Learn to Skydive FAQs

Skydive Carolina is located at 1903 King Air Drive, Chester, SC 29706 at the Chester County Regional Airport. We’re right on the border of North and South Carolina – once you get off the highway, the ride to the dropzone is a pleasant drive through farmland and open fields. Get directions!

On the North Carolina side, we’re less than an hour from South Charlotte, just over two hours from Greensboro and Asheville, and about three and a half from Raleigh. On the South Carolina side, we’re about an hour from Columbia and Spartanburg, under two hours from Greenville, and about three hours and 15 minutes from Charleston.

Skydive Carolina is open almost year round. In peak season, we’re open Thursday through Monday, and in the “off season” we’re open on weekends only – we are always closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

• January: Closed (Available by Phone)
• February: Friday – Sunday
• March-October: Thursday – Monday
• November-Mid-December: Friday – Sunday

We have ample, free onsite parking. Check out this video to get the lay of the land at the dropzone!

You need to book your First Jump Class (FJC) via our online reservation system. Subsequent skydiving lessons will be scheduled offline with your instructor or coach, as applicable. One of the advantages of the Accelerated Freefall curriculum is that you can complete the coursework at your own pace.

Absolutely! There’s plenty of seating and shade, and our on-site restaurant – Blue Sky Café – is open on weekends. Snacks and cold drinks are available in the Student Training Center & Gear Store.

Yes! The Blue Sky Café is open on Saturdays and Sundays. They serve hot and cold beverages, salads, sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, and sides. Snacks and cold drinks are always available in the Student Training Center & Gear Store.

No. For safety reasons, dogs and other animals are not permitted at the airport. Please call us in advance if you or someone in your party is supported by a service dog.

Word on the street is that a modern, well-appointed RV park is being built less than 10 minutes from the dropzone. Until it’s up and running, the nearest accommodations are hotels in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Richburg.

Accelerated Freefall is a comprehensive skydiving training program sanctioned by the USPA. Featuring a scaffolded curriculum, AFF is designed to provide students with a strong foundation of skydiving skills to become confident, competent, and responsible skydivers.

In accordance with the USPA Integrated Student Program (ISP), the Accelerated Freefall curriculum is divided into levels, beginning with the First Jump Course (FJC) and followed by Categories A through H. Advancement from one level to the next is predicated on the student’s ability to demonstrate mastery of the specific skills introduced during the level. Failure to demonstrate these skills may require the student to repeat the level.

The FJC, also known as Ground School, is classroom instruction only. Categories A through H represent the hands-on application of rules and regulations, exit and freefall strategies, canopy piloting techniques, emergency procedures, and other skills every AFF student must master. Instructor and coach support decreases with student progression.

Once you complete the A License Proficiency Card (which includes packing your own parachute), pass practical and written exams, and perform your Check Dive, you can submit your A License application to the USPA!

You must successfully complete at least 25 jumps as part of the AFF curriculum. (Your tandem counts as one jump!) Jumps are repeated as necessary in order to ensure mastery of skills.

• Instructor Supervision (Categories A-E): 7 jumps
• Coach Support (Categories F-H): 12 jumps
• Self Supervision: 6 jumps

You jump by yourself from the giddy-up: Category A! Two instructors will jump alongside you, giving you feedback via prescribed hand signals, throughout the skydive. At the end of the freefall, you will deploy your own parachute and our ground crew will then talk you down via wireless radio, giving you instructions based on the flight plan introduced during the First Jump Course. Watch Category A (AFF) Jump.

You will first jump with two AFF instructors, and then one AFF instructor, through Category E. A coach will provide you with support from Categories F through H, and then you will self-supervise your jumps until you’re ready to test for your A License!

While we do not require that you make a tandem before starting AFF at Skydive Carolina, we strongly recommend that you make at least one tandem first. Learning to skydive requires a significant investment of time and resources. It’s important that you know what you’re signing up for – and that you enjoy the sensations of freefall and canopy flight without the responsibility of execution! Note that your tandem jump counts as one of the required 25 to get your A License.

As an AFF student, you deploy and fly your own parachute, solo! Tandem students, in contrast, are securely attached to a tandem instructor, who executes every part of the skydive. With static line training, the solo student’s parachute is deployed on exit from the aircraft. And with Instructor Assisted Deployment (IAD), the solo student’s instructor deploys their parachute as they exit the aircraft.

Yes – everyone does! Every training jump is recorded for immediate feedback and learning during post-jump debriefs.

