Skydive Space Center

We decided to go on a skydiving roadtrip to florida and one of our stops was titusville. We were excited about lifts to 18,500 feet. Well the first day they flew two loads, neither to that altitude. Some regulars said they would only go to that altitude if tandems were there paying. We left that afternoon disappointed, but with raised hopes for the following day since they said to come back at 9am since they had tandems that day. Of course we came back at 9am and nothing. They said they were not going to fly until there tandems came at 11am. So we said forget that and packed out stuff and took off to DeLand and were off the ground minutes after we arrived before titusville even flew one load. The bottom line seems to be unless you are a jumping with tandems, don't plan on jumping at all. Also they offer a free bunkhouse which is great, but the headmaster of the bunkhouse has an attitude and some of the residents gave us a look like why were we imposing on them and they were staying there for FREE!!! All in all, there are plenty of dropzones in this area and this probably isn't the one to go to, unless they have a tandem then I imagine going to 18,500 is really cool, but we will never know!

I only jumped here for one day, but I had a good time. The King Air is super fast and gets to 15K+ in less than 15 minutes. The facilities were adequate and the locals were nice. Things were kind of slow on the Sunday I visited; 1 hour between loads. The landing area is nice and big. Off airport outs are few if you were to get a bad spot. There were also quite a few ultralights about during my visit. All in all, it is a great place to visit to experience the fast flights to 15K+!

I'm usually a negative person, but I can't say anything bad about this place. I visited this past summer and I kept a low profile, did some jumps and observed. I honestly can't say a bad thing about these guys. Definitely going back, its a bit of a drive from Illinois, but screw it!!

This is how a dropzone should be.

We showed up at this DZ and were welcomed with open arms. They had the best vibe of any DZ that I have been to. If you want to have some awesome/fun jumps this is the place. If you like the social environment this is the place. This dropzone is a must visit whether you live in florida or are just traveling through. I would give them a 10 out of 5 if I could.

I went this past April. The weather was bad with windy conditions for 3 straight days. Finally on the 4th day of driving over from Orlando, the wind stopped. What a thrill it was. This was my first tandem jump. The entire staff made me feel comfortable. The experience of my jump master (Dean) made me feel at ease and I was not nervous at all. The scenery was incredible. I had seen their web page prior to going to Florida and knew that this was the place I wanted to make my first jump. It was better than I really expected. Roberto did a great job with the video. I can not thank Dean, Roberto and the rest of the staff enough for the great memories. I am sure going to try to make it down there this winter to do my AFF with them. Thanks again for getting me hooked on it..

I went for my first tandem last weekend. I was so excited for Saturday to come and when I woke up that morning there it was on the weather channel . . . 75% chance of rain coming in off the east coast in Titusville. To say the least I was pretty bummed. During my hour trip the clouds were covering the sky, but when I made it to Skydive Space Center, it was amazing. There were clouds surrounding the area, however just above the Dropzone was a clear blue sky. Amazing! I was getting ready to make the first jump. I was on the 9th load so I was able to observe everything going on all around me. This place is well organized & a friendly bunch to say the least. Dean was my jump master and I must say there was no point in time I thought twice about safety. Snorre is the pilot and I must say he is wonderful! He's a great guy. Just knowing you have a wonderful pilot to carrying you is enough to relax anybody. You'll be able to get the most out of your experience here at Skydive Space Center because you feel safe. I noticed everyone works hard and loves what they do. I enjoyed my first jump so much, I jumped a second time. I jumped 18,000 ft which is a 9 minute plane ride. I recommend 18,000 ft. to everyone. There is so much to see. I was able to take in the entire experience on both jumps because I wasn't nervous at all. It helps to know you're in good hands at Skydive Space Center. My only advice is to relax and enjoy the ride. You will find this place to be very relaxing and everyone who works at the dropzone, including the regular fun jumpers, is very nice! Don't wait another minute. Head to the drop zone for an experience you'll never forget!

What more can I say, with a day off in Orlando we phoned "on spec" to do a tandem. The centre staff could not have been more helpful to us "first timers" and we had an unforgettable day. As professional airline pilots for a major UK carrier our first coincern is always for safety - we never had any doubt that the DZ had a healthy safety culture - top job!!

