Skydive Spaceland Houston

My hat's off to Skydive Spaceland. I'm new to this DZ but seemed welcomed by everyone I met. A number of people were very proactive about including me on RW jumps. After about a month there, I've only done two solo jumps and they were both hop-and-pops (demoing new canopies).

When I wanted some specialized coaching I was able to get it. Spaceland appears to have a good student program and more experienced coaches and teams. No shortage of help if you ask for it. I was especially pleased to see some fairly experienced skydivers pulling lesser experienced skydivers onto loads.

Instructors are very nice and knowledgeable, friendly staff and fellow jumpers, nice clean every thing!!! Equipment is nice and clean, owners are extremely nice. I highly recommend this fantastic drop zone.
RER

Nice planes, Ac pack room, really nice staff, no big dead time. Willing to do new things. Thanks for all. Alex

This is the first DZ that I have been to and jumped. It ROCKS needless to say. Staff is great, instructors are experienced, good vibe in the plane and a kick ass ride all the way down. I am a skydiver for life because Skydive Spaceland gave me a warm welcome and helping hand.

After starting AFF at Skydive Houston years ago then finishing it a couple of years later at Skydive USA (now defunct), I visited Spaceland and made it home! Nice otters, great facilities with a restaraunt, huge air conditioned packing rooms and like 120 acres of mostly wide open landing area. A nice pond to swoop or swim along with a regulation swoop ditch. Bunk rooms cheap if you want to stay there. Hot showers in nice bathrooms seperate for men and women. Well organised manifest room with multiple employees to handle the money, tandems and the loads. The location is a short drive(1/2 hr) south of Houston. In case of the rare off landing there are plenty of outs surounding the dz. The only downside to the area are the mosquitos(blood sucking vampire sized ;-0) that can take over at night! So come prepaired for good times,plenty of good quality jumps from awsome aircraft, sweet swoops and nice landings just remember to bring the DEEP WOODS OFF!

I did 3 tandoms Oct 2000. It looks like they have gotten even better now!

From the moment we stepped onto the DZ Steve Boyd and his staff made us feel welcome. We were immediately embraced by the jumpers and asked to join jumps despite the lack of experience some in our group had. The groups we've jumped with have made the low timers feel welcome and provided a learning atmosphere for the inexperienced as well as the experienced. It's an awesome DZ with a lot of terrific people.

A few friends and I always wanted to skydive, so we decided to finally do it on 9/4/04 and after researching various places, we chose Spaceland.

As we walked in we were greated by a staff member, Mykel, who was very friendly and helpfull to us with explaining everything and getting us going in the right direction.

Matt took up upstairs and went over the satefy instructions; While doing so, he told us the 'minimums' for a successfull skydive, as well as the proper things we should try to be thinking about as if we weren't going tandem, as these skills would help us if we choose to continue on to their student program.

My TI, Brian, was extermely helpfull. From helping me get into my suit, going through safety checks on the ground, talking about safety and 'the plan' again just before boarding the plane, and talking about 'the plan again' in the plane (reviewing) as well talking (telling me) every inspection point he's verifying and checking as he's hookoing my harness up to his.

After we were under canopy, again, he told me how he was checking the canopy, why it was important, then proceeded to take me on a nice ride down to the ground.

The overall experience was exciting and somewhat humerous at times but at no time were safety issues joked about nor did they take the 'sit back and let me do my job' approach. They explained everyting, which to me is _very_ important. I was so happy with my experience, my friends and I went back 2 days later for our 2nd tandem and now we plan on enrolling in their student training program.

Was there 2 different times to spectate for on site events. No fellow fun jumpers or any staff were out going, even to say hello. I know outsiders have to be out going but come on. Just got looks like, yea right, who are you? Nice hanger tho, gotta give them that, great planes. Loading area for planes is wierd, right in the mud when its wet or has rained. Seemed overall more attitude and concerned about the $$ from tandems than other texas sites ive been at.

A great place to jump. 30 minutes from Houston, visitor friendly, ideal layout, good mix of RW and freefly jumpers.

This is a nice dropzone with very friendly staff. The jumpers there are equally as friendly and if you are going this way you should stop and jump here. I was sharping my downwind skills and landed a good 1/4 mile away from the target area. Whoops, To my surprise a staff member on a four wheller was on the way to pick me up. Thanks alot! Of course, you have to remember my number of jumps and this was the first time I jumped there. Everyone was still very friendly and not eager to crictize my landing that was downwind and far away. I have to stop and give credit to Flightconcepts canopies that are very forgiving and have great flairs even downwind on a slighty windy day. I thought I was flying a 99. I came down really fast. It was actually alot of fun and safe considering the size of this dropzone landing area. I bought beer and all was forgiven and plan to jump there again when I get back that way.

