Dropzones that allow 16 year olds

[salami88 0]

My brother would really like to make a tandem jump for his 17th birthday, but i cannot find any info in the SIM or on the web that lists the states and DZ's that offer jumps to persons under 18. If anyone knows of one or the states that allow it, please let me know. Thanks!

[csbrady 0]

Quote

My brother would really like to make a tandem jump for his 17th birthday, but i cannot find any info in the SIM or on the web that lists the states and DZ's that offer jumps to persons under 18. If anyone knows of one or the states that allow it, please let me know. Thanks!

Best bet is to call a Dropzone and ask them if they can do it

[ccsayre 0]

Your best bet is to call DZ's. Some do not allow anyone under 18, but some do. It's policy set by individual DZ's

Luck is Preparation meeting Opportunity

[DougH 270]

You really can't blame them, or their insurance company.

Parents or gaurdians can not waiver away a minors right to sue. So every if mom and dad sign the waiver the kid can still sue for any injurys incured when they turn 18. Being a minor is also a defense to a signed document.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[ccsayre 0]

Agreed, It's surprising that DZ's will do it.

Luck is Preparation meeting Opportunity

[bozo 0]

Quote

My brother would really like to make a tandem jump for his 17th birthday, but i cannot find any info in the SIM or on the web that lists the states and DZ's that offer jumps to persons under 18. If anyone knows of one or the states that allow it, please let me know. Thanks!

Anybody ever see a DZO ask for a birth certificate ?
Just go jump.

bozo
Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars.

[PhreeZone 20]

I have see 3 different DZ's ask to see driver licences on people they questioned on their age from visual appearence.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[salami88 0]

Thank you for your replies, and your suggestions. I do understand the laws governing this sensitive issue, as well as the reasons behind them. It IS a dropzone by dropzone discretion, but it is also a state law that governs their right to offer jumping to minors. However, I am looking for someone who might know personally of a dropzone or a state that allows jumping for minors, so that i dont have to call 400 dz to find one. If you know of one, I thank you in advance for the information. Ill owe you a 6 pack!

[slotperfect 7]

Where do you live?

Arrive Safely

John

[Royd 0]

My brother and his two sons, 17yr. and 16 yr. old will do s/l training next summer at Skydown in Caldwell, Id.

[peckerhead 0]

Quote

Anybody ever see a DZO ask for a birth certificate ?
Just go jump.

I know of at least one DZ that requires photo ID for each ist jump student regardless of age.

But hey, I had fake ID when I was 17 and I am sure there are lots of DZs that don't check.

[michaelmullins 81]

West Tennessee Skydiving, near Memphis, TN, allows 16 year olds to jump.

http://www.SkydiveKingAir.com

[bozo 0]

Quote

Quote

Anybody ever see a DZO ask for a birth certificate ?
Just go jump.

I know of at least one DZ that requires photo ID for each ist jump student regardless of age.

But hey, I had fake ID when I was 17 and I am sure there are lots of DZs that don't check.

My point exactly. You act above your age and keep your mouth shut nobody is gonna ask.

bozo
Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars.

[FlyinseivLP2 0]

Mike you let 16 year olds jump! Shame on you. I'm sure you wouldn't let your own kids skydive at such a young age

[michaelmullins 81]

Quote

Mike you let 16 year olds jump! Shame on you. I'm sure you wouldn't let your own kids skydive at such a young age

Your'e right. By the time they reach 16 they are too old to learn properly.

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

My brother would really like to make a tandem jump for his 17th birthday, but i cannot find any info in the SIM or on the web that lists the states and DZ's that offer jumps to persons under 18. If anyone knows of one or the states that allow it, please let me know. Thanks!

If he's willing to go out the plane alone (aff or s/l), the number of options does increase.

