Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to All Your Los Angeles Skydiving Questions

This is a one-stop destination for the answers to all your Los Angeles skydiving questions. Below is a list of frequently asked questions, they are provided to answer your Los Angeles skydiving questions, satisfy your curiosities, clarify some things and give you confidence and know-how to finally jump. If for some unbeknownst reason, the answer to your Los Angeles skydiving question(s) is not listed here, then give us a call, fill out the contact form or look at some of the other pages on our site for a more in-depth view on specific skydiving subject.

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General Skydiving Questions

Is skydiving safe?

Skydiving is a surprisingly safe, yet, unsurprisingly, exciting sport. With almost anything in life, especially extreme sports, there is a risk of death or injury. All of the instructors at the dropzone take safety seriously. Skydiving accidents are far and in between, because the dropzone follows all USPA guidelines, purchase modern and unadulterated equipment, regularly maintain the equipment, and ensure each of the instructors are the best for you. From a statistical standpoint, death by skydiving is similar in odds to being struck by lightning.

How much does it cost to skydive?

Pricing can vary depending on a number of factors (type of jump, time of year, group discounts, etc.) Discounts for groups and members of the military are typically available year-round. Larger discounts are available during certain seasons/holidays. Please visit our pricing page for specific information on cost and available discounts, or give us a call to learn more.

Do I need to make reservations to make a skydive?

Yes and no. When you pay for a skydive, whether that be over the phone, online, or at the drop zone, you will pay in full. However, if you book in advance by making a reservation, you typically save money on your jump.

What is your cancellation/refund policy?

Refunds are available within 72 hours of making a reservation. Outside of the 72 hour window, you may cancel or reschedule with at least 48 hours’ notice.

How long does the whole experience take from start to finish?

The entire process of arriving, filling out paperwork, training, putting your gear on, jumping out of our plane and then potentially waiting for your video is around two to four hours.

What does freefall feel like?

Will I get that stomach drop feeling like I get on a roller coaster? As should be expected, you feel like you are falling, albeit at severely high speeds. It is the ultimate combination of thrill, relation, freedom, and speed packed into one awesome minute. And no, your ears will not pop and you won't get that same “roller coaster” feeling.

What if I’m afraid of heights?

Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about the nature of a skydive. So if you can’t muster the courage to overcome your fear of heights, skydiving isn’t for you. We will say that virtually every person who skydives is glad they did it in retrospect for one reason or another.

Do you sell gift certificates for skydiving?

Yes, we sell gift certificates for tandem jumps, the AFF course, solo jumps and photos/video. If you are interested in seeing our current skydiving gift certificate options, please visit our gift certificate page.

Requirements and Safety

What are the age requirements?

You must be 18 years old to skydive. Under no circumstances can you jump if you are under the age of 18, regardless of parental consent. There is no age limit to jump; all we ask is that the individual jumping must be physically able.

Are there any physical requirements or limits?

If you can walk and hop over a 3-foot fence, you should be fine. However, we do encourage good physical health. You should be under 250 lbs, but there is a charge for anyone over 230 lbs. There are no height restrictions per se, but your weight should be reasonably proportionate to your height. If you are concerned that an existing or past medical condition may affect your jump, please consult your doctor before coming out to jump.

Will any type of weather affect my scheduled jump?

99% of the time, all jumps will take place on the day on the reservation, if not the whole day, then part of the day. The drop zone has weather monitoring equipment, distinct training, and years of combined experience skydiving. The conditions that can affect your jump are excessively high winds, freezing temperatures, rain, and lightning. If you happen to be that one person out of a hundred that do not get to jump because of weather, we will simply reschedule you for a day that will work in the future.

Can I skydive without signing the release of liability waiver?

No. Every person who is skydiving will need to sign a release of liability waiver.

How is skydiving regulated?

Skydiving, both the act, training, and equipment, are regulated by the United States Parachute Association (USPA).

