Commonly asked questions by students:

Will I get to skydive the same day I take the course?
What happens if we can't jump the same day that we train?
What if I decide I don't want to jump? or What is your refund policy?
What forms of payment does ISPC accept?
What should I wear?
How many jumps can we make in a day?
How much time should I plan for my tandem jump?
How do I manifest to jump?
When is the best time for students to make a skydive?
Why is the logbook important?
When will I learn how to pack parachutes?
Being current and "retraining" procedure.
Static-line progression.
What is the weight limit or size I can be?
What if I am old or in poor physical health?
Club's right to refuse to allow a person to jump.

WILL I GET TO SKYDIVE THE SAME DAY I TAKE THE COURSE?
Our club does all it can to make sure that each student gets a chance to make their skydive the same day as their instruction. HOWEVER, there are times when it is not possible for the student to make that first jump on any particular day. If the weather is bad, please remember that the instructors cannot change or predict the weather! Winds usually quiet down towards the evening. Listed below are some of the conditions that prevents skydiving activities:
       1. Low clouds - a minimum of 3500 feet is required
       2. High winds - 14 mph is the maximum ground wind speed for students.
       3. No airplanes - very unlikely - we have three planes and others on call.
       4. Lack of rigs - also unlikely - first-time jumpers have priority over everyone and we have 13 student rigs.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE CAN'T JUMP THE SAME DAY THAT WE TRAIN?
Once you have been trained at our drop zone, you can come back anytime the drop zone is open to make your first-time or subsequent jumps. We give you a ticket as proof that you have paid for your jump(s).

WHAT IF I DECIDE I DON'T WANT TO JUMP? or WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?
For all static-line students, an opportunity to get a refund is offered after you have a very clear idea of what is expected of you and the performance standards you must meet. This is your last chance to receive a refund. After this point and at any point, you may decide not to jump, but will not receive a refund for the course and jump. You are paying for the training whether you jump or not. If you cannot make it back to make your jump(s), even if it was not possible to jump on the same day you were trained, there will be NO refund. For tandem students, please ask your tandem instructor prior to training if you are having doubts.  

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DOES ISPC ACCEPT?
We accept cash or checks. We do not have the means to accept credit cards on site, however we can accept Visa and MasterCard through PayPal. There are numerous local area ATMs in which cash can be withdrawn.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
All students should dress according to the weather. If you are a static line student, you will be provided with a jumpsuit to go over your clothes when you jump. No boots or shoes with any type of hook are allowed to be worn by anyone jumping. Wear something comfortable and a good pair of tennis shoes!

HOW MANY JUMPS CAN WE MAKE IN A DAY?
The number of skydives that a student can make in one day is affected by weather, number of other students, and the students own attitude (fatigue, hunger, etc.). Three jumps are usually the most a beginner student can make in a day.

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I PLAN FOR MY TANDEM JUMP?
Plan at least a half of a day to do your tandem jump. If you have a morning appointment, plan to be at the drop zone until late afternoon. If you have an afternoon appointment, plan to be at the drop zone until sunset. We try to hold to the appointment times but many factors come into play including the weather. We often get delayed and behind schedule due to weather concerns. We also need time for paperwork and training plus the tandem instructors need to pack between each jump. Tandem students have priority for the airplane but sometimes there is a slight delay in waiting for the aircraft. Think about the size of your group -- the more people, the longer it will take for all members of your group to jump. We suggest scheduling your tandem on a Wednesday or Friday evening since the schedule is lighter.

HOW DO I MANIFEST TO JUMP?
When you arrive, find the Jumpmaster of the Day (JMD) or manifest person and tell them you are here to jump. Have your logbook handy. All returning students must attend a brief safety session with the JMD. This includes watching a video and going through a harness refresher. We schedule this for around 11:00 on Saturday and Sunday. TRY TO BE HERE FOR THAT. If you arrive later, you may have to wait for the JMD to work you into his schedule. YOU MUST PAY OR PRESENT YOUR TICKET WHEN WE PUT YOUR NAME ON THE MANIFEST TO JUMP!

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR STUDENTS TO MAKE A SKYDIVE?
The worst time to plan to jump is about 2 p.m. on a Saturday when the new class is ready to jump. First jump students have priority. PLEASE do not have "tight time tables" when you come out to jump. You will need to attend the briefings, jump, and learn to pack. If you race out to the drop zone, race through the skydive and race out of the drop zone, accidents will happen. Avoid showing up within 1 hour of sunset also.

WHY IS THE LOGBOOK IMPORTANT?
Your logbook contains a lot of important information, PLEASE READ IT! The logbook is your proof that you have trained, are current, what you have done in the past and what your next progression level is. The logbook is for your safety and our liability. NO LOGBOOK = NO SKYDIVING

WHEN WILL I LEARN HOW TO PACK PARACHUTES?
We want you to start to learn to pack after your second jump. You are expected to be able to pack your own parachute with supervision by the time you get to free-fall If you don't pack or help pack your parachute when on free-fall, you owe an extra $5. You must have your packing card filled out prior to being allowed to pack without supervision. Training materials include videos, manuals, and step by step photos.

BEING "CURRENT" AND RETRAIN PROCEDURE:
Thirty days is the longest that you can go between jumps without some form of retraining. After 30 days, an instructor will go over the basics with you and have you practice your safety procedures. This will cost you $20. After 60 days, you must attend another complete class. This will cost you $50. The 30 or 60 day retrains must be scheduled in advance. You are welcome to monitor the class - at no charge - prior to the 30 day period. IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY AWARE AND PRACTICE ALL YOUR SAFETY PROCEDURES - THE LIFE YOU SAVE BY DOING THIS WILL BE YOUR OWN!

STATIC LINE PROGRESSION:
Five static line jumps, including three practice ripcord pulls (PRCP's), are required before advancing to free-fall Plan your last static line jump the same day as your first free-fall Your free-fall progression will be in increments of 5-10 second delays with your altitude increasing with the longer delays. Please plan time for your jumpmaster to debrief you on your last jump and to brief you on your next jump. This is CRUCIAL to advancing in the sport. Beginning free-fallers are more susceptible to malfunctions and mental errors.

WHAT IS THE WEIGHT LIMIT OR SIZE THAT I CAN BE?
For Static Line, the weight limit is 230 pounds and no height limit. There is a 235 pound limit for the tandem passenger. It is recommended that the passenger not be taller than 6' 4". Since the passenger needs to assist in climbing out of the aircraft while hooked up with the tandem instructor, the passenger needs to be physically fit. The tandem instructor may exercise the right to refuse to take a person that is too heavy, too tall and/or not physically fit. While it is possible to take somewhat heavier persons, it is at higher risk and can be an uncomfortable ride down. Many factors determine whether we can take you for a tandem skydive or allow you to make a static line jump. We look at people individually to assess their ability.

WHAT IF I AM TOO OLD OR IN POOR PHYSICAL CONDITION?
We look at people individually to assess their ability. We cannot take you if your weight exceeds 230 pounds for static line or 235 pounds for tandem, or you are in poor health. We have taken people as old as 80 years of age and people with disabilities, however skydiving is a very physical activity. USPA recommends an FAA medical certificate, certificate of physical fitness by a physician or complete the USPA medical statement on the waiver form.

CLUB'S RIGHT TO REFUSE TO ALLOW A PERSON TO JUMP:
The club reserves the right to refuse to allow anyone to jump. Alcohol and drug use prior to jumping will not be tolerated. This includes hangovers! Other reasons for not allowing someone to jump may include: sleeping in class, poor performance on drills, cannot grasp material, and medical or physical conditions.