Below is a list of the most common questions asked by people thinking of making a skydive.
You can search for our Safety Policy here.
If the answer to your question is not there please contact us.

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Can I bring my friends and family to watch?

Definitely YES! Bring your whole support crew, friends and family to watch.
Make it an event to remember. We have picnic tables available. Normally the tandem jumpers land close to where your friends will be watching. During the summer months our immediate neighbour,The Kittyhawk Cafe is open at weekends.
Can I bring my own camera with me on the jump?

No, you are much too busy with your skydive to look after a camera. It very easily may get lost or broken and we cannot risk dropping it in freefall or under parachute. Even experienced jumpers require 200 jumps prior to wearing any type of camera system.
Can I go in the plane if I’m not jumping?

Sorry, passengers as observers or spectators cannot go in the plane if they are not jumping. CAA regulations.
Can I jump solo?

Yes we can provide you with photos or a video of your skydive. If you decide on photos a total of 50 or 60 or more freefall pictures are taken. We edit out the poor ones. From which you will usually end up with around 30 good freefall pictures to treasure forever. The full definition shots are then placed in “Drop Box” for you to download to whereever you wish.
You may chose to have a video to record your skydive. This will include pre-takeoff, scenic, the ride to altitude, the climb out, freefall, the landing plus your comments and big smile at completion. This is all edited with music and placed on “Vimeo”. From here you can access the movie to play on your cell phone or computer. You also then have the option to download it.
Can I jump with an injury or medical problem ie asthma?

If you are unsure whether an existing medical condition or injury will affect your skydive, please consult with your doctor for advice. We are unable to advise on medical issues. If you suffer from asthma it is not normally a problem.
Can I wear glasses or contact lenses?

No problem! We provide you with larger goggles to fit over your glasses. If you wear contact lenses please inform your instructor so he or she can ensure your goggles are on firmly.
Can my friend and me be filmed at the same time?

Only one passenger at a time can be filmed by their Tandem Master during the Skydive. We can film you and your friends during the flight and on the ground before and after your jump.
Can you breath in freefall?

Yes, simply relax and breathe normally. You know, breathe in and breathe out!.
Sometimes with all the excitement passengers take a big breath and forget to breathe out. Best to shout, yell or scream and then you have to breathe.
Do you have a pick up service?

We can pick you up from the Masterton Rail Station and drop you back to the Station after your skydive.
How do I get there?

There is a rail service between Wellington and Masterton for those travelling from Wellington without their own transport. Alternatively you can get to us by road. We are based at Hood Aerodrome. 177 South Road, Masterton.
How do I keep my ears from blocking after the skydive?

Sometimes after the skydive your ears may feel they are blocked and you may feel a slight discomfort. This is caused by the the change in pressure. It's similar to what you may experience while flying in a commercial aircraft or going up a mountain. To help avoid this try and keep your ears equalised on your climb to altitude. Yawning or moving your jaw around helps with this process. Most skydivers do not experience this problem and if they do, it goes away 10-15 minutes after they land. Here is a link to a video with more information.
How experienced are the instructors?

All our instructors are current and NZPIA qualified.
How far in advance do I need too book?

We recommend you to book a week in advance. There again, call us closer to the day. Who knows there may be a booking available for you.
How Fast will I fall?

Freefall speed is typically about 200kph or 120mph. A person’s weight or body position can alter how fast you freefall. Once you’re under an open parachute, your rate of descent decreases to about 14 feet per second or 4.5 metres per second.
How long does the skydive last?

From 9,000ft you will freefall for approximately 30 seconds.
From 12,500ft you will freefall for approximately 55 seconds.
You will be under the parachute from 5-7 minutes
How long is the flight?

Your flight up doesn’t take long. Around 15 to 25 minutes to exit altitude.
How hard is the landing?

Landing with a tandem parachute is normally very light and easy. Mostly the tandems slide in on the grass on their bottoms. When the wind conditions are just right the tandem instructor may get you to stand up. If you have any old injuries please let us know. You will be briefed on the landing procedure before take off and also before landing.
On an AFF instructional jump you will wear a radio transmitter and receive verbal instructions from the ground to assist you with landing.
How hard is the parachute opening?

