Skydive with John Hawke, former Golden Knight, at the Raeford Parachute Center in North Carolina

There are obviously inherent risks in jumping out of an airplane.  The key to each successful skydive is respecting those risks, which are significantly reduced through strict adherence to safety guidelines, concise professional training, and careful execution of important tasks.  Basically, each skydive is as safe as the individual skydiver makes it.  Modern advancements in parachute equipment have resulted in the most reliable gear I have used in over 20 years in the sport.  The state-of-the-art Tandem and AFF Student equipment my students use includes an Automatic Activation Device (AAD), which activates the reserve (emergency) parachute if the jumper(s) continue to free fall through a preset altitude.  People who want to skydive each see some sort of personal reward on the other side of this calculated risk called skydiving.  They may not know what that looks or feels like before the jump, but when they discover that reward for themselves after returning to Earth, it is impossible to put into words.

All skydivers are required by Federal Law to be equipped with two parachutes - a main and reserve (emergency) parachute. For tandems, your Instructor will deploy the reserve parachute for both of you (in the unlikely event of a main parachute malfunction). For AFF skydives, you will receive specific training to effectively handle emergency procedures.

Unlike a roller-coaster, which gives you a feeling of falling, skydiving feels more like flying. The aircraft you are using as a jump platform is already flying at about 90 MPH . . . once you exit, you accelerate only slightly as you are immersed in the experience of human body flight. Even veteran skydivers still feel a sense of personal freedom every time they leap through the open door.

The average human body free falls at about 120 MPH, which will make a freefall from 13000 feet last about 50 seconds.

Most landings are very soft . . . some skydivers even make beautiful stand-up landings! Occasionally, in calm winds, your parachute's built-in forward speed creates a smooth sliding landing, gliding to a stop in the grass.

Breathing comes naturally. Most people don't even have to think about it. Smiling helps you breathe normally!

Parachutes have come a long way since the early days of balloonists and barnstormers. The parachute you will use is actually a "ram-air" inflated nylon wing, rather than the classic round parachute configuration. Because of this advanced design the parachute behaves quite like an airplane. It is so maneuverable that skydivers are able to exit the aircraft over two and a half miles above the Earth, and land consistently in the same place.

This depends on a number of factors . . . the process can take as much as four hours but usually takes much less than that. Plan half a day to thoroughly enjoy your skydiving experience.

They are not necessary, but are highly recommended.

Dress comfortably. Shorts and a t-shirt in warmer months, sweats or equivalent in the cooler months. Avoid jeans as they tend to be restrictive. Always wear tennis shoes. You will be provided with a jumpsuit, soft helmet, gloves, and goggles.

Yes, all skydivers are asked to sign a waiver, including tandem and AFF students. You will be asked to provide a picture ID as a part of this process. United Parachute Technologies Waiver (Tandems)
RPC School Waiver (Tandems & AFF)

No. We will not jump in the rain, high winds, or when the cloud ceiling is too low. Weather can of course be unpredictable, so please be patient if it causes a delay. We will get you in the air as quickly as safely possible.

You must be at least 16 years old with notarized parental consent. You must weigh no more than 230 pounds. There are no height restrictions.

I will assess your individual ability based on height, weight, age, general health, strength, and flexibility. Tandems open the world of skydiving to almost anyone - countless tandems have been made by people with physical challenges, such as wheelchair-bound persons, the elderly, and others. If you have a medical concern, please consult your doctor.

No problem. You will be provided with goggles that fit over your glasses or to keep your contacts in place.

Some people experience a little queasiness during the parachute ride. If you are susceptible to motion sickness, any over-the-counter motion sickness medication should help (as long as it does not cause drowsiness). Please let me know of this issue, and I will give you a smooth and easy canopy ride.