FIRST TIME SKYDIVING
FIRST TIME SKYDIVING
How to Prepare
- Be sure to bring a photo ID
- Dress for the day wearing clothes that are non-restrictive (cargo pants, athletic wear, jeggings, leggings)
- Closed toed shoes (no boots, sandals, heels, or shoes with hooks)
- Long hair? Wear it up! Preferably in braids.
- Make sure to eat a nutritious meal – not too light and not too heavy – so your body has fuel to process the adrenaline
- No drugs or alcohol prior to making your skydive
- We do love our pets, but ask that you please leave yours at home. Skydiving is not a pet-friendly environment and are not welcomed onto the premises.
What to Expect
- Weekdays – plan on spending ½ day with us after your arrival
- Weekends – plan on spending a full day with us
Upon arrival, you’ll enter the west end double doors of Skydive Chicago’s main building. From here, you’ll check in at the main office called, Manifest. Next, you’ll receive a group number and complete the training to prepare for the jump which will be reviewed by your instructor.
You’ll be organized onto an airplane (or as we say, ‘manifested on a load’) which is displayed on monitors throughout the hangar. This will show the time in which you will prepare to make your skydive. At that time in the tandem gear up area, you will be greeted by your instructor. They’ll help you with all the equipment and review what to expect on the jump.
- Jumping from 13,500 feet
- Approximately 60 second freefall
- Between 5-7 minutes of canopy flight
Post jump the instructor will meet you back in the hangar to collect the equipment and review the jump with logbook and certificate!
PRICES
Tandem Skydive Specials
For Groups of 3+, Celebrating a Birthday or in the Military
$259
Reservations Required
- Book at least one full day (32 hours) in advance
- $50 Deposit / per person required
- Available 7 Days a Week
- Must show photo ID for proof of birthday that day, military status)
REQUIREMENTS: Must be at least 18 years of age (No exceptions)
REQUIREMENTS: Must weigh less than 250 pounds (For safety reasons, certain body shapes may be subject to further evaluation)
RESERVATIONS: Saturday reservations made over the phone by 5pm or online by 11:59p the Thursday prior
First Jump Tandem
For those who’ve never made a skydive or have been a while since the first jump.
$279
Reservations Required
- Book at least one full day (32 hours) in advance
- $50 Deposit / per person required
- Available 7 Days a Week
- Cannot be combined with any other discounts
REQUIREMENTS: Must be at least 18 years of age (No exceptions)
REQUIREMENTS: Must weigh less than 250 pounds (For safety reasons, certain body shapes may be subject to further evaluation)
RESERVATIONS: Saturday reservations made over the phone by 5pm or online by 11:59p the Thursday prior
Walk-In Tandem Skydive
Walk-In Rate Per Person.
$309
No Reservations Required
- Call in Inquire about availability
REQUIREMENTS: Must be at least 18 years of age (No exceptions)
REQUIREMENTS: Must weigh less than 250 pounds (For safety reasons, certain body shapes may be subject to further evaluation)
ADD ON MEDIA PACKAGES
Selfie
Budget and social media friendly package filmed solely by the Instructor for a POV experience.
$119
Per Person
What you get:
- Instructor POV with handcam
- 3 different video edits
- Great for social media
- A personalized documentation in high resolution quality of your experience from gearing up, the walk to the plane, aircraft ascent, exit, freefall, canopy and post landing.
- 40-60 images
Media is uploaded via a cloud based server and delivered to your email on the same day!
Pro
A personalized experience caught by a professional skydiving videographer.
$169
Per Person
What you get:
- Professional videographer POV
- 3 different video edits
- Great for social media
- A personalized documentation in high resolution quality of your experience from gearing up, the walk to the plane, aircraft ascent, exit, freefall, canopy and post landing.
- 40-60 images
Media is uploaded via a cloud based server and delivered to your email on the same day!
Ultimate
Capture the entire experience from the instructors POV and the outside professionals view!
