CSC - Chicagoland Skydiving Center

I learned at SDC and later started jumping at skydive chicagoland.

My firs jump was at the old hinkley dropzone now called skydive Chicagoland.

The Vibe is great, the place is new, clean, and state of the art.

Safety is the best in the area and an Otter to boot.

Go there, You'll love it.

B

I jumped today with Eric at CSC and it was my first tandem jump and it was the best. Eric made me feel relaxed and made sure that I was comfortable with the harness and explained all the safety procedures as he locked me in. He made sure I had the proper form when jumping and in the air and we had a great time. Plus he is hot!!! :) I would suggest CSC to anyone who is looking to skydive-it was the best time of my life!!!!!

When I arrived at CSC, I was welcomed by the friendly staff and a slew of usual jumpers. The atmosphere was upbeat and I was fully confident in my instructor. Can't wait to jump again!

This was my first tandem jump EVER. I felt at ease with the CSC. I HIGHLY recommend!

I went for my first tandem dive on Friday, May 19. Actually it was my first plane ride ever and I jumped out of the thing! That's crazy! So, I've officially never landed in a plane. CSC was very professional and all of the people there were awesome. Very entertaining! Thanks a lot for making it such a memorable experience that I'll never forget!

It had been 17 years since my last tandem jump and was chomping at the bit to do it again! I signed my son up for a glider ride with Windy City Soaring next door, and Lisa at CSC sold me on my next tandem jump!! These people are professionals, focus on safety, thorough on instructions and never forget the most important element,to have a blast!!!! My instructor Eddy was professional, talented and entertainment! Making for a very memorable experiance. Doug did an awesome job videotaping my jump and capturing the real thrill in this great sport. I highly recommend having your adventure taped! I watched it so many times last night that I now have to call and schedule my next jump so I have something new to watch. I will always have my jumps taped in the future! Thank you CSC and staff for making my 4th tandem my best ever!!! Holly

I ordered my USPA SIM, read countless entries on DROPZONE.COM, flew to Florida twice to learn to fly in the tunnel and studied for hours this past winter. Why? Because I wanted to learn and it seemed that it was up to me to teach myself. I was determined to learn regardless of the lack of instruction that I received from other DZ instructors, who didn’t have the time to debrief me after my jumps(due to they had to get up on the next jump run) or due to a lack of desire to teach me much more then up, down, go. So, if no one else was going too, I would put together my own plan that would get me the kind of education that I desired. It all paid off for sure. However, that can not take the place of having knowledgeable experienced instructors, who want to help you learn and grow in something they really love to do too.
After my first instructor was killed in a plane crash and the DZ closed to AFF students, I was left DZ-less, instructor-less and homeless. I contacted a couple of places and made a few jumps but I felt like I was apart from the DZ rather then a part of the DZ. In speaking with Doug via email for the last couple of months, I decided to go out and see if what he was telling me about the CSC instructors, caring about the education of their students, was the truth. Though I’ve only been a member of CSC for a short time, from opening day I felt that sense of belonging that I was looking for. I also felt the sense that these people wanted to educate, share their airspace and have much fun doing it. Other places that I’ve been too I felt like I had to earn a smile by being a cash cow and when weather didn't permit me to jump I felt like an unwanted, burdening woofo that took up their space. Regardless of how long I stay in this sport, I know I am welcome at CSC and best of all… I can now tell people I have a home DZ and I believe that I can ask these instructors anything and not feel ashamed that I don’t know.
For anyone new that is just starting to skydive, or even have an interest in doing one jump, I suggest that you shop around for a DZ that makes you feel this way. Just go hang out for the day and see how other people are treated… then come here to CSC. You will see and feel a difference and welcome home!

I visited CSC July 2005, to do my tandem rating. The staff was friendly and professional. The Dropzone was well laid out with most anything a jumper would require. The snack bar had decent food. The staff were out going and friendly, and above all professional. My sport rig needed a repack and was done quickly.
The landing area is quite large, but surrounded by corn...so if your always landing out take a flare gun to get home.
I would highly recommend this dropzone to anyone on vacation. Without the cliques to be found at larger dropzones, CSC made this Canadian feel warm and fuzzy on July 4th weekend...probably the fireworks that did it. I still cherish that moment.

I went to CSC with a groupd of friends and to celebrate my husband's birthday. All the staff at CSC were so friendly and excited that each one of us were there to jump. The made all me feel so pumped up and ready to jump out of a plane 14,000 feet above the earth. I jumped tandem with Eddie who was so fantastic. He made the whole experience so amazing. Doug did my video and it turned out fabulous! I would so recommend the video to everyone! CSC is the only place I will ever jump again because they are so well run and so experienced that it made me feel comfortable the entire time.

Would recommend this place to anyone interested in jumping for the first time! The staff was great (and very comforting to nervous first-timers). We had a couple hours wait to jump after our class, so bring a magazine or two if you get bored easily. Oh, and the bathrooms were nasty, thats the only con I could find. But if thats the worst that happens during my first skydive - fine with me!

