RoadKill 0 #1 October 26, 2003 Hi there... I am new to the site.. Never been skydiving, but always wanted too.. Just finished paying off my commercial pilot's license, and now want to break into the sport of skydiving.. Anyone know any dropzone a guy can go to get from zero to a few hundred jumps for the best price... Atleast a few places I can fly down to and check out.. Thanx!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #2 October 26, 2003 Don't shop for the best price for your student jumps. Shop for the best equipment and training. If you're commercially rated, find a dz that needs a jump pilot. Most dzo's would be happy to pay you in jumps instead of money, they'll likely charge less for your student jumps and you'd be building time. Win, win, win. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Brian425 0 #3 October 26, 2003 If you are in the NY area, check out The Ranch in Gardnier NY. I am almost finished the school there and I have been very happy. Everyone is nice and safety of the students is a priority. I really don't ahve anything to compare it to; but, I can tell you I have always felt safe there and enjoyed myself even when I did not jump. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites RoadKill 0 #4 October 26, 2003 I'm definately going to try to look for the places with the great gear and training... Definately, just like my flight school, I look for BIG emphasis on safety... I FIRST look at prices though.. seeing how I just went through commercial flight training, I don't have to much $ to spare. so I try to find affordable places, then I check them out personally to pick for myself which I feel would give best training. with the advice of all you more experienced skydivers ofcourse. Working as a jump pilot however, I would jump on that chance, if they paid me in free jumps. but I just got my commercial, and like all low time pilots, am having hard time finding anyone who will give me work, even for just food! but good advice, I definately appreciate it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Aviatrr 0 #5 October 26, 2003 Where are you located? Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites RoadKill 0 #6 October 26, 2003 I am located in Alberta Canada. But I like to travel a LOT... Am willing to go anywhere and stay up to a month for initial training and squeezing in as many jumps as I can... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TomAiello 26 #7 October 26, 2003 For rock bottom pricing, check out the Parachute Center in Lodi, California. I did my first couple hundred jumps there for: $100 tandem $500 static line course $25/jump (renting gear) for the first 20 jumps = $500 $1300 own rig $1000 cypress $13/jump (own gear) for 200 jumps = $2600 Which means I came out with a little over 200 jumps and my own rig (w/cypress) for about US$6000. I think it was one of the best deal (price wise) going. Some of the pricing has doubtless gone up (I did this about four and a half years ago), but Bill works pretty hard at keeping his prices low (it's his market niche). Be warned, none of the stuff here (training, gear, etc) is top of the line. It's not horrible or anything, it's just not the top quality you can get if you pay top dollar.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bch7773 0 #8 October 26, 2003 if you want to learn cheaply, go S/L. Its usually less than half the cost as AFF. Not as much fun at first, but once you hit ~15 jumps its all the same. MB 3528, RB 1182 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ickleFish 0 #9 October 26, 2003 I just spent over a month in Alberta. When I arrived I only had ever done one tandem jump, and by the time I left I had my A license.... I did everything at Eden North, just outside Edmonton. Had a really great time, the people are really nice and friendly, and good instructors aswell. I don't know how it compares with prices to other places, but if it's nearby for you, I'd definitely recommend dropping by. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skybytch 273 #10 October 26, 2003 QuoteAm willing to go anywhere and stay up to a month for initial training I'm confused. You don't have much money to spend on this, but you can afford to go anywhere and stay for a month? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites RoadKill 0 #11 October 26, 2003 Yeah skybytch, I could see how you could be confused... How do I explain. Well first, I will fly myself. The investment there is building my fixed wing hours. Next, I currently live out of my backpack, living the simple life. If I were to fly myself down, it would cost money on the airplane, but I gain experience, making it a good investment. NExt, if I stay in hostels/bunkhouses for 10 bucks a night, and accelerate my training as much as possible, it will not cost great amounts of money. For example, around my home, I got quotes as high as $325 Tandem and $225 Static line... so if I find a place I save even 20 bucks a jump, over several jumps a day, it will be more affordable elsewhere, plus the benefit of travelling a little and seeing new places. As for food, I have to buy it whether I live here, or a couple thousand miles away. If this makes sense.. I don't know... it does to me... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites andy2 0 #12 October 27, 2003 [QUOTE]I'm confused. You don't have much money to spend on this, but you can afford to go anywhere and stay for a month[/QUOTE] A pilot can rent a plane pretty cheaply if he knows the right people and takes the time to find the best prices in his area. That's why having your license rocks so much, you can FLY, get it? --------------------------------------------- let my inspiration flow, in token rhyme suggesting rhythm... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites beej 0 #13 October 27, 2003 QuoteHi there... I am new to the site.. Never been skydiving, but always wanted too.. Just finished paying off my commercial pilot's license, and now want to break into the sport of skydiving.. Anyone know any dropzone a guy can go to get from zero to a few hundred jumps for the best price... Thanx!! Seems to me your jumping the gun a little..at least go 'try' a tandem to see if it's for you...most peoples perception of a skydive is nothing like what they thought it would be. ---------------------------------------------------- If the shit fits - wear it (blues brothers)-- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites gulaz 1 #14 October 27, 2003 Hey dude, im in Edmonton... PM or Email me if you wanna talk about the DZs in the area. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites RoadKill 0 #15 October 27, 2003 Not jumping the gun... I'm just the kind of guy that when I feel like going for something, I just go for it... I mean, I went from zero time to a private pilots license in three weeks... and my commercial didn't take that much longer... Like it or not, which I have a good feeling I'll like it, I want to go for it.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites RoadKill 0 #16 October 27, 2003 And currently, I'm just doing my research on where I want to go to take my first jump... and if I like it, I'll stick around for a while, and do some training... