THE DROPZONE OWNER // Art Shaffer

Skydive Palatka has been in business at the Kay Larkin airport for more than 20 years.  The current dropzone owner, Art Shaffer, acquired Skydive Palatka in 2005. Skydiving is his passion and with over 14,000 jumps he loves sharing the joy of this sport with new and experienced jumpers alike.  

Art is a Tandem, AFF, and Static Line Instructor, as well as a FAA certified Senior Rigger.

SKYDIVE TRAINING // Skydive Palatka is a full-service skydiving training center.

Skydive Palatka is a full-service skydiving training center and a USPA Group Member Dropzone located in north Florida, an hour from Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Ocala.  We offer newcomers and experienced skydivers a place to learn new skills and become more accomplished skydivers in a relaxed atmosphere.  With our professional and safety-minded USPA-rated AFF instructors and coaches, you can be sure that your training will adhere to the high standards of the USPA student training program:

Skydive Palatka's staff and regular jumpers would love to welcome you to our dropzone. 

Skydive Palatka is the preferred dropzone of the University of Florida Falling Gators in Gainesville, Florida. We also serve Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, Ocala, and all of North Central Florida, in addition to southern Georgia.

AIRCRAFT // Cessna Caravan & Cessna 182 

We proudly fly a beautiful Cessna Caravan fulltime! With the ability to take 12 jumpers to altitude at a time, you can be sure that your experience will be both comfortable and fun. We also have 2 Cessna 182s available for light days or team training.  Safety is our mantra and all aircraft are fully maintained according to FAA regulations.

Join us for some jumping next to the beautiful St. Johns River and with views of both coastlines possible on most days!