Black Knights Parachute Centre

Great DZ! Blackhawk is fast to altitude, good social scene, lots of coaching available / courses to sit. Not sure how the last jumper came to the conclusion that it's a tandem factory, the CCI is very keen for his regular jumpers to progress and puts a lot of time into this.. Can't recommend enough, will jump there for a long time.

Family run business everyone else seems to be pushed out. All good staff gone and dropzone going down hill rapidly. This place is definitely a tandem factory with all fun jumpers leaving because of the way they are treated. Keep on driving on M6 and go to Cark skydive North West as it is a much better dropzone and are actually friendly towards experienced skydivers and students. Oh if you like cow pat on your expensive rig and to be part of tandem factory Black Knights is for you!

I did a tandem here a couple of years ago and found there to be a very welcoming atmosphere. Since completing my AFF, I have been jumping here at least once a month, and found it to be a very friendly club, with great people, and professional instructors. The plane is fast to get to altitude, and all the hire kit is in good condition. 2 large packing areas, good cafe, and free camping. Bunkhouse available, but needs to be booked. Looking forward to my next visit :D

I've been using Black Knights as my home DZ this year due to being based up north, and honestly I can't think of a bad thing to say about it. If it was a tandem factory before, it certainly isn't now Paul is CCI. I've been down on numerous occasions where conditions have been prohibitive for tandems, but the centre stayed open purely waiting for a window to get a lift up for fun jumpers.

There's always something to do here as well - in the past 3 months I've gained FF1, done my first CF jump, and a big-way skills weekend. There's also a strong wing-suiting contingent, so there really is something for everyone.

If you're in the area, it's well worth a visit.

The centre has changed dramatically since it was taken over by Paul Yeoman. Jeff is no longer there.
I understand the mixed reviews from those days.

Please come up and give it a go. It's very friendly, the CCI prioritises club/exp jumpers and we have resident coaches now. We also have a Blackhawk Grand Caravan that takes 16 people to 15'000ft in around 12 minutes.

We have active Wingsuit, Freefly and FS groups that always welcome new jumpers.

We hope to see you all soon.

Alot of peeps told me not to come here. I came here anyway. I wanted to freefly.

Home DZ no coaches for freefly.

Instructors regulars all warmed me against coming here. Geff only wants tandems. They don't want skydivers, I jumped here for 5 years never again.

I visited one sunny morning. The really hot frealy weeks in Mar a while ago now. Id gone home about 4 hours later. Parking up they seemed real busy. I go to sign up and I'm asked if I'm here to do a tandem.

No.

I'm asked to come back later as they are very busy. An hour and a half later same thing happens again.

Come back later.

I go explore the packing she 20 or so tandems from a guy I think I recognise from Strath. Alot of people in sausage suits just standing around feels unapproachable and cold.

Watching the people getting on board all just tandems and camera fliers. Alot of hotloading tandems as well.

One last time at noon. I go into the office again. I'm given a dirty annoyed get out of my face look I'm told they are very busy and to come back later.

I've been waiting hours I tell them.

I'd told curtley others have been waiting for longer more tandems arriving.

I go home.

I have my own (very cheap) second hand gear to put 200 jumps on before I buy something more permanent, so I won't bang on about hire gear or raps courses like the last few reviews.

I visited this dz in the summer of 2011 and lended up staying the whole weekend in my tent. Great vibe, hot showers and good enough canteen. They coped amazingly well with the manifest and the one aircraft they use. Infact that weekend they smashed all previous records held for the most lifts in one day. So there was no shortage of lifts and only encouragement to jump on more. Big welldone to the French pilot.

There was all a fancy dress event, disco and BBQ on during my stay. Although there is no bar at this dz, there is a help your self beer fridge. And the beer fines are rife to keep it topped up. So if you have a cut away, gain a FS1 qual or its your first time at this dz don't forget a crate of 24 for the fridge. Im sure you get the picture...

