We’re happy to report that skydiving after LASIK is possible, but there are a few things to be mindful of. Let’s explore skydiving, LASIK, and taking your new eyes on the ultimate adventure!

What is LASIK?

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. Phew – that’s a mouthful! According to FDA.gov:

LASIK is a “procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A mechanical microkeratome (a blade device) or a laser keratome (a laser device) is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced.”

Basically, LASIK is an outpatient procedure where a blade or laser is used to cut into the eye so that vision issues can be corrected. 

Thankfully, it doesn’t take too long to recover from the surgery. In fact, in as little as three days, you may be cleared to return to light exercise, or light recreational activities such as bicycling, boating or golfing. In one week, some may return to swimming. 

However, for the eye to have enough time to heal, doctors usually recommend about one month before taking on more rigorous activities such as water skiing, scuba diving, basketball, hockey, motorcycling, snowboarding, dirt biking, and yes – skydiving.

Skydiving and LASIK

Skydiving is an extreme activity. And that means extra precautions have to be taken when planning to jump after a procedure like LASIK. 

All skydivers, new and experienced, protect their eyes on every jump because the 120 mph wind makes it nearly impossible to see without some sort of barrier. You will wear a pair of goggles when you make a tandem skydive to protect your eyes during freefall. However, the goggles are made with ventilation holes so that the goggles don’t fog up during the skydive, and ventilation airflow could compromise the LASIK procedure.

There’s also the very small chance that your goggles could come dislodged during the jump, fully exposing your eyes to the wind. While this is uncommon, sometimes the wind wins against our best efforts. It’s good to have a plan in place should you find your eye protection has abandoned you!

Beyond wind, every skydive contains drastic pressure changes on the way up and down. Miles of altitude are no joke! LASIK can already cause temporary swelling/pressure changes in the eye, so it’s important to give yourself enough time to heal before subjecting your eyes to even more pressure fluctuations. 

Make sure to let your instructor know before you jump if you’ve recently had a LASIK procedure, and give us a call ahead of time if you have any questions! 

Pro Tip: Experienced jumpers have the luxury of wearing a full face helmet, which completely prevents air flow around the eyes during freefall. If given the choice between a full face or open faced helmet, it’s highly recommended for experienced jumpers who have had LASIK to opt for the full face protection.

Recommendations

First and foremost, talk to your eye surgeon before booking your skydive. They are highly specialized in post-LASIK eye care and should be regarded as the ultimate authority on how to approach resuming extreme activities. Here are a couple small recommendations we can make if you’re thinking about coming along on a jump:

• One month after LASIK: We recommend getting permission from your doctor to skydive from one to six months after the LASIK procedure. They may have a personalized recovery timeline for you that you can plan around. 

• Six months after LASIK: After six months, the eye has had more time to heal and you are likely able to do a tandem skydive, though it’s still a good idea to check with your doctor if you’ve had complications or are unsure. 

Remember, these are general recommendations and should not be taken to supersede advice from your doctor. Skydiving after LASIK is ultimately your decision, and understanding the risk factors is imperative to enjoying your jump. 

Skydiving with Glasses or Contacts

While LASIK is a marvel of modern medicine, it’s not your only option for clear-vision skydiving! If you currently wear glasses or contacts, you are absolutely welcome to skydive! We can accommodate glasses and contacts with specialized goggles and a little bit of pre-planning. 

If you’re ready to see what skydiving is all about (pun intended), book your skydive and use that brand new vision to view the world from above! Blue skies!

The post Skydiving After LASIK: What You Need to Know appeared first on Long Island Skydiving Center.

In fact, there are so many different types of parachute that you probably don’t know ’em all! Here’s a rundown of several of the normal and not-so-normal types of parachutes that help skydivers (and far-flung cargo) make their way softly back down to terra firma.

The History of Parachutes

The jump is the easy part when it comes to falling from extreme heights – it’s the landing that’s hard (get it?). And that’s where the parachute comes in. Cue the entrance of Louis-Sébastien Lenormand. Though he’s not the inventor of the parachute, he is the first person to make a recorded (and successful) public jump. The year was 1783, and the jump was from the tower of the Montpellier Observatory in France. Lenormand is actually the one who coined the term “parachute” in 1785 by combining an Italian prefix para (meaning to avert, defend, resist, guard, shield or shroud) and chute, the French word for fall. 

André-Jacques Garnerin also made skydiving history in France in the 1700s – there must have been something in the air! Garnerin was a hot air balloon expert and the inventor of the frameless parachute. In 1797, he ascended in a gondola attached to a parachute and a balloon. At altitude, Garnerin released the balloon and soared over Paris under his grand parachute.

These parachutes, while effective, are extremely crude versions of what this life-saving piece of equipment would become. With extensive research, development, and the dedication of a lot of extremely brave people, the parachute underwent redesign after redesign until it finally became the technological wonder that it is today. 

Round Parachutes

Round parachutes were the first tools for fabric descent. Even the earliest parachutes resemble their round grandchildren despite existing hundreds of years apart. If your mental image of a parachute involves a big, inverted dome of fabric suspended over a dangling jumper, then it’s a round parachute you’re thinking of! They almost look like jellyfish floating through the sky.

Round parachutes served a purpose for a very long time (and still do, in some very specific circumstances), but there were a few issues with this design that caused them to eventually fade from regular use. First off: they’re (gulp!) unsteerable. Secondly, they’re (double gulp!) not super-likely to land lightly.

