Airborne

Experiences.com: Why do people choose to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?

To experience one of the most exciting and visually stimulating sports where participation is available to the average individual. Every tandem skydiver enjoys an incredible departure from their daily routine.

Experiences.com: I’m curious, maybe even fascinated, by the idea of skydiving . . but I’m hesitant. What’s my next move, short of a jump?

Watch some of the video on our web site and find out if you feel the compulsion to experience your first tandem skydive.

Every skydiver must be 18 years of age regardless of parental consent. For those who aren’t old enough to experience a skydive, they might want to experience some time in a wind tunnel. A good suggestion for an underage enthusiast is a visit to the wind tunnel in Orlando Florida where he or she can experience and enjoy “human flight”. It is a lot of fun and increases their excitement and anticipation of their first skydive when they reach the age of 18.

Experiences.com: If I’m going to jump out of an airplane I want to know I’m harnessed into the best, state of the art equipment by the most qualified staff. What can you tell me about your company’s equipment and staff that would reassure me?

Our professional jumpmasters enjoy an experience level exceeding thousands of tandem skydives and our skydiving center has maintained one of the best safety records in the sport. Our professional and friendly staff will make your tandem skydive unforgettable!    They are seasoned instructors who know how to answer your questions and will go out of their way to be sure you enjoy everything about your first skydive.

Experiences.com: So, I’ve jumped once. If I stop at “only once” what am I missing?

Most people who experience their first tandem skydive want to try another. Many tandem skydivers repeat the experience with other friends and, after one or more tandem skydivers those who are compelled to make skydiving a part of their life enroll in the Accelerated Freefall Program to begin learning how to skydive with instructor supervision. The Accelerated Freefall Program equips novice skydivers with freefall and canopy control skills through a eight level program which entails direct-in-air jumpmaster supervision.

Experiences.com: Skydiving as a team building, character building or courage building experience? Have you seen it in action? What can you tell us?

When people experience their first tandem skydive it is fascinating to observe their varied reactions. Obviously, they are simultaneously excited and nervous. Most normal people experience a fascinating blend of fear and excitement  relating to the unknown when they are moved towards the airplane door and find themselves facing the open sky realizing they are actually about to do the “unthinkable”…willingly jump out of the aircraft a few miles above the earth.  The human mind is fascinating. Most tandem skydivers forget whatever fear they were feeling the instant their fate is consigned to the sky and the forces of gravity. They are commonly overwhelmed by how pleasant it feels to be flying through the sky seemingly floating on a cushion of air often with a skydiving videographer effortlessly smiling at them from a from a few feet away while he or she records the first time tandem skydivers experience. They are reminded that they are in freefall when the canopy is deployed and they find themselves floating under canopy thousands of feet above the earth and enjoying another breathtaking and relaxed view of the earth below while they quietly continue their descent to the earth below. When they return home they will no doubt watch the video of their experience many times recalling every detail of their amazing experience. A short paragraph can’t do justice to the depth and breadth of the visual and physical experience of your first skydive. You have to experience it to fully understand it.

Experiences.com: Do you offer skydiving experiences for more experienced or adventurous divers? What’s entailed?

Many experienced skydivers looking for a “destination” or a “home” drop zone choose Skydive Sebastian. They enjoy one of the best locations a skydiving center can ever hope for.    Our Skydiving Center is “actually” located on the Florida Coastline allowing our visiting skydivers to enjoy an incredible view of the Sebastian Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean while in freefall and under canopy as well as an enjoyable coastal environment after skydiving.

Our location on the Florida Coastline makes it possible for us to regularly offer both our licensed and tandem skydivers the option of skydiving to our nearby beach.

We catering to Skydivers from their first jump to the highest levels of proficiency in all skydiving disciplines.    Our Skydiving Facilities include a beautiful park-like setting spreading over 7 acres and include our main hanger, a spacious team building which includes complete bathroom and shower facilities and an on-site Restaurant and Tiki Hut for our post jumping Happy Hour activities. We host a number of skydiving events throughout our year long season many of which include après skydiving nighttime activities. The Staff at Skydive Sebastian is committed to making everyone feel at home around our DZ whether they are a first-time tandem skydiver, a recent Accelerated Freefall graduate, one of our regular experienced skydivers or a traveling skydiver spending a vacation at our Drop Zone..

Experiences.com: Spring, summer or Fall jump? How is the experience different?

