Skydive Palatka offers two methods of primary jump instruction.

You may choose to make your first skydive...

...as a Tandem Jump Student....

..... with a highly experienced instructor along to operate the parachute system and to help you steer the canopy toward a safe landing. The extremely popular Tandem method is the quick and easy way to introduce yourself to the exciting world of freefall skydiving. While minimizing the need for extensive ground schooling, Tandem also minimizes the stress and anxiety of a first-time parachute descent because you and your instructor exit the aircraft together wearing a specially designed parachute system built for two, and remain securely attached the entire flight. The tandem student directly benefits from the instructor's expertise and ability to operate the parachute system independently, and is therefore free to smile for the cameras and enjoy the ride.

Prospective tandem skydivers must be at least 18 years old and should be in generally good health, and weigh (subject to age and physical condition) no more than 230 lbs. Occasionally we can take people over 230 lbs, but you will be asked to pay $1 per lb that you are over the limit. If you weigh over 230, please tell us when you book so that we can arrange for staff that can work with you.

...as a Level One Accelerated Freefall (AFF) Student.....

......... wearing your own parachute system and freefall skydiving from an altitude of at least two miles. After a required six to seven hour ground school session you will be accompanied out of the airplane by two instructors who will assist you in freefall and monitor your performance as you begin to learn many of the skydiving skills you will use on every jump thereafter. At and altitude of 5,000 feet above ground level you will deploy your own main parachute and (assisted by a third instructor communicating via radio) pilot it down to a safe landing. After successful completion of just seven jumps in the AFF progression, having demonstrated essential equipment knowledge and freefall and canopy survival skills, you will be cleared to jump and pack your own main parachutes without any direct jumpmaster supervision. AFF is an intense, fast paced program of instruction able to speed one from first jump to graduate in as little as one week.

Emphasis on Safety

Skydive Palatka's training programs utilize the most modern methods and equipment available. Our student and tandem parachute equipment exhibit state-of-the-art technology and are maintained by some of the most talented FAA-licensed master riggers in the world. All of our students are equipped with two rectangular ram-air (steerable wing) canopies, advanced AAD's, and RSL's.
Automatic Activation Devices are devices which can deploy the reserve parachute automatically when they sense an emergency. Reserve Static-Lines are safety devices which help ensure an immediate reserve canopy deployment after a jumper jettisons his main parachute.

Our highly trained and knowledgeable staff instructors average thousands of jumps each in experience, and are all current, licensed and rated by the United States Parachute Association™ (USPA), an organization which governs and standardizes skydiver training in America and establishes the basic safety regulations for all types of skydives. As a group member drop zone of the USPA, we pledge to uphold all standards and practices of that organization, as well as abide by all applicable regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Skydive Palatka's aircraft are maintained to the highest standards in the industry and flown only by very experienced and competent professional pilots. Our staff’s great attention to detail combined with our uncompromising dedication to our customers’ well being has resulted in a drop zone with an amazing safety record that is above reproach.

Continuing Education - Becoming a Skydiver

Our continuing students generally learn to skydive through either the Static-Line Progression or the Accelerated Freefall Progression.

Tandem Instructor Aided Freefall Training is also available for those who are interested.
Tandem IAF is a program where students learn initial freefall and canopy skills via dual instruction by performing multiple tandem jumps with a tandem IAF instructor. The IAF student typically progresses to Level Four of the Accelerated Freefall Progression, jumping with his or her own parachute system while accompanied by AFF instructors.

The Accelerated Freefall course is intense, and seldom completed in fewer than seven jumps. The AFF program demands an intense desire to learn quickly and the resources do so.