Round parachutes were adapted for sport skydiving from surplus military gear before civilian skydiving had its own gear industry. Early skydivers would modify their military rounds to be more dynamic in flight, and it was this ingenuity and dedication to progress that eventually led us to the ram air parachutes we depend on today! 

Ram Air Parachutes

The venerable ram air parachute is the rightful king of all designs. As a matter of fact, just about everyone in the sky today uses ram air canopies to get down. You’ll recognize them instantly: a square or rectangular fabric wing, wherein a top and bottom sheet of nylon are attached by a set of fabric ribs between them. They have an uncanny resemblance to an airplane wing, and for very good reason – that’s exactly how they work!

The ribs divide the parachute into a set of individual cells that inflate when the parachute is deployed, and this makes the parachute into a rigid wing. When that inflation happens, the wing becomes a steerable airfoil and … bingo! A stable flying machine that slows you down, steers like a dream and “flares” to land you as softly as a pretty little fairy princess.

The shape of ram air parachutes actually creates lift the same way an airplane wing does to achieve a sort of gliding momentum through the air that is both fun to steer and easy to land. 

Specialty Parachutes

As skydiving has evolved, so has our equipment. As a result, there are subclasses of parachutes that are used for different jobs, disciplines, and airsports. 

Tandem Parachutes 

Tandem skydives require highly specific equipment that can handle the weight of two people – an instructor and their student. Research and development through the 1980s led to an adaptation to the ram air parachute in order to accommodate the specific needs of tandem skydiving. The ram air tandem parachute is larger and more docile than your everyday sport parachute so that a tandem pair can have a comfortable, enjoyable ride and easy landing.

Reserve Parachutes

Like main parachutes, reserves started out as rounds and eventually became ram air parachutes – but, unlike main sport parachutes, they are constructed to be extremely docile in flight and open much faster than their leading character cousins. This is because they are for use in emergency situations, so they need to be extremely reliable and easy to fly.

Cruciform Parachutes

These are almost exclusively used by the military as an advanced version of the age-old round parachute. They’re not round, per se, but they’re certainly not the square modern parachutes we use for most purposes today. The difference is this: their squared-off profile decreases oscillation and ends up resulting in fewer landing injuries for the jumpers and cargo that dangle helplessly below.

Rogallo Wings

You’ll pretty much never see a rogallo parachute in the sport skydiving world – but you just might see one in paragliding where they’re commonly used as rescue parachutes. The wing design is highly recognizable: springy and flexible. The Rogallo wing is most often seen in toy kites, but has been used to construct descent parachutes for spacecraft, as well as provide an airfoil for ultralight powered aircraft like trikes.

Want to find out what it feels like to steer a ram air parachute? We’d love to show you! Come on over and join one of our awesome tandem instructors for a comprehensive introduction to one of our skydiving parachutes. You’re gonna love it – book your jump today!

The post What Parachute Types Are There? appeared first on Long Island Skydiving Center.

Why a Skydiving Proposal is Unique and Memorable

Skydiving on its own is an out-of-this-world experience. But add asking someone to spend the rest of your life with you to the equation, and you have a recipe for one of the most memorable days of your life!

Sure, a marriage proposal is an exciting and emotional moment regardless of how you pop the question – but including skydiving in the mix brings an element of adventure and heightens the surprise. The last thing your partner is going to expect on the day they jump out of an airplane is to be jumping into a marriage proposal! They will already have so much on their mind that they’ll never expect the question.

You also send a clear message by proposing during an adrenaline fueled couple’s adventure – life with you will be exciting! Not only are you promising to love and honor them, but you’re guaranteeing they’ll never get bored. Jumping out of an airplane already comes with extreme emotions and meaning. Leaning into that experience will help to make your proposal unique, special, and something your boo will never forget.

And the best part is, you can tailor your skydiving proposal ideas to fit your unique couple vibe and make it the most perfect proposal possible!

Skydiving: The Perfect Adventure Proposal Idea

You are not alone in thinking that a skydiving proposal might be a really good idea. We’ve simply lost count of how many engagements we’ve helped set up over the years, and have become very good at guiding people through a double-anxiety-inducing day out. Being part of your big day is almost as meaningful to us as it is to you!

We’ve perfected the art of the skydiving proposal, so here are some tips to help you wow your partner into the rest of your lives:

• Understand your partner’s comfort with heights and adventure sports – A skydiving proposal is only a good idea if the apple of your eye isn’t going to pass out in the middle of it! It’s to be expected that they might be nervous about the idea, but if they can’t stand the thought of jumping out of an airplane, you might want to consider other options. 
  
• Timing the proposal – Do you want to propose before, during, or after the jump? For those who like a spectacle, we can place a banner that says, “Will You Marry Me?” in the landing area for your beloved to see while they fly around under parachute. If your partner is more the quiet type, proposing in the airplane on the way to altitude is a little less dramatic while still being exciting. Or, if you prefer the personal touch after the jump instead, you can land first and wait for them on one knee as they come in for their own touchdown.
  
• Capture the moment with photos and videos – The experience will certainly live on forever in your memories, but being able to actually watch the moment that changed your life is something few people get to have. What’s better than being able to show people your proposal when they ask you for the story?? If you want to be super sly, you can even write “Marry Me” on your hands and they won’t know you proposed until they see your video!
  