Normally the parachute opening is reasonably soft. The parachute takes around 3-5 seconds to open fully which prevents the canopy opening hard.
How long is the first tandem jump training?

Initial paperwork, briefing, training and gear-up for a tandem jump is usually about 25 to 30 minutes. Your tandem instructor will go over procedures again and answer any questions before you exit.
For the Ultimate AFF First Jump course, the class usually takes between 6 and 8 hours.
I am not sure what height to jump from?

Don’t worry, you can decide on what height to jump from on the day.
By the way, the exit height has nothing to do with experience.
I am really nervous. Is that Ok?

Everyone is nervous on their first jump. It's normal. Don't worry. Talk with us about it if you wish. Our instructors are very understanding. We all know a first jump is a big moment for everyone.
I wear prescription glasses, do I have to take these off for my Skydive?

We have goggles that will fit over your prescriptive glasses.
I wear contact lenses, is this OK?

We suggest if you wear contacts, bring your solution just in case your lenses dry out. Please inform your instructor you are wearing contacts so he or she can ensure your goggles are firmly fitted.
Is it cold?

In wintertime it can be cold, so wear suitable clothing. We recommend you wear two or three light layers rather than bulky heavy items. We provide you with jumpsuit, hat, goggles and gloves. You may wear your own gloves if you prefer.
Is Skydiving Safe?
Here at Skydive Wellington we take safety as our number one priority. True, there is always an element of risk.
To minimise this risk:
- All the instructors are current and fully qualified (NZPIA Certificated)
- All jump pilots have commercial licence issued by NZCAA
- All parachute maintenance carried out by NZPIA certified personnel
- All parachute systems have a reserve parachute
- All reserve parachutes have an automatic activation device fitted
- Random drug testing as per NZCAA requirements
- Re-currency training carried out as per regulations
- Aircraft maintained to NZCAA Part115 standard
- Audits carried out by NZCAA
- A passionate care for everything and everyone to do with skydiving
We are members of the New Zealand Parachute Industry Association (NZPIA) who issue ratings and are also our regulatory Part 149 body. We are also certified by the NZ Civil Aviation Authority (NZCAA). with a Part 115 Certificate. We are the only country in the world to be certified by a government aviation controlling body ie., CAA.
Is there a time requirement?

Be prepared to spend 3 hours - half a day with us at the Drop Zone. It does not usually take this long. Sometimes we may be held up with weather ie., wind, clouds, rain or other aviation related hold ups. Sometimes it takes as long as it takes.
Is there a minimum/maximum age limit?

There is no official minimum or maximum age limit!
At Skydive Wellington we have a minimum limit of twelve years of age (and the participant must be large enough to safely fit the harness). Passengers under 18 years are required to have written parental or guardian consent. You may be required to provide proof of age. In relation to more senior skydivers, we have taken a couple at the age 95 years in the past.
Is there a weight requirement or restriction?

For safety reasons tandem passengers must weigh less than 100kgs. Everyone is weighed before they go up. In rare circumstances it may be unsafe to take a passenger, even if under the weight limit if the harness cannot be fitted correctly. Our Instructors make the final determination so as to keep everyone safe.
AFF students are also required to be under 100kgs
What are the physical requirements?

If you have any physical or medical issues please check with your doctor to discuss potential risks.
What can I see on my skydive?

On a clear day you can see Wellington City (from a distance), the Pacific Ocean and also the Tasman Sea. In the distance to the north you may view Mt Ruapehu & Mt Tongariro. In the northwest, Mt Taranaki and to the south, the South Island Mountains.
What do I need to bring?

You need to bring a desire for adventure! Bring sports shoes or sneakers (with no hooks please) and normal wear clothing for the day. In winter, wear layers rather than bulky items of clothing (Thermals are good). Hoodies are not recommended. We provide a jumpsuit, hat, goggles and gloves when needed.
What if my parachute doesn’t open?

In the unlikely event that the main parachute fails to open properly, there is always a second, or reserve parachute packed in the system which will be used if necessary. All our systems are fitted with AADs (automatic activation devices). On a tandem skydive your tandem instructor is trained to handle any situation should it occur.
On an AFF jump you will be trained to recognise and handle malfunctions, and be responsible for performing this procedure if necessary.
All reserve parachutes are packed only by NZPIA certified packing technicians.
What happens if I decide not to jump?

