Restrictions


USPA membership Required
AADs Not Required
Hook turns Allowed

What it costs


AFF courses available at 299 USD
Tandem jumps from 139 USD
Jump tickets at 26 USDto 12500ft
Video available at 79 USD

Under new ownership as of November, 2013! Skydive Taft has have been serving the Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Bakersfield, and Central Valley for over twenty years with a spotless safety record. We offer amazing views of the untouched California landscape, with the Pacific Ocean to the west, the San Andreas Fault, and the San Joaquin Valley to the east. We also offer the most modern student gear and fewest weather delays for skydiving in California! Our professional and highly experienced staff values safety above all else so our customers can focus on having the time of their lives while falling from the sky! As a comprehensive USPA Training Center, we also offer a complete student program that leads to becoming a licensed skydiver and beyond. We want everyone to experience the sport of skydiving, so come out and have a great time in the air or on the ground at California's friendliest dropzone!

Aircraft


Turbo C-206

Facilities


Where we jump


Taft-Kern County Airport
LAT: 35.1410781
LNG: -119.4412294

Contact Us


500 Airport Road, Taft, California, 93268, United States
1-800-314-4067
661-763-1555 (FAX)
Website
E-mail

Latest photos from this dropzone







Latest videos from this dropzone


SIGN UP OR LOGIN

Create a free account or login to review this dropzone.

Sign Up Login

User Feedback

Guest

What did you think, Guest? Leave a review and let other users know.


Write a review
  • Add a review...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



Infidel1

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 4


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 4
Taft is amazing. It is far out away from everything, which is a good thing sometimes. but still just a couple of hour drive from L.A.

The staff are all super friendly, and highly skilled. Lelo is an incredible skydiver, and he and all the instructors go out of their way to include you in any jumping they are doing, regardless if it a spur of the moment thing, or something that was planned, and they help you work on your skills without hesitation. I find a lot of DZ's are populated with big egos and cliques, but at Taft, they are really just all about the jumping!

Another plus is a big bunkhouse, and if you're jumping there is no charge. The prices are awesome too for 2017! $18 jumps all year!

I always have a blast whenever I get up to Taft. I highly recommend it to any skydiver.

Share this review


Link to review
quresh

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 4


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 4
After research of several places to do my AFF, I chose Skydive Taft, due to friendliness of the folks running the show. In early stages of learning last thing you want to worry about if air traffic (people/machines) and this place does it for me. If coming with the family, bring picnic stuff and and it can become a whole days event here. Some can jump others can watch and others can...well...Eat ;-).
Skydive Taft, you are awesome.

Share this review


Link to review
BigMark

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 3
Why would I drive twice as far and NOT jump a Skyvan? The people and facility's! The office is completely surrounded by shade cloth and you can pack or camp on different surfaces, they are also the only DZ around who will do AFF or recurrency training for big (fat) folks up to 270 pounds without a rig. No cliques or posers, just pure skydiving...Also when Elsinore or Perris are weathered out they might be jumping here.
No more bunkhouse but a couch is usually available.

Share this review


Link to review
Brookann

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 4


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 4
My husband and I went for our first tandem on the anniversary of my moms death. It was really important for me to face my fear of heights and I was pretty nervous. Dave made me feel so comfortable, I forgot about my nerves and just had a blast! My husband and I are planning on completing their aff course soon!-- can't wait to go back, best experience ever!!

Share this review


Link to review
nickat14000

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 5
This is a mid sized drop zone that has the facilities of a big drop zone and the feel and attitude of a small drop zone. I arrived on the first day of the largest rain storm in 50 years. I stayed in the full service bunkhouse for a few days until the weather cleared. It cleared up on the 24th of December, Christmas eve. The ENTIRE DZ showed up that day with the sole intent of getting my first aff jumps in. I did aff 1-4 in that day. Two days after Christmas we had great weather and they, with extreme patience, made sure I was competent enough to achieve my aff 7. The same day I was put in the last load and completed my first solo. In the subsequent week I got my logbook filled to 18 jumps including a hop and pop or two on some of the not so pretty day. Overall, it was the best time of my life and the whole dz made it so.

