Tandem Skydives

Accelerated Freefall (AFF)

Instructor Assisted Airdrop (IAD)
(Formerly Static Line)

General First Jump Questions

Do I have to be 18?

NO. We allow you to jump if you are 16 years old as long as you have parental permission. That either means that you parent must be here to sign the waiver with you or you need to download a copy of our waiver and have it signed and notarized by your parent.

Do I have to sign a waiver?

Yes, everyone signs a waiver of liability for Kapowsin Air Sports. If you wish, you can preview our basic waiver here.

Should I do a Tandem jump, AFF jump or a IAD jump?

We think that ANY skydive is a good one to do! Accelerated Freefall (AFF) and Instructor Assisted Airdrop (IAD) are more for those that really want to learn all they can about skydiving.

Tandem Jumps are more of an introduction, but do count towards your future training. If you only plan to make one jump ever, we recommend a Tandem. If you think you might become a regular skydiver and pursue the sport, then try an AFF or IAD.

What kind of clothes should I wear?

You should wear comfortable sneakers and clothes appropriate for the season; shorts and a T-shirt on a hot day are fine and if it’s a colder day, long pants and a comfortable long sleeve shirt. We have jumpsuits and goggles available for you.

What about if I wear glasses or contacts?

No problem, we supply goggles that will fit over your glasses or keep your contacts in.

What if I am too old or in poor physical condition?

We look at people individually to assess their ability. We may not be able to take you if your weight exceeds 220 pounds, or you are in poor health. Skydiving is a very physical activity, and we will not let you jump if we do not feel that it is safe for you to do so. The physical requirements for AFF or IAD are somewhat more stringent than for Tandem, see AFF FAQ's below for more information.

How hard will I land?

'Ram-Air' (square) parachutes these days fly like airplanes or gliders and sail through the air. They can slow down a great deal, so most of our landings are soft stand-up landings or sometimes we 'sit-down' when landing. Very hard landings are extremely rare and injuries are even rarer, but they can and do happen.

Do you jump in all weather?

No, we will not be jumping when it is raining, very windy or when the clouds are too low for us to safely jump, but we still can do your training. That way you can be ready to jump right away if you have to come back another day. Weather can causes unexpected delays, so please be patient, we are trying to get you in the air as quickly and safely as possible. Tandems call to check on weather. Student classes (AFF an IAD) will be held as scheduled regardless of weather. If there is any doubt please call.

What other extra costs are involved?

None. Our prices include everything you need to make the jump that you are paying for. Also, there is no tax on jumps. The only optional extra cost item you may choose is Video or Still pictures.

What methods of payment do you accept?

Visa, MasterCard and cash. Checks will be accepted for deposits only providing they are received 10 days in advance of your skydive.

Are customers expected to tip their Instructors?

No, tipping is not required nor expected, but of course, it is greatly appreciated by your instructors and video people if you feel they did a great job.

What is the training for Tandem?

After signing the waiver and watching a short video you will be briefed on your skydive. We will explain what we expect you to do on exit and during the freefall. We will also talk about flying the parachute and what to do during the landing.

How long will this all take ?

This initial formality usually takes about 30- 45 minutes. With the training, preparation, aircraft ride, jump, and video dubbing, you should plan on being here for about 1/2 a day. Usually, we will have you on your way home in 2-3 hours.

After I have completed my tandem skydive what's next?

If you wish to continue to learn how to skydive, then Kapowsin Air Sports has an excellent staff on hand to teach you how to solo skydive through your choice of programs, either AFF (Accelerated Freefall) or IAD (Instructor Assisted Deployment)

Do I have to do a tandem skydive for my first jump?

No, you can start right away in the AFF or IAD program which will begin with an initial 4-5 hours of ground school preparation before you actually jump. Please plan on spending the entire day to complete your first AFF or S/L jump.

Can I split a video with someone else?