Skydiving in Florida is terrific all year long.

Experiences.com: Does your company offer skydiving “gift certificates”? How do most people react? Any funny stories or “happy endings” (beyond expectations) where a jump-gift changed someone’s life?

Gift Certificates are readily available on our web site. It is safe to say that every first time tandem skydiver has had a life changing experience each being as distinct as the individual personality of the first time skydiver.

Experiences.com: I know that weather and wind play a role in whether a scheduled jump takes place. If a jump has to be canceled on the scheduled day what other activities do you recommend in your jump area?

Our Skydiving Center is “actually” located on the Florida Coastline allowing our visiting skydivers an enjoyable coastal environment when they aren’t skydiving.

Experiences.com: Is there anything else you would like to share about the skydiving experience Skydive Sebastian?

View our Welcome Video here.

Special thanks to James Iannaccone, president of Skydive Sebastian, for completing this educational interview on skydiving over Florida.

Experiences.com: Why do people choose to jump out of a perfectly good airplane at Skydive DeLand?

Firstly, there is no such thing as a perfectly good airplane – that is why they have safety belts! People generally choose to skydive as a way of experiencing something fun and crazy, totally out of the ordinary.

Experiences.com: I’m curious, maybe even fascinated, by the idea of skydiving . . but I’m hesitant. What’s my next move, short of a jump?

The only way to truly experience skydiving is to actually do it. You could always try the indoor simulated skydiving, but it is not the same. You would not feel the adrenaline rush or see the world from a new perspective.

Experiences.com: If I’m going to jump out of an airplane I want to know I’m harnessed into the best, state of the art equipment by the most qualified staff. What can you tell me about COMPANY’S equipment and staff that would reassure me?

It is encouraging that the design of the tandem equipment we use has not changed much in the last decade. The manufacturers do not feel the need to mess with something that is tried and tested! The tandem and the equipment was conceived here in DeLand.

Experiences.com: So, I’ve jumped once. If I stop at “only once” what am I missing?

Obviously a lot of fun skydiving! Once you are licensed, you can travel the world, and wherever you go you would have something in common with people. It is an easy way to make new friends.

Experiences.com: Skydiving as a team building, character building or courage building experience? Yes or no? Have you seen it in action? What can you tell us?

For many people, making their first jump is a personal achievement. It is
an intensely personal sport, but depending on which discipline you choose, you can become part of a team. The formation work in skydiving only works with a lot of training and reliance on your team mates.

Experiences.com: Do you offer skydiving experiences for more experienced or adventurous divers? What’s entailed?

No. Skydiving is just like any other sport. You work on building your proficiency in the areas that interest you. You start with a ground school, and usually go through the Accelerated Freefall course (AFF) . This equips you with the skills you need to be able to jump on your own. Once you graduate you can get coaching to help you move into the discipline that interest you, such as freeflying or relative work.

Experiences.com: Spring, summer or Fall jump? How is the experience different?

Only the temperatures are different, and hence the amount of clothing you want to wear.

Experiences.com: Does your company offer skydiving “gift certificates”? How do most people react? Any funny stories or “happy endings” (beyond expectations) where a jump-gift changed someone’s life?

We do offer gift certificates, and lots of people who receive them as gifts are surprised, but usually do jump. They are refundable if the recipient refuses to jump. Quite a few of the couples making a tandem jump with us have proposed on the ground after landing. So far nobody has said no.

Experiences.com: I know that weather and wind play a role in whether a scheduled jump takes place. If a jump has to be canceled on the scheduled day what other activities do you recommend in your jump area?

We are less than 30 minutes from Daytona Beach, and about an hour from the Orlando theme parks and the Kennedy Space Center.

Experiences.com: Is there anything else you would like to share about the skydiving experience or COMPANY?

If you are considering making a jump, but still a little hesitant, rest assured that we have the longest history of tandems in the world, since this is where they first began! Our instructors are all really experienced, with thousands of jumps.

Special thanks to Skydive DeLand for this informative interview on skydiving in Florida

Experiences.com: Why do people choose to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?

Skydiving has become more than just a once in a lifetime experience, it’s an incredible and safe sport!

Experiences.com: I’m curious, maybe even fascinated, by the idea of skydiving . . but I’m hesitant. What’s my next move, short of a jump?

