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Dropzone Database: North America: United States: Arizona : Skydive Arizona : Reviews

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has contributed 37 reviews

Review Summary: Average Rating: Total Reviews: 37 Write a Review Show: All Ratings 5 Star Rated 4 Star Rated 3 Star Rated 2 Star Rated 1 Star Rated Sort by: Newest First Highest Rating First Most Useful First Display: 10 25 50 100

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(Review ID:5469)

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful: Easiest Choice Ever Rated by: IceWater on 2009-11-09 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Skydive Arizona   Pros: Professionalism, great DZ, complete facilities Cons: It is in the middle of no where

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

I just took my first tandem jump on 11/06/09. However, I’m not from Arizona. After three years of trying, and failing, to get a group of newbie’s together I finally ran into a friend who is an experienced fun jumper. He raved about Skydive Arizona and their facilities and I can see why.
Not only can you do anything and everything at the DZ, every person is lovely as well. I had a great jump, and the video and pictures are hilarious. More due to the fact that I’m a goofball – the quality is still great.
Over and over again as I look for a home DZ I see debates about staff, and friendliness, and he said – she said. Complaints about long lines – anything and everything that stops me from being fully confident in getting my ‘A’ certification complete.
THAT IS NOT THE CASE HERE!!
I love it so much it is nearly worth the time, vacation, and extreme expense to fly to Arizona and stay at the DZ for 2 weeks to get fully certified.
If you read this – know wither you are an experienced jumper – or going for your first time you should choose Skydive Arizona. It’s worth it all the way around.
(As an aside – I repeat I don’t even live here so my happily raving about my experience is about as unbiased as you can get.) :-)

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(Review ID:5218)

3 of 9 people found the following review helpful: Unfriendly Rated by: Hairy_Haggis on 2009-07-03 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Skydive Arizona   Pros: Facilities Cons: Cliques, Sky gods

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

Visited Eloy last month, gave it 2 days but left due to the general vibe of the place.

Manifest girls and the gear store staff were great but I didn't care for the school policies, lack of organising (no set exit order, landing patterns etc) and general feel of the place. Advertised planes weren't flying either so one of the main reasons we went was a non starter from the beginning.

Packers were fine but the rest of the teams and other 'fun' jumpers didn't seem to be interested in much fun at all. Got our lift tickets refunded after 2 days and went to Buckeye instead.

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(Review ID:5006)

0 of 14 people found the following review helpful: First class DZ Rated by: Racing_James_01 on 2009-03-08 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Skydive Arizona   Pros: Facilities Cons: None

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

This is clearly an excellent DZ so there's not a lot to add. The packers are quick, the rental gear was good, the weather is (usually) perfect, the food and bar are superb for a DZ. The coaches were helpful and keen to teach - I didn't feel like I was annoying them when I was asking for advice/tuition.

There was no visible manifest other than a whiteboard, but they had plenty of take-offs so you'd never wait long.

They have a tunnel nearby too. Overall - a good vibe and first class DZ.

I think I was unfortunate in that when I was there - Eloy had the 2 days of rain it gets per year! So didn't get as many jumps in as I would have liked in 3 days. However - this is the exception rather than the norm.

Also - good onsite accomodation in team rooms or bunks.

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(Review ID:4960)

3 of 11 people found the following review helpful: Very good experience for my initial AFF training. Rated by: awagnon on 2009-01-29 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Skydive Arizona   Pros: Full service, friendly. Cons: Can be a little busy and intimidating for a beginner.

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

I took two tandem jumps at a local DZ and decided I wanted to go ahead with AFF. The local DZ essentially closes for the winter, so I went with my wife to Skydive Arizona in January to begin AFF. I had planned 5 days of jumping, but the weather only permitted two. However, I did have enough time to experience jumping with three different instructors as well as take the first jump course and 10 minutes of tunnel time.

Even though I'm older (61)and had little, if anything, in common with the staff, they treated me as if I was one of them. They were patient, friendly, informative, and above all, seemed to place safety first ( which is my priority ). My wife was so impressed, she took a tandem jump. I highly recommend Skydive Arizona.