[Fallin4U 0]

Quote

Thank you for your replies, and your suggestions. I do understand the laws governing this sensitive issue, as well as the reasons behind them. It IS a dropzone by dropzone discretion, but it is also a state law that governs their right to offer jumping to minors. However, I am looking for someone who might know personally of a dropzone or a state that allows jumping for minors, so that i dont have to call 400 dz to find one. If you know of one, I thank you in advance for the information. Ill owe you a 6 pack!

From inquiring about it myself, it basically takes KNOWING and being close to a DZO to get him to allow a 16 yr old yo to jump. I have however heard second hand that Skydive Cancun is flexible.

[tdog 0]

Quote

It IS a dropzone by dropzone discretion, but it is also a state law that governs their right to offer jumping to minors.

Can you cite the law(s) you are referencing? I would like to know one state that has a law on the books that regulates minors skydiving. (NOT the liability protection granted by state laws that limit lawsuits, but a law, as you state, that grants or revokes the right of a business to offer skydiving services by age.)

[bozo 0]

Quote

Quote

It IS a dropzone by dropzone discretion, but it is also a state law that governs their right to offer jumping to minors.

Can you cite the law(s) you are referencing? I would like to know one state that has a law on the books that regulates minors skydiving. (NOT the liability protection granted by state laws that limit lawsuits, but a law, as you state, that grants or revokes the right of a business to offer skydiving services by age.)

Nevada.

bozo
Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars.

[tdog 0]

Quote

Nevada.

Ok, we are getting warmer... Have the wording in the law?

[bozo 0]

Quote

Quote

Nevada.

Ok, we are getting warmer... Have the wording in the law?

Nope. It was Senate Bill 197 if I remember correctly. I and a bunch of others fought it tooth and nail but it passed anyway.

bozo
Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars.

[sunshine 2]

Quote

West Tennessee Skydiving, near Memphis, TN, allows 16 year olds to jump.

Which is why im bringing my nephew to your DZ this summer to make a jump. To be 17 and make a first jump out of your awesome plane...well he better think of me as the coolest aunt ever for taking him.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[marks 0]

Quote

Quote

Mike you let 16 year olds jump! Shame on you. I'm sure you wouldn't let your own kids skydive at such a young age

Your'e right. By the time they reach 16 they are too old to learn properly.

so true, I wish I was that young when I started.

[tdog 0]

Quote

Quote

Quote

Nevada.

Ok, we are getting warmer... Have the wording in the law?

Nope. It was Senate Bill 197 if I remember correctly. I and a bunch of others fought it tooth and nail but it passed anyway.

I found the bill... It is a 176 page document on juvenile justice. Assuming you had your bill number right, and there is no other laws of the same number that also deal with juveniles...

http://www.leg.state.nv.us/72nd/bills/SB/SB197_EN.pdf

I searched the PDF for "skydive", "endanger" and "parachute".

The only think I could find that came close was (using the search word "risk", this is mentioned in regards to putting children in risky community service sites):

Quote

(b) “Other dangerous situation” means any situation that poses a reasonably foreseeable risk that serious bodily harm or injury to a child could occur.

So

1) Technically, citing this law does not answer my first question; is there a state the actually forbids or allows, by written law, parachuting/skydiving, by minors.

2) This bill- if someone wants to read all 176 pages - might put more liability on "adults" in how they "safeguard" juveniles, however I can't see it preventing skydiving any more than it could prevent snowboarding and scuba diving and BMX dirt biking, which all add risk.

[toolbox 0]

In the US, the age that a person can sign a legal binding contract is 18 years of age.
In my opinion,any DZO who would knowingly allow a minor to skydive is in extreme need of any business he can get and too stupid to know better.
From an instructors point of view,I would never knowingly participate in a under age skydive in the US.
Outside US jurisdiction might be another story depending on the laws of the land, but I personaly would not knowingly take children(especially someone elses) skydiving,unless they had a terminal illness and had not long to live.
Most kids do not believe anything bad can happen to them and are more likely to take great risk without really thinking about the possible conscequences for their actions. This is probably the big reason the laws are the way they are in the US.