A tandem skydive is a great introduction into the exciting world of sport parachuting. It allows you to experience the incredible sensation of free fall and canopy flight while under the direct supervision of an experienced instructor. All of our instructors are USPA certified and licensed to make tandem jumps. Located at the scenic Winterset airport, our drop zone is less than thirty minutes from Des Moines.
We are a club owned skydiving operation with a reputation of fun, friendly, down to earth skydivers. As a club we work collectively to offer the safest, most exemplary skydiving experience in Iowa. Every year hundreds of people from across the nation make their first jump with the Des Moines Skydivers. We are enthusiastic to have you join us for a day (or more!) so sign up on our website or call us today to schedule your dive out of a perfectly good airplane.
Why tandem with the Des Moines Skydivers?
Thousands of jumps are made with us annually.
We have been a club operated drop zone since 1974.
We are one of the few USPA affiliated dropzone in Iowa.
Check the USPA's website here to verify our claim.
Our planes are professionally maintained and operated.
We utilize the newest and safest equipment in the state.
We encourage everyone and anyone to come make a tandem skydive with us!
What should I expect during the day of my first skydive?
United States Parachute Association
A good resource to reference before coming out for your tandem is the United States Parachute Association website, www.uspa.org . The Des Moines Skydivers is the only USPA member drop zone in Iowa.
Upon Arrival
Make sure to arrive about half an hour before your tandem is scheduled and be prepared to spend a good part of the day there. The Des Moines Skydiving team works to run operations smoothly and efficiently, however tandem slots can be adjusted during the day to accommodate changes caused by the weather and any other issues that may arise.
If you have a smartphone, make sure to check in to the “Des Moines Skydivers Hangar” on Facebook!
Come right on in! Our hangar is indicated by a sign that reads “Home of the Couchfreaks”. You will find skydivers packing their parachutes, instructors teaching students, people preparing their gear, etc. Tell any of the skydivers there that you are there for a tandem and we will be able to get you started.
Before Your Skydive
The first thing you will need to do is sign the waiver and watch an introductory skydiving video.
While you are waiting feel free to ask questions, peruse the t-shirts and other merchandise, look through our skydiving albums and magazines, and go watch other skydivers descend into the landing area. For the safety of everyone, we ask that you do not approach any aircraft until it is time for your jump and you are with your tandem instructor. We encourage you to bring family and friends, however children and pets must be supervised at all times.
You will receive about ten minutes of instruction from your instructor and be fitted with a skydiving harness. You may also be weighed to ensure you are fitted with the appropriate skydiving gear. Some of the other equipment that will be provided to you may include goggles, a jumpsuit, and an altimeter. When you are ready, everyone who is jumping with you will proceed to the aircraft where your instructor will brief you again on the exit procedures before takeoff.
During Your Skydive
The length of time until you reach altitude will depend on the aircraft you are jumping out of and how many people are on the load. Expect it to be about 15 – 20 minutes. Your instructor will then direct the both of you toward the door and together you will take to the skies.
Depending on the altitude and combined weight, freefall can last about 45 seconds. During freefall you won’t be able to hear each other so the instructor will communicate with hand signals. He will deploy your parachute about 5,500’ feet above the ground and you will have a five minute canopy ride to the landing area.
If you are having video/pictures taken, another skydiver will accompany you and your tandem master during the ride to altitude, while you exit the airplane, throughout your freefall, the canopy deployment, and finally your landing.
After Your Skydive
Your family/friends can watch you land and take video and pictures if you want.
After the skydive you’re welcome to stay and watch other jumpers. Bring some food and drinks and enjoy the rest of the evening in the company of the Des Moines Skydivers.
Ask about discounts for a second tandem jump within the same season.
If you are interested in taking the next step in skydiving, the Des Moines Skydivers offers Accelerated Freefall training, the first step toward becoming a licensed skydiver. Inquire about requirements, training dates, and rates while there, or you can access more information about it on our website.
Equipment and Safety
USPA Recognized Dropzone
The Des Moines Skydivers are one of the few USPA affiliated dropzone in the state of Iowa. The USPA is an FAA recognized body overseeing the safety of skydiving. We encourage all of our visitors to investigate your dropzone before participating in the sport of skydiving.
How safe is a tandem or accelerated freefall skydive?
In 2010 there were 21 skydiving related fatalities in the United States out of an estimated 3 million jumps. This translates into a fatality rate of 0.007 per 1000 skydives.
This includes all of the high risk skydives taken by highly experienced jumpers under aggressive canopies. A tandem or accelerated freefall skydive is by far much safer than these numbers, which includes experienced high risk sport jumpers.
The Des Moines Skydivers have never suffered a fatality. We do our best adhere to all the new safety protocols and equipment upgrades to ensure our record remains the same for years to come.
