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Dropzone Database: Europe: United Kingdom : Black Knights Parachute Centre : Reviews

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has contributed 17 reviews

Review Summary: Average Rating: Total Reviews: 17 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:4858)

6 of 12 people found the following review helpful: Superb dropzone in the north west Rated by: greggsxr1100 on 2008-10-31 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Black Knights Parachute Centre   Pros: great plane, good facilities, easy to get to Cons: cow poo!

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

As a newbie in the sport it can be very daunting arriving at a new dz. however this was not the case. I was greeted with a warm welcome by all members off staff. all the paperwork was filled in efficiently an then I received a very comprehensive dz brief.

I was then offered a seat on the first load approx 20-30 min after arrival, great. the plane is very good, looks good an gets you an 8 others up to 14k in 11 mins! no messing about.

The student rigs were all great from 200 up! which meant I didn't have to use the 280s!

Over all a great day an the best dz iv visited in the UK so far.

Many thanks to all staff at the dz for a great day

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(Review ID:3631)

8 of 14 people found the following review helpful: Great little DZ in the North West Rated by: robbie_g on 2007-01-12 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Black Knights Parachute Centre   Pros: Accessible for NW England, fast porter, friendly people, tandems do not restrict sports jumpers Cons: No bar, one plane, PLA can get waterlogged

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

Jumpers in the North West could do worse than stop in at Black Knights. Friendly staff for sports and tandem jumpers alike.

Facilities include free camping and hot showers, a permanent canteen, enclosed carpetted packing area, lockers for £10/year, video facilities, free wi-fi.

Throughout 2006 they've run a 9 place turbine porter with an incredible climb rate and flown by a great pilot. As at Jan 2007 they've got a 10 place Porter but the turbine will be back.

The DZ's got a tarmac runway now so wet conditions are not an issue. In heavy rain the PLA can get waterlogged so the runway's a real bonus.

The PLA's plenty big so students shouldn't have any problem. RAPS courses are offered at the DZ, AFF is passed on to a partner school in Spain.

Views are quite pleasant as the DZ's on the coast. On a nice day the Blackpool tower is visible.

Gear hire's a little thin, there's about 3 - 4 freefall BOC kits of about 200 sq ft upwards, mainly furys and mantas. The rigs have FXC AADs on, and round reserves (which could be an unexpected surprise to those expecting a square). The rest of the kit is made up of static line or ripcord gear for the RAPS course. There's pro-tec helmets and chest mount altis. Enough to get newbies up in the air, but not enough to keep you on club gear for that long.

There's a regular bunch of freeflyers and a mix of flatflyers, and tandems always operate with at least 3 tandem instructors at the DZ of a weekend and sufficient camera-flyers.

Manifesting is good, usually run by the Director, Jeff Illidge. In my experience, sports jumpers can always get in a load, and when it's busy the turnaround is good. He'll give consideration for big groups of sports jumpers, but four-ways are usually the biggest launches from the Porter from what I've seen.

The DZ runs occassional packing courses to teach flat packing necessary to pack club gear, subject to demand. Once signed off, packers get £4 a pack job.

Coaching availability depends on what you're after. This DZ is the home of Avalore Freefly, who offer Freefly coaching. Neil Henshall is an FS coach there, but ring ahead and check who's around beforehand. FS coaching can be subject to camera jumping for tandems etc so if you want dedication, you may do better elsewhere or with solid prior arrangements.

Unfortunately the DZ does not have a bar, but for those staying there are pubs in the local area. There's also a farmshop that does the best steak pies in the region! On site, there's a canteen serving hot food, so you can start the day on a full English.

Overall, this is a friendly local, single aircraft DZ operation that's just off the M6 so it's very accessible. It's also incredibly good value for money at £18 a lift to 14,000 ft. Plus, buy ten tickets, get one free. Tickets are transferrable and do not have a lifespan.

Personally, I'm grateful that such a DZ exists so close to Manchester!

Check it out, well worth the visit.

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(Review ID:3592)

1 of 7 people found the following review helpful: Crowning jewel of the north west! Rated by: TerminalSteve on 2006-12-20 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Black Knights Parachute Centre   Pros: Great People, Great plane, Lots of experience Cons: abit muddy in winter!

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

I learned to skydive here. From day 1 your made to feel at home. I was at parties with the regulars within a couple of weekends. The turbine porter is an amazing plane. 0-14k in about 12 mins. No skygod/non-skygod attitude types to spoil your day. Just gets very muddy in winter due to its location - in England!