Everyone we met was keen to talk and share their knowledge and experience and we were never made to feel stupid or uncomfortable.

Snorre the pilot is an absolute gem of a guy - I went back the following day to ride in the aircraft and talk planes - the Kingair is awesome - wish we could do that in a Boeing 777!!!

All in all I can't recommend these guys enough - I'll be back for the AFF....watch out!!

What an airplane! 10-15 minutes tops to altitude! By the time you unbuckle that seat belt - it's time to exit exit exit! Incredible! The view is awesome! And jumps from 18 grand... Beat that!

This was my third attempt to jump. Prevous to attempts after driving form Lakeland were cancelled to to weather. That is something no one could can control.

Public address system was unintelligible, so I went in to ask, what was said and mentioned the poor speaker system.

Was told to be there at 10, was there at 9 and offered to go up earlier. People told to be there at 10:45 were taken up before me.
I was told weight consideratons cause me to be pushed back I weight 175 pounds
I was then told that videophotographers were not available, but the went up on each and every load.
I was told I was bumped to let two others that arrived at 10:45 could go up together
When I complained I was then told they didn't have to give me a reason. Just shut and and go up or not go up my decision.
I was told by the female owner, no refunds. I could sell my ticket on ebay, that they didn't really care.

Finally Tim, told me that would no get to go up on any subsequent loads or future time because of technical difficulties. He took a copy of my paperwork to identify me should I return.

The King Air is a grat aircraft, the door is on the small side so big ways are difficult but that is not a problem. The views you get are breath taking (not that you have much time to see them ;-)..... The staff and so friendly and take care of you where ever they can. Safetly at this DZ is good, they dont take any chances which in my opinion is a very important factor!

I have been only once but it i can assure you, i will be going back!

Not really busy place. The times I visited, not enough people to fill a load. So we drove to DeLand and got to jump right away..

Everyone here was really friendly and fun, and made my first jump a memorible one!

Dean O, and the crew are very careing and profetional and make it a smooth ride with nothing to worry about.

The view is awesome, the people are laid back and cool. Their professionalism and the way they make everyone feel like family is great. I have made them my home DZ.

This drop zone was okay i have seen better.Most of the people were rude.They do offer the higest jumps in florida though don`t know if that is worth the trip.I jumped at their sister sight in jax,fl a few months after i quit jumping there their plane crashed killing a man and causing injurys to others.Sad story.I recomend going to skydive deland they are the best dz in florida...

Loved the place. Awesome few of coast and Kennedy Space Center. Super fast King air (right there with Mike Mullen's). 15,000ft jumps are sweet, as are the 18,000ft jumps for $5 extra. Was pretty windy in the early afternoon and the S&TA put a 200 jump minimum on the load. A couple of people in our group couldn't jump because of this. These people had over 100 jumps and were quite competent enough to decide for themselves. This is my only beef with them (I know safety first, but these were not students). All in all, it was a great visit. Go and check them out.

We were there on a Monday and a load had just come down. It was just me for a tandem and my husband for jump 49. We were impressed that they took just the 2 of us up. The view from the top was unbelievable. My husband is used to an air conditioned packing area so the heat got to him packing but that's not the fault of the DZ. He really wanted to jump again but since we were still the only ones there we knew that was not a possibility. Over all it was a pleasant experience and we'd probably go back, maybe on a somewhat busier day.

I began skydiving in March 2002 with a tandem, and then followed by 2 more tandems before going through AFF in Feb-April 2003 (all at Skydive Space Center).

I am very satisfied with my experiences I have had here. The staff is always helpful, looking out for your safety, etc. Stacy is wonderful in Manifest and very appreciated as she goes beyond the call of duty sometimes to ensure that loads are constant. The occasional extra altitude is great too. Snore has great spots and is very friendly. Yoshi, Dean, Kenny, Kristin, Dan, Mark, Cliff are more than willing to answer my questions and put up with my nagging them constantly for new information and with help regarding learning a new skill.

I look forward to getting back out there too. I've been out since turning low in Nov. 2004 (at SSC). I miss all of you.

Thanks SSC, I always enjoy my time there.

I have gone to Titusville for 2 weekends worth of jumping, going again this weekend. There is so much to say and so much to write that this may just turn into an essay on "which DZ is the best damn DZ around"

Manifest- Very professional, experienced and just down right nice people. They have a very smooth operating system and give sports the same great service that they give the tandems and students.

