Tandem Skydiving FAQs

Wisconsin Skydiving Center is conveniently located at N3407 County Highway K, Jefferson, WI 53549 – less than an hour from Madison and Milwaukee!

If you’re flying into the airport for your jump, we’re located at the Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport; identifier is 61C.

Wisconsin Skydiving Center is open seven days a week between April and October. Operations are weather dependent – call us ahead of booking a same-day reservation.

Reservations for tandem skydiving are highly encouraged. Individuals and small groups should make a reservation a week or so in advance; larger groups should reserve two to three weeks ahead of time. We are sometimes able to accommodate walk-ins; it all depends on availability.

Please arrive at the dropzone 15 minutes ahead of your reservation time to complete your paperwork, opt-in to a media package if you haven’t already, and to ensure you’re on time for your training session.

Plan on spending two to three hours at the dropzone on a weekday; three to four hours on a weekend. If you are part of a big group, plan on longer. Skydiving is weather dependent, so it’s best to not make plans for after your jump in case of a weather hold.

A lot of people just like to stay and hang out, too. Once you’ve been introduced to the skydiving community, you don’t want to leave! Pack a picnic, grill out, watch the sunset – spend the day with us if you want!

Absolutely. Skydiving is exhilarating, and sharing your joy with the people you love makes it all the more amazing. By all means – bring lots of family and friends to cheer you on!

We encourage spectators to sit through the training session with you so they can be even more immersed in the experience. Our dedicated spectator area offers a clear line of sight to the landing area, and we have picnic tables, barbecue grill, and a shaded terrace too – invite your pals to pack a picnic and make a day of it with you!

Please remember to update your hype crew if you reschedule or cancel your jump. Our phones can be very busy on jump days, especially on inclement weather days, and we may not be able to answer spectator questions in a timely manner.

Yes – we love having groups at our dropzone! Celebrate your birthday, anniversary, engagement, or bachelor/ette party, or host a company outing with us! Check out our Prices page for group discounts as well as special discounts for the often-underappreciated group organizer!

Be sure to book well in advance to get the day, time, and number of slots you need. Don’t see enough slots to accommodate your group? Give us a call; we may be able to help.

Note, discounts cannot be combined and cannot be applied to the Early Bird Tandem slot. If you are eligible for multiple discount opportunities – as a student and a group member, for example – we cannot combine the discounts, but we will make sure you get the best one!

We have three airplanes, each accommodating two tandem students and their associated staff at a time. Groups of three or more will be split across flights. You’ll have time to hang out before your jump and after, and you can watch each other land, but you won’t be able to jump together.

Wisconsin Skydiving Center has some of the most experienced tandem skydiving instructors in the country. We have taken many people with disabilities skydiving and, in our experience, if you think you can skydive, you most likely can.

We love sharing our sport with everyone who wants to experience the power of human flight, and it would be an honor to accommodate you if we can do so safely. Of course, please consult with your doctor if you have special health restrictions, and contact us before you book your skydive to ensure we can support your particular needs.

Sorry, no dogs at the airport. (Nothing personal, Pup!)

Yes, you must be at least 18 years of age to skydive with Wisconsin Skydiving Center. There is no maximum age limit, though – our oldest student to date was 92 years young!

Be sure to bring a valid, government-issued photo ID to prove your identity and date of birth.

Yes. At Wisconsin Skydiving Center, our tandem skydiving weight limit is 260 lbs.

Guests weighing more than 200 lbs should be aware of our weight-related fees and restrictions. Weight-related fees and restrictions are by no means intended to be discriminatory or exclusive.

Weight-related altitude restrictions are enforced because, with increased weight, terminal velocity is higher and parachute deployment is harder, which increases the possibility of parachute damage and injury. The lower the altitude, the slower the speed (terminal velocity), the slower the opening, and the less strain on you, our equipment, and on our instructors.

Our instructors are certainly experienced enough to safely skydive with students up to 260 lbs, however, it requires more work and therefore more pay.

Yes. You cannot weigh more than 260 lbs and must be in generally good health. Contact us with questions and consult with your doctor if you have health-related concerns.

Ooph. You do not want to skydive with a cold. It can be very painful – ouch!! Don’t risk skydiving if you have a cold or are otherwise under the weather; better to reschedule.

It is indeed possible to experience motion sickness during a skydive, particularly for individuals who are especially sensitive to motion. If you have a history of motion sickness, we advise taking your motion sickness medicine as recommended by your healthcare provider before the skydive to mitigate any potential discomfort.

