picior 0 #1 February 12, 2006 I'll be going to Sonoma, california in may and I'm planning to do a few jumps. Could you please advice me where are some good DZ around that area? Do I need to be a USPA memb to jump in US or BPA membsh. is enough? Cheers guys!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,031 #2 February 12, 2006 http://www.dropzone.com/dropzone/North_America/United_States/California/index.html Probably a 45 day USPA temporary membership that any DZ can assist you with.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfc 0 #3 February 13, 2006 Davis (Skydance skydiving) Byron (Bay area skydiving) Hollister (Adventure center skydiving) Are all turbine DZs with good upjumper crowds within reasonable driving distance of Sonoma, Davis is the closest and a very friendly DZ, they have the new PAC 750, the other two have king airs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #4 February 13, 2006 At Byron BPA is good to go. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDashe 0 #5 February 13, 2006 Hollister is awesome, drawback is a 15 minute van ride back from the LZ. Skydance may be closer to you and they are pretty awesome too. Byron isn't open as much, monterrey is really pretty but expensive. PM me for more details on all of em ;-)So there I was... Making friends and playing nice since 1983 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #6 February 13, 2006 How is Monterey more expensive than the others? Longest drive from Sonoma, certainly. No one is going to speak up for Cloverdale? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elisha 1 #7 February 14, 2006 No. If you're going to be more northerly than Sonoma (like wine tasting), it is an option, but it is a C-182 tandem factory and Byron or Davis are probably the same distance. Nice view though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
picior 0 #8 February 15, 2006 Thanks guys! you ve been all very helpful. I ve checked all of them but few DZ charge lots of money for the equipment rental. Is it normal that they rent the rig, altimeters, helmets separately and for each piece you have to pay additionally? If I jump there I ll spend more money for the rental than for the jumps!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #9 February 15, 2006 Most skydivers, by the time they are leagal to travle to other DZ's have at least an Alti, Helmet, goggles, and jumpsuit, all of which travel nicely. Some DZ's do charge, some don't, but it's really your responsibility to make sure you're outfitted correctly. Why should they spend a ton of money for jumpers paying regular jump ticket prices to provide gear that gets easily lost, walked off with, and broken?---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #10 February 15, 2006 renting the protec at $5/jump seems ridiculous, but jumpsuits definitely get used hard as do the altimeters. Don't think anyone has a daily rate on the rig rental either, so if you're doing many jumps, the 20-30/jump hurts a bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #11 February 15, 2006 Depending on how many jumps you are making, pick up a protec for $30 at the DZ where you choose to jump. Renting 6 times would pay for it. If you don't have room to haul a hard helmet, see if someone at your DZ has an old frap hat you could borrow. Folds flat to pack easily. Sometimes someone on the DZ has a spare alti to borrow. (I've loaned mine out a few times) Providing a six pack once the beer light is on is cheaper than renting. The rental fee on the rig includes the packjob. If you know how to pack the canopy/container system that you rent, see if the DZ will reduce the rental fee if you pack the rig. You will always have to pay for the packing of your last jump.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #12 February 15, 2006 isn't the protec $40 typically? Still may make more sense on a longer trip out. Not all rentals include the packjob. ActionAir typically rents out the rig with the main unpacked - no worries about the quality of the last pack, but unfortunately a delay before you can manifest. Monterey used to (not sure if it's different with the new guys) have everyone, including students, pay $5 after directly to the packers on duty. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lilchief 0 #13 February 15, 2006 From a European point of view, Byron is neat! I spent 4 days there(and to many dollars on car rental) and loved it. The couches are great to sit in and there are a lot of farms around the area that are nice to visit . How ever, it tends to be a bit windy. Proof 1: There are MANY wind mills on the way, witch indicates that there is some wind in the area Proof2: The Byron Boogie info sheet had something like this written: "...if there's no wind(ha-ha).." Had a great time there! but you'll need trasportation aka: car. It took me about 1hr from Berkeley(except when there was rush traffic and two accidents) Ask someone here at DZ.com and ask if anyone is passing through on the way."Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return." - Da Vinci www.lilchief.no Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
