How do I learn to skydive?
Simple! Just pick up the phone and call 1-800-S-K-Y-D-I-V-E ! You'll be put directly in touch with our friendly and experienced staff who will answer all your questions and make your appointment for that first jump! There are two ways to make your first jump.

Tandem Jump
AFF (Accelerated Free Fall) Training

Why should I jump at Perris, and not some other drop zone?
Many reasons. The most important is SAFETY. Each student rig is equipped with an automatic activation device. This device will automatically deploy your parachute in the unlikely event that you or your instructor does not.

Perris is also one of three schools in the United States to adhere to a drug-testing program for all of our instructors, pilots, mechanics, videographers and student packers. Your safety is our primary concern!

Our fulltime instructional staff has, on the average, 5,000 jumps and has been working and skydiving at Perris for 15 years. Along with an unsurpassed safety record, we are the largest skydiving school in the world, and we operate from the only "resort" skydiving facility! We have a restaurant and full bar, a swimming pool, lots of grass and trees and the largest landing area in Southern California.

We have been in business at this location for 30 years. Perris Valley Skydiving averages 100,000 skydives each year, and is recognized World Wide as a premier Skydiving Facility for students. Unlike some of our competitors, at Perris you'll land right in the same area where you took off, in full view of your family and friends! At Perris, you'll skydive from 13,000 feet. That's 25% higher than our competition, giving you 25% more skydive! We maintain the largest fleet of skydiving-equipped aircraft on the West Coast. Our large and super fast Dash-28 Twin Otters carry up to 22 jumpers each and climb to jumping altitude in 15 minutes!

Can my friends and I be on the same plane?
At Perris, the answer is Yes! Perris is #1 at accommodating groups and we have the capability to put you and your friends on the same aircraft. Your group size may be limited to 6 or 7 people depending on how many in your group will be getting a video of their skydive. While the aircraft can carry 22 jumpers, your jumpmaster and videographer will each take one of those spots. We also offer group discounts, and our very own Bombshelter Sports Bar and Grill is a great place for a post jump video party!

Is Skydiving Safe?
Your safety is our top priority. Skydiving is a high-speed sport, and as with other adventures such as skiing, boating or racing, there are always dangerous elements that must be respected. With the state-of-the-art training and equipment now available, skydiving has become a sport anyone can try, and can be a safe adventure. At Perris, all of our student equipment is equipped with an AAD (Automatic Activation Device) designed to activate your parachute automatically should you fail to do so. All of our skydiving instructors have undergone rigorous training and certification, and all student parachutes are packed under FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Rigger supervision. Our staff of full time aircraft mechanics constantly monitor and maintain our fleet of aircraft. We strictly adhere to all FAA and USPA (United States Parachute Association) guidelines on safety.

What are the age requirements?
You must be at least 18 years of age to make any skydive. Photo ID is required. No one is "too old" to experience the thrill of skydiving, however. In Fact, our oldest passenger so far is 87 years young!

What are the physical requirements?
For AFF or Static Line, you must weigh 245 pounds or less. For Tandem, you must weigh 230 pounds or less. You will be weighed when you get here. There are federal requirements that prevent us from allowing jumpers to exceed these weights. Remember, at Perris, your safety comes first! There are no height requirements.

As with any sport, the better shape you are in the easier it will be and the more fun you will have. However, one of the best features of the Tandem program is that is has opened the sport up to the mainstream public. Almost anyone can make a tandem skydive. We've taken people with many different disabilities, even those who are missing limbs. We have some of the most experienced Tandem Masters in the field working full time at Perris. If you have a special requirement, call us! We can make your dream of flight come true!

If you have ear or sinus problems, experience seizures or fainting spells or have a weak heart, you should not be jumping. The best course of action in these cases is to check with your own doctor. If you have a medical problem, you will be asked to bring a release from your doctor before you can skydive.

How long is the training?
If you decide on a Tandem skydive, the briefing is about 20 minutes. They will explain the equipment and the skydive. You will also have ample opportunity to ask all the questions you have of your instructor or Tandem Master before you get in the airplane. You should plan to spend about half the day or about four hours with us the day you make your Tandem skydive.

