Restrictions


USPA membership Required
AADs Not Required
Hook turns Allowed

What it costs


AFF courses available at 269 USD
Tandem jumps from 99 USD
Jump tickets at 18 USDto 14000ft
Video available at 75 USD

Start Skydiving is one the top five largest and fastest growing drop-zones in the world and the home of the Work Stinks! Boogie. We also create more new skydivers than any other drop-zone in the world through the professional services of JUMP Institute, which staffs over 60+ professional personnel that are all dedicated to providing you with the best training in the world. Visit Start Skydiving's drop-zone located at the Middletown Regional Airport in Middletown, Ohio! Start Skydiving's drop-zone location in Middletown features a 1.15 mile long runway that can support extra-large aircraft for special events, more than 23,000+ sq ft of hangar space, over 600+ acres of obstacle/turbulence-free soft cut sod to land on, free world-class coaching in all disciplines from world-renown professional skydiving team, Team Fastrax, as well as numerous amenities such as our patented online self-manifesting system, indoor padded and carpeted packing areas, paid packing services, clean showers and restrooms, an RV park and campgrounds with a bonfire pit, free Wi-Fi, an ATM, a huge family park right next-door, and over ten restaurants and hotels within less than a half of a mile away. If you have jumped with us before, we appreciate you sharing your experience with us by submitting a review, as your feedback is what allows us to more effectively focus our continual efforts in providing you with excellent service. If you have not jumped with us before, then what are you waiting for?! Come see for yourself why we are the number one rated drop-zone in the world and... START SKYDIVING!

Aircraft


Two Cessna Caravans, a fast-climbing Cessna 206 with a lexan jump door, two Robinson R44 Helicopters, and our very own Hot Air Balloon

Facilities


Where we jump


Middletown Regional Airport
LAT: 39.5308567431747
LNG: -84.39525604248

Contact Us


1711 Run Way, Middletown, Ohio, 45042-2300, United States
(513) 422-5867
Website

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Fruitfly

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Hi All~
I am new to skydiving--haven't even made first jump yet. Decided I wanted to do my AFF at Start, after thinking about it for a mere 20 years. :$
I wanted to spend an hour at Start before officially getting this underway and ended up having an instructor, David Strobel, work with me one:one. He spent over an hour showing me the equipment and explaining how it worked, demonstrating what to do in various scenarios in the sky, going over the training and what it entailed, and sharing his own experiences with skydiving. He was very generous with his time and with information, very professional and welcoming. As it turns out, I have an old shoulder injury that I would need to address before starting AFF, which came to light when we saw that I couldn't get my shoulders to align in the correct body position. Thanks to David, I didn't have to wait until I was in the course to find this out.
He was even nice enough to, literally, "talk me in " to the location when I got really lost on my way there. Now that's customer service! I had the pleasure of also meeting Travis, their pilot, and Gene, the dz manager--both very nice and welcoming guys. I look forward to my return to Start

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fireflyer1988

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I went through my AFF course with Start, and I had some awesome instructors that were clearly passionate about skydiving. They led me through the ups and downs of the learning process, completely explaining questions as well as thouroly briefing and debriefing before and after jumps. After I got my license, I had no problem finding someone to jump with. In all an awesome dropzone, regardless of experience.

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sky58

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Keep your eye on this one. What they've grown to in just three years can only make you wonder where they will be in three more. Great Boogie. Been to many and this one could possibly become the standard.

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Pwlk

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This is actually the only DZ I have ever been to and can't imagine anywhere else being more friendly and up-to-date. The manifest system is fantastic, scan your card to get on a load. The gear rental is affordable and quality. The packers are quick and pack well.

When it is time to go home, I definitely leave a happy customer.

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JCulver

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I had been trying to meet up with an old friend for some time. Due to work conflicts, we were unable to get together on the weekend to jump at my home DZ. Start was the only place open on a Monday afternoon in the Ohio area. So, we made the trip down from CMH.

Upon arrival, we quickly found that it was one of cleanest dropzone we've ever been to. Staff members pointed us to the waivers and manifest. We got signed up and manifested for the next load. I don't own gear, so I had to rent. I thought the rental prices were fair at just $10/jump. The gear was all brand new. A staff member asked what size canopy I wanted and quickly brought me all the gear I would need.

I have heard that this place was kind of cliquie. I didn't see that at all. Everyone we ran into took a minute to introduce themselves, talk skydiving and just BS.

