Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I want to jump out of an airplane, anyway?
Well, we can't answer that for you, but for most skydivers, it's the thrill of flying through the air, the enjoyment of total control over one's body in flight, and the social experience of being in the air with other people. Of course, the feeling varies from person to person, but no two skydives are ever exactly the same.
How fast do you fall?
In a normal freefall, most individuals average 120mph (miles per hour) but this may be significantly increased or decreased, depending on body attitude, clothing, air density, and other factors. Tandem skydivers fall at a fairly fixed rate of 120mph due to the drogue that is deployed during the skydive.
Can you breathe in freefall?
Yes. We highly recommend breathing. If you're concerned about breathing, don't worry. We'll train you about breathing in the event that this is a concern. However, most people find they can breathe quite normally in freefall.
Are spectators allowed?
Yes, your friends and relatives will be able to watch you gear up, board the plane and land on the other side of the fence, right in front of them.
How long does freefall last?
About 30 to 60 seconds or so depending on exit altitude. Normally you'll exit the aircraft around 12500 feet AGL, and deploy the parachute at approximately 5500 feet AGL. That's 7000 feet of freefall which will take approximately 40 seconds. AGL is "Above Ground Level" which is not the same as "above sea level".
What does freefall feel like?
We can't tell you. You'll have to experience it for yourself. What we can say, is that a skydive is likely the most exciting, exhilarating feeling you'll ever experience in your lifetime.
What happens after freefall?
The parachute is deployed, and you and your tandem instructor float to the earth in a fast or slow descent. You can tell your tandem instructor what kind of ride you'd prefer, and he'll do his best to accommodate your wishes, so long as they are within the bounds of conservative safety.
Speaking of instructors, how qualified are yours?
No dropzone in the Tri-State state area of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia has a more qualified staff. Our skydiving instructors have thousands of skydives each, and are USPA certified and rated. Most of our staff members have multiple ratings including AFF, Tandem Ratings, Parachute Rigger, Master Rigger, Static Line Instructor, IAD instructor, and other ratings. We have taught skydiving instructors that are now in Pittsburgh PA, Erie PA, Morgantown WV as well as Arizona, Florida, California and many foreign countries. Many of our skydiving competitors have skydiving instructors that made their first skydives with Canton Air Sports.
Does it hurt when we land?
Most skydiving landings are about as soft as jumping off the lowest stair of a staircase.
Can anyone skydive?
No. If you wish to tandem-skydive (typically, your first two skydives are tandems) you must be over the age of 18. You should be in reasonably good physical health and under 250 lbs. If you've had any recent knee or back surgeries or breaks, please let our staff know this prior to your skydive so we may provide extra training.
What should I wear?
No heels, no slip-on shoes or sandals. Plan on wearing running shoes or similar, and casual clothing. We'll provide a jumpsuit for you. Shorts and T-shirts are recommended for hot days. If you have long hair, you'll want to tie it up, braid it, or contain it in a padded leather hat that we'll provide.
Can we skydive at any time?
We're available seven days every week (by appointment) from the second Saturday of March through the end of November, provided we have VFR. Visual Flight Rules are required for skydiving, so low, heavy clouds, fog, strong wind, rain, or snow can ground our plane.
What if I want to skydive again, after my tandem?
You are invited to do a Tandem-2 skydive. If you wish to continue, you might want to check into ground school and our AFF program. Or, you might want to continue skydiving as a tandem passenger/student. There is some additional training involved for a second skydive, so be sure to let us know if you're a returning tandem student.
What kind of training will I receive?
Prior to your skydive as a tandem student, you'll receive training on how the parachute works, how you'll exit the aircraft, and how you'll maintain a body position in freefall. Your tandem instructor may have some additional training for you as well, depending on your questions and experience level.
What can I do to help make my skydive memorable?
A video is the first thing we'd recommend. Your instructor will have a camera mounted on a special glove on his left hand. You will be on camera getting ready in the hangar, walking to the airplane, riding up in the airplane, exiting the airplane, in freefall and after landing. We'll upload your video to our dropbox account and email you a link. You can then download your video to as many devices as you choose. The cost of the video is $84 plus tax. Additionally, we recommend you leave everything you brought with you on the ground. Watches, cellphones, PDA's, loose change all become nasty objects falling from the sky, so it's best if you leave them on the ground, preferably locked up in your car. Other than those two suggestions, the most important piece of advice we can give you is to have fun! If you wish, we also have T-shirts available commemorating your skydive. Be sure your tandem instructor fills out your first skydive certificate.