West Tennessee Skydiving

Mike and his crew are a great bunch. Took my son there for a tandem. Ryan shot our outside video and did a FANTASTIC job! Mark was his TI and couldn't have asked for a more friendly and professional guy. I got a few fun jumps including Mike's "inverted bi-plane" jump. It was a blast. They have a great hangar facility to pack and even crash in--just make sure to bring your own air mattress (sorry Kyle and Cory :D ). Hope to make it back again.

Have you ever veered off the beaten path and stumbled upon something spectacular? Well that is exactly what happened to my wife and I at our recent visit to West Tennessee Skydiving. Not only was the facility and King Air great, but the people and atmosphere are out of this world! The West Tennessee Skydiving family immediately embraced us with open arms and made us feel like part of the family. The staff did a superb job of managing fun jumpers, students and tandems. There was literally no one left out of the fun!! I strongly recommend West Tennessee Skydiving to anyone who wants to experience what skydiving is all about!!

A big thank you to Mike Mullins and everyone we met for such a great experience, we will see you all again soon!

This is the only drop zone I have ever been to but I must say I have not been disappointed. The staff is very helpful and friendly. I did my tandem here and I now have 27 jumps with an A license. The plane is very fast. It only takes seven minutes to get to an altitude of 14,500 feet. We also have a swimming pool and vending machines. The landing area is very clear and open as it is farmland and the grass is cut. Can't say enough good things about this place. I love it.

Why should you go?
1. Friendly staff and jumpers
2. Big DZ efficiency...Home DZ feel
3. Climate controlled packing area!
4. Lots of outs!
5. The plane!
6. The pilot.
7. Mattress pump under the mock-up!

Thank you Mike staff for a wonderful experience, looking forward to visiting again!

Went to West Tennessee Skydiving for the first time for the Halloween 2014 Jump Boogie. The staff was very friendly and I was working towards my A license and they were willing to help me with whatever I needed help with! The king air was an amazing aircraft at 14,500 ft (coming from a Cessna at 10,000 ft haha). Also the scenery is beautiful in Tennessee when skydiving! I plan on coming back to jump!

My friends and I drove 12hrs to jump the famous Mike Mullins Super King Air!... What a great ride to alt & couldn't ask for anything more! 7 minutes from throttle to exit and that is not a joke! Great Hiller Helo for some quick helo hopNpop action. Bathrooms were clean as well as the showers and the POOL, yes, they have a pool! What a great vibe this place has, no SKYGOD attitudes here what so ever. Very professional DZ with a home town feel... Do I think that a 12hr drive is to far to come here again, hell no! Will do it many more times as this place is top knotch class act and 2nd to NONE! Smiles all the way home thinking of how soon we can return with more friends!

I did my tandem there. The tandem masters are awesome and camera me do great videos. I'm now level 4 AFF student with great instructors. A/C plane and pack room. I would recommend them to anybody in the Memphis tn area to west tennessee skydiving. The aircraft is a king air made into a super king air. It will put 15 jumpers at 14,500 in 8 mins.

I made my first jump with them this weekend. Everything was great. The instructors made sure we understood everything and my tandem instructor made me feel very comfortable.

I would highly recommend anyone thinking about jumping to go see them. I'm already talking with more of my friends that want to go jump. I will definitely be back for another time, hopefully sooner than later.

I met Mike 20 years ago at Gold Coast skydivers in Moss Point Mississippi. He would bring the king air down for Boogies several times a year. I got married (met my wife skydiving), had four kids and fell out of skydiving. We promised our oldest daughter that we would take her skydiving when she turned sixteen, assuming static line was still in vogue. After several hours of calling around and searching Google, I found Mike was the only person willing and able to take a sixteen year old on a tandem. Scheduling the jump was fast and easy. We drove from Central Florida (13 hours) on Friday July 5th and spent the day skydiving on Saturday. I had not made a jump in 13 years, but I got my reserve repacked before we left Florida and hoped for the best. Mike and his staff were wonderful; I made one recurrence jump with a coach and made a cameo appearance in my daughter’s tandem video the following jump. They even sang happy birthday to her in the plane. It could not have been better. I ended up making six or seven jumps and we had a blast the whole day. From Danny the rigger (who helped me with a few last minute gear issues), John the tandem instructor, to Will the videographer and every one in between, the staff was down to earth, friendly and professional. It was like coming home again. It was priceless. Thanks Mike!!! Al D-18876

Finally getting our chance to fulfill this one on the bucket list, my wife and I went to WTS for our tandem jump. AWESOME! I can't wait to go back for AFF.