picior 0 #14 February 15, 2006 and how about the prices? is there anything I need to know before I go there? How much they charge for the equipment rental? Thanks 4 help Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lilchief 0 #15 February 15, 2006 I could feed you with what i know Gravitygear.com is located there(gravitygirl is the owner) They rent out, but I don't know the price On fridays there is less jumping(they are open thursday-sunday) A ticket costs $20 here's their address: http://www.bayareaskydiving.com/ They use a king air, but also has a 206. The king air is only used saturday and sunday if I remember. Farrah is very pretty If you're able, check with Bonnie prior to depature on used"new gear, and have it ready when you get there. I believe a rig is cheaper in the US then in the UK That's it, i guess"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return." - Da Vinci www.lilchief.no Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ASteele 0 #16 February 15, 2006 Byron charges $30 per jump for equipment rental. This includes a helmet, altimeter, jumpsuit, rig, and a packjob. If you can pack your own main then they take off $5, but I'm not sure if they'll allow you to pack the last packjob. Also the great thing about Byron is they have an awesome gear store, including gear consultatons for new and used gear. I'd recommend PMing "GravityGirl" since she owns the gear store and can offer great advice on jumping at Byron. For full disclosure I should probably admit that she used to employ me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
picior 0 #17 February 15, 2006 I ll assume that if employees give good feedback, jumpers must be happy as well!!! Cheers m8! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
picior 0 #18 February 15, 2006 OOooo......now I'm more excited about Farrah than skydiving itself I'll check all the information you told me. Thanks again! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kdsosso 0 #19 February 16, 2006 Lodi, CA is a fantastic place and you will not need your USPA membership, if that is a concern to you. Jump tix are $15.00 ($13 if you buy in bulk). Lodi is open 7 days a week. PM me if you want more info... You'll have fun at any northern CA dropzone (Davis, Lodi, or Byron)!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #20 February 16, 2006 QuoteLodi, CA is a fantastic place and you will not need your USPA membership, if that is a concern to you. Jump tix are $15.00 ($13 if you buy in bulk). Lodi is open 7 days a week. PM me if you want more info... Cheap rentals too, or it was a year and a half ago. $20/jump, includes the pack, was a wings/triathlon combo. Liked it enough that I bought the same a few months later. Byron's 30 was the highest I saw anywhere, though if it includes all the auxilary equipment it's not so bad for the visitor. Me, I did one jump and left. Packing yourself for $5 less except for the last one was the option given, but I wasn't packing those days. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 259 #21 February 16, 2006 Quote I ll assume that if employees give good feedback I'm a former competitor of Bonnie's and I'd recommend her shop as a place to buy gear as well. She's good people and will take excellent care of you. Depending on how long you'll be in NorCal, I'd suggest jumping at Davis, Byron and Lodi if you can swing it. Each one has a different vibe, all three have great people and nice views from altitude and you can jump out of a variety of turbine aircraft (King Air at Byron, PAC 750XL at Davis, Otter or Beech 99 at Lodi). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elisha 1 #22 February 16, 2006 QuoteEach one has a different vibe, all three have great people and nice views from altitude and you can jump out of a variety of turbine aircraft (King Air at Byron, PAC 750XL at Davis, Otter or Beech 99 at Lodi). Mmmmm.....turbines.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #23 February 16, 2006 Frederick Look me up if your heading to Lodi, I'd be glad to help you get into the air. Be safe Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ASteele 0 #24 February 16, 2006 I agree, if you have the time check out as many dropzones in the area as you can. NorCal has an awesome vibe, so don't limit yourself if possible Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brianfry713 0 #25 February 17, 2006 QuoteProof 1: There are MANY wind mills on the way, witch indicates that there is some wind in the area 10,000 windmills can't be wrong. Byron, Davis, and Lodi are cool places. You could hit them all up in the same day if you like to drive a lotBASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites