Tandem Skydiving FAQs

Skydive Newport has been in operation since the Summer of 1999. Since that time, we have held the very best safety record and customer experience in the industry. Our instructors are the absolute best the industry has to offer (each with thousands of jumps). Skydive Newport is very discerning as to who we hire for instructors. Only 10% of the instructors in this country would be considered a candidate to jump at this location. We only jump the best and most modern gear/parachutes, and our fleet of aircraft is impeccably maintained beyond what is required by the FAA. We are proud to offer some of the highest quality video packages available and strive to make your experience the very best possible from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave.

In addition to our credentials, we are very pleased to have a location that allows us to jump over the most beautiful scenery in New England! You will float down over Newport’s historic Coastline (which includes the many Newport beaches and Narragansett Bay), and we are only a few miles from downtown Newport (which is overflowing with the highest-rated restaurants and some of the best shopping and nightlife if that’s your thing). If you’re outdoorsy, we are only two miles from the beaches and within a few miles of wineries, hiking trails, state parks, and the like. In short, there’s something for everyone! Though we are sure the skydive will be the highlight of your day, you and your family/spectators will certainly have a blast when you visit Newport, RI!

Skydiving is a weather-sensitive sport. We can only jump if conditions are acceptable, (i.e. cloud clearance, no rain, tolerable winds), and we are the ones who make the call. Be advised that the weather can be different at your house (or even within a few miles distance), especially since we are located on an island. Please call if you are in question about the weather on your reservation date (especially if you live a far distance away). We always try to keep you informed about the weather and won’t make you wait around all day if the weather isn’t jumpable. Remember, weather forecasts are frequently incorrect!

Related Article: How Does Weather Affect Your Skydive?

Yes we are a United States Parachute Association Group Member Dropzone. This is important because USPA Group Member DZs have pledged that they will follow the Basic Safety Recommendations (BSRs) set forth by that organization. Dropzones that will not commit to USPA membership are not necessarily unsafe but they are refusing to pledge that they will follow the BSRs and should be avoided.

Tipping policies vary widely across the industry, but there is no set rule. Here at Skydive Newport, our staff is paid well for the job they do. However, if you had an excellent time and feel that your instructor went over and above to give you a great experience, gratuities are accepted and greatly appreciated.

Yes, by all means!! We encourage you to bring as many friends and family as you’d like to watch your jump! We have a spectator’s area with picnic tables set alongside our landing area. A word of caution…your friends may want to sign on for a jump that day when they see how much fun everyone is having with our highly experienced staff and our second-to-none location! Please note that your spectators MUST show up with you an hour before your scheduled jumping time. We cannot hold the aircraft on the ground or delay your jump if they are not here when you are ready to launch. Please see our Preparing for Your Skydive page for more information on this.

Yes. If you’re bringing friends and spectators, bring a grill and BBQ with you! (Please note, that alcohol is not permitted on airport property at any time). If we see it then we will ask you to remove the alcohol from the airport property.

It goes without saying that an airport can be an extremely hazardous environment for unattended children. There are active taxiways with moving aircraft, deadly spinning propellers, open containers of volatile chemicals and fuels, sensitive lifesaving equipment, and parachutes landing at a formidable speed. In addition, there are many other aeronautical activities that take place on and off the field (including frequent military training exercises) which can all be affected by an unattended child running out on the taxiway or into the field. This is an environment for adults, but we also understand how important it is for many to share experiences like this with their children, or those in their families.

In order to keep them safe and allow all activities on the airport to safely continue, all children under the age of 8 must be under the direct supervision of an adult at all times. We define direct supervision by holding their hand 100% of the time while on airport property. This may be an inconvenience, but safety is the number one priority for everyone at our facility. If this policy is not followed, you will be asked to leave the property (and any and all deposits will be forfeited).

Related Article: Skydiving Safety with Kids at the Dropzone.

Making a skydive requires active participation which hinges on effective communication between instructors and our guests. Understanding our commands is crucial for overall aircraft safety and passenger well-being, especially in the unlikely event of an emergency.

In the interest of safety and effective communication, we require that participants have a proficient understanding of English. Regrettably, if you arrive without the ability to comprehend English, we will have to refuse services and charges will be forfeited.

Unfortunately, you must be at least 18 years old to legally jump in the state of Rhode Island. There are no exceptions, and we cannot take parental-signed consent. Be prepared to show valid, government-issued I.D.

