skyfox2007

The facilities and aircraft are great and are what make this DZ a fun place to jump. The hangar and packing area are large and kept clean. This DZ boosts two Caravans each weekend that can carry 15 or so jumpers - one dedicated primarily to tandem operations while the other is almost exclusively reserved for fun jumpers. There is a Cessna here as well - probably a 206 - with a roll-up jump door, but I haven't had a chance to jump it yet. The DZ exhibits monitors in the hangar that display the upcoming loads, the call times, and even the weather. The "Burble" system they employ allows you to manifest for loads via your cell phone. The airport is also located in town with a few local restaurants to satisfy your post-adrenaline appetite. I you like pizza, I recommend "Pizza and Kayaking" which is located maybe a mile from the DZ.

The landing area – while spacious – is organized around the licensing system. Here, A-license holders are required to land about 500 yards away from the hangar and across the runway. The walk back takes no less than 10 minutes with all of your gear and is a sweaty haul during mid-summer. B, C, and D license holders can land in areas much closer to the hangar. I suggest upgrading to your B-license as soon as you can if you don't already have one and plan to jump out here.

The training services here for AFF students and tandems are exceptional. A safe, fun location for those folks looking to make a tandem jump or start their AFF program. The instructors are quite friendly and the students here seem to feel at home after a few weekends and are quickly assimilated into the DZ culture. The rigger who works there is also VERY knowledgeable and helpful.

As a new fun jumper from out of town, I liked the facilities, the landing area (except the A-license area), the aircraft, and the services. The social scene can take some time to work your way into. If your an A or B license holder, be patient and seek out the other jumpers at your skill level. It will take a few weekends before you're invited on big-ways with the more experienced folks.

If you’re a tandem jumper or wish to start your AFF here, I would recommend it as there are few places better. If you’re a fun jumper I would also strongly recommend this DZ, but be patient with the scene.

I recently visited Skydive Greene County and was impressed most by the laid-back vibe and location. Staff are approachable and accepting of newbies. The location - less than an hour away from Dayton - is a bonus. I also felt the safety of the operation was better than average.

But this location comes with a few drawbacks as well. This drop zone features Cessna and Beech-18 aircraft. I flew both and it took some time to reach our jump altitude of 10.5K - 15 to 20 minutes. I'm a history buff and was psyched about the ride in the World War II-era Beech, but it was a haul. The Beech also lacks a door so it gets a bit chilly at 8K+. The max exit altitude of 10.5K (varies I was told) was also a bit low for a $24 jump ticket. Most DZs will take you to 12K+ for that much. The DZ itself is also small and surrounded by corn fields with little margin for error. Lastly, this DZ lacks an active Fun Jumper clientele. I counted 4 dedicated Fun Jumpers at the DZ this past Sunday - not including myself or the tandem instructors who took a few fun rides in between student loads.

This DZ is primarily a tandem operation, but doesn't feel like one. If you're in the area and would like to make a tandem, this DZ is for you! If you're a fun jumper I would also recommend it based on the vibe and locale, but you might be jumping solo.

I was in Huntsville visiting family and decided to give this dropzone a try. I found the location convenient, within 30 miles of the city, and was overjoyed by the fact that they operated a twin turbine aircraft; making for shorter rides to altitude.

But their complete lack of professionalism, poor customer service, and lack of services far outweigh the benefits of easy access and faster plane rides. When I first entered the front office I was greeted by a half hearted "hello" and a quizzical look. The folks in the front office were not thrilled to see me. It looked as though they were more interested in their lunch then they were my business. I then inquired about manifest and rig rental but their knowledge of DZ operations was limited and directed me to comb the DZ and "find the DZO myself." I found it strange that their office personnel were not familiar with the goings on. Aren't the office personnel there to answer those sorts of questions? But I tracked down the DZO in short order and asked a few simple questions about DZ familiarization, gear rental, etc. She seemed too busy for me and I was directed to another jumper for a quick walk around an explanation of the landing pattern. He quickly and annoyingly greeted me and gave me a brief explanation of the landing pattern before heading off to tend to something else. I then proceeded back to the front office to ask for a rig and was told that I would "have to fight it out" with two other gentlemen wanting to use the same rig. I asked if there were more, but all 3 of the DZs rigs were in use. I finally managed to hunt down a rig after 30 minutes of waiting, but was told by a staff member that it was "not airworthy." I brought this to the attention of the DZO who insisted it was. After I saw the DZO and the staff member in question debate the issue heatedly for a minute or two the DZO reassured me yet again that the rig was airworthy. But that was all I wanted or needed to see. I grabbed my belongings and made a bee-line for the car. 3 things:

1. Bad Vibe/no customer service! - the jumpers/instructors at this DZ are some of the most unfriendly and incompetent that I have seen. The staff and office personnel must have a working knowledge of the DZ and be friendly. Skydiving is about camaraderie and good times. These people need to get it together.

2. No organization/Lack of gear! - there should be a gear rental list on a first come, first served basis posted somewhere visible. No one should have to "fight" over equipment. Furthermore, 3 rigs is not enough to meet the demand for gear rentals at this DZ. This is bad for business and is unfair to fun jumpers.

3. Lack of operational awareness! - the DZO and staff must know which equipment is flyable and which is not. The disagreement between the staff members as to the airworthiness of a particular rig that I wanted to use was scary to say the very least! If staff members can't even account for their gear it calls into question the safety of their entire operation; what else do they cut corners on or fail to account for? Skydiving is a dangerous sport - we owe our lives to our equipment and any gear kept at a dropzone must be accounted for and properly maintained.

I found this DZ scary and unfriendly - I recommend you steer clear of this one.

This dropzone caters to tandem jumpers; those seeking a one-time thrill. The tandem instructors are safe and courteous and there are a sufficient number of them to meet the amount of business they receive. The wait time is reasonable short (under 90 mins) and the price ($189) is compartivly good. A friend of mine recently made a tandem jump and completed training and the jump in under an hour. If you seek a tandem skydive, this place is for you. Unfortunately, this dropzone does not employ a sufficient number of AFF and advanced level instructors. If you wish to make an AFF, re-cert, coach, or A-license dive your wait could range from several hours (3 or 4) to several days ("Come back tomorrow/next week") based on my experience. There is never more than 2 AFF level instructors on the DZ at any one time while the number of AFF/advanced students at any one time is much greater than they can tend to. I have visited this DZ three times in the last three weeks (once each weekend) and have only made 1 jump! They are also a bit short on coaches so completing your coach jumps prior to your A license "check dive" may take a while. If you plan to attend an advanced course here be prepared to spend the day there or come back the following day/weekend. The staff are also short on courteousy. They are all too happy to smile and cater to the every need of the tandem students who fork over large amounts of money and pay the bills. But AFF students and those seeking a license are treated as inconveniences. The staff never directed me to an instructor; I was expected to comb the DZ and find a him or her myself to schedule training and a jump. When I finally did, he or she was never thrilled to see yet another student while preoccupied with a few others. However, the instructors are certainly safe and do not cut corners when it comes to instruction. Each briefing I had with the instructors was thorough and helpful. Though the experience could have been more respectful and expeditious. It's no fun sitting on the ground for several hours or days at a time waiting in line.