Share this review


Link to review
richravizza

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 4


Location:
  • 4


Facilities:
  • 4


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 5
Whether Tandem,AFF,Solo/Coaching,RW,FF.
I did them all at Taft!!I received all my training at Taft(thank you Scotty) and feel MY Safety was the #1 Priority.
Calm and Cool AFF instructors(Ty & Joseph) Didn't even Flinch when I BALKED
the Exit.Their Calm attitude, and Professionalism allowed Me to complete an otherwise flawless AFF Jump.They ensured I was prepared for each jump and it's Targeted Learning Objective.No Drill Sgt. BS here.
Instructors,Staff,Coaches,and Licensed Skydivers seemed to take a personal interest in my training,and progress.
I have never met a "Sky God" at Taft.
A number of times while nervously waiting to board for my solo jumps. Expierenced Licensed Skydivers would ask what I was working on, and would "Plan a Jump and Jump the Plan" with me!!(Thanks Mel,Vodoo,Wayne,Cindy,Kyle,John)
These people give Selflessly to Keep this Sport Save, Alive, and Growing Well.
The"A" License Proficieny Card seemed a Co$tly and daunting task,Not so at Taft.(thanks again Mel, Ken, Mike)
Praise should also go out to the DZO Dave Crouch,without him none of this is possible.He's a busy man but never too busy,for question,concerns or complaints.
The weather is Simply Awesome,weather holds are extremely rare.Winds are mild,steady and consistent.
Now go jump at Skydive Taft,the Super Otter is waiting!
Blue Skies,
Rich

Share this review


Link to review
shane930

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 4


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 5
My girlfriend and I enjoy the skydive taft experience so much that we have been driving 6 hours each way and passing 6 dropzones on the way for the last 3 years to jump with the people at taft. After our first time jumping at taft it didn't take long before we felt we were a part of a big and beautiful family that I must say is getting bigger by the day. The people at the dropzone reach put to everyone that shows up to jump it doesn't matter if they are first time tandems or experienced jumpers everyone is treated the same. Dave Crouch and the wonderful staff are very safety orientated and everyone is looking out for each other; gear checks and lots of communication between groups loading the plane and insuring proper separation on jump run. constant coaching from all the experienced jumpers, everyone is invested in everyone's safety at taft!! The pilot's are top noch aviators with over 16,000 flight hours between them. Captain Ron and Otter owner Mike Jackson insure safe flight operations and both are ex jumpers and I personally owe them a lot of gratitude for taking me in and convincing me to get my private pilot license and to get a plane so now the 6 hour drive has become a 2 hour flight! now we can go to Skydive Taft every week! Oh' I almost forgot, these people party like rock stars after the last load is down. Come to Taft and become part of this very special family. Thanks Skydive Taft!!!

Share this review


Link to review
reyno_gr

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 3


Location:
  • 3


Facilities:
  • 3


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 4
A group of 15 of us flew from the UK to jump at Lake Elsinore, where we faced non stop cloud and limited jumping. One of the locals suggested driving to Taft (I'd never heard of it either) so we got in the cars and drove 3 hours to the DZ (its an hour and 45 minutes from LA).

The DZ is on the edge of a desert, with mountains to the south which seem to hold back all the crap weather. Whilst Periss, Elsinore and Arizona were 'clouded out'we jumped everyday (nearly two weeks) and without any weather holds.

Its fair to say the DZ is basic (by Periss and Elsinore standards) but it offers shaded packing areas, a pool, bunk house (showers etc), wireless internet and access to a large fridge. There is no 'gear shop', so lost freebags or other spares could result in a short delay whilst new ones are sourced (although the DZ has rigs for hire, so you need not sit on the ground whilst UPS do their thing).

There are two aircraft (a Twin Otter which requires 10 jumpers to make a load) and a Cessna 182 (for the quieter periods).

