and what not?

[Adamm0621]

It depends on what you're looking to do, and where you are going to jump.  Some of the bigger cities will have cheaper prices because there are more people jumping, so the dropzone makes more money and can afford the lower prices.  There are also several options to go about it.  Many dropzones have the options of a tandem jump, static-line, or the Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) Program.  These vary in price.

My first jump was tandem (attached to an instructor).  I highly recommend this option as it is usually cheaper and the best way to experience the sport for the first time.  The first few seconds out the door is almost sensory overload.  There's no way to explain the feeling of jumping out of a plane.  If you do a tandem jump, the jump master does all of the work for you and you get to just sit there and enjoy the ride.  There's usually an hour of training on the ground and then you get to jump.  Quick, simple, easy, and painless (unless you die that is).   

Static-line means that the parachute is pulled for you by a cord as you leave the plane.  While this is a cheaper method, you jump from a lower altitude and don't really get to experience free fall (the fun part).

The AFF program is usually more expensive and includes around six hours of ground school before your first jump.  While you do get your own parachute for this, there are tasks that you need to complete during the jump which IMO, detract from enjoying the experience.

My first two jumps were on the same day and were tandem jumps.  Once I got the feel for what skydiving was like (and got addicted to it), I continued with the AFF program.

For the first jump, look to spend around $200 give or take.  I would also recommend paying a little extra to get a camera-flyer (someone flies around you with a camera on their helmet) to video tape it for you.  While the video tape is a good memento, having something to focus on during freefall is definitely a plus.  At such a high altitude, the ground looks flat and far away, and there are no real reference points to look at in the air.  The camera-flyer helps this and mine actually flew up and shook my hand mid-jump.

Go to http://www.dropzone.com/dropzone/ to find a dropzone near you. 

[teddy037.2]

I think I paid $150 for the tandem jump I did a few years ago.

it was EPIC fun! one second, you're standing at the door, then a roll.... and the plane is GONE.

part of me does kinda wish I paid for the photography.

[ducpainter]

I think I paid $150 for the tandem jump I did a few years ago.

it was EPIC fun! one second, you're standing at the door, then a roll.... and the plane is GONE.

part of me does kinda wish I paid for the photography.

If you had paid for the plane ride they wouldn't have pushed you out.

[teddy037.2]

If you had paid for the plane ride they wouldn't have pushed you out.

heyyoooo

[Kopfjäger]

I think I paid $150 for the tandem jump I did a few years ago.

A tandem jump is just a ride, not a real skydive. 

[stopintime]

I like the word skydive. It's not for me, but I like the word.

Dropzone  not so much

[cyrus buelton]

A tandem jump is just a ride, not a real skydive. 

I was waiting for the sky diving expert to chime in

[Kopfjäger]

meh. 

[NorDog]

Many years ago I made a static line jump with a round canopy, exiting from a cool DC-3.  I thought I was scared before that jump, but the real fear kicked in a few years later when I finally got around to making my second jump.

The fear before the first jump was based on what I thought I was about to do.

The fear before the second jump was based on knowing what I was about to do.

Yeah, no third jump.

[IZ]

If you had paid for the plane ride they wouldn't have pushed you out.

I've got a glider ride coming up soon. 
Maybe..someday..skydiving?

[cyrus buelton]

I've got a glider ride coming up soon. 
Maybe..someday..skydiving?

My Dad did a Glider not too long ago in Tucson; said it was awesome.


Skydiving is actually very safe.

You have more chance of dying while scuba diving then sky diving. I can't remember where I read that, but it was a government website that publishes statistics of certain activities, jobs, etc.

[IZ]

My Dad did a Glider not too long ago in Tucson; said it was awesome.

Skydiving is actually very safe.

I'll have to hit Tucson next.  Maybe convince my dad to go up  while I'm down there. 

Skydiving here is halfway down to Tucson.  Hmmm..wonder if I can get him to do that as well?