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites CrazyDave 0 #17 October 29, 2003 i think hibbys a gud place to jump. when i did my tandem there everyone was reall friendly, and the gear is pretty gud.!. i sorta like the taking off on grass thing also! - not quite sure about prices... tandems about :- £220, and then if u want a video its another £70 on top of that (ouch, that burnt a hole in my wallet) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. 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Brian425 0 #3 October 26, 2003 If you are in the NY area, check out The Ranch in Gardnier NY. I am almost finished the school there and I have been very happy. Everyone is nice and safety of the students is a priority. I really don't ahve anything to compare it to; but, I can tell you I have always felt safe there and enjoyed myself even when I did not jump. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoadKill 0 #4 October 26, 2003 I'm definately going to try to look for the places with the great gear and training... Definately, just like my flight school, I look for BIG emphasis on safety... I FIRST look at prices though.. seeing how I just went through commercial flight training, I don't have to much $ to spare. so I try to find affordable places, then I check them out personally to pick for myself which I feel would give best training. with the advice of all you more experienced skydivers ofcourse. Working as a jump pilot however, I would jump on that chance, if they paid me in free jumps. but I just got my commercial, and like all low time pilots, am having hard time finding anyone who will give me work, even for just food! but good advice, I definately appreciate it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #5 October 26, 2003 Where are you located? Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoadKill 0 #6 October 26, 2003 I am located in Alberta Canada. But I like to travel a LOT... Am willing to go anywhere and stay up to a month for initial training and squeezing in as many jumps as I can... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #7 October 26, 2003 For rock bottom pricing, check out the Parachute Center in Lodi, California. I did my first couple hundred jumps there for: $100 tandem $500 static line course $25/jump (renting gear) for the first 20 jumps = $500 $1300 own rig $1000 cypress $13/jump (own gear) for 200 jumps = $2600 Which means I came out with a little over 200 jumps and my own rig (w/cypress) for about US$6000. I think it was one of the best deal (price wise) going. Some of the pricing has doubtless gone up (I did this about four and a half years ago), but Bill works pretty hard at keeping his prices low (it's his market niche). Be warned, none of the stuff here (training, gear, etc) is top of the line. It's not horrible or anything, it's just not the top quality you can get if you pay top dollar.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bch7773 0 #8 October 26, 2003 if you want to learn cheaply, go S/L. Its usually less than half the cost as AFF. Not as much fun at first, but once you hit ~15 jumps its all the same. MB 3528, RB 1182 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ickleFish 0 #9 October 26, 2003 I just spent over a month in Alberta. When I arrived I only had ever done one tandem jump, and by the time I left I had my A license.... I did everything at Eden North, just outside Edmonton. Had a really great time, the people are really nice and friendly, and good instructors aswell. I don't know how it compares with prices to other places, but if it's nearby for you, I'd definitely recommend dropping by. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #10 October 26, 2003 QuoteAm willing to go anywhere and stay up to a month for initial training I'm confused. You don't have much money to spend on this, but you can afford to go anywhere and stay for a month? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoadKill 0 #11 October 26, 2003 Yeah skybytch, I could see how you could be confused... How do I explain. Well first, I will fly myself. The investment there is building my fixed wing hours. Next, I currently live out of my backpack, living the simple life. If I were to fly myself down, it would cost money on the airplane, but I gain experience, making it a good investment. NExt, if I stay in hostels/bunkhouses for 10 bucks a night, and accelerate my training as much as possible, it will not cost great amounts of money. For example, around my home, I got quotes as high as $325 Tandem and $225 Static line... so if I find a place I save even 20 bucks a jump, over several jumps a day, it will be more affordable elsewhere, plus the benefit of travelling a little and seeing new places. As for food, I have to buy it whether I live here, or a couple thousand miles away. If this makes sense.. I don't know... it does to me... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy2 0 #12 October 27, 2003 [QUOTE]I'm confused. You don't have much money to spend on this, but you can afford to go anywhere and stay for a month[/QUOTE] A pilot can rent a plane pretty cheaply if he knows the right people and takes the time to find the best prices in his area. That's why having your license rocks so much, you can FLY, get it? --------------------------------------------- let my inspiration flow, in token rhyme suggesting rhythm... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beej 0 #13 October 27, 2003 QuoteHi there... I am new to the site.. Never been skydiving, but always wanted too.. Just finished paying off my commercial pilot's license, and now want to break into the sport of skydiving.. Anyone know any dropzone a guy can go to get from zero to a few hundred jumps for the best price... Thanx!! Seems to me your jumping the gun a little..at least go 'try' a tandem to see if it's for you...most peoples perception of a skydive is nothing like what they thought it would be. ---------------------------------------------------- If the shit fits - wear it (blues brothers)-- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gulaz 1 #14 October 27, 2003 Hey dude, im in Edmonton... PM or Email me if you wanna talk about the DZs in the area. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoadKill 0 #15 October 27, 2003 Not jumping the gun... I'm just the kind of guy that when I feel like going for something, I just go for it... I mean, I went from zero time to a private pilots license in three weeks... and my commercial didn't take that much longer... Like it or not, which I have a good feeling I'll like it, I want to go for it.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoadKill 0 #16 October 27, 2003 And currently, I'm just doing my research on where I want to go to take my first jump... and if I like it, I'll stick around for a while, and do some training... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyDave 0 #17 October 29, 2003 i think hibbys a gud place to jump. when i did my tandem there everyone was reall friendly, and the gear is pretty gud.!. i sorta like the taking off on grass thing also! - not quite sure about prices... tandems about :- £220, and then if u want a video its another £70 on top of that (ouch, that burnt a hole in my wallet) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