Everyone on the staff AND all those seasoned jumpers there made us feel right at home.

I only wish I'd used the two years and 20 grand I spent learning to fly SKYDIVING INSTEAD!!!

These folks come HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Catdaddy

I went June 8th for my first ever jump. Everyone here was really nice. The whole day was a fascinating experience. My instructor was Bud Cole. He was amazing. He made me feel so comfortable and safe. Will did the video, and he did an awesome job as well. These guys got me hooked.
I can't wait to start AFF, but it's gonna be a while, 'cause I just found out I'm expecting a mini-me. My smiling face will definitely be seen at WTS again, though.

I'm a returning jumper after a 28 year layoff. Rachel set me up with a tandem jump and AFF course. She kept me updated through emails with course info, directions and tips. I attended AFF ground school on Friday night which was professionally done in a well equipped classroom. First AFF jump was done early Saturday and I was impressed by the level of attention to safety and instruction.

The DZ was very busy with military, tandem, student and fun jumpers but Mike and his staff kept everything moving smoothly and with a fun atmosphere. The local jumpers are friendly with positive attitudes and encouragement. The indoor facility is impressive with wall to wall carpet and A/C. I counted 18 rigs being packed at one time with plenty of floor space available. From there its a very short walk to the King Air and within a few minutes you're at 14,500. The landing area is expansive and well groomed and it's a short walk back to the indoor facility.

I can't say enough about the professional attitude of Mike and his staff as well as the "fun" vibe of the entire DZ. I would highly recommend this DZ for tandem, student training or fun jumping. It is away from "built up areas" so the amenities "off" the DZ are few but I believe Mike designed the facility to have minimal impact from ATC as well as local community concerns. There are hotels and dining within 15-20 mins of the DZ and Memphis is just a short drive away.

Mike Mullins and his staff are exceptional. We went there this weekend and made several jumps. the DZ was slow because of the Thanksgiving holiday but we still got all the jumps we wanted.
If you haven't experienced a 7 minute ride to altitude, this is the place. The King Air is comfortable and fast! Mike is a great pilot.
My girlfriend doesn't have her A license yet, but was very comfortable jumping here. She rented gear and it is all new and fit her well. She loved jumping there and wants to go back.
My son had not jumped in 7 years and got his recurrency here this weekend too. All of us were impressed with the DZ.
I can not say enough good things about the place.
Blue Skies!

My husband and I have jumped twice so far, are planning another 2 before the end of the year! We hope to be taking the AFF classes to get our liscences next year! We love the professionalism and friendliness of the crew, and the patience they have for all of the first timers! Although it is quite a drive for us, we are actually glad for that, so we wont go bankrupt going too often!

The instructors were experienced, friendly, fun, patient, and they make sure you are clear on what is going on and comfortable. The atmosphere was fun and homey. I will be going back and getting my certifications there. These guys are masters of their craft and you'll see that once you get there.

I spent the past weekend at West Tennesee Skydiving. I got 8 jumps in without rushing. Loads were consistent and fast. I finished out my B license while there. There were a lot of tandems but they were mixed with the fun jumpers where essentially no one was waiting. This is truly a drop zone that is dedicated to the skydiving sport. The owner, Mike Mullins, really takes care of the jumpers and tandems. I spent the weekend in a campsite with the family. They watched from the pool while I jumped. Everybody was happy.

This place is fantastic. I would say that the 2nd best day of my life was spent at this place. The only thing that topped this was the birth of my son. I recommend that people bring snacks and drinks with them. Although WTS has a vending machine and drink machine, the selection is limited, so bring your own. Other than that, show up, be patient, and have the time of your life!