We were given a walk around of the dz, including landing zones, patterns, aircraft policies etc.

The aircraft was the Fastrax Caravan. It was very clean with a nice big door. (I guess everything is big coming from a cessna DZ). It climbs like a bat out of hell too. We were only able to get 1 jump at 10.5k due to approaching weather. But, we will be heading back next week.

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simsmky

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My first skydive couldn't have been better. The Advanced Free Fall (AFF) course was much preferred to a tandem. I was duly and truly prepared before stepping onto and off of the aircraft. I will be going back soon.

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Seebs112

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This place was amazing. I am in Ohio on a 4 month assignment and have been jumping at a DZ much closer to my house. They weren't open on Saturday so I decided to make the 3 hour drive down to start. I am extremely glad I did.
I walked in with 14 jumps and needed to do some coach jumps to get things checked off on my A card. After filling out my forms they had someone orient me with the DZ and the landing area. About 5 minutes later they had me matched up with a coach. Even though my coach also had to do some camera stuff that day we got three jumps in. Everyone there was extremely nice and many people just introduced themselves.
The gear is all less than 3 years old and student gear is Vector 3's with skyhoooks. I had never packed my own canopy so my coach helped me out and I made 2 jumps on my own packs. The plane was in amazing shape and extremely nice. The building was very clean and the whole environment was very professional.
Overall, this was one of the best days skydiving I ever had, it was unquestionably worth the drive and I would recommend this place to anyone remotely near the area.

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draiger

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I started jumping there last summer, when my old DZ lost its plane. I now drive right by my old DZ and drive an extra hour to jump at Start. The Landing area is a sod Farm! It's huge! The packing area is padded and super clean and the people are outstanding. Whatever you’re into, they have people there to jump with you. Thumbs up!

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matthewcline

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I will simply say this, I drive 4 and 1/4 hours to get there several times a month. I pass several other DZ's to do so. I think Startskydiving.com rivals Eloy and Chicago (or soon will) in what they have to offer and seems to be expanding weekly!

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Thumpy

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Start Skydiving is definitely a top-notch business. With its pristine facilities, well-kept, new equipment, world-class staff, and amazing atmosphere, you will be hard pressed to find a better location to enjoy a skydive with your friends, old and new. Everyone is so friendly and professional.

It is a dropzone for all disciplines of all skill levels. There is always someone there looking to jump with you, whatever your discipline may be. Whether it be 4-way with members of Team Fastrax 4-way, or freeflying with our ever-growing number of excellent freefliers, or swooping with Team Fastrax Swoop! members, or CReW with Team Fastrax Demo members, you will always have the ability to learn something new and have an awesome time doing it.

Whether you have yet to get in a plane, or have 10,000 jumps, Start Skydiving is the place for you. The AFF and Tandem Staff is incredible. Staff as a whole is amazingly professional. They are top-of-the-line and always wanting to make your visit a fun, exciting, and memorable one, always offering help, advice, encouragement, warnings, and compassion.

If you are looking to get into the sport, or if you are looking to check out a new DZ with an amazing vibe, or if you are just wanting to hone in on your skill sets or create new ones, START SKYDIVING is the place for you!

Start Skydiving is in the process of completing some of its facility improvements. You should definitely check out this DZ in '09. You will be impressed.

Visit STARTSKYDIVING.COM and START SKYDIVING!!!

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Moonchild

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I would have never thought I would like skydiving this much. My brother came across this place when he learned of my desire to skydive. He looked at many. So did I. I cannot say enough about this place. I have made two tandem jumps thus far, my third will be this weekend and some of my family are going to jump this weekend as well. I don't recommend things if I don't feel very strongly in a positive manner about them. They are wonderful. Go there. You will find out. I want to take AFF classes and won't go anywhere but there. God willing, I will.

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donabney

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Start Skydiving is a great place to jump. The equipment and facilities are clean and modern. They consistently get wheels up early in the morning and there is always a great crew of jumpers around with whom to put jumps together. Everyone is friendly including the jumpers with very high numbers. From the DZO down to the first time students everyone goes out of their way to be friendly and positive.

I would love to see this DZ grow large enough to add some amenities such as places on site to eat and drink.

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grick

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Facilities:
Although the DZ shares a public airport, the facilities are great and the airport facility is very welcoming to the skydivers. The place has a “campus like” layout, with the main hanger, FBO, Rigging Loft, Bunk Rooms, second packing hanger, PRO landing area, and lounge all less than 30 yards from each other. The entire facility is extremely clean and the owner takes great pride in keeping it that way.

