You already know about a tandem skydive because you looked it up on our website, on youtube's website and many other websites. You probably want to know about the rest of the experience also. This page will tell you.
Why do we want to take you skydiving?
We love to skydive and we love to share it with people. We have a great safety record and a great customer service record. Your experience when you arrive should be similar to what you read below. When you show up you will find myself or one of my co-workers with a smile and their hand out to introduce themselves. You may have to wait for your handshake as it may be being delivered from 2 miles above the ground:) We have a great record of being on time and completing all our customers jumps on time.
Making a reservation.
When you call to make a reservation you will be asked to show up at a specific time. Usually between a half hour and an hour before your scheduled class time. You should receive a call the day before your jump to confirm you are going to show up.
Helpful hint for making a reservation: Always leave a phone number where you can be reached on the day of your jump and the day before your jump and check your e-mail the night before and the morning of your jump. We want to tell you if weather or other things may change the time of your jump.
When you arrive at the dropzone.
You should be arriving at the dropzone a half hour before your class time. This gives you time to fill out your paperwork/waiver and use the bathroom before your class starts. If you are the first group of the day, the manager and jumpers may be showing up at the same time as you. If you are early you may be there before them. Feel free to call if you are wondering if you are at the right place.
Helpful hint for arriving at the dropzone: If you have a gps or want to use mapquest you will find our ddropzone at 375 Durley Ave. Camarillo CA 93010. This address is the address of the hanger our office is in but your gps will take you to the wrong spot. You need to park at the Cafe parking lot and look at our directions. You need a gate code to get in so look at our directions to get the code.
After your class starts.
Your class will take from 5 minutes to a half hour depending on how many people are in the class and how many questions people have. There is a small amount of information to teach so you may get it after only a few tries. You will be attached to your instructor for the jump.
Usually we have 4 to 6 people in the class but we usually only take 2 people up in the plane at a time. So after your class is over you may watch one or two groups go before you. Usually everyone will be done with in two hours of when the class gets over. We recommend that you do not plan any special dates right after your jump just in case of weather or other inconviences that may get in the way of your jump being finished on time.
Why do we teach four to six at a time?
One reason is effeciency. If we teach two people at a time then we really reduce the amount of tandems we can do. The other reason is more bennificial to you. If we teach two at a time and a group is late then we are waiting for them and all the classes for the rest of the day will be delayed because of one group being late. Usually two to three groups per day are late. This averages out to people waiting the same or more than if we had four or six people in a class where we can bump the late people to the next class.
Gearing UP
Sometimes we gear all six people up at once and sometimes we just do two at a time. The harness should fit comfortably and snug around your body. Feel free to ask any questions you have about how the harness should fit. The most common question we get before we are done putting on the harness is "Is this tight enough?". Usually the answer is no because we are not done yet. Feel free to ask anyway. We love questions. We like doing tandem skydives because we get to give YOU your first skydiving experience and anything we can do to make it more fun and more comfortable will be great for us.
Helpful hint for gearing up: Ask as many questions as you want:)
Going to the airplane
We have a great safety record and we want to keep it that way. Even experienced pilots have walked into spinning propellers so don't be offended if your instructor is holding onto you during your walk to the airplane. They may ask you to walk on the other side of them to protect you from this also. A good and courtious passenger/skydiver will always approach the airplane from the back even when the engine is turned off. This will show that you are familiar with aircraft and airports and make the pilot feel more comfortable.
Helpful hint for walking to the airplane: Stay next to your instructor. If your family wants to take pictures you should let your instructor know before walking to the plane.
Boarding the Airplane
Try to sit where your instructor shows you. If you can't see out the window very well you can let them know after take off and they may be able to help you move for a better view. We have the best view in the country and we want to show it to you.
After take off and the rest of the ride.
At about 3000 feet (3 minutes after takeoff), you will start your scenic flight toward the Pacific Ocean. You will see Catalina, Downtown Los Angeles, the Channel Islands and a very long stretch of the SoCal Shoreline. We have the most beautiful skydiving view in California.
At 5000 feet, your instructor may show you his altimeter and tell you this is the altitude he will be opening the parachute. Enthusiastic first timers may be able to pull the parachute themselves so be sure to ask if you are interested.
Finally, over two miles above the ground, your instructor will ask you to assist him in getting ready for the skydive. You will know it's time to go when the door opens and the wind comes whirling through the plane.
Right before you jump the camera will be pointing at you as you look back into the plane at your friends. READY,,, SET<<< GO!!!!!! Don’t forget to smile. 120 mph of freefall for over 40 seconds. You feel like you are flying as your video camera captures it all.
When your parachute opens, you will feel the wind stop and you will be peacefully floating down from 5000 feet. Your parachute ride lasts about 7 minutes. You can steer the parachute and ask your instructor questions about the jump. Remember to look around at all the beautiful scenery but don’t worry because your video will capture everything.
Landing back at the landing area will surprise you with the ease that people land their parachutes. When you watch, you will see them landing as if they were stepping off of their front porch.
When you are done, you can enjoy a refreshment and a sandwich at the Waypoint Cafe, one of the best Airport Cafe's we have ever been to. Your next tandem is discounted for your next exciting day at the dropzone.