The Day of the Big Jump

What time should I be there to check-in for my scheduled reservation?

We recommend arriving about 30 minutes early to your scheduled reservation. Arriving on time helps minimize the wait for all parties planning to jump at the scheduled time.

Is there anything I need to bring? What should I wear?

A valid driver’s license, state ID or passport, comfortable shoes, appropriate clothes (we’ll send you a list of common clothing in an email beforehand), and your excitement!

Can I wear glasses or contact lenses?

Yes, you can wear glasses or contacts. However, the drop zone does require you to wear goggles over them to protect your eyes.

Can my friends and family come watch me jump?

Of course! A good dropzone always has a nice, newly renovated viewing area with comfortable seating and amenities for family and friends who are there to witness your jump. Gift certificates are popular gifts and we encourage everyone to come out for the experience!

Can my friends and I jump together?

Yes and no. It is likely we can accommodate your group size on a single load. However, each person jumps at different intervals on the flight.

How fast will I fall? Will I reach terminal velocity?

During freefall, after about roughly 15 seconds, you will be falling at terminal velocity. While the exact speed varies from person to person, 120 mph is a virtual guarantee.

What is opening and flying the parachute like?

Canopy flight is the most relaxing part of the parachute jump, it gives you more time to relish your surroundings and focus on the horizon. Flying the parachute itself is quite easy, with a lever on each side that when pulled, turns the parachute that direction.

What if your parachute doesn’t open?

This is an unlikely occurrence and, if you are on a tandem jump, your tandem instructor will know exactly what to do. The likely solution is to simply deploy your reserve parachute, but if you fail to do so, the Automatic Activation Device (AAD) will deploy the reserve for you.

Does any part of the skydive hurt?

In 99.9% of circumstances, the answer is no. The entire process, especially the landing, should be smooth and clean, regardless of if you prefer to land on your butt or feet. However, accidents can occur if precautions are not taken and procedures are not followed.

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Tandem Skydiving

What is a tandem skydive?

Tandem skydiving is the act of jumping out of a plane attached to the front of a certified tandem instructor with a harness as compared to AFF where the student virtually skydives solo his or her first time. This experience is often ‘reserved’ for individuals looking for the first time skydive experience with little training require (10-15 minutes). See our tandem skydiving page for a more detailed description.

What does the training for a tandem jump consist of?

Training for a tandem skydive is normally about 10-15 minutes long, consisting of lessons on body position, exiting the aircraft, a few hand signals, and landing.

How high do you go up and jump from? Can I pay you more to go up any higher to jump?

Each jump is executed at approximately 13,000 feet. Additionally, our pilots are known to fly higher under certain circumstances to give you a longer jump, but this is not guaranteed.

Skydiving School and AFF Jumps

What is Accelerated Freefall (AFF)?

The AFF course is a training program for skydivers who lack experience but are determined to become a ‘skydiver’ in a short time. This original program will provide you with the skills needed to skydive competently through seven levels of achievement (A-G). Each level consists of ground training and a jump with specific goals. Each jump getting progressively more advanced while the training beforehand lessens as you acquire the basic skills needed to build your experience as a skydiver. Visit our Accelerated Freefall page for a more thorough depiction of the experience.

What does the parachute training for the AFF jumps consist of?

Training for the AFF course is much more intensive. The AFF course begins with a 3-6 hour training session going over body position, hand signals, exiting the aircraft, potential difficulties in freefall and canopy flight, releasing and piloting the parachute, landing and more. Each level and each jump after your first AFF jump typically require an hour of training beforehand.

Do I have to do a tandem skydive for my first solo jump? Can I jump solo?

No, you do not need to complete a tandem jump before you jump solo. You can jump solo from the start by trying our AFF program. However, we do recommend trying out a tandem skydive to get you more comfortable with the experience.

How do I become a certified skydiver?

To become a licensed skydiver, you must first complete an AFF program and an additional 18 jumps for a total of 25 successful jumps.