Is there a minimum age requirement?

Yes, you must legally be 18 years of age or older to skydive.  ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS. Skydive Tecumseh requires government-issued photo identification (generally a driver's license or passport) to participate in Parachuting activities.

What are your weight limits and why do you have them?

You must weigh less than 230 lbs with your regular clothes on, and be height/weight proportionate. We have to follow these limits due to manufacturers' equipment restrictions.

What should I wear for my jump?

Wear comfortable clothing that suits the weather.  It is very important that your clothing not be overly loose or baggy.  Avoid shirts with collars and hoods, or any other parts that may flap around. Avoid tank tops. Wear tennis shoes that lace up.  No open-toed shoes, sandals, boots, or other shoes with hooks. Do not wear any loose jewelry, or anything you wouldn't want to lose.

What should I eat/drink before my jump?

Please eat and drink normally. However, having a large meal just before your jump may lead to discomfort just as starving yourself can. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL prior to your jump. Your instructor WILL NOT take you skydiving if you have been drinking.

How long should I plan on being there?

Please be advised that this is a whole day activity - Plan on spending at least half a day (over 4 or 5 hours) at the dropzone. There are things that are beyond our control that may cause a delay with your jump. If there is a delay in the morning all jumps will be made in order of earliest appointment down. Please allow yourself an adequate amount of time and don’t schedule for a day when you have a time constraint.  We want you to enjoy your experience and not be concerned about running late for school, work, etc.

Can I bring guests to watch me skydive?

Absolutely! We do have a spectator-friendly dropzone with picnic tables that you and your guests are welcome to use.  We also encourage you to bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, etc.  There are plenty of wonderful local restaurants within a 5 minute drive from the dropzone - or feel free to bring a picnic.  However, please warn any guests you have coming to watch that there may be considerable wait times. Please consider bringing something to keep you and your guests entertained, and our staff can always recommend local restaurants and other attractions while you wait. .

Am I guaranteed to make my jump on the scheduled day?

Unfortunately we cannot guarantee you will be able to jump, there are many factors that may not allow for it. For example, we are not able to jump through clouds and in high winds for safety reasons. If the weather is questionable please call ahead to verify that we are jumping. If there is a weather hold at any time during the day the earliest appointments will be served first. 

What if I am not able to jump on my scheduled day due to weather?

We'd all love to be able to control nature, but unfortunately we can't. If you are unable to jump due to weather, we will reschedule you for another convenient date and time.

What does freefall 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. Imagine what it feels like when you hold your arm out of the car window on the freeway. 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. The constant air flow allows aerial maneuvers with precision and control.

What is opening and flying the parachute like?

The "opening shock" of a parachute is much like jumping feet-first into a pool of water. The opening takes about two to five seconds and is not uncomfortable. Unlike the traditional military "round" parachutes you may be familiar with, our modern "square" parachutes are simple to maneuver and steer to the ground. Steering lines are attached to the right and left side of the parachute. By taking the controls in each hand, one steers the parachute intuitively by pulling on the controls. To turn left, the pilot will simply pull down the left control, then return the control to its original position to stop the turn.

What is landing like?

With the new, modern square parachutes, a proper parachute landing is now much like stepping off the curb. Parachutes used by tandems and beginners are much larger and more docile than an experienced jumper's parachute. Thus, landings are generally soft in most conditions. In most cases you'll slide in on your bottom, or even stand right up.

Do you offer wingsuit skydives?

We do regularly have wingsuit instructors on the dropzone for experienced skydivers, however this is not an option for a first jump. There is a 200-jump minimum for wingsuit training, due to the added complications of jumping with a wingsuit.

If your question has not been answered here, just give us a call at 1-517-SKYDIVE / 517-423-7720 for more information.