Skydive Galaxy

Skydive Galaxy

Skydive Galaxy aims to promote the sport of parachuting in all its various forms. Whether you are an experienced jumper planning a skydiving road trip or you are interested in doing your first tandem, this global directory has everything you need to know to get started. Click a location to check out Google, Dropzone, and Yelp reviews.

If you are new to skydiving, there are two other great resources on the web that also contain drop zone (DZ) locators:

The DZ locators on these sites are good for finding specific DZs in your area. But many skydivers also enjoy traveling and jumping at new DZs. Skydive Galaxy allows skydivers to better plan for their road trips, and trips abroad.

Skydive Galaxy also differentiates itself by showing the location of jumpsuit makers. Experience has shown us that your jumpsuit will come out the best if the tailor that is sewing the jumpsuit is the same person that is measuring it. Now with Skydive Galaxy, you can easily locate a jumpsuit manufacturer and jump at a couple of the local DZs while you are in the area.

Safety & Requirements

Skydiving is a high-speed aerial sport that exposes its participants to the real risk of injury and death. Each year in the US about 35 people die while making approximately 2 million parachute jumps. Other skydivers are sometimes killed while riding aboard jump aircraft. Analysis of skydiving accidents show that most are caused by jumpers who make mistakes of procedure or judgment. Contrary to popular belief, very few skydiving accidents or injuries are caused by random or unexpected equipment failure.

Those skydivers who are trained well, who stay current and who take a conservative approach to the sport are involved in very few accidents and suffer few -- if any -- injuries. Some people prefer not to expose themselves to significant risks, while others accept the risk in exchange for the enjoyment the activity offers. For more statistical information, the US Parachute Association (USPA) publishes annual skydiving fatality summaries.

Most parachute centers require that each customer sign a legally binding assumption-of-risk agreement. The document makes it clear that the sport has its risks and that the jumper is electing to jump in spite of those risks.

In the US, parachuting is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by Part 105 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA allows sport parachuting to monitor itself in training and operational requirements. After all, it is a sport just like SCUBA diving or rock climbing. The USPA has developed standards called "Basic Safety Requirements" which all USPA affiliates pledge to follow. BSRs represent the commonly accepted standards for a high level of safety. They cover equipment, training, DZ requirements, wind limits, and so forth.

Most dropzones have the following requirements:

• Age - typically, you can skydive if you are over 18 years of age. With no upper limit, there are many active skydivers over the age of 60.
• Physical - Although skydiving is not a strenuous sport, people who are in reasonably good shape enjoy it more and are less likely to suffer an injury. Certain conditions -- epilepsy, obesity, heart problems and others -- might preclude someone from jumping.

What Does Skydiving Feel Like?

Freefall is not the "roller coaster drop" feeling most people expect it would be. It is a comfortable sensation of floating and support, with a slight pressure of air against your body. Freefall is the closest thing to human flight, especially when falling "relative" with other skydivers. In relation to other skydivers in the air, a jumper can move forward, backwards, up, down and all around in the sky. He or she can dive vertically over 200 mph or achieve horizontal movement over the ground up to 60 mph. The constant air flow allows aerial maneuvers with precision and control. You could always visit a wind tunnel to see what skydiving feels like before you actually jump.

The opening "shock" of the parachute is much like jumping feet-first into a pool of water. The opening takes about two to five seconds and is not uncomfortable. Square parachutes are simple to maneuver and steer to the ground. Steering lines are attached to the rear right and left side of the parachute. By taking the controls in each hand, one steers the parachute by pulling on one control. To turn left, simply pull down the left control. To stop the turn, simply return the control to its original position.

With the new, modern square parachutes, a proper parachute landing is now just like stepping off the curb. Parachutes used by beginners are typically much larger and more docile than an experienced jumper's parachute. Thus, landings are generally soft in most conditions. This doesn't mean jumpers don't get hurt while landing; they sometimes do, just like participants in other active sports get occasionally injured.

How Much Does Skydiving Cost?

This question is most often asked, but hardest to answer. For a variety of reasons, different centers will quote different prices. It also depends on which training method used. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $85 to $125 for your first static line jump and $100 to $200 for a tandem jump. The AFF program is sometimes sold as a complete package of seven to 10 jumps, costing around $1,500. The first AFF jump normally runs about $250. These prices include all equipment, instruction and the ride to altitude.

First-timers should consider other factors besides just price. Different centers have different facilities with different amenities. Some are open only on weekends and others more often. Some are close to home and some are quite distant. It make sense to visit a parachute center before deciding to jump there. Pick a day when the weather is good so you'll be able to see the facility in action. Ask questions.

Experienced jumpers buy their own gear. A complete set of state-of-the-art equipment costs about $5000 and will last for thousands of jumps if given reasonable care. Less expensive gear is also available. It's every bit as safe as the high-tech stuff, but it doesn't provide the excitement.

Many new jumpers, like many new skiers, purchase used gear. It's less expensive and serves the jumper well while he or she gains experience.

Training Methods

There are more than one way to learn to jump. Over the years four ways have proven to be effective:

Warning: There is broker called Skyride that advertises with an 800-number and fake addresses in major cities to lure customers in, but they have no physical location. They simply over-charge you and call the nearest DZ and schedule your jump for less. Please select a dropzone from the map above and call them directly.

