Thinking of making a Tandem Skydive or learning to parachute then here are a few…

“ Location  Location  Location!”

Parachuting is weather dependant and it does unfortunately happen, even in high summer, that you are not able to enjoy your experience on the day you have chosen.  This is obviously disappointing and means that you will have to revisit the club/centre at a later date to complete your jump.  If, for whatever reason, you attend a centre that may not be your closest you need to bear in mind your journey time and the fact that you may have to make the trip more than once.  If you are organising or are part of a group then this becomes even more important.

Some centres operate at weekends only and some are even Sundays/Bank Holidays only. If in doubt then ask, otherwise, if you do have to rebook, you are automatically limited to returning only on the days that the centre is open.  Be aware, unlike your provisional British Parachute Association membership which is valid for one year, your initial training/briefing will not be recognised anywhere else until you have gained a basic licence or at very least completed several parachute descents.

If you are intending to take up the sport as a hobby then you not only need to think of your travel to and from but also whether or not the centre is actually geared up and keen to progress student parachutists through the system to gain experience and certification.

Finally, are you dealing with an “agent” an “ outside operator” or with the centre direct?  We do not wish to be disparaging of independent operators.  Some will have their own parachuting equipment and be well qualified but all, by definition, are reliant on a host to provide aircraft, parachute landing area and infrastructure in order to go about their legitimate business.  Booking direct does have advantages and few, if any, disadvantages.

POINTS  TO  CONSIDER