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(Review ID:4561)

0 of 8 people found the following review helpful: Great Experience Rated by: andee79 on 2008-06-05 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Skydive Arizona   Pros: Everything Cons: None

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

I made my first tandem jump at SDAZ in November 2007 and enjoyed the experience so much that I immediately made reservations for my second. Having always wanting to try this sport, I was excited to learn that one of the best dropzones in the world is right in my backyard. I live in Tucson, so the 45 minute drive means that I can go as often as I can afford. To date, I have made four tandem jumps and plan on getting my license this year. For my first jump, I took the trip to Eloy alone, but once I was there, I felt anything but. The staff was the first to make me feel welcome. The woman working in manifest was eager to add another woman to the list, and everyone I spoke with was excited to share my first jump experience. With so many strangers cheering me on, I felt like part of the family. The experienced jumpers were very friendly and quick to offer advice or a good ole high five. For my first jump I was put with an instructor named Justin. It didn't take long for me to feel comfortable putting my life in his hands. He was able to answer any question I had and knowing that he has been jumping for more than 13 years put me at ease. I have been able to request him for every jump I have made and he will also be the instructor I get my license with. This is extremely helpful, since he is getting to know me and my experience, he is able to teach me something new every time, and I feel that we work well together. I was also happy to learn that, although I am not in the program yet, the jumps I have made will count towards my license. I have been very fortunate to experience SDAZ. Knowing that people travel from all over the world to jump here, I feel spoiled.
For anyone making their first jump or their hundredth, this is the place to be. The weather can be a little hot in the summer, but the endless views and wide open space more than makes up for it. Overall, I give SDAZ two thumbs up!

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(Review ID:4420)

6 of 14 people found the following review helpful: Attitude problem?? Otherwise great! Rated by: pogo80922 on 2008-03-26 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Skydive Arizona   Pros: Lots of jumps, multiple landing areas, wind tunnel, nice bunks, awesome packers Cons: "Sky Gods", thieves, a bit uptight, winds when the heat picks up

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

Huge DZ with lots of amenities, great team bunkhouses, and lifts up leaving just about every hour. The main landing area is a bit scary with all the swoopers, but the student area is much calmer, just as well maintained, and not so heavy on the rules. A member of our team had a bad experience with a DZ Napolean who gave him a real hassle, and we ran into more than a few Sky Gods. One of our team got ripped off - someone stole money and stuff from his wallet. Not Cool!! The wind tunnel was AMAZING and took my jumping to a whole new level. Bartender in the DZ bar is a total WITCH. Oh, and SKYVAN. SKYVAN WAS AWESOME!!!

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(Review ID:4197)

0 of 13 people found the following review helpful: Love it Rated by: Marios on 2007-10-17 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Skydive Arizona   Pros: Everything! Cons: None

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

I wish I could live there. I started jumping there. What to say. The people, the jumpers, the experience...

Just awesome.

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(Review ID:4149)

43 of 55 people found the following review helpful: Your Inside Guide from a Local SDAZ Jumper ! Rated by: QuietStorm on 2007-09-22 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Skydive Arizona   Pros: Too many to list Cons: At first can be intimidating to new or small DZ jumper

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

After reading all the "Cons" from folks who visit my home DZ; here are some tips I hope will make your stay even more enjoyable with us.

If your from out of town, don't be shy; speak up! Make your needs known and we'll help!

"Middle of nowhere, nothing around, inadequate ammenities, stranded with no car, food sucks, drink machines are expensive"

* Take a look inside the brand new Skyrider Inn on the DZ! Humble on the outside, VERY NICE on the inside. My extended family from Phoenix had our family reunion there. With three single beds per room ( split the bill with your buddies) , TV's, nice bathrooms, and a full kitchen with utensils; its perfect!

* If you fly in to Phoenix or Tucson; rent a car! Everything you might need or forgot is 2 exits up in Casa Grande and now a HUGE mall is being built one exit up from the DZ. This way if you camp or stay at the bunkhouse you are not "stranded." Plan ahead! Get a cooler to throw in some drinks, sandwiches, and snacks in to keep you jumping. The Bent Prop is for partying and not fine dining; however I highly recommend the "Bent Burger"

* If you get drunk; don't ever drive, don't even entertain the thought! - STAY ON THE DZ! The small town Eloy police will be waiting outside the DZ for you like vultures on Tumbleweed Road!

" No internet access or it costs too much, other DZ's have it for free"

* The wireless signal at the Red Roof Inn on the Toltec Rd exit off the I-10 is loose. Cruise into the parking lot with your laptop to tap in for emails.