During a break in the weather, I was able to get in a couple of jumps. The people were very friendly. Landing area is HUGE!! Outs on 3 of the 4 sides. Only difficulty to begin with is finding the DZ due to the grass runway.

I'm not sure what makes a perfect drop zone, and Spaceland makes me question if there is such a thing.

It's got all the amenities. The staff is consistent, efficient, and helpful. In fact, everyone is friendly and helpful; if I want to find someone to jump with, they'll point me in the right direction. Air conditioned packing is, of course, awesome. Good deli upstairs. Several video stations, all pretty much open for anyone's use. Separate student area for instruction and jump review, but the students are mixed in with the experienced jumpers in the main hanger -- this is good, because it exposes them to the friendliness.

And there are hugs to be had...

So what's missing? Dunno. Maybe it's just me not being regular enough, so I don't feel enough a part of it. But I did trust them with my father when he wanted to make a first jump. And he had a fabulous time.

Wendy W.

This Dz rocks great people.
nothing bad to say about this DZ!!!!!!!!!!!

Spaceland recently hosted the 2002 Texas State Record attempt and handled the extra jumper load and 5 aircraft very successfully. The new Blue Skies deli, the skydiver lounge, and the bunkroom are now open. With a big screen TV for videos, two large A/C carpeted packing areas, a marked swoop lane in the pond and a separate swoop ditch plus a 130-acre landing area, there is something for every skydiver. Great DZ, great people!

I started on the spur of the moment skydiving about a month ago. I completed 2 tandem jumps the first day, then started my AFP program the next day. Less than a month later I now have my A license.
Steve Boyd owner/operator has created a winning team. Elio was my tandem master and AFP instructor and I would recommend him to anyone. (Note to Elio if you read this Whats up!!! and take care of my Mom) In fact my mother who is now at the age of 54 did two tandem jumps on mothers day and now started the ball rolling on getting her license. My brother-in-law and sister are also currently in the AFP program. But enough about my family and more about the DZ. The packing area is huge and is AC'd, they have a living room area with a big screen TV to watch your jump videos. You can go out there and talk to any of the staff and they will help you in anyway they can and not make you feel that you are a third wheel. Chris Bagwell(DZ Manager),Chris Miller(Master Rigger,Instructor),Elio(Instructor),Krista(Manafest)and Eric Boyd(Videographer) are all great people and a big help in making you feel at home and very welcome when you get to the DZ. Again, Steve Boyd has done a fantastic job in gathering the best people and creating an unbeatable team. If you just come out to Skydive Spaceland you will know exactly what I mean, just come on out even if you don't want to jump, just come to watch. YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!
Jeff M.

I didn't want to write a review until I had been to a few other DZs for comparison purposes.

This is my home DZ. I trained here and have done the vast majority of my jumps here. The facilities and people are wonderful. Steve has worked very hard at providing top rate facilities and his work shows. The hangar is huge, as is the landing area. The packing area is also large & air conditioned.

What keeps me coming back are the people. Everyone is friendly and whether your thing is freefly, RW or both, it's very easy to hook up with others and jump. There are many excellent big-way RW organizers, such as Scotty Carbone & Tom Jenkins. And of course no review would be complete without noting Scotty Carbone's most excellent food at the Cutaway Cafe.

I just spent a weekend skydiving at Skydive Spaceland and I honestly have to say it was the best weekend I have ever had skydiving!! The dives were great, the people were great, and the vibes were great. I felt like I had been skydiving there all along. The facilities are very nice too and a huge landing area, along with air conditioned packing. I've seen some nice DZ's, I started out at Skydive Chicago. This place, IMHO, is the best place I've gone to. Top notch load organizing! I came away a better skydiver than when I came. I don't know how I could give this place anything less than a top rating!!

Spaceland... ...What is it? ...A drop zone.

There are loads of drop zones. Some better than others.

Like any drop zone it has its ups and downs. I see nothing but ups listed here and thats WAY cool. I know a bunch of other people who would rank Spaceland very high as well.

I learned everthing I know (almost!) about skyiving there. Of course - The Good. But the Bad and Ugly, also.

I learned how to skydive to perfection by my jumpmasters. The best in the business. Chris Miller is still there. Derek left. Damn shame. Dude is awesome, I see him at another dz all the time.

I learned how to be very careful on big ways.

I learned how to freefly, but the freefly population comes and goes out there. About like everywhere else.

And I learned how to handle getting totally ignored by SkyGods.

I learned the do's and dont's of gear buying, via my horrible mistakes.

I found out that skydiving is a business and sometimes people dont like to play fun.

