Tandem Skydiving FAQs

Our physical mailing address is 1903 King Air Drive, Chester, SC 29706

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Not all GPS systems have our mailing address programmed, so please verify this before beginning your trip. Google Maps and Mapquest are unreliable.

No. Pets are not permitted at the skydive center at any time.

At the present time, the Blue Sky Café is open Saturday and Sunday. We also have snacks and drinks in our gear store that can be purchased.

Dress so that you are comfortable for the temperatures on the ground. If it will be a warm day, then tee shirt, shorts and tennis shoes will be best. If it’s going to be a chilly day, then jeans, a long-sleeved tee shirt and tennis shoes are recommended. If it’s particularly cold then we recommend long-johns or Under Armour wear (works particularly well).Tennis shoes or ‘sneakers’ is recommended for footwear. Boots are not recommended.

On the day of your jump – you’re going to have a lot of nervous energy – but understand this – skydiving is not like being on a roller coaster. You do NOT feel as if you are falling nor are you aware that you are traveling at 120m.p.h. So eat normally.

Skydiving with a cold or any sinus pressure is not recommended. Due to the pressure changes experienced during a skydive, it’s not uncommon to feel discomfort or intense pain within the inner ear. If you are scheduled to make a jump and have any congestion, we recommend rescheduling your skydive.

Individuals planning on making a jump will need to be sure to bring a government issued form of photo identification (a driver’s license or passport is acceptable). Additionally, there will be lots of skydiving happening including world record holders and national champions, so be sure to bring your sunglasses – you’ll be looking up at the sky a lot!

Skydive Carolina is fortunate to fly a large, 15 passenger aircraft that takes passengers up to 14,000 feet allowing for the absolute best skydiving experience with a large door for easy exits and the longest possible free fall time without the aid of oxygen. Because of the major expense of operating a large aircraft, heavy volume is required to fly this aircraft. The design of our booking schedule is to allow for customers to be with us for between 4 and 5 hours. The wait time is created by having to pack parachutes for both tandem parachutes and videographer parachutes alike. Much is happening behind the scenes, so please be patient and stay relaxed for the experience of a lifetime. Wait times are greatly reduced for those scheduled early in the mornings (8:00 and 9:00am).

Yes. The time you reserve for is the time your training class will begin. We ask all tandem students to arrive 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled booking time. It is very important for you to be on time for your scheduled class. If you miss your scheduled training class time, you will be moved to another class time with space.

You will be at the DZ for approximately 4-5 hours. Please prepare for this as there is some down time between your training and actually boarding the plane. There is much happening behind the scenes by-way of re-packing parachutes etc. Please be patient and prepare for one of the best experiences of your life!

Unless your booking time is for 8:00 o’clock in the morning, we recommend that spectators arrive approximately an hour and a half after your scheduled booking time. Please note that all children 12 years and under must be under adult supervision at all times.

We are very firm on our weight requirement. This weight requirement includes shoes and clothing that you will be wearing for the jump. All guests will be asked to stand on a private scale at the time of check-in.

We recognize that skydiving is an expensive activity – tips are never expected, but always appreciated!

The videographers of Xtreme Video Services are literally the best in the world and will capture every aspect of your skydive. All videos are sent via a Dropbox link to your email address. You will receive a fully edited finished product by the end of the business day after your skydive. The highlights of your video include – meeting the instructor, getting geared up, boarding the aircraft, an interview half-way to altitude (7,000 feet) and of course the moment of being in the door at 14,000 feet and every part of the free fall experience. Pricing for video services is $109 for video only or still photography only. The price for both video & still photography is $129. We also offer a Social Media package for $139 which includes a video clip edited specifically for social media and the Xtreme Package for $199 which includes includes 30-60 photos, fully edited video, 1 video clip for social media sent to you via a Dropbox link, AND a video of your canopy flight!

This is not possible. Each tandem pair exits the aircraft with about 5 to 10 seconds of separation out the door to ensure that parachutes will not be deploying in close proximity of each other. Because of this separation it is not possible for a videographer to fly from one tandem group or another.

The United States Parachute Association (USPA) mandates that all skydivers must have a minimum of 200 jumps in order to skydive with a camera. Anyone with less than 200 jumps is not permitted to take a GoPro or any other camera with them on a jump without meeting this criteria.

All payments are non-refundable, but are transferable and are valid for one calendar year. In the event that your skydive will have to be rescheduled, you will have up to one calendar year to reschedule. If you have a long drive and it appears that the weather will be inclement, all are encouraged to contact Skydive Carolina at 803.581.5867 to check on the status of the weather.

Conditions that effect the postponement, delay or cancellation of a tandem skydive are as follows:

• Heavy Clouds – if cloud conditions are thick not allowing jumpers / instructors to see the ground from the jump altitude, then jumping is discontinued. The exception to this is if the cloud cover is above an altitude of 10,000 feet.
• Rain – Jumping in the rain can be an unpleasant experience. We do not operate when it’s raining.
• Wind – If ground winds are in excess of 20mph or if upper altitude winds are excessively high.