How to Find a Good Skydiving School
Evaluating a Skydiving School
Skydiving is an amazing experience that can be enjoyed by people of many ages and fitness levels. If you are looking to become a licensed skydiver, then you may be wondering how to select a skydiving center for your training. It's important to find a good skydiving school that will provide you with the training and safety you need to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Here are a few of our tips:
Do your research. There are many skydiving schools (DZs) out there, so it's important to do your research and find one that has a good reputation. Check online reviews, talk to friends and family who have skydived, and visit the DZ before signing up for a course. Larger DZs are typically open all week and have larger aircraft, while smaller DZs may be limited to weekends only and have smaller planes.
Find out what progression the school uses. There are three different training progressions that a school may offer: tandem, static line, and accelerated freefall (AFF). In the United States, the governing body for skydiving activities is the United States Parachute Assoication (USPA). USPA has a suggested training sequence for all of these skydiving progressions. However, not all DZs follow USPA’s progression exactly. Ask the DZ what they use.
Ask about the number of student parachutes that are available. Students should be issued parachutes that are large and docile. Some DZs have a wider range of sizes than others; if you are a smaller than average person or a larger than average person, then this is an area worth looking into.
Make sure the school has experienced instructors. USPA also issues instructor ratings and your instructors must be rated for the type of jump that you will be doing (tandem, static line, or AFF). You can ask to see that the instructor’s USPA rating is current and what their experience level is. You can also ask for a particular instructor, if you wish.
The location of the school. In the United States, skydiving is quite popular in Florida, Arizona, and California. If you live in one of those states, then you will probably have a few options for a DZ. If you live in the midwest, then you will be more limited and may even consider travelling to a DZ for training. It’s not uncommon for peoplel to travel to a DZ to try to complete their student training within a week, for example.
Following these tips and evaluating the DZ for yourself (in person, if possible) will help you to find a place where you feel comfortable as a student.
Bonus Tips
In addition to the tips above, here are a few additional things to keep in mind when choosing a skydiving school:
Typical weather patterns at the school. Certain times of year may be more favorable weather-wise than others. Being “weathered out” multiple days in a row can be very frustrating.
The cost of the skydiving experience. Skydiving is expensive when first starting out. Compare prices among the different DZs because it can vary by a lot.