It’s important to note that one of the most common triggers for motion sickness while skydiving is not eating prior to the jump. Having a light, balanced meal before your skydive can help stabilize your stomach and reduce the likelihood of feeling unwell during the experience. While in the air, focusing on the horizon and breathing deeply can also help manage any symptoms. Our instructors are well-trained to support you and ensure your comfort, so please communicate any concerns or discomfort you may have at any point during your skydiving adventure.

If you have a health concern, please consult with your doctor before booking your jump. This may include, but is not limited to, a heart condition; chronic disease; history of fainting/blacking out or seizure; or previous neck, back or knee issue. You cannot skydive if you are pregnant.

Tandem skydiving prices at Wisconsin Skydiving Center vary depending on when you make your jump, if you’ll jump with a group of four or more people, and if you qualify for our student or military rate. For details, check out our Prices page.

Yes! Students receive a discount off the regular price of tandem skydive. Show valid student ID at check-in.

Note, discounts cannot be combined and cannot be applied to the Early Bird Tandem slot. If you are eligible for multiple discount opportunities – as a student and a group member, for example – we cannot combine the discounts, but we will make sure you get the best one! For details, check out our Prices page.

Looking for “skydiving near Wisconsin”? Wisconsin Skydiving Center is located in close proximity to several colleges and universities, including:

• Blackhawk Technical College, Milton, WI – 20 minutes
• University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI – 20 minutes
• University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI – 45 minutes
• Wisconsin Lutheran College, Wauwatosa, WI – 50 minutes
• Alverno College, Milwaukee, WI – 1 hour
• Marquette University College of Health Sciences, Milwaukee, WI – 1 hour
• Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, WI – 1 hour
• Rock Valley, Rockford, IL – 1 hour
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI – 1 hour
• Loras College, Dubuque, IA – 2 hours

Yes! Active, retired, reservist, and veteran members of the military receive a discount off the regular price of tandem skydive. Show valid military ID at check-in.

Note, discounts cannot be combined and cannot be applied to the Early Bird Tandem slot. If you are eligible for multiple discount opportunities – as a military member and a group member, for example – we cannot combine the discounts, but we will make sure you get the best one! For details, check out our Prices page.

Looking for “skydiving near Wisconsin”? Wisconsin Skydiving Center is located in close proximity to several military facilities, including:

• American Legion Post 166, Fort Atkinson, WI – 10 minutes
• Wisconsin National Guard, Fort Atkinson, WI – 10 minutes
• Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fort Atkinson, WI – 10 minutes
• Veterans & Service Members Lounge, Whitewater, WI – 20 minutes
• Wisconsin National Guard, Whitewater, WI – 20 minutes
• US Veteran Affairs Department, Janesville, WI – 30 minutes
• Wisconsin National Guard, Oconomowoc, WI – 30 minutes
• Marine Corps Recruiting Substation, Janesville, WI – 30 minutes
• St. John’s Northwestern Academies, Delafield, WI – 30 minutes
• US Air Force & Space Force Recruiting Station,  Janesville, WI– 30 minutes
• US Army Recruiting Station, Janesville, WI – 30 minutes
• US Navy Recruiting Office,  Janesville, WI– 30 minutes

Yes, a non-refundable $100 deposit is due at the time of booking. Your balance will be due in person at check-in.

Don’t have the dough to purchase a media package at the time of booking? No worries, you can add it on at check-in. (Psst! You definitely want to add it on!!)

We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Sorry, no checks. Please note that there is a 4.5% convenience fee added to credit card sales. Book online!

If you need to reschedule your jump, you must do so at least 10-days prior to your appointment time. If you reschedule in a timely manner, your deposit will transfer to your new skydiving date. If you fail to reschedule your skydive at least 10 days ahead of your skydive, you will be subject to a $100 rescheduling fee.

If there are weather issues and we reschedule your skydive, your deposit will never expire and will transfer to your new reservation.

Yes, to maintain the significant Tuesday discount, you must reschedule for another Tuesday. If you need to reschedule for a different day, there will be an additional $50 charge at check-in.

Your deposit (full amount) is not refundable. If you cancel your jump or if you are a no-show, you will forfeit your deposit.

Note that you can put your reservation on “hold” for a future date. If you wish to put your reservation on hold, you must do so at least 10-days prior to your appointment time. If you fail to put your reservation on hold at least 10 days ahead of your skydive, you will forfeit your deposit.

Deposits are non-refundable – including full-payment deposits. No exceptions.

