Anyone here know about skydiving?

[TFOGGER]

If at first you don't succeed, it isn't for you.

...

[rondog]

I wish I could go Skydiving... Sadly.. I'm too big...

Define "too big". If you can get in the airplane, you should be able to jump. And not all jump planes are stripped-down Cessnas.

Granted, you may be too big for a tandem jump, but the canopies used for tandem jumping are big enough for two people, yes? And there are canopies made for large folks too. So, there ARE parachutes and rigs large enough. You'd probably have to go through some different training and end up paying more money, but unless you're like, 400+ lbs., or have some serious health/back/knee/feet issues, you "SHOULD" be able to do it. Landing the canopy is the worst part, and I believe most places now can talk you in via 2-way radios. You might be a good candidate for an Accelerated Freefall Course, where you're trained to make your first jump as a freefall, along with a couple of experienced escorts for safety.

Go to a drop zone and talk to 'em about it. Google skydiving in CO, or just call these folks. http://www.mile-hi-skydiving.com/

Now, the "indoor skydiving" place by Park Meadows Mall, yes, there IS a weight limit there. But that has more to do with the size of the suits they have and the lifting power of the air machine, so that doesn't count. And that's not "skydiving" anyway. That would be more like having sex with a rubber doll.

Man, there ain't NOTHING like flinging yourself out of an airplane a couple of miles above the ground!!! Best jump I ever did was out at 11,000 feet and immediately opened up, and then just flew around until it was time to land. Gotta pay attention to where you are though, so you can actually land where you need to and not several miles away. That sucks when that happens.

[JM Ver. 2.0]

Define "too big". If you can get in the airplane, you should be able to jump. And not all jump planes are stripped-down Cessnas.

Granted, you may be too big for a tandem jump, but the canopies used for tandem jumping are big enough for two people, yes? And there are canopies made for large folks too. So, there ARE parachutes and rigs large enough. You'd probably have to go through some different training and end up paying more money, but unless you're like, 400+ lbs., or have some serious health/back/knee/feet issues, you "SHOULD" be able to do it. Landing the canopy is the worst part, and I believe most places now can talk you in via 2-way radios. You might be a good candidate for an Accelerated Freefall Course, where you're trained to make your first jump as a freefall, along with a couple of experienced escorts for safety.

Go to a drop zone and talk to 'em about it. Google skydiving in CO, or just call these folks. http://www.mile-hi-skydiving.com/

Now, the "indoor skydiving" place by Park Meadows Mall, yes, there IS a weight limit there. But that has more to do with the size of the suits they have and the lifting power of the air machine, so that doesn't count. And that's not "skydiving" anyway. That would be more like having sex with a rubber doll.

Man, there ain't NOTHING like flinging yourself out of an airplane a couple of miles above the ground!!! Best jump I ever did was out at 11,000 feet and immediately opened up, and then just flew around until it was time to land. Gotta pay attention to where you are though, so you can actually land where you need to and not several miles away. That sucks when that happens.

Guess I should have been specific... Every site I've looked at has a limit for a tandem dive. I'm 275-280 pounds depending on the day. The accelerated freefall thing sounds good though. I might have to look into it.

[NightCat]

...Army, lots of static jumps...dont know anything about free falling/sky diving..

Definitely want to try it.

[275RLTW]

Mile high in Longmont is good to go. Experienced, safe, fun group of guys there. Do a tandem first. Still good weather for jumping, just jumped there Friday. Take a pair of gloves and a beanie to go under your helmet. You'll exit from 12,500 ft (AGL) and pull at 3500. With a normal fall rate of 1000 ft per 5 sec, you'll free fall for about 45 seconds and fly 3-4 min under canopy. Go do it with your son, you won't regret it.
On a side note: if you don't know an answer from experience, then don't answer. Save that BS for arfcom. If you have less than 100 jumps or so, you are still a cherry and probably should sit back on this one unless talking about a tandem experience.

[Geology Rocks]

coloccw. do you jump out at Milehi? I jumped there from 2005-2007. Fun place just too much of a tandem factory for me.

spd: I loved Gold Coast. Were you there when Scotty(mike) died?

[sniper7]

here is where you need to go:
www.mile-hi-skydiving.com/

My buddy in college flew the jumpers out of their king air and twin otter and 206. I flew with him a few times and really enjoyed it! We always tried to beat them to the ground! tougher than you think.
all the instructors there I met were really cool, very professional and they did a great job as a company. It's been almost 6 years since I've been around that type of flying but they are still in business so that has to say a lot.

People can do tandem dives no problem. usually about 1/2 your day taken up. if it is a one time deal I would get the video or see if they will let you bring along a camera or gopro or something. you can record it from the ground too, all the one from tiny speck out of the plane to watching them pull the chute to the landing on the south side of the airport.

that is your closest and best option.

I also know the one down in canyon city is great as well. I didn't get signed up in time in college for our fun-fly down there to go skydiving. I've never been before so no experience with the actual dive, but I think it is what I want to do for my 30th birthday....got 3 years to go!

[sniper7]

Well, I hike 14er's with out oxygen so I think its okay. Unless you mean 12,500 AGL

there is a difference between taking a long time to get acclimated to altitude and climbing in a plane at least 1000 fpm depending on which one they are in. plus, you are probably in better shape than some of the people doing a once in a lifetime skydive.

typically I think they will take people to 12,500 MSl (about 9,000') above the ground here in CO. a lot of it here depends on the weather/clouds and the pilot.

I know they will take people up to 18,000 MSL if the weather conditions are right.

[sniper7]

I wouldn't jump out of an airplane unless it was about to crash. But that's just me.

even then...you would want a chute. if not, you are a lot better off hoping the crash works out!