Facilitys- Big open hanger with plenty of room to set up and pack (I dont pack but Im sure that is useful to others...) There is also a 3 bedroom house 1/4 of a mile from the DZ that if you jump, you can stay there for free, this will be the first time I get to use this feature...Im sure it will be great

Instructors- So very experienced, some with skygod jump numbers without the skygod attitude. They are some of the most knowledgeable people I have met in this sport and always willing to lend a hand

Camera Flyers- Best work Ive seen thus far, Videos are done with 15 mins and the flying these people do is awesome. They really are great.

Veiw- I can not fully explain this, it is the most beautiful veiw I have seen , Kennedy Space center, water, neighborhoods, rural, beaches...EVERYTHING you could want to see, is available on this ride up to altitude and while falling.

Outs- As a newbie I spend alot of time looking for these, there is a highschool near by with a open field, a swamp (the gators might get ya though) and a few others, but there is alot of neighborhoods around and I dont actually suggest the swamp as a out. Thank goodness they have awesome spotters, not one out landing for me or my friends yet.

Dont forget your beer fine if this is the first time visiting here, I sure could go for not being the only one who owes lol. Choose this place.

Has the King Air, which made me extremely envious. The photos on the wall when you walk in say it all: altitude and great views. Friendly and laid back staff and some cool regular jumpers.

Relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Fast pick-up service after outlanding:) As I made one outlanding approx. 2 km away from the airfield after some strange navigation with wingsuit in cloudy weather...Beer! Lovely bunkhouse and very comfortable hangar... Thanks for everybody!

It is now an official tradition for me to travel to south Florida and get some warm weather skydives in during February. Being military and stationed in the Washington-Baltimore for the last three years, by the time February rolls around, I must have jumps where I don’t have to wear polar fleece and I can feel my fingers in the toggles after deployment. I always have the same plan: Fly in to Orlando and rent a car, then drive around and visit a few drop zones. My first stop the last 2 years has been Skydive Space Center and even with the best-laid plans, I have not made it out of Titusville. The DZ, accommodations, facilities, but most importantly the people at that DZ are awesome! I will venture out further someday but I just keep having so much fun at Skydive Space Center

Facility: The airport is a light use, general aviation airport and most of the non-jump plane traffic is from small single engine airplanes and ultra-lights. The packing area is adequate and I have never seen a shortage of packers for lazy bums like me. In fact, during my last trip, the packers made sure I was on every load for my last 2 days. Sweet! Five dollars a pack and if you don’t tip for nice openings then bad JuJu on you. There is a nice mock-up for practicing exits and plenty of room to dirt dive. There is a kitchen facility where lunch is served almost daily and other snacks are available on demand. The loft if full service and there to help. I know this because for some reason I have gear issues whenever I get to Titusville. As minor as my issues may be, Kristin who is the Senior Rigger and is also kept very busy as a camera flyer, has always been there to help. I can read her mind though… “God here comes T.J. again. I bet he wants me to tie his shoes this time…..” A small grand stand and picnic tables overlook the landing area and there is usually a few locals checking things out. For those who dare, there is a very small swoop pond in front of the old lobby area (laugh Gregg, it’s a joke). No swooping the pond! The location of the DZ is 45 minutes from Orlando, 15 minuets from the Kennedy Space Flight Center and Cocoa Beach. Although you can no longer jump during shuttle launches, when timed right, you can still jump during other missile launches. Quite a sight! Oh, by the way, although I am a free flyer I noticed that there were regular R/W loads being organized by DZ organizer and other belly flyers.

Landing Area: I suggest you pull high your first couple of jumps. There are plenty of outs but they can be elusive unless you are familiar with the area. Anyone who jumps there will be glad to point them out so please do not be afraid to ask. There is a small landing area in front of the hanger but you must have at least 1000 jumps to land in that area and remember, tandems get the right of way (Don’t even think of landing there if you can’t beat a tandem to the ground). Your very best bet is the huge landing area on the other side of the main runway. There is a grass runway so stay clear of it. It is used often and as always planes have the right away on taxiways and runways (and in the air unless you have a death wish). Left-hand patterns are the norm.