Taft (town) is not the liveliest place in the world (it appears to close at 9pm) with little to do if you chose not to jump. However, Bakersfield is only 30 minutes drive away and that offers everything Taft doesn't.

So what makes Skydive Taft worthy of a 5 star rating?.....The staff! Dave Chrouch (the DZ owner/manager)and his team are the friendliest and most accomadating bunch of people I've ever met on a DZ. Nothing was too much trouble, and there was no 'skygod' attitude from anyone. Packers, Pilot and Manifest staff ensured that the jumpers needs were met from hoop jumps to high altitiude loads (18k with oxygen).

Dave hosted a BBQ for everyone for the departing Brit group that found Taft a week before we did (they'd abandoned Periss too). He also joined us for a night out in the local Thai restaurant (which I recommend), whilst his son Alex packed tirelessly to keep the loads turning.

Would we go back? Definitely, in fact we're planning it already. Try and go as a group (that way you can negotiate with Dave for a lower jump rate). Enjoy the rock music from the Otters sound system on the climb to altitude, but don't EVER tune it to Country and Western (unless you want the Pilot to dump you out at 5 grand)!

Skydive Taft (and its staff) made our trip. Thanks guys; we hope to see you soon.

Share this review


Link to review
surfbum5412

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 5
Kick ass Dropzone that I call my home DZ now. Otter loads turn till sunset on weekends, and cesna loads during the week. Freefly Dropzone for the most part. Altitude to 13,500 every load, but its not uncommon to get 14,000. Really friendly vibe where everyone is looking to do jumps with newbies, etc... Not a "skygod" kind of place, and there are tons of talented freeflyers and belly-flyers with high jump numbers.

Share this review


Link to review
dgermano

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 4


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 4
Everybody at the dz is very helpful no matter what your skill level. You really feel right at home all the time. The dzo is approachable and will help with anything you need to advance your skydiving skills.

Share this review


Link to review
paigew

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 5
I went for my first tandem jump and it was amazing! My instructor was awesome and calmed me down when I was thoroughly freaking out! I didn't know what to expect when I got there but when you walk in the door you are laughing and having fun. I am going back soon!

Share this review


Link to review
skydiver_dzo213

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 1
Professional:
  • 1


Services:
  • 1


Location:
  • 1


Facilities:
  • 1


Vibe:
  • 1


Aircraft:
  • 1
Price per skydive is extreme for flying in an old otter plane.The place looks a little dirty.Not well kept.

Share this review


Link to review
Live2Dive666

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 5
I did my first dive here and needless to say i was kind of nervous. I walked in not knowing what to expect and instantly i had people high fiving me on my first dive and instucting me on everything from emergency procedure to proper body position. I felt so comfortable and trusting with my trainers i felt very little nerves at the door 13,000 feet up.

My dive went great and ill never forget it. From that moment i was hooked forever.

Perhaps the best example of the people out at taft is an exerience my friend had on his AFF 4 dive. his dive went bad and both his instructors nearly went in pulling his chute for him. They barely knew this guy and they risked their lives for him. Point is. You arrive a stranger but as soon as your at the door your family. I'll dive many places for new experiences but taft will always be my home.

Share this review


Link to review
Rickgarner2000

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 3


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 5
Went to 3 dropzones and checked them out.
The first one returned my money. I guess they don`t like to read negative comments in aviation news. The second one charged 100 dollar for the packing course and I learned that the rubber band is made to stretch.
A skydiver told me about Taft and I went to Skydive Taft.
Holy poo poo, what a difference!!
There was Melissa. She became and still is my coach. She taught me tracking and docking whith such ease and I made my A license. Daryn finished me off with my packing course. After packing my parachute he said I have to use it now.
What can I say? The sucker open up and Daryn didn`t even tell me that the rubberband are made to stretch and there is Alex, who is so nice he even gives you a laughter when you tell him a bad joke.They are all very nice and there is nobody with an attitude. You come with a lot of anger and grumpy and when the day is done you go home with a smile on your face. They open their arms and welcome you. What a dropzone! I found my home dropzone and I keep my promise not to tell everyone because they (we) would like to stay small and concealed.