Being in Wisconsin, we have a very short skydiving season. A family emergency or other last-minute event is not an exception to our refund policy. Untimely cancellations are neither fair to those who weren’t able to book because we were full, nor is it fair to our instructors and broader team. We hope you understand.

In skydiving we joke that the ride up is what you pay for; the ride down is free. Each of our aircraft hold two tandem skydiving pairs – the limited space in the airplane comes at a premium. We will never force you to jump, but please be aware that you will not receive a refund if you go up but decide not to jump out.

Deposits are not refundable but they never expire. If for some reason you cannot or no longer want to skydive ever, then you can transfer your deposit to a new person – not one who is already on a reservation.

Note, if you wish to transfer your deposit to someone else, you must do so at least 48 hours prior to your appointment time. If you fail to transfer your deposit at least 48 hours ahead of your skydive, you will forfeit your deposit.

Deposits are non-refundable. In case of inclement weather, you will be offered the opportunity to reschedule. If you reschedule, your reservation deposit will transfer to your new reservation date.

Don’t rely on the weatherman! Forecasts are often inaccurate and many days that look like a no-go in advance are just fine in real time. If you have any weather concerns, please feel free to call us the day of your jump to check on weather conditions in Fort Atkinson.

Also, please be sure to let the folks who are planning to watch you jump know if you have rescheduled. Our phones are very busy during inclement weather days and we may not be able to give them a weather status update.

Tips are not expected by our tandem instructors, but they are greatly appreciated. Our instructors have invested significant time and resources into earning their certification, and they bear a great deal of responsibility by taking you on a tandem skydive.

You can also express your gratitude by giving your instructor and the dropzone a 5-star online review!

Yes! Gift certificates are available for specific experiences, or you can choose a dollar amount. Gift certificates are refundable within 30 days of purchase (less a $15 processing fee) and are transferable.

Check out our Gift Certificates page for more information.

Wisconsin Skydiving Center gift certificates do not expire and can be purchased online. Gift certificates are automatically emailed at the time of purchase – you can forward it to your loved one or you can print it to give to them.

Yes, in fact about 95% of our first-time students request a video of their skydive. Our expert freefall videographers will capture your entire experience: your training, gear up, boarding the airplane, the ride up to altitude, your exit, parachute flight, landing, and of course the best part…. FREEFALL! That’s right, your videographer accompanies you through freefall and captures your expressions as you fly at 120 miles per hour!

You make your first skydive only once, capture it and relive the moment! Watching your video will make you feel like you’re jumping out of the airplane all over again! Check out our Photo & Video Services page for details.

SO WORTH IT!! The actual act of skydiving happens so quickly – from wheels up to touch down, it takes less than half an hour – but the range of emotions you experience during that short time is huge! Between the elation and the sensory overload, you’re likely to miss the details of your jump.

Check out this video from one of our videographers, Laura Duffy, and hear about her own first-time skydiving experience and why she thinks it’s worth getting video.

We use state-of-the-art digital photo and video equipment in order to capture professional-quality video. When we land, your footage goes to our on-site studio to be edited, and about 20 minutes later you have a phenomenal mini motion picture of your skydive! Relive your skydive right away on our big screen TV!

Every time you watch yourself skydiving, or show it to family and friends, the excitement and feelings of empowerment and accomplishment will come flying back!

Yes. We are so certain that you will love your skydiving photos and video that we offer a money-back guarantee if you’re not 100% satisfied! Talk with us ahead of leaving the dropzone if you’re unhappy with your media package.

No. Outside cameras are prohibited on your skydive due to safety reasons; no exceptions. Only licensed skydivers with a minimum of 200 jumps who have been clear to fly with a camera are given this privilege. Leave your skydiving video to the professionals!

Of course, you can use your own device on the ground before and after your jump.

Unfortunately, no. For safety reasons, there is a deliberate time/distance gap between jumper exits. A single camera person cannot physically be with more than one student at a time. You can feature in each other’s stills and video before and after your jump, though!

Bring your valid, government-issued photo ID with you in order to prove your identity and date of birth. If you elected to take advantage of our military or student discount, be sure to bring your military or student ID with you as well.

Top criteria for your skydiving outfit should be comfort and safety. Close-fitting athletic clothing and lace-up shoes are best. Clothing that covers your arms/armpits and legs/thighs will ensure comfort while wearing the tandem harness. Note that it’s cooler at altitude than on the ground, so packing an extra layer is wise too.

If you’re not dressed appropriately, or just want to really look the part, you can wear one of our skydiving jumpsuits.