As long as it takes! Some people complete the AFF curriculum in a matter of weeks, others take longer as time and resources are available. You will stay current as long as you make at least one jump every 30 days.

You are considered current as long as you make at least one jump every 30 days. Students are encouraged to stay as current as possible and not allow too much time to elapse between jumps. Making more jumps in a shorter period of time improves confidence and competence, and accelerates progression.

Students who go beyond 30 days are required to repeat their last, successfully-completed AFF level. Students who surpass 90 days since their last completed jump are required to repeat the First Jump Course as a refresher on procedure.

Check out our AFF Prices page for detailed pricing information. One of the advantages of the Accelerated Freefall curriculum is that you can complete the coursework at your own pace – just remember that you need to make at least one jump every 30 days to stay current. Becoming uncurrent will require the last successfully completed AFF skydive to be repeated, even if the reason for the extended gap in skydiving was due to inclement weather.

Yes, the gear rental fees associated with the 25 required AFF jumps is included in the program cost at Skydive Carolina.

The USPA issues four skydiving licenses: A, B, C and D. The USPA A License certifies that a skydiver has completed the necessary training to jump with other skydivers and visit other skydiving centers.

Earning the A License requires:

• Performing a minimum of 25 jumps (includes tandem skydive)
• Completing the A License Proficiency Card
• Passing practical and written exams
• Passing your Check Dive
• Demonstrating the ability to pack a parachute
• Being an active member of the USPA

We recommended new jumpers purchase used gear before investing in new gear. As you gain experience, you’ll learn about the different disciplines of skydiving and, eventually, you will probably downsize your canopy. Be sure any used gear you purchase has been properly inspected by an FAA-certified parachute rigger to determine quality and airworthiness.

Yes, the United States Parachute Association (USPA) mandates that you must be 18 or older to skydive. As a USPA member dropzone, this rule is strictly enforced at Skydive Carolina. Be sure to bring your valid, government-issued photo ID with you to prove your date of birth (e.g. driver’s license, passport). Consent from a parent or guardian is not permitted under any circumstances. No ID, no jump – no joke.

No – if you’re physically able to successfully perform what your instructor asks of you, chances are you’re a candidate for learning how to skydive. If you have specific questions or concerns, talk with your doctor before booking your First Jump Course.

The maximum weight limit for AFF students at Skydive Carolina is 225 lbs, including your clothing and shoes.

Maneuvering in the aircraft, maintaining a stable position in freefall, piloting the canopy, negotiating the landing, and carrying (and, eventually, packing!) your gear, requires arm, leg, and core strength, as well as endurance and flexibility. You need to be in generally good health to consistently, successfully perform the practical applications of the AFF curriculum. If you have specific questions or concerns about your health, talk with your doctor before booking your First Jump Course.

You must be 18 or older to learn how to skydive – bring a valid, government-issued form of photo identification (e.g. driver’s license or passport). Permission from a parent or guardian will not suffice.

Consider bringing sunblock, a hat, and sunglasses when temperatures are warm.  In cooler months, bring an extra layer. You’re welcome to bring a cooler, just remember that no alcohol is permitted on the dropzone at any time.

We will provide you with a jumpsuit, helmet and goggles.

Dress in weather-appropriate clothing that is suitable for physical activity; close-fitting athletic clothing is best. On chilly days, wear layers and long pants. If it’s particularly cold, we recommend long-johns or Under Armour.

Lace-up tennis shoes or sneakers are recommended for footwear. Remove jewelry and tie back long hair. You’re fine to wear your glasses or contacts.

Yes, eat normally. Not eating before you jump will likely make you feel a little green around the gills – lightheaded and faint, especially after the adrenaline high wears off. Eating too much will make you feel sick; avoid greasy or heavy food.

Water: yes. Alcohol: hard no. Staying hydrated is important – drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic beverages. You must not drink any alcohol at least eight hours prior to your jump. Jumping under the influence is illegal and is a major safety concern. If you are deemed to be under the influence, you will not be skydiving.

Skydiving with a cold or any sinus pressure is not recommended. If you are scheduled for training and are not feeling well, we recommend that you call the dropzone to reschedule.

We don’t jump in heavy clouds or rain, and student skydivers have wind limits. According to the USPA Basic Safety Requirements, wind limits are 14 miles per hour for AFF students and unlicensed skydivers. If you have a long drive and are concerned about the weather, please call the DZ before you head out.