Located at the scenic Winterset airport, our drop zone is less than a thirty minute drive from Des Moines. Our equipment and aircraft are professionally maintained for the safety of our students and experienced jumpers. Our facility is fully furnished for the comfort of all of our guests.
Experienced Jumpers--We have a huge hanger with plenty of padded carpet for packing, including a climate controlled packing loft for those scorching or freezing days. You're welcome to bunk out in our hanger, which is equipped with bathrooms and showers. You will find our drop zone an active and friendly place with a good mix of RW, FF, and CRW. Riggers/coaches/instructors are usually available.
The Des Moines Skydivers have spent a great deal of effort making the skydive reservation process simple. We now offer you two easy ways to reserve your skydiving experience - online or by phone
Our online scheduling is currently offline.
Please give us a call at (515)243-1711 to schedule a tandem.
PAC 750
Prices
$205
$TBD
$95
$100
FAQ
Here are some of the frequently asked questions we receive.
WHO DO I CALL TO SIGN UP?
To sign up for a class or to schedule a tandem jump you have the option to schedule online here
or give us a call at (515) 243-1711 to speak with Marc. If he does not answer you may leave him a voice message and he will return your call within 24 hours.
If you leave a voice message please spell your name and tell us what time it's ok to contact you.
ARE RESERVATIONS AND DEPOSITS REQUIRED?
Yes. We do require reservations and deposits. Because classes and timeslots fill up quickly, we suggest you make your reservation as far in advance as possible.
Deposits are fully refundable if cancellation is received five business days in advance of your scheduled jump. See our current prices list for deposit amounts.
HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO SKYDIVE?
You must be at least 18 years old to make a solo skydive or a tandem. Unfortunately parental consent will not let us vary on this age limit.
CAN SOMEONE TAKE A VIDEO OF MY SKYDIVE?
Yes! You are welcome to bring your own camera and a friend to take video or pictures of your jump from the ground.
Depending on availability, you can hire a freefall cameraman to take video or digital still photographs of your tandem or AFF jump.
If you would like to hire a cameraman to capture your skydive on video or still photographs, please let us know at the time you schedule your jump.
IS THERE A WEIGHT LIMIT TO SKYDIVE?
In most cases the weight limit is 230 pounds. This is a recommend weight limit and might very slightly at the discretion of the instructor.
The equipment itself is capable of handling heavier weight variables. Factors such as physical fitness, height and build figure into this limit. It's ultimately up to the instructors discretion to accurately judge the safety and comfort of the skydive.
If you think you might be near this limit and would still like to skydive please contact us and we will discuss your situation. (515) 243-1711
WHAT CREDIT CARDS DO YOU ACCEPT?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
HOW LONG WILL MY TRAINING AND JUMP TAKE?
The time required for your training jump depends on the training method you have selected and the number of students. We suggest that you plan on spending up to 6 hours at the dropzone.
Even if you are among the first students to jump for the day we still encourage you to remain at the dropzone to learn more about the sport and watch your fellow students experience the same level of excitement you already know.
If you will be unable to be at the drop zone all day please inform your instructor or jump master of your time constraints as early as possible.
CAN I BRING MY DOG TO THE DROPZONE?
While we all love pets the dropzone is not a place for them so please leave your pets at home.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR ON MY SKYDIVE?
Wear a good pair of tennis shoes and appropriate clothing for the temperature. If the weather is cool, we suggest that you bring a sweatshirt to wear under your jumpsuit. It can be quite a cool at altitude.
We recommend that you leave your jewelry at home. Not only can jewelry be lost during your skydive but rings, necklaces, and bracelets can become snagged on the aircraft during exit leading to injury.
We supply all the equipment needed to make your jump. This includes a jumpsuit, helmet, goggles, and, of course, the parachute.
WHERE DO I GO TO JUMP?
Although we are the Des Moines Skydivers, we have made the Winterset Municipal Airport our home. The low volume of air traffic, wide open landing areas, and beautiful countryside make the Winterset Airport an ideal spot for jumping.
We are located only thirty minutes from downtown Des Moines. The Winterset Airport is located one mile north of Winterset on Highway 169, approximately thirteen miles south of Interstate 80.
Been jumping over 10 years. Have over 2,600 jumps. I hate clowns. Remember, what we regret most in life are the things we don't try.
Jon Frederickson | USPA D-License #24144
I started June of 1997 with a 3 tandem skydives onto the beach of Perdido Key in Florida with my little sister who had just been licensed 2 months prior. Once back in Nebraska, I promptly went through the student program at Lincoln Sport Parachute Club.
Since then, I have become an Static-Line, AFF, and Tandem Instructor. I am also a Senior Parachute Rigger through the FAA and assemble and repack systems. To date, I have 1100 skydives.