$199
Per Person
What you get:
- Instructor handcam & pro videographer POV’s
- 4 different video edits
- Great for social media
- A personalized documentation in high resolution quality of your experience from gearing up, the walk to the plane, aircraft ascent, exit, freefall, canopy and post landing.
- 60-100 images
Media is uploaded via a cloud based server and delivered to your email on the same day!
The Journey of a First Time Skydiver
Tandem Groups
Skydive Chicago has accommodated large groups of up to 100 tandem skydivers. Company outings, colleges, family reunions, weddings, etc we have done it. Contact us for special pricing and accommodations. Potential group accommodations available.
- VIP room access with pool table, leather couches, projection screen and deck overlooking main landing area
- We have an auditorium with a PA system and projection screen that can accommodate up to 200 people.
FAQs
Yes. Skydive Chicago’s policy for first time tandem students must weigh less than 250 pounds and properly fit in the harness. Since this is a serious safety concern, weight is verified by the office team upon check in.
The fit of the tandem student harness is also a critical component to the skydive. Therefore the weight limit is merely a guide. In rare cases, some students under the weight limit may not be able to conduct a tandem skydive if the harness does not fit properly. The instructor will make the final determination.
Minimum: 18 years of age, regardless of parental consent
Maximum: Although there is no maximum age, there are minimal physical requirements
At Skydive Chicago, we require a valid photo ID (ie: drivers license, state ID, or passport) to make a tandem skydive. Unfortunately, if you do not have a photo ID, we cannot allow you to jump.
In the unlikely event the main parachute does not open properly, all instructors are trained on emergency procedures and the equipment is equipped with a reserve parachute and an Automatic Activation Device [AAD], which is designed to open the reserve parachute should the instructor be unable.
Skydive Chicago® has developed a comprehensive skydive training program [Advanced Freefall Program (AFP)] that is geared towards earning the first basic license. This program begins with two training tandem jumps (meaning you’re given tasks to become oriented to skydive training and develop procedures and awareness).
After completing and passing the tandem training objectives, there is an online ground training course to transition to jumping solo. This framework of starting tandem helps excel the learning into solo skydive training.
Yes (weather depending, of course)! Skydive Chicago® has a sweet deal for your second tandem jump. If you pay for the 2nd jump within 1 week of your first jump, the cost is $199 ($ savings!). You can use it the same day as your first or you have 1 year to use it.
We will do our best to accommodate you and your group to be in the same plane. For safety reasons, tandem pairs cannot freefall with another tandem pair as there needs to be a safe distance between jumpers in the sky.
For larger groups, the organizer of the group may be asked to form smaller sub groups upon check in.
Spectators are definitely welcome! Skydive Chicago® is an adult playground. Although children are welcome, they must be supervised at all times. Also – we love furry friends but skydiving is not a pet friendly sport. We recommend leaving pets at home.
Spectators supporting friends are welcome to enjoy the other facilities such as swimming, hiking, biking, shopping in the gift store, eating at the cafe, or even disc golf!
Overnight camping is available via tent camping, bringing in your own RV, or renting one of our cabins overlooking the Fox River! Note: for every person jumping, you are allowed a maximum of 1 non-jumping overnight guest.
Guests of jumpers enjoying the facilities must check in at the office.
Tipping is not expected, but always appreciated. Instructors love welcoming people to the sport as it is truly a passion sport. They are compensated for their work but showing extra support is very meaningful as they invest a lot to be able to do what they do.
Skydiving is a weather dependent sport. Forecasts for the city of Chicago can vary from the forecast in Ottawa. And unfortunately, we cannot predict what the weather will actually do. Conditions such as cloud cover, high winds, turbulence, precipitation, or low temps may cause weather delays or in some cases, the day may be canceled for jumping operations.
If you are concerned about the weather, we recommend checking your favorite weather apps for Ottawa, IL or call the office at 815-433-0000 for any questions.