Planes: Un-fuc***** believable. There are 2 King-Air’s with upgraded engines. These are some bad mo-fo’s. They can get you to altitude (15,000 is standard, 18,000 is a little extra) in about 7 minutes (8-9 min to 18K). Never had the pleasure of riding in Mike Mullins’ King-Air but from what I understand these two are at least as fast and maybe faster. Be ready to exit when you get on the plane and start your gear check early. Before you know it the green light is on. BONUS- If you have a non-jumper in your party, for a minimal fee the DZ will allow them to ride along. I understand the ride down is thrilling. The DZ has also just acquired a Cessna that they are in the process of making jump ready with brand new engine that promises to climb like a cat on fire to allow smaller loads on slow days the opportunity to jump. (Sorry PETA but that is a great visual….. a flaming cat flying to jump altitude with 6 jumpers clinging on it’s back for dear life…I am so retarded I crack myself up).

Bunkhouse: What a great place to stay. Your slot (space available) is free as long as you are jumping at the DZ. It is located less than ½ mile from the DZ and includes showers, full kitchen, TV and lounge area, and a screened in porch and all the funny smells of a bunkhouse. If you are not some whacked out, anti-social, scab of a person, you will like staying there. First, it’s free so the price is right. Second, the house brings all the visiting jumpers from all over the world to one place to socialize (who am I kidding, skydivers are reading this… PLAN TO FUC**** PARTY). On both trips I made friends that I am still in touch with. Linens are provided (please do your laundry or make arrangements before you leave). There are plenty of restaurants a short drive away (all different flavors). There is even wireless internet access. (Yea, internet porn…uh…did I say that?) Yes I did….BONUS! Buying a few sundries while you stay or upon your departure is always appreciated (paper towels, toilet paper, condoms, ect..) but not conditional of your FREE stay at the FREE bunkhouse (read between the line Sparky).

Weather: Weather is the best reason to come to Florida in February and is obvious to everyone. However, there is a phenomenon that goes on there sometimes that is worth mentioning. When the steely-eyed missile men at NASA were looking for a suitable place to hurl missiles into space I believe they picked Cape Canaveral for a reason. I have seen soup in the skies over Orlando and blue skies over Titusville and the Cape. Strange but true but sometimes the clouds just can’t make it to the coast. Good for launching rockets and jumping out of planes.

People: The people are the core of any DZ and are responsible for the vibe. The vibe at SSC is great. I read one review that described “cliques” being the norm there. Well, if there are any cliques there then I am way more cool that I thought I was. I was accepted into every. Everyone made me feel comfortable from day one. Greg, the DZO, shares my infinite love for all things that fly. I really enjoyed talking to him and he seemed to bend over backwards to accommodate jumpers. On more than one occasion I have seen him put up two planes for sunset loads because jumpers were still trying to get packed. I know I am going to forget someone and/or get a name wrong so forgive me now, but the other characters in the cast include (but not limited to):

Snorre: The pilot. This is one great guy and a regular at the dinner on the town nights. I have family in South Florida and this man offered to fly me down (in his own plane for a break-even fee), so that I might pick them up to have fun and visit the DZ. What a nice gesture. His spots are great. I never had a problem making it back to the DZ and never saw anyone land off while I was there.

Kristin: The previously mentioned rigger and camera flyer. She and her husband Mark Griffon own Griffon Rigging. Need advise about gear? Have a question? Ask them. We spent about an hour one day (while Kristin fixed yet another piece of my freefly suit) discussing my next rig I am planning to purchase. Mark’s side job is at NASA (kidding Mike). It was a blast talking to you Mike and the package we talked about in on the way. Kristin… thanks to you and April for making feel so sexy when measuring me for my rig. Can we take that one measurement again please???

Carolynn: This nice young lady is the packer wrangler (besides being a full time schoolteacher). She always made sure I had nice soft openings, was packed for every load I manifested for, and even let me demo her new canopy. What more could you ask. I owe you one babe…. You name it.

Mike X.: The first dude I met on the drop zone last year. Very cool. He gave me my DZ orientation and gear check. After going over my rig, he handed it to me and told me I could not jump it. I was stunned. New gear with a recent reserve re-pack and Cypress…what gives? “Well TJ”, he said laughing, “That is the ugliest rig I have ever seen and we do have standards here….are you color blind or something?” I laughed and assured him I would be able to tell the difference between the red and green light next to the jump door. The best advise he gave me, first jump pull high, enjoy the view and identify the outs we talked about. Sorry to see your heading home soon. Like I said, stop by X-Kyes and let’s jump before you make your run for the border.