It is very rare when someone decides not to jump. If you decide not to jump before you board the aircraft you will not be charged. Our instructors will do their best to put you at ease on the journey to altitude. If you decide at the last moment not to jump they will accept your decision with understanding. We appreciate skydiving is not for everyone.
What if the weather is not suitable?

Skydiving is a weather dependent activity.
Always call or txt us (027-443-6094) just before leaving home. We will txt you if the weather is bad. Please remember contact us regardless of whether we have contacted you or not.
What is the best time of the day to book?

We recommend you book as early a time as possible. This is due to the possibility of weather issues (wind, cloud, rain etc) holding us up, which in turn upsets the later booking times.
What is the landing like?

Most landings are quite soft, with most people doing a soft sliding sit-down landing. Under certain conditions and at the discretion of the Instructor, you may be told to stand up on landing.
What type of aircraft do you operate?

Our aircraft or areoplane is a Cessna 185 registered ZK-CBY. We are able to carry two tandems plus one other skydiver at a time, or six experienced skydivers.
What should I Wear?

We recommend wearing comfortable clothing appropriate for the season and tennis, running or skate shoes. No heels, heavy boots or sandals. We will provide a jumpsuit for you to wear over your clothing for your jump.
What time do I need to be there by?

Please arrive about 30 minutes before your booking time.
Where do we land?

Normally you will land just out from our building where your friends can watch up close.
What type of equipment do you use?

We use the following equipment:
Our tandem parachute systems are Micro-Sigmas manufactured by UPT in the USA. They area fitted with Icarus tandem parachutes made by NZ Aero Sports.
Our Student rigs are Wings containers constructed by Sunrise Manufacturing in the USA.
All our parachutes systems have the very latest safety developments included.
All are fitted with Vigil AAD's (Automatic Activation Devices).
What are your opening hours?

We operate most weekends & public holidays. The first load takes off at 9am and the last booked load takes off around 7pm or as light permits.
The office opening hours are:
Weekends 7am to 6pm
Weekdays 9am to 5pm
What type of payment do you accept?

We accept payment in Cash, Eftpos, Debit Cards, Visa, MasterCard and via Internet Banking.
What if I’m afraid of heights?

We've taken people who are afraid of heights and they have all jumped and loved it. It's a strange thing, fear of heights. Once you are no longer attached to the ground the fear of heights disappears. When flying in an aeroplane the same fear factor does not apply. Enjoy the challenge!
Where are you located?

Skydive Wellington is about an hour and a half by rail or car, north east of Wellington. (Just off Highway 2) Address 177 South Road, Hood Aerodrome, Masterton.
Will I be scared?

It is normal to be apprehensive or a little scared before jumping. The airplane ride to altitude is the period most first timers feel some anxiety, but few jumpers report feeling anything but exhilaration once they’ve left the door!
Go with the anticipation leading up to your skydive - have fun on the jump - and celebrate the wind down.
Remember its all about having fun.
Meet the challenge.
How high or from what altitude will I jump from?

At Skydive Wellington we jump the altitudes from either 9,000ft high above the ground (30 seconds freefall) or 12,500ft (50 to 55 seconds freefall).
Are dogs allowed?

Yes & no. Yes we like dogs too, but an aerodrome is not a good place for them. If you do bring your dog it must be on a lead and under control at all times.
How much money does it cost for a tandem skydive? What is the price?

A tandem skydive from 9,000ft with 30 seconds freefall > $295 incl GST
A tandem skydive from 12,500ft with 55 seconds freefall > $365 incl GST
What qualifications does the pilot have?

Our pilots must hold a commercial pilot licence.
They also must hold a parachute drop pilot rating.
Every year they are required to undertake a currency ground & flight test . Operational Competency Assessment (OCA)
Safety Policy

Health & Safety Policy
Sky Sports (NZ) Ltd trading as Skydive Wellington, is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for the safety and health of our crew and other persons in the workplace and comply with industry requirements, procedures and standards.
Health & Safety is everyones business. Everyone is expected to share in our commitment to avoid all accidents and incidents which may cause personal injury, property damage or loss of any kind.

If your query is not here please give us a call
0800Skydive - 0800 75 93 48
at Skydive Wellington

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