• Give us a call ahead of time – We want to make sure everything is perfectly prepared before you arrive so that the proposal can go smoothly. You have enough to worry about on the day of your jump, so let us handle some of the details! 

Remember, these are just our tips. We love doing this, and are happy to help facilitate whatever scheme you dream up!

Safety and Logistics: What You Need to Know

One of the most common (and understandable) concerns around skydiving for the first time has to do with the risk involved. Skydiving does include the assumption of inherent risk, but we do everything in our power to mitigate that risk. As a United States Parachute Association (USPA) member dropzone, we abide by all rules and regulations that have been set out by the organization and by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Our instructors are highly trained and professionally certified, and will be with you every step of the way. Not only will they help to calm your nerves by answering any questions and walking you through training, but they’ll also be your partner in pulling off your proposal! 

One important logistical consideration to keep in mind is that you won’t actually be in freefall with your date. For safety reasons, each person must fly in their own airspace, but you will almost certainly be able to see their parachute flying around in the sky with you, so you can still share the wonderful views of the Sound, the Hamptons, and Fire Island!

Skydiving Proposal Packages and Pricing

It’s understandable that prices and budgeting would be on your mind with a future wedding to plan. We have deals that can help you cut costs while still providing an incredible experience for your love! 

Pro tip: Bring your friends! Not only will you get to share your special moment with those closest to you, you’ll save some extra money, too!

Are you ready to leap into the first day of the rest of your life?! Book your unforgettable skydiving proposal with us!       

The post Is A Skydiving Proposal A Good Idea? appeared first on Long Island Skydiving Center.

But is that even a thing? Can couples skydive together?? Not only is it fairly common, we highly recommend it! Skydiving together strengthens bonds, adds excitement, and mixes things up. 

If you’re looking for “couples skydiving near me,” you’re in luck! When you’re in one of the most romantic cities in the US, there are myriad opportunities to switch things up and take your partner to do something daring, exciting, and thrilling like a tandem skydive for two! 

Skydiving for Couples: A Unique and Exciting Experience

Couples that skydive together, stay together. Don’t believe us? It’s science! There are skydiving couples all over the world, because taking a leap of faith with the person you trust most in this world forms a bond like no other. 

Whether you’re taking your very first leap together or have thousands of couples skydives under your belt, sharing the sky means sharing passion. And what is a good relationship if not passionate? Skydiving together is a great way to revisit the excitement of the unknown that naturally fades over the course of a relationship, and you may even discover new things about your partner in the process! 

You’ll have the opportunity to create memories together that you can hold onto for the rest of your lives. Your skydiving experience will be unique to you and your partner, and no one else will ever share that but you two. And supporting each other through the stress of jumping out of an airplane will strengthen trust, communication, and empathy. 

Besides, you’ll have bragging rights as the coolest couple you know! 

Planning a Skydiving Proposal

Picture this: you and your favorite human just experienced the most exhilarating moment of your lives together. You feel liberated and closer than ever before. You see your elation reflected in their eyes and then … you pop the question!

A skydiving marriage proposal is a unique and incredibly meaningful way to ask someone to spend the rest of their life with you. Imagine the adventures you’ll have if it all starts off with a leap from an airplane! No matter how you slice it, a skydiving proposal is an incredible idea, but there are a few different ways to make it happen:

• In-air: While it would be a little difficult (if not impossible) to actually propose in freefall, we’ve worked out a way to get the message across to your beloved while they are still in the air. With a strategically placed banner and a little help from their instructor, your spouse-to-be can get a bird’s eye view of your life-changing question while they are flying around under parachute. Just be prepared to wait for their answer until after they land!
  
• Post-landing: This is the most personal version of the skydiving proposal and is a great way to ride the emotions of the jump together. You can be waiting in the landing area, having just landed yourself, down on one knee, ring in hand, ready to ask for their hand as they come back to earth. Really, it’s the only time we’re actually excited for a skydive to be over!
  
• Video surprise: If you’re someone who can keep a secret, this one’s for you. Writing, “Marry me?” on your hands and flashing them to the camera in freefall is a great way to surprise your partner later on when you’re watching the videos and reliving the moment. This is a great option for when your other half might have suspicions about what’s coming! 

Be sure to let our team members know what you have up your sleeve ahead of time so we can help you execute your extra-special moment. Due to the popularity of proposals at Long Island Skydiving Center – one of the most romantic dropzones in the US – we’ve even created the perfect proposal package with specials included! 

Pro tip: whichever method you choose, don’t forget to document the special day with pictures and video! Not only is it social media gold (#freefallinginlove), but it’s also the ultimate keepsake to share in your years to come!

What to Expect During a Tandem Skydive for Two

What exactly does a couple’s skydive look like? Understanding the details is crucial to enjoying your experience. Most importantly, tandem skydivers don’t exit the plane at the exact same time. This is a matter of safety and is non-negotiable. However, you are able to be in the airplane together and even exit one after another. 

You’ll also be able to do everything immediately before and after your jump together – you’ll go through ground school together, suit up at the same time, and head to altitude on the same airplane load. When it comes time to exit the aircraft, you will jump out of the plane one at a time with your own tandem instructor. (Who’s going first! Will it be an easy decision or will you have to rock, paper, scissors?)

After your instructor deploys the parachute and you’re riding the canopy back down to the ground, you might be able to spot your significant other soaring through the sky. Give your best mating call! 