Did part of my RAPS here, simply got sick of coming and sitting around due to winds or tandems taking priority. They use round reserves which mean the wind limits are stupidly low, meaning you never get any jumps in.

I went elsehere (Langar) where they used square square rigs and got to Cat 8 PDQ!

Something changed.... I qualified here in the 00s.

I came back in 2011 to visit old faces and this DZ has changed beyond recognition. Unfortunately not in a good way. Instead it went the other way instead.

The place has turned into a tandem factory. Tandems on weekends are jumped till 3pm on weekends. You get the odd single slot on these jumps if you want to do a solo. Who wants to do boring solos especially as you have to dive out, poised? Floating no way Jose if you're on one of these 'filler' slots.

This is bad in more ways than one as the tandem guys are also the coaches and instructors. So if you want to get your stickers simply it isn't going to happen. Too much money in tandems, experienced people don't make them enough bucks. The experienced guys aren't exactly appreciated either. A tatty welcome sign which has been there for years, a small packing shed and no plug and play free to use screen to debrief on jumps. Everybody uses the tiny screens on their camera equipment instead or brings a laptop (the WIFI is expensive by the way, their website is hideously out of date).

The staff seem surlier than before and generally complain about the management muttering under their breath which sets a bad vibe to the DZ in the first place. They do try to be funny but end up ripping into people instead and making deeply unfunny and deeply insulting derogatory remarks.

Regarding the other stuff, the landing area is still large and unfettered, though they still have two wind socks one of which is in a turbulence zone and is unreliable. Why don't they get rid of it or move it?

There is also negligible post jumping socialising either, when the plane gets taken in people just vanish. And the DZ lacks any fun events, no scrambles, no boogies, nothing other than tandems to make the big bucks and the greatly thinned out regulars. I was unpleasantly surprised by the way many newly qualified folks were pretty much abandoned, as I said progression? Forget about it.

The absolutely most damning thing I saw was the blaise attitude towards the rental gear. I was most surprised to open my rental canopy (cypress was being serviced) and see unstowed brakes, knots in the brake lines and holes in the sliders on more than one set of kit. I might have less than 500 jumps but I can see this is dangerous.

It is said familiarity breeds contempt and I've visited this place a few more times and getting to know the place I have changed my mind about this place. The honeymoon period is over and I saw things properly.

The good points I initially mentioned in my review still stand.

The Porter is extremely fast and it is turned around extremely quickly a cycle is 4 back to back lifts.

The landing area is still huge.

The kit for hire is still about the same.

They still go up to 14K most of the time anyway. All good things, but this is overshadowed by the negatives. Good things yes but a couple of good things don't make a great DZ. As I realised over the three weekends I spent here. Simply this DZ isn't much fun and I drove away at the end of the weekend feeling unhappy and annoyed. Which isn't the way it is supposed to be at DZs. Its supposed to be something you enjoy and something that makes you happy and feel good. But this place left a bitter taste in my mouth.

The reasons for this is that this DZ is spookily quiet, not in terms of numbers but the fact that people tend not to talk to each other much. Initially I thought it might be a bit cliquey since there were obvious groups. People in their own jump suits with 100s of jumps. People in borrowed jump suits hanging together. But lots of
people sitting alone not chatting to others and being ignored by others. I reckond cliquey but it's not it's something worse. It's the backstabbers, the haters and the politics. All which make for an unhappy experience so there is a tense feeling around and that for such a DZ they have very very few regulars.

Maybe the management will change things but visiting some of their rivals this has been their reputation for a while.

It was OK while it lasted.

Having jumped at Black Knights and completing almost 300 jumps in the past 2 years. An extremely professional DZ, running AFF RAPS FS Wingsuit and Freefly coaching. Brian Vacher has a safe canopy flight school each year there.
The cafe serves fantastic food. There is a brand new club house (with fridge ;-) Large wide screen TV, leather settee etc and is a fine example of what this DZ aims to achieve and the efforts taken to embrace the desires of the skydiving community.