I met some of the most wonderful people on the planet at Spaceland and also at Skydive Houston.

So like other dropzones, you DO have your normal SkyGods, and yes there are clicks. But the regular crowd is very decent.

I used to call Spaceland my home drop zone. It is now a fully functional commercial dz. Which is really good. I guess.

I am not being critical of said dz, I just dont play some games. But that is me Personally.

After visiting DZs in several states, I am certain that this place must be the nicest, best managed, most friendly and maybe even the safest facility I could imagine. The owner purchased 130 acres of flat farmland 30 miles South of Houston, Texas and built it from scratch to be the ultimate skydiving facility. Apparently, he has the cash to do it right the first time. I believe this DZ will soon become widely known as the premier Skydiving facility in the Southern USA. It only opened for business about 18 months ago. Maybe the most important factor is the owner is a very savvy businessman/pilot/skydiver and is adept at attracting and retaining top quality staff members.

Well I've been at SPL for a little over a month now. It's the only DZ I've seen. From the way I have been treated I'm very inpressed with the staff including the JM's!! I'm enrolled in AFP and feel very confident with all the JM's Specialy "Rabbit" and Kris along with Scott {Canucklehead}, James...ect...The video service is A+ Top Notch EZ runs a very fast and clean operation there. With editing on site. The pack room {loft} is AC'd and carpeted. Good staff of Riggers. Rentals if needed. The food at the Cutaway Cafe is tasty! You aint lived till you eat a "Scotty Burger" LMAO. I walk into the hanger and people greet you with smiles. I wish I could say more... If you ever in Houston Texas make a stop at the DZ {soon to be known worldwide} Spaceland Skydive. I plan on spending alot of time here!!

Open around 1 1/2 years, this empty pasture has transformed into a Skydiving Resort.
Brand New Student and Tandem Gear. Air Conditioned Packing (manditory in Texas), Gear Shop, Beutiful Twin Otter with two BRAND NEW ENGINES (no waiting even with teams practicing and 20 Tandems since the engines) plus cessna, but who really cares. Carbone Zone next door (best hamburgers you ever tasted), a spring fed pond with fountain and peer in the camp ground. Longest swoop pond in Texas, which is soooo blue under canopy. New shaded loading area (built this weekend). It's so large that there could be 100 jumpers on the DZ and not feel crowded. Kid friendly, roped off childrens play area outside the hanger. Lots of landing area,lots of teams practicing, lots of fun jumpers show up and lots of recently graduated students who are eager to learn...belly flying, freeflying, skysurfing. YOU WILL FIND SOMEONE TO JUMP WITH! Spaceland LOVES SCR'S. If you are not a Star Crest Recepient, you will be when you leave.

The one thing that SUCKS....their webpage doesn't do them justice.

In it's second year, Spaceland has really put together a good program. A fast aircraft, great facilities, food on site, and a solid student program make it a great place for low and high time jumpers.

The dropzone is very student/tandem oriented, but is also very team friendly and has a healthy respect for competitors.

Overall a great place to jump.

I Did My First Tandem Here At Spaceland, Loved It! Went Back The Next Day, Did My Second Tandem. Finished Up My Tandems, Enrolled In The AFP Program, Did My Dives. I Had The Best Goddamn Dive Master In The Whole World In Chris Miller. Steve Boyd Is The Best DZO In The World! A Kewel Pilot As Well. I Now Have Over 100 Skydives, Having The Best Time Of My Life! I've Jumped In 4 Different States In Different DZ's, None Of Them Even Come Close To This Facility, Equipment, Divemasters, Etc...Great Landing Area, Kewel Swoop Pond! This Facility Is The Best I've Seen Anywhere, With The Staff To Go With It. Every Dive I Make, I Remember Something The "Little General" Pounded In My Head During Student Status. When I Graduated, The DZO Was There, Along With My Divemaster To Help Me In Making Clear And Competant Decisions About Gear Selection. So If Your'e Looking To Jump, Just Once Or Train And Become "One Of The Family" Come And Visit The Mecca Of All DZ's In Rosharon, Texas. Blue Skies!

This is my home dropzone in the great state of Texas. Where else can you get on a Scotty Way, Take a dip in the lake, Swoop the Pond, Watch beautiful women roaming around all day, pack in doors in the AC, have home cooked meals every night, camp, and learn from the best in the business?? I've been to over 15 DZ's since I started skydiving 3 years ago. This is a first class DZ. No God Squad here, you know the stuck up skydivers that think they are too good to pass the knowledge on to Woofo's? You can learn anything at SPL. I'd rather stay at this DZ ALL WEEKEND than be at home. Even if I don't jump. Twin Otter get's to altitude in no time. Rhino..