funfall 0 #1 August 2, 2009 Can anyone tell me about Saratoga Skydiving (or sister dz Duanesburg) in NY? Feel free to PM me if there's anything you'd rather not say publicly. I'll be visiting an older relative (in his 70s) in NY who has expressed an interest in making a tandem jump while I'm there. He's near the Saratoga dz, but I can't find much about it except on their own website. I'd prefer to visit/inspect before even scheduling anything, but may not have time. So.......I need to know enough about Saratoga dz to be sure it's a decent (esp as safe as possible) place to take an elderly novice for a tandem jump. Any tandem instructors to favor or avoid? I'm interested, but less so, in how good it would be for me to jump, too (maybe solo, on the same load). I might only make 1 or 2 jumps, so wouldn't travel there with my rig, but would rent. What I've found is this: It looks expensive ($250 to 9000 ft in a C182) and very tandem oriented. (no mention of taking licensed jumpers; no AFF offered.) I'd put up with that for the convenience of the tandem jumper, IF their reputation for tandem service/safety is very good. But if they cut corners in safety to maximize profit, forget it. BTW, they're apparently run by the same people as nearby Duanesburg, with almost identical websites. I'm familiar with the suicide (no rig) incident, and pilot license suspension at Duanesburg (same dzo). If that's not a pattern, I'd tend to discount it. A place might even become more safety conscious after such a public incident. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
funfall 0 #2 August 3, 2009 I should mention that I'm not encouraging or discouraging the old guy to do the tandem. He's very active, in good health, and can make his own decisions. I have mentioned the higher potential health risks associated with age, but feel that my responsibility is now to make sure it's sone as safely as possible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shaggio 0 #3 August 3, 2009 look up Mowhak vally skydiving in Scotia NY. My personal opinion is that in that area, MVS and DB are the only places to jump. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #4 August 4, 2009 if you're in that area...go outside that area....by a short distance... 2 words...the ranch PM me for the reasons jmy A 3914 D 12122 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
funfall 0 #5 August 4, 2009 Thanks for the comments and suggestions (some private) so far. They've given me food for thought. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
funfall 0 #6 August 13, 2009 Just stopped by the nearby Saratoga site. I'm not taking any business there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