Once your instructor lands the parachute, you and your partner will be reunited. And trust and believe, there is nothing like that skydiving afterglow that brings couples closer together. There is something about accomplishing an out-of-this-world experience that strengthens your connection, and the sense of achievement and exhilaration that follows will have you straight-up gleaming with love!

Some tips for a successful skydive:

• Save up and budget for a fulfilling experience. You can also take advantage of deals like cheaper weekday jumps or group discounts. 

• Wear comfortable, athletic clothing that’s easy to move around in and appropriate for the weather. 

• Mentally and physically prepare by eating a nutritious meal, staying hydrated, and getting good sleep. 

• Celebrate your jump! Plan a night out with friends or stay in and watch your videos.

Why Choose Long Island Skydiving Center for Your Couples Tandem Jump

You wouldn’t trust your most cherished person with anything but the best, and that’s why Long Island Skydiving Center is the perfect place for your couples skydiving adventure. Our safety record, highly-experienced instructors, and cutting-edge facilities are all top of the line for the love of your life. 

Your happiness is our highest goal, but don’t just take our word for it!
Sweep your love off their feet – literally! Book your amazing date dive today! Blue skies, love birds!

The post Skydiving For Couples: Fun Date Activity In NYC appeared first on Long Island Skydiving Center.

At Long Island Skydiving Center, we prioritize safety above all else and are proud to share our safety standards and protocols with any of the thousands of tandem skydivers we serve each year. Here’s how we answer the question, How safe is tandem skydiving? 

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The most logical way to understand how much risk is involved with jumping out of airplanes is to look at the cold, hard data. The United States Parachute Association (USPA) has been tracking and compiling statistics around almost every aspect of skydiving for decades, including safety.

The most recent data set available from the USPA is from 2023, which recorded 10 fatal skydiving accidents out of 3.65 million skydives. That’s 0.27 fatalities per 100,000 skydives. And we’re happy to report that, in general, skydiving statistics are trending in the right direction. Let’s look at a data snapshot from 15 years of USPA reports.

Skydiving Safety Statistics

What’s more, there were zero tandem fatalities in 2023, and only 0.002 student fatalities for every 1,000 tandem skydives made during the last decade. Is tandem skydiving safe, then? We would never say skydiving – tandem or otherwise – is safe, but we can say that there are advantages to having a seasoned professional at your back. (More on this below.)

The majority of skydiving fatalities occur when experienced solo skydivers become complacent, push beyond their limits, or try new things. 

Tandem Skydiving Technology

One of the main reasons for the encouraging trend in skydiving statistics is the evolution of our gear. The technology of skydiving equipment has developed significantly over the years, all with a focus on improved safety. And tandem skydiving equipment in particular is custom made to serve the needs of an instructor and student skydiving as a pair.

For starters, all skydiving equipment includes two parachutes – a main for general use and a reserve for emergencies. The main parachute is designed to open and fly in any condition a skydiver could find themselves in, and the reserve is even more reliable. Our gear is also equipped with an automatic activation device (AAD) – a small device that measures descent rate and altitude that is able to deploy the parachute at a preset altitude if the instructor doesn’t manually deploy it.

Fun fact: Reserve parachutes must be inspected and repacked every 180 days by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified rigger, whether they were used or not.

Tandem gear technology takes this mindset even one step further. Tandem setups include a third, smaller parachute called a drogue that helps slow the pair of jumpers in freefall to avoid painfully hard main parachute deployments. 

Skydiving gear quite literally saves our life on every jump, and every part of it is developed with that in mind! 

Tandem Instructor Qualifications

Gear isn’t the only necessity for a successful skydive. Our professional instructors make it possible for people who have never even been in an airplane to taste the freedom of the sky. We know that you’re putting all of your trust into your instructor when you decide to make a tandem skydive, and we take that responsibility very seriously. 

Ever wondered what qualifications are required of your instructor?

• Logging at least 500 jumps
• Earning a USPA D license
• Accruing a minimum of 3 years experience in the sport
• Possessing a current FAA Class III Flight Medical Certificate
• Completing the USPA tandem instructor rating certification program

All USPA instructors have been put through their paces in a series of on-the-ground and in-air evaluations and exams. They’re passionate about what they do and have committed to putting their customers first. 

Pro tip: To receive the benefit of these qualifications and safety measures set by the USPA, make sure you jump at a USPA member dropzone like Long Island Skydiving Center.

You Have a Part to Play

If you’re someone who feels better in control, don’t fret – the tandem student is an active participant in the success of the skydive. Sure, your instructor is in charge of all the major responsibilities, but you’ll learn a handful of techniques that will help you contribute to the jump. 

Your instructor will give you a brief training before your jump so that you can be prepared with the correct body position, how to land, and any other information that might be useful. 

The student’s ability to follow the instructor’s directions and fully engage is crucial, so you must sign a series of waivers determining your fitness to skydive. This makes sure that everyone is on the same page for a successful skydive! 

SKYDIVING NYC

If you’d like to give jumping a go, we’d love to take you on the adventure of a lifetime. Learn more about tandem skydiving at Long Island Skydiving Center, get in touch or go ahead and book your jump! Blue skies!

The post How Dangerous is Tandem Skydiving? appeared first on Long Island Skydiving Center.