All of their equipment is brand new with pristine Vector/PD student gear. The main hanger is always playing upbeat XM radio and boasts flat screens around every corner for debriefing, manifest, and playing video. They have free wireless and two Internet kiosks, in case you didn’t bring your laptop. The main landing area is a little ways away at the other end of the airport, but the 150 acres, dedicated shuttle, and lack of air traffic makes it well worth the short 2 minute ride.

Aircraft:
Start has two dedicated Caravans that are very well kept, comfortable, and always clean. Almost every weekend they offer helicopter jumps and there is the occasional opportunity to hitch a ride on a balloon. They also bring in speciality aircraft for events on occasion. I have yet to land off the DZ and they don’t hesitate on taking up light loads to keep you in the air.

People:
The entire staff and regular jumpers are extremely friendly… even manifest! The owner, John Hart, is always in the air and will jump with anyone. The coaching opportunity is absolutely amazing for the Midwest, especially if you’re into 4-way, swooping, CREW, or getting into Demos. You would have to travel to Florida or the West Coast to get similar coaching. Great Vibes, Great People, Awesome Talent, Amazing DZ! I definitely recommend!!

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flattrack4

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Start Skydiving is just a great DZ. The very professional staff knows how to get their jobs done right, and have fun at the same time, giving both students and experienced jumpers a DZ experience they will remember and want to come back to time after time.

And never fear, RW is alive and well at Start. The National Skydiving League 4-way competitions have been re-invigorated by a combination of Team Fastrax members and experienced local RW jumpers. These people love RW and 4-way, and can't wait to help teams of any skill level improve their performance and have fun.

Need 4-way coaching? Just ask and you'll get it. DZO John Hart and Team Fastrax members are available and ready and willing to help. Whether its figuring out your next 4-way exit, planning your next tunnel camp, or on-going coaching for experienced 4-way competitors who want to learn the latest and greatest 4-way techniques, Start Skydiving accommodates all your 4-way team needs.

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shellyalbers01

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My name is Michelle, and I've been jumping for 12 years - mostly in the mid-western US. I've been jumping at Start Skydiving in Lebanon, OH this year, and I'd like to share a few things I've noticed. This is not your typical drop zone. You've got to see this place to believe it. I think the high level of professionalism, coaching, all new gear, excellent facilities, and positive atmosphere are unmatched for experienced jumpers and students.

4 way: Start Skydiving is the home DZ of John Hart and Niklas Hemlin (2nd place 4 way open 2007, and 2nd place 4 way open in 2006). I've done two 4 way camps with John and Niklas this year at Start, and my opinion is that they are excellent coaches - able to help teams and individuals dramatically increase their performance in a fast and effective manner that is truly an enjoyable and memorable experience. It is easy to see that 4 way coaching isn't just a "job" with John and Niklas. It's their passion. John and Niklas are really passionate about helping skydivers grow within our sport. I also have to add that they are really nice guys.

John and Niklas have so much to offer to 4 way t teams at any level. I recommend that you check out the website, and give them a call. I think you'll be glad that you did. Website: www.startskydiving.com.
Ph: 513-934-3483

Blue skies, and safe landings,
Michelle Albers

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Croc

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A friend and I travelled from Indianapolis to attend a Crew camp that we discovered was re-scheduled for July. My hotel room was paid in advance and non-refundable and the weather looked good so we went anyway, expecting to just spend a couple of days doing Crew by ourselves. Nothing of the sort happened. John Hart, the DZO, and Travis, one of his instructors, spent the entire day jumping with us, giving us private Crew lessons, essentially for free! My friend, an experienced Crew Dog, learned some new tricks, and I, a pup, got 14 docks in four jumps! Awesome!
I've heard many good things about Start Skydiving, and many reasons why it is such a great place. I think it's outstanding because of John Hart.
We'll be back! If you live within a day's drive of Cincinnati you gotta check out this DZ!

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coldsteel

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John Hart directs an extraordinarily well run DZ with a truly outstanding AFF program for OSU and other college students. Kip's AFF ground school instruction at the OSU campus was interesting, educational, and entertaining. On jump day I was impressed with the attention to safety exhibited by the staff, the high quality equipment & turbine aircraft, and the superb instruction/coaching abilities of the freefall instructors. After my son's successful freefall, I was so pleased with the Start Sky Diving operation that I decided to enrol my Miami U. freshman daughter in one of Kip's AFF courses....and I plan to jump with both of them too!