Skydive Perris invites you to visit  www.skydveperris.com a web site designed to introduce you to everything from what to expect on your first skydive to what it takes to become a licensed skydiver.  Once you better understand what you are about to experience, your options and videos of people skydiving safely every day, how far the technology and equipment have come, you’ll  be better prepared to really ready  to fully enjoy the experiences Perris has to offer!

Experiences.com: If I’m going to jump out of an airplane I want to know I’m harnessed into the best, state of the art equipment by the most qualified staff. What can you tell me about your company’s equipment and staff that would reassure me?

Skydive Perris, has been a family owned business for 34 years!    We have helped grow a very professional and qualified group of instructors, pilots and parachute packers.  We consider every position on our staff to be a serious and an important part of your skydiving and wind tunnel experience.  We have state of art equipment to include a “Cypress” on your second or reserve parachute (everyone gets two when skydiving ).  This device is an automatic activation device that will deploy a parachute without you having to do anything!  All of our staff have been trained and hold the highest ratings and license available in the skydiving and wind tunnel business.    We have learned to combine a professional and fun environment, kind of like an adult freefall Disneyland for you to enjoy a safe and fun experience.

Experiences.com: So, I’ve jumped once. If I stop at “only once” what am I missing?

We consider you the fortunate one!  The one who can see the incredible, life changing sport and new friendships just waiting to rock your world.

Experiences.com: Skydiving as a team building, character building or courage building experience? Have you seen it in action? What can you tell us?

We have shared and created all of those experiences with companies and individuals to help overcome fears and build confidence.  There’s a lot of trusting you learn to do when engaging in our sport.   You learn everything from trusting your instructor, your equipment and then building the self confidence in yourself.  Once you build this type of confidence time and time again, you just feel better and stronger about every aspect in your life.

Experiences.com: Do you offer skydiving experiences for more experienced or adventurous divers? What’s entailed?

We do have a very special package called SENSORY OVERLOAD.  Since we are the ONLY drop zone in California to have a wind tunnel on site, we will take you into our wind tunnel to experience freefall before you jump out of an airplane.  The wind tunnel is a freefall flight simulator that is so accurate, we as experienced jumpers, use it as a training tool to fine tune our flying and body positions routinely.  Following your wind tunnel flying sessions, you’ll walk right over to the skydiving school and leap from an airplane and wrap up your day at the Bombshelter Sports Bar & Restaurant ….now that’s a GREAT day of fun!

Experiences.com: Spring, summer or Fall jump? How is the experience different?

In the wind tunnel, the air is exactly the same temperature as the outside temperature, but moving at 120 miles per hour, or less for kids, that just depends on their size and weight.  When jumping from our airplanes, you will go to 12,500 ft above the ground it’s always cooler than on the ground, often about 20 degrees cooler.

Experiences.com: Does your company offer skydiving “gift certificates”? How do most people react? Any funny stories or “happy endings” (beyond expectations) where a jump-gift changed someone’s life?

YES, we offer gift certificates and have surprised more people than we can count.  The best is when they’re blind folded all the way to our facility until they step in the wind tunnel or school office and we all say…surprise!   We’ve had people ask they’re loved one to marry them, both in the airplane and in freefall, we’ve performed weddings on site, you name it we’ve either done it or we’ll try it!

Experiences.com: I know that weather and wind play a role in whether a scheduled jump takes place. If a jump has to be canceled on the scheduled day what other activities do you recommend in your jump area?

First, we recommend you go in the wind tunnel, eat at our restaurant and bar and of course if the weather’s still not cooperating, we are 15 miles north of 30+ wineries in Temecula, which also has just about everything else fun to do with both feet on the ground.

Experiences.com: Is there anything else you would like to share about the skydiving experience Perris Valley Skydiving?

YES, Skydive Perris has something to do for the whole family!  It’s free to come watch, a great place to host birthday parties, bachelor/bachelorette parties, you name it, it’s the right occasion!  Did you know you only have to be 3 years old to fly in the wind tunnel?!  Because the motors are manually operated by a staff member and an instructor is with you, holding on to you (until it’s not required anymore) it’s a totally controlled environment.  The airspeed is adjusted to accommodate the size person and or their experience for a fun and unique experience!

This is not a ride you have to reach a certain height to enjoy, it’s truly freefall fun for the whole family!!!

Special thanks to Melanie Peschio, owner of Skydive Perris, for granting us this interview.