We get it. You’ve got the jitters. A big factor in getting yourself to the dropzone and into that airplane is to be well informed. Here are our top 7 tips for skydiving for the first time, anxiety, and making your day at the dropzone as relaxed as it can possibly be.

1. Practice Self Care

Everyone has personal techniques and habits for dealing with nerves and stress – trust that you know how to take care of yourself best, and employ those tactics the day of your jump. But there are certain tried and true methods that you can include in your prep for the big day.

It’s extremely important to show up to the dropzone hydrated and well rested. Make sure you’ve eaten something, and pack snacks and water. Wear comfy, athletic clothing appropriate for the weather that you can easily move around in.

You can also decide before the big day if you want to purchase photos and/or a video package to relive and share your adventure so you don’t have to make that decision at the dropzone. (But don’t worry, you can also add a media package when you get to the dropzone.) And, if it helps, rally a team of friends and family to support you or, even better, have them jump with you!

Take some time to visualize your jump going well and how much you’re going to love the experience – you’ll be surprised at the power of your brain in high stress moments like this!

2. Visit the Dropzone

If you have never been to a dropzone or seen real-life skydivers in action, make the time to visit before your jump. Take in the layout and the general area, see all of the people enjoying themselves, and get an idea of the flow of a regular jump day.

If possible, spend some time at the dropzone a few weekends ahead of your jump. Being a spectator is a great way to understand that EVERYONE is nervous on their first jump. Watching the tandem skydivers getting ready as they load into the plane will help you understand some of what you will be experiencing. Even better is seeing those tandems come in for landing and feeling the shared sense of celebration and excitement on the field. That will be YOU, celebrating in just a few days or weeks!

Sometimes, just finding the location is the biggest hurdle when it comes to trying new things. Long Island Skydiving Center happens to be super easy to access – here are directions.

3. Review the Risks of Skydiving

Probably the biggest source of skydiving related anxiety for most people is the risk associated with jumping out of an airplane. That’s just natural human self preservation at work, and will actually help you make good decisions about your skydive, so use it to your advantage.

Take the time to research skydiving statistics and compare them to other things you do in your  normal life, like driving. You’ll quickly realize that the statistics are on your side for a successful and awesome experience.

Something to keep in mind is that there will be a lot of forms to fill out when you first arrive at the dropzone. Some of them might make you want to reconsider your jump. Yes, there are risks. And you will be asked to sign your name to acknowledge that you accept the risks of jumping out of an airplane. Comfort yourself with the research you’ve done and the reality that skydiving goes on all day, every day, all over the world. 

If you have questions or concerns, just ask. And if you decide skydiving is not for you after all, that’s OK too. No pressure. This is your journey.

4. Watch Tandem Skydiving Videos

In addition to visiting the dropzone and researching statistics, you can familiarize yourself further by watching videos of other people’s experiences. Make an effort to fill some of your spare time with fun videos of skydivers doing their first tandem jump and you’ll notice that your mindset will begin to change.
Leading up to your first jump, you can only imagine yourself in those scenarios. Videos help you visualize what the experience will be like – and help you calm the jitters by being in the know. There are lots of YouTube videos out there for your viewing pleasure (a bunch of them on our YouTube Channel), so dig in!

It also helps to read reviews from people who have jumped before so you can get an inside scoop on how much they loved the experience. 

5. Ask Questions

Dropzones are in the business of creating unforgettable experiences. We know you likely have zero bandwidth for understanding the regulations around skydiving, the gear, suits, and planes. You’ve got a lot on your plate already! 

But we still want to make sure you understand the process and feel as comfortable as you can about your skydive. Your first tandem skydive is designed to be a welcoming and exhilarating learning experience for you. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions if something is not clear or you are just curious to know more. This is our job, and we love what we do! We want nothing more than to share our passion with you, and asking questions is the best way to connect over a shared love of the sky. 

6. Trust That Your Skydiving Instructor Cares

Tandem instructors have jumped more than 500 times (and often thousands of times), and they have a real passion for sharing this extraordinary experience. Remember that your instructor is there for you. Their entire focus is on your individual and positive experience. It’s your instructor’s job to make sure you feel completely prepared and secure before, during, and after exiting the plane and landing back on the ground.

So take a deep breath and feel the nervous tension melt away. Know some awesome human has your back (literally!). Take a second to acknowledge the intensity of this new experience and then just live the moment.

If you are ready to book your skydive or have any questions about your upcoming skydive feel free to contact us today! Blue skies!

The post Nervous About Skydiving? Here Are Our Top 6 Tips! appeared first on Long Island Skydiving Center.

Afterall, what’s more incredible than jumping from a plane and soaring through the air a stone’s throw from some of the tallest buildings in the world? With NYC being a bustling metropolis, we bet you’re wondering where to skydive in New York, right? We’ve got you! 

Long Island Skydiving Center is perfectly situated to provide you with the best skydiving near NYC. You can get it all from altitude – gorgeous coastal views and a unique point of view of the city.

Where To Go Skydiving In New York

New York state is a vast and sprawling variety of landscapes and experiences. From farms and forests to mountains and cities, there’s no end to the adventures New York can offer. And skydiving is no different. There are several places you can go skydiving in New York, but we think that we’re the best option (even if we are a bit biased).