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Icon134

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I started jumping at this dropzone almost a year ago when I was asked to help out with an Ohio State University skydiving class. I was immediately impressed with the professionalism of the staff and owner as well as the opportunity to learn.

They have a spotless and well taken care of Cessna 208 Caravan with XM radio. They have a bunk house with 6 beds and have a site near the dz with an RV park, pleanty of camping and showers.

The main landing area is a huge field of beautiful sod and although it is at the opposite end of the runway they have a nice pickup truck waiting with a tailgate step, seats and speakers (so you can listen to music on the drive back).

Overall a great dz to visit or call home.

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jumplaw

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This DZ, while it may have good people, will scam you out of your money. Be careful, or better yet, jump somewhere else! They will tell you one thing about how they operate their jump accounts then do something different without your consent.

I bought 10 tickets. No big deal. Later I learned they decided that I had bought "special" discount tickets (which I didn't ask for). The "special tickets" essentially expired and they kept my money.

If you must jump here don't put money on an account. Only buy one jump at a time or you'll regret it. Better yet, go somewhere else.

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cowsuit

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Very good RW flying there. Could use some more FF. New Caravan with dash 28 engine.
BIGASS landing area, nice swooping area also. Great view. Awesome vibe.
And something many DZs lack - GOOD MANAGEMENT !!!

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peregrinerose

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My husband and I spent 2 days jumping at Start Skydiving over Labor day. When we first arrived, people were introducing themselves as soon as we walked up to manifest and inviting us to jump with them. The intro to the DZ was a little sketchy, we had to ask to be shown a picture of the main landing area (which isn't visible from the current main hangar), but they did make time to answer our questions.

We both watched how instructors were interacting with students, and it was a very universally professional atmosphere for both AFF and tandem operations as far as we saw over the weekend.

There was a helicopter pilot who gives lessons at the airport and is accessable, from what we could tell, pretty much full time for helicopter jumps. He was a delightful person and made the chopper jump we did that much more fun.

Our second jump there was an 18 way to set a new DZ record.... these people had never met us, but still invited us on the load. They even flew in an otter from Xenia since there were so many people interested in an RW bigway that afternoon.

The only drawback, as far as we saw was that the 'fun' jumpers there are very focused on 4 way and competition type mindset. Lots of complaining when 'fun' jumps didn't go 100% perfectly (even 12 points on a 4 way and a 5 pt 8 way wasn't good enough for them) there was a lot of complaining about it. That took a little of the fun out of it, though we did both learn a lot from the other jumpers... we are both more fond of no stress skydives.

Greg, the master rigger, is one of the most interesting people and incredible riggers we know, so we can't say enough great things about him.

We stayed in the camping area... there's plenty of room there. The showers were clean. There's only one porta john there which might be a problem on a really busy weekend, but wasn't an issue when we were there.

Overall, we had a great time, learned a lot, enjoyed all the new people that we met, and will definitely be back!!!!!! I only wish it was closer to home than an 8 hour drive... :-)

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hovanects

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This is a dz that feels like it has been in business for years, although it only opened this season. World class coaching from Team Fastrax and even better people. The plane is ALWAYS flying on the weekdays and usually back to back on the weekends.

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Miami

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Was passing through Ohio with work and only got to spend one day at Start Skydiving, now I wish I could stay longer! Very professional dropzone and great people...I look forward to visiting again!

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davidclark

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I'm impressed on how such a young DZ has bread a team that works so well. Up jumpers and staff were always trying their best to help, teach and make my stay as enjoyable as possible.

They began operations just a few months ago, but they have managed to get a healthy group of regulars. If for some reason you find yourself going for a solo jump, think again, as soon as your name is on the manifest you are sure to have someone to jump with. If you are there, you are part of the family.

I went there to get my coach rating. I expected to go through the IRM and do my evaluations and stop at that. When the course was over, I had been taught much more than just the necessary and felt absolutely confident I had all the skills and knowledge required. Their goal is to make you the best and not just getting certified.

My only CON is the lack of a place to get food right there, but Lebanon is just a short drive away.

This “small” DZ is rapidly becoming “the” place.

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jumppilot01

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As soon as I showed up, the staff made me feel at home. The facilities are nice and the place is constantly growing.

Team Fastrax is located there and they are very helpful with questions, even offering to make a jump or two with someone who is learning new skills.

I recommend this place to anyone and will definately be back.

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