Skydiving Cost

Typical costs:

• Tandem^[1] jumping typically costs $100-$260, depending on location and takes about an hour of training after signing a multi-page waiver. The student is harnessed to a professional skydiver who controls all aspects of the dive from the plane, through the five minutes of falling to landing. Static-line^[2] jumps require 4-5 hours of training and cost about $85-$190 per jump. The student makes the dive alone; however, a line attached from the plane to the diver's pack opens the chute and the student drifts to the ground.
• Accelerated Free Fall^[3] costs about $250 for the first jump, depending on location, and is a common first step for jumpers wishing to attain skydiving "A" licensed status. Seven levels of AFF training costs about $1,500-$2,500, depending on location and typically includes 7-10 jumps. It takes about 10-15 jumps for the student to be cleared to dive without supervision and about 25 jumps to earn an "A" license.
• Jump tickets for licensed skydiving enthusiasts cost about $18-$35 per jump, depending on the drop zone location. This covers the cost of the ride to altitude. No equipment is included.
• Wind tunnels^[4] are one way to experience the sensation of parachuting without the inherent dangers. Virtual or indoor skydiving in a wind tunnel costs about $20-$30 per minute.

• Training varies according to the type of skydiving involved, but in each case all equipment, jumpsuit, instruction and the ride to altitude are included. While the student is harnessed to the instructor during tandem jumping, AFF dives are completed as two unconnected instructors hold either side, guiding the novice through parachute deployment. An all-day private or semi-private session occurs prior to the first AFF jump.

• While not mandatory, tipping the instructor is often appreciated and costs about $20-$40, depending on location and price of jump.
• Videos of the jump cost about $60-$100, depending on location; photos cost $20-$100 or more depending on location and photo sizes. The cost covers more than the price of the film as the photographer must leap from the plane at the same time as the student. In tandem jumps, the instructor may wear a wrist-mounted video camera.
• Renting student-level parachute and rigging costs about $20-$25, depending on location, after the jumper is certified to dive unsupervised. Purchasing gear^[5] costs about $5,000-$9,000, depending on manufacturer and typically includes the main and reserve canopies, altimeter, goggles and helmet.

• Buying a group package of four or more typically reduces the per person cost by $10 or save up to $20 each for groups of 18 or more.
• At many locations receive $10-$20 off for paying cash, active military or if a student.
• Weekday jumps typically cost about $10 per jump less than on the weekend.

• Find a drop zone by state through the US Parachute Association, an independent organization recognized by the Federal Aviation Association. Companies belonging to the USPA have pledged to follow all regulations governing skydiving. Pilots and parachute riggers are certified by the FAA.
• The USPA also has copies of the USPA Skydiver's Information Manual^[6] available online.

1.  www.skydiving.com/tandem-skydiving.php
2.  www.skydivingcenter.net/Static_Line.html
3.  www.uspa.org/BecomeaSkydiver/ChooseaMethod/tabid/65/Default.aspx
4.  www.skydivingmagazine.com/windtunl.htm
5.  www.uspa.org/Portals/0/Downloads/Newsletters/Buying%20Gear%20Jan%2009.pdf
6.  www.uspa.org/SIM/tabid/161/Default.aspx

Check Out All Costs for Sports & Fitness		How Much Does an Elliptical Machine Cost?		How Much Does a Tent Cost?		How Much Do Gymnastics Classes Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

Pruning trees before the storm season can help ensure dead branches won't imperil your home. Garden all winter long with an indoor greenhouse. It's a good idea to have the furnace checked in the fall, before you need it. The CDC recommends it is more important than ever to get a flu shot this year. Make sure your gutters are clean before they start to fill up again this fall.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Toilet Flange Replacement/ Toilet Reset Paid: 5294.00 (Break down of pricing was not initially provided and I had to call to speak with a manager to get exact pricing)... [more] -Gray Replacing a Toilet Cost ER visit for ear achech Paid: 2250.00 I was there in hospital only for 15 minutes. due to Covid Urgent care was closed near my house. Doctor came and prescribe me anti biotic ear drops and pills. Got a rude shock when they charge me with huge bill... [more] -Deepa Emergency Room Visit Cost Overspent? Paid: 312.00 $312 per pet.Exam39.25Waste disposal 2.99Heart worm 48.30Fecal 25.29DA2P 101.99Lepto 21.50Sentinel 69.34I always feels overcharged when I go here... [more] -Rebekah Dog Vaccination Cost Root tips Paid: 845.00 Speechless, total ripoff, I have been going to Dr. L. Tabor for many years, I assisted him a few years... [more] -Terri P Tooth Extraction Cost Ignition coils, spark plugs & valve cover gasket Paid: 107.00 Check engine light came on, code was P0303, third cylinder. Googled causes of code found ignition coil and spark plugs most likely. Ordered parts from Amazon and my husband and I changed them after watching some YouTube videos... [more] -JLC Ignition Coil Replacement Cost A/C repair Paid: 670.00 Decided to to replace the 35 year old aging AC system. New compressor, accumulator, orifice tube, refrigerant hoses, condenser. Flushed the evaporator. Charged with ozone friendly 12a refrigerant... [more] -citydragon Car Air Conditioning Cost