AFF is a more involved process, because you are wearing your own parachute system, and will be in charge of flying and landing the parachute once it is deployed. Training classes for AFF usually last between 4 and 6 hours, depending on the number of jumpers in class and the number of questions asked. Plan to spend the entire day with us for the AFF First Jump Course.

Static Line skydives require slightly less training time than AFF, but still usually 4 or 5 hours. Even though there is no free fall on a Static Line Jump, you will still exit an aircraft wearing your own parachute system. You should plan to spend the entire day with us for the Static Line Jump.

How many jumps before I can skydive by myself or with friends?
In order to receive a skydiving license, you must complete the AFF training program which consists of 8 skydives, then make 12 more skydives as you learn the finer points. When you have met basic requirements and have made 20 skydives, you will take a USPA test and upon passing it receive your "A" license. There is also a "B", a "C", and a "D" license and other ratings you can work toward after you receive your "A" license, however, you can skydive at most USPA rated drop zones with only an "A" license. You will be able to make solo skydives before you complete your "A" license requirements, but not until you've completed the AFF training program.

When I jump, will my stomach end up in my throat?
This is a common misconception. There is no "sudden drop" feeling associated with freefall. The relative wind created by the speed of the aircraft creates a flow of air that supports your body as you accelerate to terminal velocity. You will not feel yourself accelerate, and you will not have anything relative to you (such as a cliff) to give you a sense of speed. These are the elements that cause the "sudden drop" feeling. You will feel like you are flying.

How fast do you fall?
Typically, freefall is about 120 miles per hour. A person's weight or body position can alter this speed. From 13,000 feet, this allows you to fall for about 50 seconds before you will reach deployment altitude.

Once you are under an open parachute, your rate of descent decreases to about 10 miles per hour. The parachute is designed to open slowly enough to handle this change in rate of descent, known as opening shock.

Parachutes can also fly, descend, and turn at different speeds, depending on the size and type of the parachute. Students use large, docile parachutes to avoid the descent or turns being made at too high a rate of speed.

What if my parachute doesn't open?
Although it is unlikely your main parachute will fail to open properly, it does sometimes occur and this is a common question for first time jumpers. According to federal law (FAA regulations), all intentional parachute jumps must be made with a single harness, dual parachute system with both a main canopy and a reserve canopy. In other words, you must have a second, or spare parachute packed in the system in case the first one fails to open properly. On a Tandem skydive, the Tandem Master will handle this process should it become necessary. On an AFF or Static Line Jump, you will be trained on and responsible to perform the procedure.

Note: Student MAIN (first) parachutes are packed after each jump by a staff of FAA Rigger supervised packers. An FAA Certified Rigger has received certification from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to inspect, pack, and repair parachute equipment. RESERVE parachutes are only packed BY FAA CERTIFIED RIGGERS. They are also inspected and re-packed every 120 days, whether they are used or not. This is in accordance with FAA Law. Perris Valley Skydiving School has full time FAA Certified Riggers on staff.

How hard is the landing?
The parachutes used today bear little resemblance to the classic round parachutes of years gone by. Today, nearly all jumpers use "square" parachutes. These parachutes are actually rectangular in shape, and when open, act like an airplane wing (or an airfoil). They are more like gliders than umbrellas. The aerodynamics of the square parachute provides it with exceptional maneuverability, allowing the jumper to land almost anywhere he wishes. This wing shape also makes tiptoe soft landings possible.

We use only square main and reserve canopies at Perris Valley Skydiving School. On a Tandem, you will assist the Tandem Master in landing the very large "parachute for two" together. On AFF or Static Line, you will wear a radio transmitter and receive verbal instructions from the ground to help you land. Most students land on their feet on their first jump.

Can you breathe in freefall?
Absolutely! Due to the rush of air experienced, along with the rush of adrenaline, people sometimes feel they will be unable to breathe. Relax and breathe normally. It's just air up there!

How do you communicate in freefall? Can you talk?
While it is possible to talk in freefall, it will be difficult for anyone to hear you, due to the rush of the wind. Communication in freefall is possible, however, with eye contact and hand signals. You will learn how to communicate in freefall during the training for AFF.

What should I wear?
Comfortable athletic clothing appropriate for the season. As well as tennis, running, or skate shoes.

What if I wear glasses or contact lenses?
No problem! Just be sure to let your instructor know you wear them.