Tie back long hair, remove jewelry, and empty your pockets!

Yes – definitely wear your glasses or contacts. We’ll kit you out with some nifty skydiving goggles so you don’t want to miss a thing!! You can also purchase inexpensive, brand new goggles which make for a cool souvenir.

Yes! Eat as you would normally, choosing lighter foods over greasy or heavy foods. Not eating will make you feel light-headed or dizzy; overeating will make you feel sick.

Pack a cooler with snacks and water to keep you feeling tip-top across the day, and feel free to bring goodies to throw on the grill. We sell water and snacks too.

Water? Yes. Alcohol? No way. Staying hydrated is key to feeling your best on jump day. Drinking alcohol before skydiving is illegal, and skydiving with a hangover is miserable.

Pack a cooler with snacks and water to keep you feeling calm, cool, and collected.

Yes! There are numerous restaurants and bars to choose from in nearby Fort Atkinson and Jefferson, as well as grocery and convenience stores.

Our instructional brief lasts between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on who’s leading the class and the questions addressed during the session.

If you feel butterflies in your stomach when you think about jumping out of an airplane, skydiving is definitely for you! If you’re on the fence, we’ve got a heap of articles that tell you all about why you should skydive.

Watch our dropzone owner, Bo Babovic, explain how you can decide if skydiving is for you!

Skydiving feels like pure freedom!!

Contrary to popular belief, there is no roller coaster feeling when you jump out of the airplane. The sensation of freefall is more like flying than falling, and is intensely exciting and liberating.

The parachute flight is quiet and inspiring. However, if you like roller coasters, ask your instructor and they can kick your canopy ride up a notch!

Jumping solo on your first skydive is highly overrated. Think about it – would any pilot in training want to receive ground training and then hop in an airplane and go fly around by themselves? Of course not! ::shudder::

At Wisconsin Skydiving Center (just like at most advanced skydiving centers around the world), you will be securely harnessed to a highly-trained and credentialed tandem skydiving instructor on your first jump. You, the tandem student, are on the front so it may very well feel like you are on your own, but you’re definitely not.

Only one tandem skydive is required before beginning the Accelerated Freefall program, and it counts towards your licensing requirements. It is a great introduction and after doing a tandem you will know if skydiving is indeed the sport for you.

The duration of your skydive will be less than 30 minutes. It will take about 15 minutes to climb to altitude; you will freefall for approximately one minute; and you will fly your parachute for 5 to 7 minutes. (See why you should get the video? Time flies when you’re having fun – don’t let your skydive go by in a flash!)

The average-sized person freefalls at a speed of 120 mph. The heavier the person, the faster the freefall. The descent rate under parachute is about 1,000 feet per minute.

What is a skydiving landing like? Most are quite soft, with many people doing stand-up landings. Sometimes, especially on calm days, the forward speed of the parachute will provide you with a “sliding” landing through the grass. Your instructor will ask you to pick up your feet so that they may touch the ground before you.

Skydiving is like any other extreme sport: there are inherent risks and avoiding them requires careful training and execution. Failure to follow that training can lead to serious injury. Skydiving is as safe as individuals make it.

On our part, at Wisconsin Skydiving Center we provide best-in-class equipment, highly experienced staff, a comprehensive training program, and a lot of backup systems.

Watch our dropzone owner, Bo Babovic, talk about skydiving safety and whether the risk is worth it.

At WSC, we use only the very best equipment. All our parachute systems are equipped with main and reserve ram air (square) canopies. Square canopies are superior to older style round canopies in their opening reliability, maneuverability, accuracy, and landing performance. This informative article on How Parachutes Work provides context too.

In compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, reserve parachutes are inspected and repacked by an FAA-certified parachute rigger every 180 days, regardless of whether they have been deployed or not.

Skydiving parachutes are packed either by Wisconsin Skydiving Center parachute riggers that are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), or packers who are under the supervision of an FAA-certified rigger.

At Wisconsin Skydiving Center, every skydiving rig is equipped with two parachutes – a main parachute and a back-up reserve parachute. Note that it is very unlikely that your main parachute will fail to open properly, but it is a possibility and this is a common question.

All of our tandem skydiving rigs are equipped with a MARD (Manual Assisted Reserve Deployment) system as well as an Automatic Activation Device (AAD).

If your tandem instructor needs to cutaway the main parachute, the MARD aids in swift deployment of the reserve parachute.

If your tandem instructor does not pull the parachute ripcord by a specific altitude, the computerized AAD will automatically deploy the reserve parachute.