"Heated air, varying wind or no wind,off landings, scary/crazy canopy traffic, landing patterns, off DZ landings."

* During the summer we start early and finish mostly by noon; for good reasons! The heat coming off the desert floor makes the air thin, unstable,and the dust devils come out....this affects ALL desert aviators! This is our "off season" for good reason! Fall, winter, and spring air is more cold, dense, and thus landings predictable and consistent.

* To the up jumper from a small DZ the canopy traffic from just one Otter or Skyvan with proper group exit order will seem heavy in relation to a Cessna load. Don't be afraid just be aware! Hang in HALF BRAKES letting everbody else land before you, watch the pattern develop, and enter the pattern. Always fly your canopy with your head on a swivel, look before you turn, and keep aware of other canopies around you.

* SDAZ put an end to the 360, 540, 720 diving spirals into the main landing area. No turns over 180 into the main area and nothing more than 90 into the alternate student area. High performance canopy pilots now do hop & pops on a seperate 4500 ft pass.

* If you are going to land "off" those farm fields have deep trenches from the harvesting machinery but the earth is usually soft; prepare to PLF!

* In addition to the office inbrief check in with the local S&TA Bryan Burke for your landing area concerns and questions; he'll steer you in the right direction and keep you safe.

" Military Loads "

* For the most part military jumpers are doing special training for a short period of time. They usually manifest their own plane, open away from the DZ, fly big chutes, and land to pack in the student area.

" Nobody to jump with, skygods, big intimidating operation"

* I started on a small east coast DZ and returned to SDAZ after a 13 year lay off; I'll admit when I arrived at Eloy I was intimidated by the operaton at first but in time it now feels like my first South Carolina DZ back east. If you are moving here it just takes a little time for everyone to put a new name and face together....don't be shy!

* If you are from out of town and visiting go to manifest and speak up! SDAZ has load organizers who are getting PAID to jump with YOU!

* In season SDAZ is a BIG, BUSY operation! Don't be shy! Extend a hand, introduce yourself, and ask questions. What I originally thought were "cliques" were just big grown up kids like me VERY BUSY having FUN on a huge playground. Just think back to being a little kid on huge playground.....just go out and get in the mix!

* I have yet to meet a skygod at SDAZ but have met plenty at little dropzones.
SDAZ is more than a dropzone; its a community of skydivers for skydivers - The only way professional teams can survive is through the coaching and teaching of others.

* Yes our DZ has big reputation as a destination dropzone and advertises world class talent in all disciplines; but MOST of us hold down weekday jobs in Phoenix or Tucson. The majority of SDAZ jumpers are not on professional teams; we are just like anybody else who lives to jump every weekend. When it comes to DZ's we just happened to win the location lottery; we count our blessings every weekend.



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(Review ID:3964)

4 of 16 people found the following review helpful: No pick up Rated by: sasha2847 on 2007-07-01 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Skydive Arizona   Pros: Good dropzone, ample room on airplane, restaurant Cons: No pic up when landing away from the dropzone

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

Experience was good aside from landing about a mile out in the desert and having no one come out and get me. Most dropzones I've been to someone is watching for this. And I heard Eloy was good about retrieving people too. Got caught up in the wind which held me back from returning in time to land. Had about a 10 minute walk in 115 degree temperatures and no one noticed that a skydiver had landed a bit away from the dz? Was dissapointing.

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(Review ID:3920)

4 of 12 people found the following review helpful: Good DZ with many options for a skydiver Rated by: SeanJuan on 2007-06-08 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Skydive Arizona   Pros: Everything you need as a jumper is there Cons: In the middle of nowhere with no wind

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

This is a cool DZ. Like everyone says, you have to go there at least once in your career. I believe its worth it. There is damn near everything your little upjumper heart can desire. I went in May so it was pretty much hot as balls, but still fun. The jumpers there are fairly social, but they're not beating your face to talk to you or anything.
The only thing I didn't like was that it was in the middle of nowhere with nothing really around. Your best bet is to get a room with a kitchen at the hotel on the DZ and go buy some groceries and cook. The hotel looks a little sketch on the outside, but its badass on the inside; trust.
Also, there was pretty much no wind at all when I went and coming from a windy DZ on the coast, it proved for interesting landings. The regulars there will more readily not educate you on the art of landing and, instead, laugh as you eat it.
Overall though, definitely a good DZ that you have got to check out some time. Make the trip!

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