Weather Policy
Note: The $50 deposit is non-refundable in the case of weather. The tandem classes are offered rain or shine (because sometimes the weather may clear for jumping to occur). However, in the event of weather cancellations there are two options:
a) Keep your scheduled time and attend the class. If the weather is jumpable, we will! If it is not, we will issue a rain check which is redeemable at full value for up to one year from your original reservation date.
If you return to make your jump within the same calendar year you will not need to complete paperwork or take the class again.
b) You may reschedule your reservation for up to one year from your original reservation date without incurring penalties. We realize that Skydive Chicago may be a long drive, so in the case of weather, you may call the day of your reservation at 815-433-0000 to reschedule for a future date. We will hold your $50 deposit for one year.
Skydive Chicago, Inc. has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol skydiving policy. If anyone is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication that has made the person unfit to skydive then Skydive Chicago, Inc. will not allow that person to skydive that day and may at the discretion of Skydive Chicago, Inc. not allow that person to skydive in the future and/or forfeit the money, which the person has paid.
Although minimal, the physical requirements require the ability to walk up steps, squat to sit and kneel in the plane, be comfortable to sit in the intimate environment of the aircraft, and lift your legs for landing.
However, we have taken guests with various abilities. If you have a special requirement, please call us to discuss. If you have a special medical concern, then contact your doctor as we may require written consent to participate in skydiving activities.
Skydiving is like many other extreme sports: there are inherent risks that require careful training and execution. Failure to follow that training can lead to serious injury or death.
The national organization, the United States Parachute Association [USPA] published that in 2021, the annual fatality count hit a record low of 10. The tandem skydiving fatality rate is one student fatality per 500,000 jumps on average over the past 10 years.
There are many moving parts and some unpredictable things such as weather, guests arriving late, etc. that can affect the timing of jumps. Therefore we suggest:
Weekend reservations: plan on spending the entire day
Weekday reservations: please schedule spending a ½ day
Pro Tip: the earlier the reservations may have decreased wait times
Absolutely! Although we cannot allow our guests to jump with their own cameras for safety reasons, Skydive Chicago® offers packages to suit your budget! All videos include pre-jump interviews, capturing gearing up, walking to the plane, the ascent to altitude, exit, freefall and landing (some packages include capturing the parachute opening) and are edited to music. All media is high resolution and will be emailed the same day!
We get it. Skydiving is an extreme sport that one must be fully ready and committed to do to participate. If you attend the class and decide not to jump, we will refund you all but the $50 deposit. If you gear up and board the plane and then decide not to jump, the entire amount is non-refundable.
The $50 deposit is not refundable less than 72 hours to your original reservation.
No Show Policy: If you are unable to make your reservation, please call us at 815-433-0000 by 5 pm the day prior to your reservation to reschedule. With at least one day advanced notification your deposit will be held for up to one year to reschedule your reservation. If you do not contact us prior to the day of your reservation, or do not show up, you will forfeit the $50/person deposit.
Cancellation Policy: If you must cancel your reservation, please call us at least 3 days prior to your original reservation date and your $50 deposit may be refunded. If you do not contact us at least 3 days prior to your reservation, your deposit will not be refundable. With at least one day advanced notification your deposit will be held for up to one year to reschedule your reservation.
We love furry animals! HOWEVER, we HIGHLY recommend leaving your pets at home. Skydiving is not a pet-friendly environment and are not welcomed into the main hangar facilities.
The $50 deposit is not refundable less than 72 hours to your original reservation.
No Show Policy: If you are unable to make your reservation, please call us at 815-433-0000 by 5 pm the day prior to your reservation to reschedule. With at least one day advanced notification your deposit will be held for up to one year to reschedule your reservation. If you do not contact us prior to the day of your reservation, or do not show up, you will forfeit the $50/person deposit.
Cancellation Policy: If you must cancel your reservation, please call us at least 3 days prior to your original reservation date and your $50 deposit may be refunded. If you do not contact us at least 3 days prior to your reservation, your deposit will not be refundable. With at least one day advanced notification your deposit will be held for up to one year to reschedule your reservation.