Our prime location offers everything you could want out of optimal New York views. Not only are we the closest skydiving facility to NYC (located only 50 miles from the city!), we’re also situated right off the Atlantic Coastline. As a result, the views you get when you skydive with us are unmatched – the breathtaking NYC skyline, the Long Island Sound, Hampton Beaches, and Fire Island. Plus, on clear days, you can even get breathtaking views of Montauk.

What’s more, it’s super convenient to get to Long Island Skydiving Center by car, rideshare, or train. We’re removed enough from the hustle and bustle to feel like an adrenaline-fueled getaway, but still close enough that our dropzone is easy to reach. Skydive with us and you’ll get the best New York has to offer!

Can You Skydive Over New York City?

While you can usually see New York City when you skydive with us, you cannot skydive over the city. As much fun as that could be, skydiving with us is the closest you can get to jumping in the actual city. 

The reason why has mostly to do with planes and airspace. Of course, there are some very large airports right around New York City: John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport. The difference between these airports and our dropzone is that all three of the large airports have Class B airspace surrounding them, which is a type of controlled airspace. Skydiving operations are not authorized to enter into controlled airspace, except with special permission and coordination with air traffic control. 

Technically speaking, our dropzone is located pretty much as close to New York City as you can get without being in the no-no zone.

How Much Does It Cost to Go Skydiving in New York?

Let’s talk about cost. We offer a range of options to fit your schedule and budget:

Looking to save a little extra dough? We also offer discounted group rates (bring all of your buds!), and a special repeat rate – because your first jump will be so nice, you’ll want to do it (at least) twice!

• Groups of 6-9: $10 off per person
• Groups of 10-15: $20 off per person
• Groups of 16+: $20 off per person and on free jump
• Gotta go again: Get your second jump with us for $209! 

And you can still take advantage of these great opportunities even if jumping out of an airplane isn’t for you! Gift certificates make for great birthday, holiday, and graduation presents! 

NYC Skydiving Considerations

Sure, skydiving is all about letting go and living in the moment, but there are some things to consider before taking the leap. Planning ahead for your day with us will help mitigate stress and ensure your experience goes smoothly. Here are some of the most important ways you can prep for your first skydive:

• Age requirement – Skydiving is exciting no matter how old you are, but there is a minimum age limit to making the leap. You must be at least 18 years old to jump with us, so don’t forget to bring your valid ID. The good news? There is no maximum age limit!
  
• Weight limit – Our weight limit is 250 lbs for guests who are height-to-weight proportionate. While this may seem like an arbitrary cutoff, it’s actually a matter of safety. Skydiving gear is made to accommodate a range of body sizes, but there is still a limit.  If you are over 200 lbs, please connect with us before making a reservation.
  
• Prep for success – Take care of your mind, body, and spirit the day of your jump. Eat a balanced breakfast, stay hydrated, and do what you need to do to get your head right. And pick an outfit that is comfy and easy to move around in, like something you’d wear to the gym!
  
• Get the video – Not only do we offer videos and photos, but we HIGHLY recommend getting them. Since skydiving is not something that most people do all the time, it is so much fun to have this crazy experience on record for you to remember and to share with all of your family and friends (especially when it’s your first time)! And don’t forget to tag us! #longislandskydiving #longislandskydivingcenter

Are you ready to experience New York like you’ve never seen it before? Get your ticket to the best views in town right here! Blue skies!

The post Where Can I Go Skydiving in New York? appeared first on Long Island Skydiving Center.

Let’s start with some information and skydiving landing tips to help you understand exactly what it’s like to return to the Earth after an adventure in the sky.

How Parachutes Work

The skydiving parachute – also known as a canopy – is a technology marvel that has been evolving for centuries. While the modern iteration of the parachute is much closer to an aircraft wing, early designs resembled giant umbrellas with wooden frames. Perhaps the most famous version of the parachute is the jellyfish-like round parachutes of the early days of military and sport jumping, made famous in movies and children’s toys.

Today’s square (or, more specifically, rectangular) designs give a parachute landing great precision, enabling the canopy pilot to seamlessly touch down in the exact desired spot. This is done by controlling the same forces that allow airplanes to fly – lift, drag, weight, and thrust.

Parachutes are built to always descend, but their efficient shape and the weight suspended underneath mean they have power that can be converted to lift at the right moment. Pulling down on the ‘brakes’ (one in each hand) causes the parachute to flare, or, in more familiar terms, level out and slow down.   

Flaring a parachute works almost exactly like an airplane wing during landing. By using the brakes to change the angle and shape of the parachute, the skydiver creates lift and lands as gently as hopping down from a single step.    

How Do Skydivers Know Where to Land?

Skydiving landings are more than just full-send and hope for the best. There’s actually quite a bit of science and planning that goes into a successful parachute landing. Skydivers learn early on how to calculate wind speed and direction, distance over the ground, and rate of descent to plan their parachute flight.

Changing weather and wind conditions mean that every day, and sometimes multiple times throughout the day, skydivers need to be paying attention to their environment and reacting to it. Planning starts from the best altitude and location to exit the airplane all the way down to which direction to take a final approach to landing.

Experienced skydivers, instructors, pilots, and even skydiving students will all assess wind and weather conditions to plan their location for each portion of the jump so that they can be as confident as possible in where they are going to land. 

Tandem Skydive Landings

When you make a tandem skydive, you are securely harnessed to your instructor at your hips and shoulders, almost like you’re giving your instructor a piggyback. As you can imagine, this makes for a creative landing strategy – it’s not easy for two people tied together to stick a stand-up landing! Instead of waddling around like a four-legged human sandwich, you and your instructor will slide into the landing on your butts.