Mark (“All you have to do is ask and I’ll do a tube jump”). He is the master of the bunkhouse and in charge of a group of juvenile delinquents most nights (I am not talking about skydivers, these are real live little troublemakers that society is expecting a skydiver to have a positive influence in their rehabilitation… Good luck!)

Mark C: Tandem master and A&P mechanic. Also shares a love of flying machines. He is funny as hell on the way to altitude keeping his students at ease.

Dean: AFF/Coach and Tandem Master. This man is one of the premier skydiving still photographers in the world. If you read Parachutist or Skydiving magazines you have seen his stuff. Very cool dude, not standoffish at all and was willing to answer any question I ever had. Who owes beer? I think was my most asked.

Kenny: A true steely-eyed missile man over at NASA. I was very impressed with the dedication this man had for his son (he is a single Dad). It is obvious he and his TEENAGE SON have so much fun just spending time together. I have teenage daughter and I was jealous. Kenny is the DZ Daddy-O. He packs, he opens and closes the facility, and generally makes sure the ground ops run good.

Fabian: A world class freeflyer, load organizer, and instructor but most of all world class person. He is always smiling and his laugh is infections. He always makes sure everyone who wants to be is included on a jump. Thanks for everything you taught me!

Phillip: Again, another one of the world class Thanks for understanding when I kept calling the other visiting Austrians “Germans” I hope I made up for it by allowing them to call me a Canadian for a day. (Easy there Mike X, you can get me back when you stop at X-Keys and make a couple jumps with me on your way back home). Every time I jumped with Phillip I learned something.

Adrian: Another world class freeflyer. The first time we jumped together last year he told me I dropped like a valadi-ball. I said “valadi-what”. I was just learning head down a year ago but he jumped with me more than once and I accomplished my first hand dock with him. What did he have to say to that? BEER! We all have our priorities. Adrian is not employed by the DZ but will always help come up with something fun like leading a tracking dive, a hybrid or whatever. It is always a bonus for him when there is someone doing it for the first time. BEER!

Noah: Another fun jumper. I mention him because he is always up to jump! If you are new to the DZ and meet Noah it will most likely be because he said to you “What are you doing this jump?…..Cool I’m in” This attitude is popular at this DZ. This is why I don’t understand the post about the cliques.

OK all my new friends at SSC. I am raising my beer to toast all of you ( - this is me making eye contact while we toast… Hummm that really kinda looks like me after margarita Sunday at the bunkhouse) Thanks for a great time and thanks for making me feel instantly at home upon my arrival and throughout my stay. I will see you all soon. I have to get down one more time before Uncle Sammy sends me to play in the sand for awhile. Blue Skies, TJ

Skydive Space Centre is the drop zone I did my first jump - a tandem. All the people were friendly and fun. Knowing nothing at the time we picked them for our activity because they went the highest. It was the right decision for several reasons, I thoroughly enjoyed the jump, which led me to doing my AFF, at the Skydive Space Centre, which was fantastic fun, and value, even coming all the way from the UK, and I have been back now on several occasions over the past few years, only to receive the same fantastic warm friendly people. I always come back from there having learnt something, so not only having a fun time, but a useful one too. They have of course now got the King Air plane there too, which in a word is unbelievable, no more waiting 20 mins to get to 13000ft, 6 mins to 15000ft, YES, you heard right only 6 mins, no other word to describe it than unbelievable.

I would and do recommend anyone from both the USA, and where I am from the UK to use these people, if you want to try a Tandem, or just want to fly, you will never meet a more fun and friendly group of people genuine people. they are my friends for life!

We were a group of seven freeflyers from Norway who spent about 11 days at Skydive Spacecenter. Our freeflyteam Skywalkers was there for training and we can't recommend it enough! It was super nice! We could jump as much as we wanted, the plane flew to 15000 in 6-7 minutes! The sky and the scenery is very nice the landing area huge and I deffently like the small golfcars coming to pick you up! :-) Super nice, we are coming back!