Tandem Skydiving FAQs

YES. You need to be 18 to sign our waiver and binding contract. You also must be 18 years of age to participate in AFF Jumps for the same reason. The waiver surrenders specific legal rights and as a result, cannot be signed by someone else on your behalf.

Yes, everyone signs a waiver of liability for PNW Skydiving. You must be 18 years of age to sign such a contract, therefore you must be 18 years of age to skydive.

We think that ANY skydive is a good one to do! Accelerated Freefall (AFF) is the choice if you really want to learn how to skydive.

Tandem Jumps are more of an introduction but do count towards your future training. If you only plan to make one jump ever, we recommend a Tandem. If you think you might become a regular skydiver and pursue the sport, then; do a tandem, and follow it up with AFF!

Yes. Our Maximum weight limit for Tandem Students is 230 lbs. Body types must be somewhat height/weight proportionate when over 200 lbs. We evaluate all students on an individual basis.

No. The USPA has set the basic minimum standard for a skydiver to bring a camera on a skydive: 200 skydives. Adding the camera to a jump is a distraction and on a tandem a serious safety hazard for both you and your tandem jumpmaster. The potential for it to get entangled in the parachute as it deploys or any other number of things could be a serious issue. We do have professional video and photo options available.

You should wear comfortable sneakers and clothes appropriate for the season; shorts and a T-shirt on a hot day are fine and if it is a colder day, long pants and a comfortable long sleeve shirt. We suggest you wear clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. We have jumpsuits and goggles available for you.

No problem, we supply goggles that will fit over your glasses or keep your contacts in.

Skydiving is not for everyone. It is a training activity, not an amusement ride. And we have weight and height restrictions that will apply.

You will be briefed on what tandem skydives are all about and how to perform during a normal tandem jump. After this is complete we will brief you on the equipment, the freefall, parachute ride, and landing. Then we will get you on an airplane as soon as possible.

This initial formality usually takes about 30- 45 minutes. With the training, preparation, aircraft ride, jump, and video dubbing, you should plan on being here for about 1/2 a day. Usually, we will have you on your way home in 2-3 hours, on summer weekends please understand that the wait times can be as long as 4-5 hours. If you want to be out of here as soon as possible we highly recommend morning appointments. Afternoons, especially the weekends, are always busy.

If you wish to continue to learn how to skydive, then PNW Skydiving has an excellent staff on hand to teach you how to solo skydive through a program called AFF (Accelerated Freefall). Of course, you can continue to learn via tandem as well, but there is only so much we can teach you – then eventually you will solo via AFF.

Not really. The video person jumps with just one Tandem or AFF student. We cannot have Tandems in freefall right alongside of each other, but one camera can film you and your friends on the ground, in the aircraft, and landing on the same video. We cannot film two separate tandems simultaneously in freefall.

All sport parachute systems contain two parachutes, a main and reserve. The Tandem Instructor is highly trained on the use of the system and while a parachute malfunction is very rare, it can and does happen. The reserve parachute flies and lands almost identical to the main parachute.

Some people get a little motion sickness during the parachute ride, but not the freefall. If you are susceptible to motion sickness, then perhaps a Gravol or Dramamine will help. We can fly the parachute-like the wildest roller coaster that you have ever been on. We can also fly it smooth, flat and slowly if you prefer that.

‘Ram-Air’ (square) parachutes these days fly like airplanes or gliders and sail through the air. They can slow down a great deal, and the student parachutes are quite large and forgiving. Very hard landings are extremely rare and injuries are even more rare, but they can and do happen.

No, we will not be performing Tandem or AFF jumps when it is raining, very windy or when the clouds are lower than 9,000 feet, but we still can do your training. That way you can be ready to jump right away if you have to come back another day. Weather can cause unexpected delays, so please be patient, we are trying to get you in the air as quickly and safely as possible.

None. Our prices include everything you need to make the jump that you are paying for. Also, there is no tax on jumps. The only optional extra cost item you may choose is Video. All refunds to credit or debit cards are subject to a 6% processing fee.

Tipping is not required nor expected, but of course, it is always appreciated if you feel they did a great job.