Your instructor will give you the cue to lift your legs at the hips (like an L sit) as you approach the ground during your final approach. While there is a chance you’ll be able to land standing up with your instructor, most times folks slide into home base on their bum. As you can see from the miles of smiles on first-timers’ faces, it’s easy peasy and takes nothing away from the phenomenal feeling of flying through the big blue Long Island sky!

Solo Landings

Solo skydiving landings look a little more like what you’re probably used to when you think of someone touching back down to Earth. The coveted stand up landing is much more common in solo skydiving (though even experienced skydivers do their share of rolling in the dirt!), and some skydivers even make stylish landings their main focus.

Brand new student skydivers go through extensive training to learn the techniques needed to safely land a parachute, and their instructor even guides them down by radio the first few jumps. After that, landings are what you make of them! Some skydivers just plan to get to the ground as safely as possible so they can go up and do it again. Others turn landing into an art and study the discipline of high-performance landings, which can include speeds nearing 100 mph and some crafty tricks!

How It Feels

Skydiving is a feeling unlike anything else in the world, and each portion of the skydive even has its own unique sensations. Most people associate skydiving with the freefall portion of the jump, but the fun doesn’t end once the speed is over and you have deployed your parachute.

Canopy flight feels amazing in its own right. Some like it mild and relish in the peaceful glide back to terra firma; others like it wild and zip through the air, keeping the adrenaline pumping. Even the landing comes with unmatched excitement – feeling the ground getting closer, seeing the blades of grass zip by your toes, and then finally slowing down and gently plopping back to Earth. 

The skydive landing isn’t just the end of a jump, it’s another part of the process worth reflecting upon and celebrating! The only way you can get to the landing, though, is to take the leap! Ready? Come jump with us!

The post What Is A Skydiving Landing Like? appeared first on Long Island Skydiving Center.

Skydiving is a freeing, empowering, even life-changing experience – a true testament to mental and physical stamina! Is there really a better way to support someone than helping them overcome their fears and live their life to the fullest? Let’s dive into why a skydiving voucher is at the top of the list for thrill seeker gifts! 

Who Should Get A Skydiving Gift Certificate? 

Some say that everyone who is willing and able should skydive at least once in their life! If that’s in line with your thinking, make sure the person you have in mind is eligible to redeem a skydiving gift certificate. All tandem skydivers should meet these criteria: 

• Be at least 18 years old. The minimum skydiving age requirement is set by the United States Parachute Association (USPA). If there’s a lucky person in your life who is on the cusp of adulthood – skydiving is the ultimate present! And there’s no maximum age to skydive!
  
• Weigh no more than 250 lbs while being height-to-weight proportionate. We strive to accommodate everyone to enjoy the freedom of skydiving, while maintaining a culture of safety. This means following the regulations set by the manufacturers of our tandem skydiving gear. If the person wishing to skydive weighs over 200 lbs, please give us a call before confirming a reservation.
  
• Have a desire to skydive! Encouraging people to be their best selves and try new things is a good thing – positive pressure! But, if you’re not sure that your gift recipient will be as jazzed to get your gift as you’ll be to give it, consider talking with them about jumping before you buy. (Or, go for it and rest assured that our gift certificates can be transferred!)

Three Reasons Skydiving Gifts Are The Best Gifts 

This may sound backwards, but going skydiving isn’t just about jumping out of an airplane, although it is tons of fun. Embracing adventure and stepping out of your comfort zone – ya know, that place where growth doesn’t happen – are paramount in the skydiving experience! Here are three reasons why skydiving makes the perfect present for the giver and the receiver. 

1. It’s Unexpected. 

Here’s the scene: you’re gathered around and gifts are flying open. Wrapping paper is getting tossed to the side and envelopes containing generic cards are quickly opened and set down. Finally, your unassuming card gets picked up. From the outside, it looks like any other card, until it’s opened and a golden ticket to adventure slips out. The recipient goes wide-eyed and is flooded with emotions – excitement, disbelief, and perhaps some healthy hesitation. They hit the jackpot and you’re deemed the best gift-giver for years to come! 

2. It’s EASY! 

Looking for last minute gifts? Purchase a skydiving gift certificate, print it out, and pop it in a card. Boom! Or, forward the confirmation email to the recipient! No braving the endlessly crowded aisles at the store or doom scrolling through online shopping sites. Booking a skydive is easy-peasy for you and a top-notch present for them – it’s the best of both worlds. 

3. It’s Unforgettable. 

No one wants to experience the dreaded fake excitement of opening an oh-you-shouldn’t-have gift. We’re cringing just thinking about it! Gifting someone with a skydive not only makes the exchange memorable, but the gift itself is truly unforgettable! 

What’s Next? 

Ready to purchase a skydiving gift certificate and wondering which package to choose? Let’s break it down. 

1. At the base level, you’ve got a tandem skydive, which provides the exhilaration of jumping from a plane with an experienced instructor. 
   
2. For just a little extra, you can opt for a photo or video package. 
   
3. Or you can go all the way and opt for a tandem skydive that includes photos and videos. 

Skydiving photos and videos let you see your out-of-this-world accomplishment! Talk about a gift that keeps on giving! Besides, how else can you share your freefalling experience with the world? Plenty of people who continue on their skydiving journey regret not documenting their first jump. If adding a media package isn’t in your gift giving budget, consider sharing the spotlight with another pal and making it a joint present.