West Tennessee helps celebrate Lucy Gale Sanders life, my daughter
September 11, has a very deep impact on most of our lives. Especially mine since I am a pilot for a major airline. However, in 2011 that day changed forever as my daughter Lucy Gale Sanders, 16, was tragically killed in a car accident. After the initial shock wore off and just being able to control the unbelievable pain and grief, I strived to start finding ways to celebrate Lucy’s life. Then it hit me as she always wanted to skydive. We had plans on her 18th birthday to do just that. I had to make sure Lucy would be able to keep her date in the sky.
This is when Mike Mullins and West Tennessee skydiving came into play. I had jumped out of Mike’s famed King air before and had only seen Mike, pilot the plane. I had never talked with him before but I knew he was a major airline pilot as well and thought he could help me out. I have to attest he is a huge asset to USPA and all of its members. Mike helped me at one of my lowest points in my life without ever meeting me. I sent Mike an email about two weeks after Lucy’s death and asked if he could accommodate me for a memorial ash dive for Lucy and to let my 14 year old son, Patrick, to make his first skydive. Mike immediately responded to my email and within two days had drawn up a waiver request to the USPA allowing a special circumstance to allow Patrick to jump. All of this from a man I had never met, going out of his way to help of fellow USPA member.
About three weeks later, as I was getting of the employee bus at George Bush Intercontinental airport for my first trip back from the accident, my phone rings. The phone was in my pocket and I couldn’t answer it because I was holding all my stuff carrying it off the bus. As I set up the brain bag, computer bag and luggage and started hauling it into the airport, I pulled the phone out of my pocket and there was the voicemail that for the first time in a long, long time started to help with the pain and would celebrate Lucy’s life that will keep her alive in my heart forever. The timing was rather ironic as I was already filled with emotions going back to work for the first time and the voicemail helped calm my nerves. On the voicemail, it was Mike telling me that the waiver request from the USPA had been approved and we were good to go.
I called Mike back, he told me that time was our biggest factor due to it being the middle of October and the weather was not going to be great if we waited too long. He told me about the DZ’s Halloween boogie, which happened to be the 20th anniversary. This meant I had two weeks to get my plans together and pray for good weather that weekend. (Lucy took care of that) I had planned on doing a tandem jump because I was not current and felt that it would be easier, but Mike would have none of that. He told me to get back in the air, get current and make the jump myself. If it wasn’t for Mike’s prodding and encouragement I would have never done it. After hanging up and looking around at all the people in the airport milling about, I stood with amazement as I was going to give my daughter a gift, another date with my little girl that would bring together many people and provide some much needed relief to my family.
Soon thereafter, I called my buddy Marcelo and told him what was up. After the initial shock wore off Marcelo went all out to get me going. He offered to meet with me when I returned from my 4 day trip and he would get my rig up to date. Coincidentally, he also started making diving urns for just this occasion. Unbelievable, he was gracious and humbled to help and in the process found a new reason to celebrate life when his was going through some tough times. The next week I picked up my current rig and the most precious urn ever assembled. Marcelo pulled out all the stops in constructing the beautiful blue box, Lucy’s favorite color, with bright yellow letters stitched on the front spelling out L U C Y on the front. It was amazing and as the tears filled my eyes, I knew that this urn would carry my daughter to the heavens and bring me still closer to my little angel. Now, all I needed was for the weather to cooperate and get to West Tennessee skydiving.
It was Monday, October 23rd, and I was looking at the forecast, questionable for Friday but great promise on Saturday and Sunday. The plan was for me to fly out on Friday, meet up with my mom and sister who were flying in from Philadelphia. My wife, Jackie, her sister, AJ (Lucy’s Godmother), and Patrick would drive up and meet me later that night. My dad and his wife were driving in from Washington, D.C. and would meet us on Saturday. I would do my currency jumps on Friday and Patrick would make his jump on Saturday along with the star of the show, Lucy, making her first jump as well. All of this came about so fast it was amazing that the puzzle was coming together in such amazing detail.
As we drove to the DZ the weather was not great. Cloud cover as far as the eye could see, but it appeared to be improving. After two hours at the DZ watching Mike pilot his new helicopter, taking jumpers for hop and pops, I was wondering if this was going to work. Then the clouds faded away and the sky broke out in the most beautiful blue you could ever imagine. I made two jumps that day and felt very good about Saturday. Later that night, leaving the drop zone, I had seen another jumper preparing to leave, the same jumper I had seen earlier in the day checking into the beautiful Super 8 we were staying. I stopped the car and went over to this stranger and asked him if he would like to join my family for dinner. He obliged, his name is , Mike Sloan and it just shows how wonderful this sport is and how close we all are, even if were strangers. Had a great dinner, finding out Mike was a army veteran, a helicopter pilot and a relatively new jumper and a new friend.
We had custom shirts made for this special occasion. I told Jackie, not to put the date on it because we couldn’t guarantee the weather and what if the mission got scrubbed. So when we picked up the rush order, there under the artwork, on the left side of the shirt it read on top, Lucy’s skydiving day and on the bottom, October 29, 2011. Jackie assured me that Lucy would not spoil her big day and sure enough she was correct.
Saturday was magnificent; there was nothing but blue, blue, BLUE forever. Lucy’s favorite color was in grand splendor and warmly surrounded my family and helped warm the chill of the air. We made our way to the DZ where I met up with my dad and his wife. We promptly went in and got some weird looks from all the people there. The shirts were a bright green and we all had them on, we looked like a family of aliens bunched together. Met up with Mike and he just took over.
Patrick was briefed, trained and suited up for his first skydive. Patrick’s tandem instructor, Mike’s son, Joel Mullins # D - 26743, was great. After all, this was my 14 year old, who had showed a little nervousness the week before as this plan was coming to fruition, but on this day, and Patrick showed all the confidence in the world. He was his own little star, dedicating the jump to Lucy on his video. Some of the whuffo’s looking at this kid I could hear saying that if this little kid can do it I can do it. Patrick was harnessed up and ready to go to the plane.
Once we knew what load we would be on, my family went into a briefing room and prepared Lucy’s urn with a huge layer of glitter, she loved glitter and there was no shortage of it. Then we carefully placed Lucy’s ashes in and filled the rest with more glitter. The urn was heavy and I was nervous that I would screw up the exit and that would be that, nothing it all lost. Step in Charlie Mullins # D-18491, Mike’s other son, and he would jump out with me to make sure I stayed stable. We were joined by videographer, JB Bartholomew, # D – 30498 and off to the plane we went.
Patrick and Joel got on first with some other tandems and soon Charlie, JB and me made our way onto the plane and strapped in. Of course, anyone that has even been on Mullin’s Super King Air knows you better be ready to jump before takeoff because you are at altitude faster than you ever have before. About 7 minutes is all it takes and the door was opening? The time had come to fulfill one of my daughter’s wishes, Lucy’s ashes would be set free to roam the Earth she so loved. The exit went very smooth as Charlie helped stabilized me at 8000 feet I pulled open the urn and this massive explosion took place. I was told it was very visible from the ground and the cloud lasted about a minute. I noticed Lucy as well; after I opened I looked up and saw my daughter was floating away. Had to catch my breath, regain my composure and turned towards the DZ and executed one of the softest landings I ever had right next to my family. Turned around and watched Patrick come in, mission accomplished.
I am so grateful to the kindness and compassion of Mike Mullins. Providing his time, family and resources is a testament to what a great human being he is and how much he helped my family. Mike also provided Lucy’s Godmother, Jackie’s sister, AJ, to do a tandem. His son’s, Joel and Charlie, were great and will help lead WTS well into the future. Even Mike’s youngest son, Matthew befriended Patrick and now Patrick hopes to return to WTS when he is older and start skydiving by “himself. “ All of this was accomplished at the DZ while they were running a huge boogie and never missed a beat. The Manifest Babe’s Kelly Mullins and Amanda Bartholomew were awesome all day and made us feel so welcome. They even gave me a certificate for Lucy’s first skydive. Jennifer Helffrich, # C – 35919 helped with the registration and supplied us with boogie t-shirts.