If you are new to skydiving, these are some things you should bring with you on your first trip to the drop zone (contact your local DZ for specifics):

• Wind Tunnel - This is the newest training tool, and it gives jumpers a heads up on what free fall feels like and how their movement and body position affects their stability. Many experienced jumpers find themselves coming back to the tunnel to hone their free flying skills.
• Tandem Training - Tandem jumping allows first-time jumpers to experience the thrill and excitement of the sport without the preparation and knowledge required for a solo jump. The instructor controls the jump from exit to opening and landing, so training for a tandem jump is minimal -- usually under one hour. The student wears a harness which attaches to the instructor's parachute system. The pair exits the aircraft for a controlled freefall of up to 45 seconds. The instructor deploys the parachute approximately 4,000 feet above the ground and guides you to a safe, soft landing under an extra-large "ram-air" parachute. The parachute ride lasts about five minutes.
• Static Line Training - This conventional method is often used by the military but is also used in sport parachuting as the first step in skydiving training. A first static line jump course lasts from four to six hours. Most static line jumps are made approximately 3,000 feet above the ground. A line attached from the parachute to the aircraft opens the parachute as the student falls away. It takes about 300 feet before the parachute inflates completely. The parachute ride will take about three minutes, during which the student is guided to the ground by either radio contact or ground signals.
• Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) Training: This method of instruction was designed as a safe and effective way to progress students through freefall training rapidly. It is often used by those seriously interested in becoming a trained skydiver. The program typically requires a full day of training before the first jump. Most AFF courses are taught privately or in small groups, with personal attention given to each student. Using this method, two instructors securely hold on to you while you leave the aircraft together at 10,000 feet or above. The instructors hold on through the entire freefall of 40-50 seconds, supervising the student as he or she performs what was practiced on the ground. The student opens his own parachute at 4,500 feet and follows ground or radio signals to the landing zone. The parachute ride lasts about four minutes.

A few other programs have been developed using variations of these methods. Most centers offer one or all of these training methods.

The more a student knows about the sport, the better he or she will perform and the more enjoyable skydiving becomes. For skydiving, it is best to take it slow and learn as much as possible from other people's experiences rather than learning them yourself the hard way. You have "the rest of your life" to become a great skydiver.

First Timers

Whether you are taking your first skydive as a tandem or as an accelerated freefall (AFF) student, here are some tips to make your day more enjoyable.

Warning: There is broker called Skyride that advertises with an 800-number and fake addresses in major cities to lure customers in, but they have no physical location. They simply over-charge you and call the nearest DZ and schedule your jump for less. Please select a dropzone from the map above and call them directly.

If you are new to skydiving, these are some things you should bring with you on your first trip to the drop zone (contact your local DZ for specifics):

• Patience - skydiving can be time consuming when you are waiting for weather, prepping the plane, organizing who is one which load, etc. Think about it. If you are risking your life, you do not want to be in a stressed and rushed environment. So take your time, bring some things to keep you occupied, and be ready to make a day of it.
• Food - bring whatever it takes to stay full and hydrated. Some coffee or an energy drink for added alertness is a plus.
• Clothing - depending on the weather skydivers can wear anything ranging from nothing but shorts to boots, multiple layers, jumpsuit, and gloves. But if you are new to the sport, you should wear comfortable jeans that you would not mind getting grass stains on. Wear a t-shirt and bring a couple of long sleeve layers (preferably without hoods). A pair of running shoes should work well for most locations.
• It would also be wise to bring a camera since there is unique scenery, as well as many memorable moments with friends and like minded adventurers. You will not get to take pictures while skydiving for safety reasons, but most drop zones offer still photographs or videos of your jump.

Learning to Jump Solo

So you want to jump by yourself? Avoid some of the pitfalls before making this major investment in time, money, and your physical well being. You should go to a couple DZs in the area and see which has a vibe that matches you best. All DZs should have an AFF (accelerated free fall) course, and it should be a little over $1k. This course is typically a seven jump course where you jump with instructor(s) holding onto you, requiring you to perform specific tasks and maneuvers during your jump.

Do the seven jumps of the AFF on rental gear. If you make it through, then try and buy your own gear as soon as possible. Your first rig will run you anywhere from $2-5k. Find out more about the different gear and skydiving disciplines by asking around the DZ and reading online, and see if you would like to progress to RW (relative work), VRW (vertical relative work, or free flying), wingsuiting (WS), CRW (canopy relative work, or "crew"), swooping, or BASE jumping. Once you know what discipline you are interested in, you can pick the parts of your first rig to better suit a specific discipline.

For example, my first container was a Javelin3 with a Pilot168 canopy which was perfect for relative work as a student. After 'outgrowing' it and wanting a smaller canopy and container for better performance canopy piloting, my old Javelin3 was easily modified to become the perfect wingsuiting container. And I'm not pushing one brand over another, because an Infinity container with a Sabre2 canopy would work just as well, for an affordable price.

So that covers the basics you need to start jumping. Remember, "Safety is no accident." Blue skies!

List Your Business?

Do you want your Drop Zone, Wind Tunnel, or BASE location included in the directory? These locations are included free of charge. Add your location to Google Maps and email us your link. It also helps to include links to Dropzone, Yelp, and Trip Advisor.

How do you go from being a blue marker to a red marker? USPA Training Centers are DZs that have pledged to follow USPA basic safety requirements and to offer first-jump courses taught by current USPA-rated instructors. Visit USPA's site and learn how to become a designated USPA Training Center.

If you own a retail gear shop, your business can be listed with a subscription fee by clicking the link below.