Share this review


Link to review
tonka

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 5
Skydive Taft is a top notch facility with a professional staff, awesome jump plane, and great people to jump with. I recommend it to anyone whether they are a first time jumper, learning to skydive, or an experienced jumper. People are always willing to help you get liscensed, learn to pack, and become a better and safer skydiver. To top it all off you can hang out after the day is done and keep having fun.

Share this review


Link to review
hoppinnpoppin

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 3
this is my home dz. dave and company are the best. friendly relaxed atmosphere there to have fun safely and have alot of it...... learned everything there from 8 way to sit flying to aff to downsizing parachute. rigger service is excellent i have bought all my gear through them, just a good dz all around period... the best...

Share this review


Link to review
kcogletree

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 4
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 4


Location:
  • 3


Facilities:
  • 4


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 4
So many good things about this dropzone that people can enjoy just for the day or hanging for a weekend. For example, everyone is treated with compassion and kindness, even those that show up with a bad case of ego-I-tistism, leave with better attitude after altitude here at Taft. The twin otter is turning loads and a lot more people get to play all day even though it's hard to get a load up before 8 a.m.; carpe diem.
The staff here couldn't be any better, totally top shelf, all of them knowledgeable with no "know it all's" attitudes that seem to scare away the beginners, student and vistors. Everyone is treated with the respect that she/he brings with them. No one is exclude and everyone is encouraged to particapate... on loads big or small ways, ground support or whatever, there's always something to do and someone to do it with...Blue Skies!!! C-ya soon

Share this review


Link to review
uponone

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 5
At this DZ you can almost have as much fun hanging out with everyone as you can jumping out of the plane. It's a very relaxed, friendly atmosphere and you can ask anyone a question and get an answer without feeling like an idiot.

I did my whole AFF in one weekend with 2 gorgeous gals as my jumpmasters and still had time to make my 1st "alone" jump at the end of the day.

They have a new Pac-750 with killer music playing on the quick ride up. It runs every weekend and even on weekdays if they can get enough people to jump, otherwise they have 2 182's which rarely go below 11k.

The instructors are very friendly and will make time to help students with what they need, which is not the attitude I have had at "other" DZ's.

There's a nice rigging hanger with all the latest stuff you need (thanks Corky for fixing my Galaxy). The shaded hangout area has misters and plenty of couches and benches to chill on. Camping is allowed and definitely recommended if you like having a good time after a long day of jumping (especially if your a student because your going to be buying a lot of beer for all your "firsts"). Bring a tent or crash in the bunkhouse and they have showers you can use in the morning.

Once you go Taft, you never drive past.

Share this review


Link to review
dharma1976

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 5
I went here for my birthday last year and had a blast...jumped the balls out of mike mullins king air... this place has a great small vibe with 14 minute turn arounds when mike is there...

check it out

Share this review


Link to review
Rettrae

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 5
I had my first AFF on sunday, the instructor took his time explaining freefall positioning, emergency procedures, good/bad canopies, hand signals,ect. He went over everything until it our answers were automatic. I felt very well prepared for my dive, my two jumpmasters were a husband/wife team, they made me feel very comfortable, we had a great dive, I accomplished my objectives, On to level 2!

Share this review


Link to review
sboone

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:
  • 5


Services:
  • 5


Location:
  • 5


Facilities:
  • 5


Vibe:
  • 5


Aircraft:
  • 5
I came down from Canada back in Feb. to do a couple of jumps, eveyone one there were great, professional and fun. I will surely be back to jump there, hopefully in the near future.

Share this review


Link to review
johnnyboy

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:


Services:


Location:


Facilities:


Vibe:


Aircraft:
I began jumping there in February of this year. I have done almost my entire AFF there, and a few solo jumps since. I did 2 tandems and 1 of my AFF jumps at another large dropzone, and the difference is like night and day.