Written by Steve Sanders, # D - 22385


You can view Lucy's and Patrick's jump at youtube.com. Search - Lucy Gale Sanders Skydive.

West TN Skydiving's Mike Mullins and crew provided a great experience for me and two friends participating in our first jumps ever. The training was well done, staff professional, and facilities clean and comfortable. The atmosphere was welcoming and comforting to us that were new to the experience. I highly recommend this facility.

Jon was fabulous. I felt like I was in excellent hands, especially after being terrified to jump.

This was my first time skydiving and I must say "THANK YOU" for a wonderful memory! I loved John (my instructor). He made me feel comfortable and at ease. I am so excited I can't wait to go back for the class! YES!

WTS was an experience of a life time for me. Not only is the crew at WTS friendly and courteous but they also show such a love and passion for what they do. Thank you WTS for helping me to fulfill my life long goal and dream of skydiving. You have made my experience with WTS most memorable. I'm hooked now. My next step is free falling with of course none other than WTS. If you want to see the world then WTS is the way to go.

The staff at West Tennessee Skydiving made our first jump an awesome experience!! We had so much FUN that we wanna do it again!!

West Tennessee Skydiving is awesome! They made my first jump an awesome experience and I hope to start my AFF with them soon. My instructor (Bud) was so helpful and I love my video and photos that Will took. The facility is really nice, as is the plane. The bathrooms are nice enough - I imagine they are better than most dropzones. Long story short, I can't wait to go back!

Nice air condition packing & training area. Planes are kept in hanger even after each lift. You load in the hanger out of the heat. Large landing area. Plenty of outs if you don't make it back. Showers on site. Camping permitted on site. Friendly staff and experienced jumpers.