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(Review ID:3439)

6 of 12 people found the following review helpful: Just too far away from home... Rated by: Danah on 2006-09-28 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Black Knights Parachute Centre   Pros: Extremely friendly place to jump at Cons: none, really

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

I've been to England for 2 month and I enjoyed the weekends at BK a lot!
Staff and people are extremely friendly and helpful and make you feel at home straight away!
People offered to jump with me right from the beginning. The Porter climbs up to 12000 feet in about 9 minutes (big +)and views are just amazing. I didn't want to leave the place when I had to go back!

I wish my dz was as nice and friendly as this one...

I'll def be back next summer!!!

(AND, people know how to party, too!!!)



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(Review ID:3375)

3 of 9 people found the following review helpful: Best DZ I have ever visited Rated by: lock2778 on 2006-09-02 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Black Knights Parachute Centre   Pros: People, Aircraft, Location. Cons: Nil

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

I was on-route to a job heading down the M6 from Scotland and had a bit of time to spare (I had my rig in the car) so I decided to take a very slight detour and visit Black Knights. Best move I have made in a long long time, what a fantastic DZ. Staff, regulars and facilities are absolutley spot on, I reccomend this DZ to everyone even if it means a BIG detour. It takes me three hours to get there from Glasgow but I now consider Black Knights to be my home DZ. A big THANKYOU to all at Cockerham and a special mention to our pilot "Helmut Von Laderhosen" (Got to be a decendant of the Red Baron)!!! Thanks again Lewis.

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(Review ID:3311)

3 of 9 people found the following review helpful: brill DZ excellent staff and facilities Rated by: chefboy on 2006-08-06 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Black Knights Parachute Centre   Pros: excellent DZ, treat you brilliant, good vibe Cons: none that i saw other than to far away to be regular DZ

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

I went to black knights to look at buying a rig and found the place to be absolutely brilliant. They are really friendly and make you feel welcome. Its a pity my local DZ cant be even half as good as this one.
Manifest was easy and very helpful, they didn't make you feel that you were pissing themn off by asking any questions!


I'll def be back to spend some weekends there.

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(Review ID:3297)

5 of 11 people found the following review helpful: A really welcoming dz. Rated by: ianw on 2006-07-29 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Black Knights Parachute Centre   Pros: Friendly, well run, close to the motorway Cons: None

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

I love this place, it really feels like a club where everyone is enjoying themselves. The great customer service is genuine, the staff and jumpers just seem to be enjoying the club and the sport. There is an infectious attitude of friendliness there. I've visited 7 uk dropzones so far and this is the one I'm happy call my home dropzone (despite not being the nearest). Great vibe. Fast Porter, beatiful scenery. I wish I was there now!

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(Review ID:3289)

2 of 8 people found the following review helpful: Highly recommed visiting Black Knights Parachute Centre Rated by: Brumby on 2006-07-25 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Black Knights Parachute Centre   Pros: Everyone is so friendly, great aircraft. Anall round great place Cons: None

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

We arrived late on Friday evening and was greeted by Jeff who offered to help unload the car with our equipment etc. First thing Saturday morning we were given our DZ brief and commenced jumpig. The people are so friendly, always making sure everything was ok and asking if we needed anything just to let them know. I have been to many DZ's now and Black Knights is by far the best! Not one person came across as being better than everyone else. They invited us to jump with them and vise versa. I would highly recommend visiting this DZ. I will cetrainly be going back.

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(Review ID:3268)

1 of 7 people found the following review helpful: Friendly place with lots of activeity Rated by: egghead on 2006-07-18 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Black Knights Parachute Centre   Pros: Great Aircraft the porter get you up there in no time. Cons: Hard Drop Zone to land at if your not used to it

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

Loved the day i spent ther will be going again some time soon. Well kept organised place that is active and easy to get to.

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(Review ID:3230)

5 of 11 people found the following review helpful: What a friendly place to jump Rated by: pincheck on 2006-07-05 (user profile) (user reviews) Review of: Black Knights Parachute Centre   Pros: Very friendly jumpersand dropzone staff lovely Porter Cons: none really

Professionalism   Vibe   Aircraft   Facilities   Services   Location

This is my first trip to a south off the border dropzone.Damn wish i could have it closer to home. It has exellent vibes which i think comes from the fun jumpers and staff who really make this a progresive and fun place to Jump. The instructors are very proffesional the Porter is great plane to jump out of and the pilot Mark is a very funny guy to fly with. They have a lot off upgrading going on to their facilities which could make this a top notch jumping dropzone. From the minute you walk onto the dz you are made to feel welcome and everyone speaks to you.Doesn't matter if you go for fun or coaching to progress in Rw or Freeflying this would be a good place to start. After the jumpings over, there is usually a trip to the local pubs or a party at the dz for everyone.There is a good canteen to buy food from to keep you going. All in all a very well setup and run operation.

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