What I experienced at Taft cannot be duplicated anywhere else. The family type atmosphere has made me feel at home. Coming there as a student, by now everyone there knows me, and they all make me feel comfortable. I never have a problem finding someone to jump with, or instructors who will spend the extra time to clarify my confusion.

When I did my AFF level 2 at another major dropzone, I felt like I was treated like cattle. It was like "Come on, we have a plane to catch!!" And I was thinking "Wait, how can you put me in the air without me knowing what the hell I am doing?!?" I had so many questions to aks their instructors, and they said "Stop thinking about it so much." Not so at Taft, EVERY one allowed me to be ready to jump and I have never felt rushed (during AFF) to make the next load.

The instructors there are all very nice and passionate. When I graduated AFF, they all fed me tequila, whiskey, and beer, and we hung out most the night talking about jumping. I have done a lot with my life, and I have seen many different places, and I have NEVER experienced hospitality like that from Taft.

The 182's are very jumper friendly. The climb to altitude may not be the fastest, but they always get me there. Oh, and jumps from 10.5? Unheard of unless you get into a load with tandems. I have never left the aircraft under 12 at Taft.

The pilots are nice, the staff is excellent, and the jumpers it brings out all rock.

So, if you live in California or are planning on coming here to visit, you HAVE to make a stop at Taft, and you will not be disappointed.

P.S. In the winter, they have Mike Mullin's King Air, 14 jumpers to 14.5 in under 7 minutes for $14!! Cant go wrong with that!!!!

Blue Skies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Share this review


Link to review
jadaks

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:


Services:


Location:


Facilities:


Vibe:


Aircraft:
My first jump was tandem the 28th of Dec. 2003. I am currently half way to my A license now. We have visited every other weekend for 2 months strait.
Each staff member truely loves the sport. The email almost immediately when you have questions and concerns. There is not one staff member who doesn't give each student or licensed skydiver words of advice, help or assistance.
You can bet, that after 1 day up there, you'll be hooked not only on the rush of 0-120mph , but on the comraderee and warmth of this hometown group.
A+ to Skydive Taft. CU all next weekend !!!

Share this review


Link to review
cuchulinn

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:


Services:


Location:


Facilities:


Vibe:


Aircraft:
Skyduve Taft is out there in no where, You either have to be very lost to be there or really WANT to be there. If you're lost and find yourself in Taft, you've been lost a long time and to proud to ask directions!

The Owner, Dave, is a great guy. To me, has always come accross and a person who can balance the fact that he's still running a business and doing all he can to provide a great and fun atmosphere.

Two Cessna 182's on site, one pretty to look at, one that will soon be pretty to look at. We all know rides to altitude in a 182 are less than fast, but they're friendly! Get there early to get some fun jumps in before the tandems and AFF take all the slots.

Great coaches are always avail. and they always ensure you feel welcome as soon as you set foot on the DZ.

Dave has done a lot of recent work making the place look nice, Corky and Bloody Nick just set up one nice pro shop and rigging hangar. Top Notch set up and you really get your bang for your buck when they repack your reserve. Call Corky for details.

Don't get me wrong, I've been to and jumped and the biggest DZ's and love them, but there is something pretty special about the smaller DZ's that the bigger DZ's just can't capture.

Oh and I don't care what you hear about 182's.. I've had many a jump over 11.5 and 12K in his 182's.

Bonus.. Dave is running a Super King Air on the weekends from 12/5/03 through I THINK sometime in March, 12 minute turn around times!! Call for details!

Share this review


Link to review
skyslammer

0 of 0 members found this review helpful 0 / 0 members
  • 5
Professional:


Services:


Location:


Facilities:


Vibe:


Aircraft:
I did my first jump there and found the staff to be more then friendly. Very experienced and willing to pass down the knowledge. I drive 1 and half hours extra because i enjoy the people. If you're in the area or not try them out.

Share this review


Link to review