Frequently Asked Questions About Skydiving?
Why should I choose Gold Coast Skydivers?
Because of our staff, equipment, facilities and variety of instructional programs. We also have the finest and best maintained jump plane that you will find at any skydiving center. We offer every instructional program sanctioned by the United States Parachute Association. You get to choose the program that is right for you and your budget. In addition, our tandem jumps are made from our Twin Otter, the only plane on the gulf coast that is safety certified to fly military skydivers. We also jump from an altitude of 14,000 feet, not the typical 8,000 or 10,000 feet. In addition, we can accommodate a number of skydivers in a short period of time due to the size of our staff and aircraft.
On a tandem skydive, how long is the freefall?
All our tandem jumps are made from an altitude of 14,000 feet. From 14,000 feet, your freefall lasts approximately 65 seconds, compared to the 20 second freefall from 8,000 feet offered by other skydiving centers. The parachute ride will last between
5-7 minutes, depending on the number of turns you do while in the air.
Exactly how safe is skydiving?
Statistically, skydiving is one of the safest recreational sports you can engage in. The most dangerous part of skydiving is driving to the airport. We will provide you with modern, state of the art equipment that will help ensure that you have a safe, fun skydive.
Do I have to be physically fit to learn to skydive?
Skydiving is not a physically demanding sport, however you must be in good health. AFF students must have enough upper body strength to pull down on the steering toggles to arm extension to flare the parachute while landing. For most people this is not a problem. If you are concerned about health questions, we strongly advise you to consult a physician before engaging in skydiving activities.
How long does it take to learn to skydive?
You can learn in just one day. Make plans to spend the entire day if you are attending one of our instructional courses. If you are making a tandem skydive you will usually jump (weather permitting) within one hour of your appointed time. Generally, AFF students will jump between 3:00 and 5:00 pm the same day.
If I go through the AFF Course, will I be able to make more than one jump per day?
It depends on the number of people that are in the class. Usually you will be able to make a second jump the same day you train. We do not recommend making more than three jumps in one day simply because of "sensory overload".
Will I be able to jump with my glasses or contacts?
Yes, we have special goggles for you to wear over your glasses or contact lenses.
What do I wear for my skydive?
Dress comfortably for whatever weather we are experiencing the day of your jump. AFF students will wear a jumpsuit over their clothing. Jumpsuits are optional for tandem students. Lace-up type shoes are required for any jump that you do. Tennis shoes are ideal. No sandals, open-toed or slip-on shoes.
When are the classes held and do I need an appointment?
An appointment is required for our AFF class. The classes are held every Saturday and Sunday morning at the drop zone. The classes begin at 9:00 am, rain or shine. Plan to be at the DZ no later than 8:50 am so that you can fill out all the necessary paperwork. Tandem jumps are set at specific times and scheduled by appointment. Walk-ups are welcome but it is on a first come first serve basis.
How far in advance do I need to make my appointment?
Anytime, even the day before, for the AFF course. Because the tandem jumps are set for specific times, the earlier you call the better chance you have of getting the particular time that you want. We have a large staff and a large jump plane so we can accommodate a lot of people in one day. Generally, one hour is set aside for up to 8 people.How do I make an appointment to skydive?
Please call or email us. When making an appointment we ask for your name, phone number and a credit card number to hold the reservation. We do have a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel your appointment less than 24 hours of your appointment time, we reserve the right to charge you a fee of $50 per person. If you do not show up for your appointment we will assess a $50 no-show fee per person. **This does not apply if we have in-climate weather.**
Do you provide health insurance prior to our jump?
No, we do not provide insurance of any kind on you while you are at the airport or making your skydive. Because skydiving is considered by the general public to be a high risk sport, insurance coverage is not available to the local skydiving facility. Because of that, you will have to sign a release and indemnification agreement before you will be allowed to make your jump. Your independent insurance may cover you if there is no exclusion for skydiving. Check your policy if you're not sure.
What if I schedule a tandem jump and the weather is bad?
If the weather is questionable, you can call the DZ prior to your appointed schedule. We are not meteorologists so we can only give you our best "guess" based on information provided to us by flight service. Don't "assume" that the weather is bad at the drop zone just because it may be raining at your house. Remember, the weather on the gulf coast is very unpredictable. If you do get weathered out, we will reschedule at your convenience.
On a tandem skydive, how long is the freefall?
All our tandem jumps are made from an altitude of 14,000 feet. From 14,000 feet, your freefall lasts approximately 65 seconds, compared to the 20 second freefall from 8,000 feet offered by other skydiving centers. The parachute ride will last between
5-7 minutes, depending on the number of turns you do while in the air.Back to top of page