I am new to Chicagoland this year and I have to say that the jumpers and staff have gone out of their way to bring me along and encourage me. I owe a great debt of gratitude to several of the instructors, who helped me when I needed it and continue to see to it that I am safe and having fun! I feel comfortable and welcome and have since the first time I walked up to manifest. I like that everyone is friendly and approachable and concerned with safety as a high priority.

I did my first jump two days ago and I'm still on a high! My kids jumped with me and they feel the same way. What an unbelievable rush! The video is priceless and well worth the cost. I've watched it 10 times already! TD, your work is awesome! Thanks to Eddie, my instuctor, you made the whole experience go beyond my expectations. My advice to others: Nothing will ever compare to this so make sure to tell your instructor how wild you want to make the trip. When I go again, I'll want to go more extreme.

I spent the weekend at CSC competing in a 4-way meet. The staff went above and beyond to make us comfortable and welcome us. My team received top-notch coaching free despite the coach having to work tandems. Manifest was efficient and did well -- the T.V. screen showing the load manifest is a nice touch. The only downside I could find was the airport traffic -- there are gliders taking off and landing, and you need to cross the runway after landing. Not a big issue if you're aware, but the traffic made me a bit uneasy. All in all this is a great dropzone, and one I will revisit soon.

If you're thinking of giving skydiving a try this is for sure the place to go. All the people there are very chill yet totally professional. I went for a tandem and got hooked and am just finishing up my liscensing. If you get a chance, camp out for a weekend. Friday night bonfires are tons of fun and everyone is super friendly and inclusive. They make it hard to leave. I can't imagine going anywhere else.

I came there just for 2 days, but met so many great people, had so much fun jumping, hanging out, talking and what not, that it feels like I've always known them. Great experience!

I did my first jump (tandem) at CSC. The staff is very professional and fun. I had my jump videotaped and the videographer did an excellent job.

Were extremely group of ppl there....highly enthusiastic and made a lasting impression....not just for the jump, but otherwise. They made things so much more enjoyable. The jump was amazing and they took care of things. also one can view the skyline of Chicago in a jump from here....isn't that exciting? I would always love to go back here for my next jump.....we were there....all the way from Duluth,MN and we received an unexpected group discount because we were a group of 6. Anyways they are the BEST.....and by the way the video/pics we took with them were amazing, and each time we watch the video/pics....we are actually reliving all those moments and feel the adrenalise rush again. Way to go guys....keep it up.

I wish I could say I was a regular but any chance I get to jump I always head to Chicagoland Skydive. The staff are probably the most down to earth people, which really comes in handy when you're a little freaked out to jump out of a perfectly good plane. Theres nothing BAD I can say about the facility or the safety of those wanting to take the plunge. Very well trained staff and they train you just as well before you jump. If you wanna jump.....The only time is now ~ NO REGRETS !!!

I really have nothing negative to say about the dropzone. However some of your longtime customers tend to alienate newbies by their arrogance and looking down on solos. I for one will jump with anyone who asks but there are times,(alot) when I jump byself to reflect and clear my head of life's bull. So please all you four-ways and freefallers and RW's and CRW's. Give us solos our moment of peace.

I did my first tandem there and now I am an AFF student. They are some of the friendliest and most helpful people I have ever met. You are always greated with a smile. I am making them my home dropzone and would recommend this dropzone to anyone who wants to learn. Highly recommended by me!!

This is one awesome drop zone. The best I have ever been to. Everything about it was top notch.

Great DZ. People are friendly and very safety conscious. I drive an hour each way to make them my home DZ. I am an AFF student - 13 jumps so far - I could not have had a better experience. The staff and jumpers are very knowledgalbe and helpful.

After spending several days at Chicagoland Skydiving, I just want to say that it was a great experience. I did my first x-country jump there and it was planned perfectly. The people there (jumpers and staff) were very helpful and very nice. Even though I was a visitor, they took time to show me around and everything. The only bad part is there is NOTHING around... no place to eat or anything that is convenient. Overall... it ROCKS !

I went to Chicagoland in September 2002. I traveled with a buddy from Auburn, Alabama to go there. We knew one of the instructors and he invited us up there. I know it is crazy that rednecks from Alabama would travel that far to go skydiving, but we did. Yes I realize there are several places between Alabama and Chicago where we could go, but this was the best. Go there if you can. We camped out there and that was awesome as well. Those guys know how to have fun.

Hey, I just did my first tandem jump, and it was the best mind-blowing experience of my life. The staff and crew at Chicagoland Skydiving are the friendliest bunch of people I have ever met - passionate, and they work extremely well together. I was always greeted by a smile, and they were more than happy to answer all questions and calm all fears. On top of that, they are just hilarious - I really appreciated the humor to break up the tension of my first jump. Highly recommended!