ParaNinja

I'm new to the D.C. area and when I asked around for the best place to jump, every single person said Orange was the place to go. It's about an 1hr 30min drive for me but that's actually an easy drive compared to where other people come from just to jump at Orange. I was nervous about going there my first time because I've been treated like an outcast once when I visited DZ in NY before. But I was quickly welcomed into the community. I had been out of currency for 3 months with the move jumping a 168' canopy, and when I got there, the instructor staff was concerned that it was a rather small canopy given my limited experience. So they had me jump with coach and a 190' just to assess me. I took no offense to this, in fact I rather appreciated their honesty and their dedication to safety. The next day I stuck around and enrolled in a Canopy Control Course and learned some great things on my 168'. The people there are fantastic, everyone is always willing to help and there is no discomfort in walking around there as a newbie. I look forward to making Orange my DZ and aim to learn something everytime I go there, because that's how its been. I recommend Orange to anyone moving to the region (even if it's a bit of a drive), or visitors. It's worth it for a safe, fun and awesome jump environment. I have yet to party there but hopefully that will be rectified.

For starters, this is a great place to learn to skydive. I had been a paratrooper for several years and made my first tandem jump back in 2002 in Nevada. I was introduced to SOHF by another regular there and when I got back from my last deployment to Iraq in 2005, I began my training. My AFF instructors were two U.S. Army Golden Knights with around 15,000 combined jumps. I made 9 jumps my first weekend and breezed through the rest of my A license. This DZ is in a great location, giving it the relaxed, small town atmosphere, while being right outside Tallahasse. The landing area is plentiful, with very few obstacles and an awesome swoop lane which I hope to fly through one day. The staff here is incredible. The packers are first-rate and will ensure a quick turn around so you can make every load. The instructors, camera flyers and tandem masters are all extremely professional and knowledgeable. Manifest runs smoothly and efficiently as to allow the most loads possible. While many people like jumping the Otter, the King Air they operate is cool and they also have the Cessna 182 for those slow days or for hop and pops. By far the best thing about this DZ is the people. Cindy (DZO), is a great friend and mentor. She has great advice and will help you in whatever you need. She helped me custom make, order and deliver my new rig at a great price! I have been to a few DZ's and heard stories about scores of others, and this is by far the most friendly and helpful around. I was at a DZ in NY once, and I messed up my landing and came in to close and got chewed out like I was in High School. I've screwed up and seen other people (new and old) screw up at SOHF and you won't get scolded. What you will get are staff members, or experienced regulars who will take you aside and discuss what went wrong, how you could do it better and will even work with you or jump with you to ensure you get better. That is not to say that if you do something stupid you will get off easy. Safety is paramount and they will not tolerate someone who is only going to endanger themselves or someone else. In addition to being a great place to learn to skydive, it's a great tandem experience as well. I have brough about 5 people here including my girlfriend to jump because I am that confident in their abilities. And many of their tandems experience all of the above attributes and sign up for AFF. Working hard during the day also means playing hard at night. The DZ parties which are frequent, are such a blast. Be prepared to consume large amounts of beer and jello shots! There's the hot tub, but my favorite is the bonfire pit. Music, fun, good people, great stories and always a place to crash whether in the hanger, or at a staff members house. Bottom line, the School of Human Flight is a great place for tandems, AFF, experienced skydivers, friends and families, because once your there, you are family. As far as I'm concerned it's one of the best DZ's in the region and THE best that I've been to. Go there and I promise you, you will make SOHF your new home. -Mike