The is an asphalt runway with no wet grass to trek through before climbing onto the aircraft. Safety is paramount at this DZ, and wet slippy feet leaving wet areas on aircraft door exit observed at other DZ's in this area are to be avoided unless you want the skin removed from your shins.

Huge area to land in, and very few hazards in the surrounding fields.

The staff are first class, and extremely helpful. All new jumpers are made to feel welcome at Black Knights.

I've tried the DZ another half an hour away several times and it simply does not compare, either in efficiency or hospitality.

If you are looking for a DZ where you want excellent training or coaching, or to chill and be taken in as part of the family, within a 55 minute drive from Manchester and just 10 minutes from the M6 with a fast Turbo Porter to get you to 14000 ft very quickly, great food and a beer fridge for after jump Parties, then I can thoroughly recommend Black Knights.
Blue Skies x

I visited this weekend and the last weekend. Last weekend was alright. The lift turn around was slow very slow. The first lift did not go up until 11am weather was fine for it to have gone up earlier. One or two per hour usually. This was OK things went smoothly. But they managed 7 lifts in 9 hours of perfect sunshine.

This was all overshadowed by this weekend.

This weekend was attrocious and absolutely appaulling. So much so that you may have thought it was back in school or something with some of the attitudes displayed at the DZ recently.

The staff had some sort of spat and stopped talking to each other for the entire three day weekend.

Worse a large number of students were simply ignored for the ENTIRE weekend.

No apologies forthcoming.

No explainations nothing at all.

A number of them were visibly upset and frustrated at what was going on and were planning to go elsewhere to progress.

After seeing what happened at the weekend I don't blame them at all. It is as if they don't want your business or something.

I don't understand it, maybe it was a bad weekend and a one off or something. But that weekend has put me off for life from going to this DZ. I'd much rather spend an extra half hour to go to a different DZ than return. Unless they make some changes and FAST they'll have no customers left.

Deeply dissappointed Mick

Sunday was my first time at this DZ, wow what a great DZ and friendly atmosphere. Had a great brief from the owner (a very friendly man who is proud of his dz and very passionate about the sport).

Within 45 mins of arriving I was on a load and managed to get 4 almost consecutive jumps in. Also one of the instructors gave me a free coaching jump which was great fun!

What a brilliant day and what a fantasic dropzone. Can't wait to get back there in a couple of weeks.

cheers guys

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

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.

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!

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!!!)

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Went to visit some friends up in Manchester and decided to go up to Black Knights to do a couple of jumps.

The people are all so friendly and welcoming, and someone gave us a dz briefing almost immediately. They are really chilled out, and the emphasis is on fun (obviously safety comes first, but they have the right approach to encourage visitors to return!)

Had a brilliant day, loved the scenery, didn't take long to get on loads - if you were there the whole day with your own gear you could get a fair few jumps in!

Just enjoyed the people and place and would definately recommend. Pity it isn't closer to me!

Only had 50 Jumps and was looking for somewhere to progress as I don't have a local DZ.

So enticed by the Porter, promises of parties and friendly people I gave it a go.

Well a big thank you to everyone at Black Knights who helped me last week.

To Mo for all the home cooking and gallons of cofee.

To Dave for helping me with my packing and trips to the pub afterwards.

To Jeff for getting me jumping with others and all the helpfull advise.

To everyone else who helped make it a very helpfull week for me,

Cheers.

I have just got back home from spending the last 2 weeks up at the Black Knights Parachute Centre. It was an awesome 2 weeks! Did quite a few jumps and got through a lot of my WARP coaching.

The atmosphere here is unlike any other DZ I have been to in the UK. Everyone is so friendly and you will always be able to find someone to jump with! It's always such a good laugh and everyone is always up for a drink in the evening.

The only fault i can find is that, living in London, it is a 4 hour drive to get to the DZ. I wish this was my local DZ. Thanks to everyone there and hope to see you all again soon!