Going Solo
Admit it you’ve been waiting to fly since the day you were born. Find a great instructor and get ready for freefall!
You must be 18 or older and no heavier than 200 lbs You will need an accredited, reputable jump school such as Skydive East Tennessee, good health, a photo ID, and a daredevil level sense of adventure!
Price: Solo jumps for licensed jumpers are $27
Warning: Skydiving can be extremely dangerous. Investigate your skydiving school thoroughly, and consult a doctor to make sure you’re medically fit to jump.
Become A Skydiver
The First Jump Course is not required for a tandem skydive ~ a tandem skydive is the quickest and easiest way for you to experience freefall and the thrill of skydiving. To book your tandem skydive, call or email us.
If you want to become a licensed skydiver, Skydive East Tennessee offers you the most advanced and highest quality training with a modern approach to customized skydiving instruction. We are the only United States Parachute Association Training Center in East Tennessee.
We tailor activities and progression to suit your needs. Our staff is USPA rated in all contemporary methods of skydiving.
Our programs cover the skills and jump requirements to obtain a license from the United States Parachute Association. Your price includes one-on-one instruction, equipment rental and the jump itself just outside of Knoxville, TN.
- Minimum Age is 18 years
- Maximum Weight is 200 pounds
- No overweight allowances
AFF – Accelerated Free Fall Training
You exit the aircraft with two certified AFF Instructors and freefall together for 30 seconds, depending upon jump altitude, typically 11,000 feet.
Instructors maintain grips on your harness to provide in-air instruction and assist with stability if necessary.
Then you open your own parachute by 4,000 feet and pilot it to the landing area while enjoying views of the scenic Smoky Mountains and Douglas Lake.
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Skydive East Tennessee is the only US Parachute Association TRANING CENTER in East Tennessee.
Tip: Skydiving schools are sometimes referred to as “drop zones” or “dz’s”.
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You need to be in good shape, which means you shouldn’t be taking any medications that affect the coordination or decision-making process.
If you have a pre-existing condition, consult usl to see if they think they can work with you. Also, don’t scuba dive or donate blood for at least 48 hours, and don’t drink alcohol for at least 8 hours before your jump date.
Tip: If you suffer from obesity, epilepsy, alcohol or drug addiction, heart disease, or a tendency to blackout, choose a different sport.
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Follow us on Meta (Facebook) to see event postings for FJC (First Jump Course). Call to confirm your reservation.
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On the day of your jump, eat a small meal before heading to the drop zone. Wear comfortable clothing that can fit under a jumpsuit and tennis shoes; and avoid overly tight or baggy clothing, flip-flops, and new shoes. Also, if there’s any inclement weather, you may need to wait a little while, so bring snacks and something to keep yourself occupied.
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At the school, you’ll be asked to provide I.D. and review and sign several legal forms. Usually, these documents certify that you understand the risk you’re about to take, and state that you waive the right to blame the school if anything goes awry. These forms look scary, but they’re fairly standard. Read them through, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
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Your first skydive with an instructor will cost $270 (combined cost of the First Jump Course and your first skydive), so make sure you’ve got the resources to pay before you go.
Tip: You may also pay more if you’d like to get a DVD of your jump.
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If its your first skydive don’t expect to go solo. It’s likely that, for your first dive, you’ll go as a tandem where you’re strapped to the front of an instructor. It’s still super exciting, and much less dangerous since your instructor’s right there to help.
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Before you head up, you’ll be given an orientation class, where you’ll spend time getting comfortable with the gear, the terminology, what to expect, how to react, and what signals to look for. Each school’s instruction is a little different, so even if you think you know what’s going on, pay close attention.
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Once you’re appropriately attired with a jumpsuit, a harness—which will hook up to your instructor and goggles you’re ready to board your flight.
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Please note at SkyDive East Tennessee your ground school class prepares you for a jump where you will have you own parachute system to pilot and The training will teach you how to land safely.
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Once you’re on the ground, you’ll sign a logbook, proving that you completed a training dive. It’s official—you’ve made your first jump!
… adapted from this video on YouTube
After AFF
After completion of the AFF program you must complete 1 jump every 30 days to remain current. If you go beyond this, you must complete a jump under the supervision of an instructor before jumping solo again. Therefore, most jumpers begin working toward their “A” license. You are eligible after 25 jumps, completion of certain review items, a few jumps with a USPA Coach, and demonstration of 10 landings within 25 meters of a target. An “A” license holder can go 60 days between jumps.
A License certification complete package Includes ground school and 7 AFF skydives.
(does not include repeat AFF skydives)
Email for current pricing
**NOTE**
After graduation of the AFF program please budget for a few additional expenses:
United States Parachute Association membership is required for all students beginning with Cat. C2. Membership can be purchased directly from USPA.org .
During AFF Skydive East Tennessee provides all necessary equipment. However, after AFF graduation each student must have their own helmet, altimeter, and jumpsuit. We are available to advise you on local resources when you start investing in your personal skydiving gear.
For everyone’s safety goggles will not be loaned out for use. Jumpers can buy a pair of goggles at our facility starting at $12. Thank you for your cooperation!
Pricing
The First Jump Course is $89.
You will learn about the equipment used, how we control our bodies in freefall, how to handle freefall and parachute emergencies, and how to fly and land a square parachute.
At the drop zone, we will cover airplane safety, and we will practice the actual skydive on the ground before we jump.
Your first skydive takes a lot of preparation, so plan to be at the drop zone most of the day for your first skydive. Subsequent dives can happen much quicker.
Complete AFF Package
Complete AFF Package
$1,555
Includes the following:
- First Jump Ground School ($89 Value)
- Category A, B, C, C2, D, D2, and E-1 Jumps
- USPA membership (required after C1) and Repeat AFF jumps NOT INCLUDED
- Save $84!!
AFF Category price per jump
A – Intro to Freefall $270.
B – Body Position Awareness & Turns $270.00
C – 1 ) Heading maintenance, 1st Release Dive $270.00
2 ) Single Instructor, Hover Control $185.
D – 1 ) 360 Degree Turns $185
2 ) Unassisted Exit $185.00
E – Regaining Stability $185.00
Continued Training for A license
Continued training after Category E is not included in the AFF Package.
After Category E, the student is cleared for self supervised free fall. Solo jumps after Category E are $30 for a lift ticket, $25 for gear rental (if needed), and a $10 packing fee per jump . Additional fees may be associated with additional gear as needed. Through Categories F, G, H, the student will do solo jumps, clear and pull exits, and coach jumps as needed. The student may jump with any Coach or Instructor skydiver until he/she obtains the A-License.
- Coaching Dive (Coach, Student and equipment included) $105.00