Not really. The video person jumps with just one Tandem or AFF student. We cannot have Tandems in freefall right along side of each other, but one camera can film you and your friends on the ground, in the aircraft, and landing on the same video. We cannot film two separate tandems simultaneously in freefall.

What if the parachute does not open?

All sport parachute systems contain two parachutes, a main and reserve. The Tandem Instructor is highly trained on the use of the system and while a parachute malfunction is very rare, it can and does happen. The reserve parachute flies and lands almost identical to the main parachute.

Instructor Assisted Deployment (IAD) Questions
(Formerly Static Line)

Yes, we only schedule the IAD Ground School on specific days of the week, so please call to book and check availability.

What are the Physical Requirements?

You do need to be in good health to do the S/L program. Less than 250lbs (113kg) and be able to jump off a table or chair, land-tuck-and-roll on your own. If you have any physical limitations, then please let us know.

What is the training for IAD?

On the day of the class, you will generally arrive early in the morning (9:00am), complete your waiver and start the classroom training. Your day will be a mixture of classroom and practical training to prepare you for a static line skydive.

How long will this all take?

Plan on spending a whole day here to complete either First Jump. Your training is about 4-5 hours, so usually by mid-afternoon, you will be ready to jump. After the jump, your skydive will be reviewed by our staff, your paperwork completed, and you can be on your way. It is not uncommon to complete two skydives on the first day here. Please plan on being here the entire day for the first static line jump.

Why all the training when a Tandem takes so little time?

AFF assume that you will be making a solo jump, even though two Instructors jump with you during AFF. You need to know how to take care of yourself in freefall and throughout the parachute ride, so intensive training is required for that first jump. On a tandem jump, your Instructor is with you from exit to landing.

After my First IAD Jump, what's next?

AFF consists of seven levels of freefall training. Once Level One is completed, it usually takes only about an hour to prepare for each additional level. You can expect to do 3 levels in a day, if you have the time to spend at it. That means you can complete Level 2-7 and graduate in only 3 days.

What must I do to get licensed?

To get a USPA A license it skydive takes a minimum 25 jumps, plus several technical requirements, and demonstration of specific skydiving skills. It does cost money, and your best bet is to discuss options with your Skydiving Instructor. We have lots of information to help you!

Yes, we only schedule the AFF Ground School on specific days of the week, so please call to book and check availability.

What are the Physical Requirements?

You do need to be in good health to do the AFF program. Less than 250lbs (113kg) and be able to jump off a table or chair, land-tuck-and-roll on your own. If you have any physical limitations, then please let us know.

What is the training for AFF?

On the day of the class, you will generally arrive early in the morning (10:00am), complete your waiver and start the classroom training. Your day will be a mixture of classroom and practical training to prepare you for a freefall skydive.

How long will this all take?

Plan on spending a whole day here to complete either First Jump. Your training is about 4-5 hours, so usually by mid-afternoon, you will be ready to jump. After the jump, your skydive will be reviewed by our staff, your paperwork completed, and you can be on your way. It is not uncommon to complete two skydives on the first day here. Please plan on being here the entire day for the first AFF jump.

Why all the training when a Tandem takes so little time?

AFF assume that you will be making a solo jump, even though two Instructors jump with you during AFF. You need to know how to take care of yourself in freefall and throughout the parachute ride, so intensive training is required for that first jump. On a tandem jump, your Instructor is with you from exit to landing.

After my First AFF Jump, what's next?

AFF consists of seven levels of freefall training. Once Level One is completed, it usually takes only about an hour to prepare for each additional level. You can expect to do 3 levels in a day, if you have the time to spend at it. That means you can complete Level 2-7 and graduate in only 3 days.

What must I do to get licensed?

To get a USPA A license it skydive takes a minimum 25 jumps, plus several technical requirements, and demonstration of specific skydiving skills. It does cost money, and your best bet is to discuss options with your Skydiving Instructor. We have lots of information to help you!

Welcome to Skydiving and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!