Have questions about tandem skydiving or our gift certificates? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us – we’re here to support. Blue skies! 

The post Why Skydiving Certificates Make The Perfect Gift For Thrill Seekers  appeared first on Long Island Skydiving Center.

A tandem skydive is when a novice student and a professional instructor are securely harnessed together and use a parachute specially designed to hold two people. The student goes on the front, and the instructor on the back – piggy-back style – and the harness is clipped together at each shoulder and each hip. 

Considering you’re jumping from a perfectly good airplane a couple of miles up, tandem skydiving is pretty comfortable physically. Look at the miles of smiles across our guests’ faces and you can see that tandem skydiving isn’t painful. In this article, we’re jumping into what makes tandem skydiving mentally, emotionally, and even financially comfortable. Let’s go! 

What Does “Tandem Skydive” Mean?

The word “tandem” literally means having two things arranged one in front of the other, and that’s exactly how it applies to skydiving. The student is attached to the front of the instructor, and the instructor has complete control over every aspect of the skydive. 

So, as a first-time jumper, you can skydive after a brief, same-day training session because your highly-experienced instructor manages all of the technical aspects of a successful jump while you, essentially, enjoy the ride. It’s the perfect way for beginners and thrill-seekers to experience the joy and excitement of skydiving without a lot of responsibility.

Tandem skydiving offers an accessible and sophisticated window into the amazing sport of skydiving. For some, it’s a one-and-done bucket list activity, and others go on to become licensed skydivers! 

Factors Contributing to Mental & Emotional Comfort

There’s no denying that skydiving is an intense experience meant to push you outside of your comfort zone. But there are ways to preserve certain comforts that will help you manage the anxiety associated with abandoning others. If the thought of jumping out of an airplane makes you uncomfortable, soothe your soul with the knowledge of these cornerstones of the sport:

Skydiving Safety Measures

The sport of skydiving has been around for decades and, contrary to what the media would have you believe, it’s highly regulated by both the Federal Aviation Administration and the United States Parachute Association (USPA). The USPA is our industry’s governing body that sets out the standards and regulations that member dropzones must follow. It’s a highly active organization that monitors the sport closely and rolls out updates and requirements as the industry evolves.

The specialty equipment we use is also the subject of constant research and development. Skydivers are a creative bunch who like to push limits – to go faster, slower, higher, lower, further, longer. Gear manufacturers are dedicated to producing high quality, state-of-the-art technology for skydivers of all disciplines to use.

Instructors and pilots are also held to the highest standards of excellence, completing intense certifications and ongoing training to keep them up to date and qualified to serve.

These are all factors that are very much in our control, and the knowledge that we take safety seriously is a great drop in the comfort bucket for first-timers.

Professional Guidance

We certainly don’t throw you out of the airplane without preparation! Our highly experienced instructors are skilled at training new jumpers, and you’ll learn everything you need to know before you step foot in the airplane.

Your instructor will give you the full rundown on the gear you’ll use, the plane ride to altitude, the exit and freefall experience, the parachute ride, and how you’ll land together. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you might have if they don’t cover everything you’re curious about! Your instructor’s goal is to give you the best experience possible, and that includes showing you the ropes and helping you feel comfortable and confident.

Expectations

Managing expectations and doing research ahead of time are imperative to maintaining physical and emotional comfort during the skydive. Reading reviews and watching videos online can help with understanding what the skydiving process looks like and prepare you for what’s ahead.

Weather and other factors may require you to be at the dropzone for a while on the day of your jump, so plan to bring snacks, water, and sunblock. And dress for success! Fitted, athletic clothing appropriate for the season will go a long way to ensuring you’ll be comfy cozy throughout your jump.

Fun fact: You won’t experience the stomach-drop-butterflies during your skydive. Most people describe the sensation of freefall as a windy floating. 

We want you to walk away from your jump feeling fulfilled and challenged in the best way. That means your needs have to be taken care of so that you can focus on enjoying the skydive the way it’s meant to be experienced – a carefully-orchestrated leap out of your comfort zone!

Tandem Skydiving Cost

Financial comfort is important too! We know the cost of tandem skydiving can make some people feel uncomfortable, so it’s important to understand why skydiving costs a pretty penny.

As we’ve detailed, there’s a lot that goes into tandem skydiving possible. Instructors, pilots, parachute packers, and dropzone staff need consistent training and certifications, as well as fair salaries. Airplanes and skydiving gear require routine maintenance and upkeep. And, well, we can’t fly the airplane without fuel! 

The cost of every skydive goes directly toward maintaining the high level of satisfaction we promise and contributes to the continued operations of the dropzone so that we can keep offering life-changing experiences! (If you find a bargain-basement price on skydiving, beware. Cut costs may indicate cut corners.)

The good news? There are ways to save some dough! Book with a group for discounted prices, or keep an eye out for seasonal sales. Don’t skip on adding a video package, though – you only make your first jump once!
Have questions that are keeping you from feeling comfortable? Check out our FAQs or get in touch! Feeling good about joining us in the sky? Come jump with us! We can’t wait for you to experience the freedom of human flight!

The post What Makes The Tandem Skydiving Experience Comfortable? appeared first on Long Island Skydiving Center.