Related Article: How Old Do You Have to be to Skydive?

After careful consideration, Skydive Newport has set a policy that we will not take anyone on a skydive over the age of 75. We recognize that there are individuals over 75 who maintain exceptional fitness and could potentially partake in tandem skydiving without issues. However, there are also many individuals who might not meet our physical requirements, hindering us from providing adequate training. This decision stems from our commitment to ensuring the safety of our guests.

We understand that this policy might be inconvenient for some, and we apologize for any inconvenience it may cause. We are more than willing to provide you with a list of alternative skydiving centers that could potentially accommodate you. Please feel free to contact us for further information.

We also retain the discretion to decline service to any individual, regardless of age, at our discretion and for any reason we deem appropriate.

Weight limits apply. Anyone over their height to weight limit will be refused. More information is available on our Physical Requirements page.

Alcohol is not permitted anywhere on airport property. All of our instructors are drug and alcohol-free. Also, since you are required to participate to a certain degree in the skydive (as well as follow the instructions of your instructor), you must not be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs when you arrive. This is a safety issue, and we reserve the right to refuse service if we believe that you are impaired. Also, we advise against drinking heavily the night before making your jump. Being hungover will ruin your experience and could even make you sick.

Newport has a variety of motels and hotels. Try out Trivago.com to compare prices for rooms. Airbnb often has offerings in Newport, also. If you are in search of a luxurious, enchanting, and colonial Newport Mansion for bed and breakfast, then please visit an even “Last Minute Availability” with the Francis Malbone House. You may also look under www.GoNewport.com and www.Newportchamber.com.

There may be some skydiving locations that offer rates that appear to be lower than normal tandem skydiving rates in New England. Oftentimes, these operators will take you to a lower-than-safe (or legal) altitude to jump, offering you a much shorter amount of freefall and putting your safety at risk. Also, often times low-cost operators will cut corners in gear or aircraft maintenance, hire sub-par or inexperienced instructors, or operate out of makeshift trailers or shanties to save costs. They often will use Groupon, Living Social, or other similar sites to market and drum up large amounts of business (while tacking on all kinds of fees like airport use fees, homeland security fees, gear rental fees, and the like)

We do not operate that way. At Skydive Newport, we feature the best safety record in the industry, the most well-maintained aircraft, the most modern gear, and the absolute best instructors the industry has to offer. None of our instructors have less than 8,000 jumps (most have many more than that), and we are privileged to offer you the best view/location in New England at the best prices possible. We have kept our prices as competitive as possible in both the industry as well as the area. We have no hidden fees, no underhanded tactics, and are honest and upfront with the pricing structure. We do offer discounts for students, military, and police/fire industries (appropriate ID required). Please see our pricing page for more details.

After considering any other options in New England, we are certain you will find Skydive Newport to be the very best value and experience for Skydiving in New England. Our safety record and testimonials speak for themselves.

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Why We Don’t Use Groupon for Skydiving at Skydive Newport

We recommend scheduling a tandem skydive a week in advance. Depending on the season, it is possible to make an appointment 1-2 day(s) prior to jump. Sometimes you are able to jump the same day you call.

Punctuality is a must. Skydive Newport requires that you and everyone in your group show up at least ONE HOUR prior to your scheduled time for processing (i.e. 12:00 pm reservation to show up no later than 11:00 am). Your reservation time is the time your group should start jumping. There are waivers that need to be completed and training that you need prior to your jump. Also, the larger your group is, the more time it generally takes for processing. We welcome you to show up a little early if you like. It can give you a chance to get settled prior to your jump and see the operation in action.

Please plan according. Newport, RI is a tourist destination, and many times you may encounter beach traffic or just general congestion traffic (especially during summer months). If you or your group is late, it is very possible that you will lose your reserved time slot and be charged $100.00 per person as a late cancellation /no-show fee. We cannot delay other reservations if you or your group are late, so it is imperative that this policy is followed. This also applies to spectators. We cannot delay your jump if your family/spectators are late, so please ensure they understand the arrival time as well.

*This policy has absolutely no exceptions!

To secure a reservation: we require a valid credit card number during the reservation process. We do not charge your credit card at this point. You can pay in full the day of your jump.

We accept cash, MasterCard, Visa or Discover, but NOT American Express. No personal checks are accepted.

We here at Skydive Newport are the only qualified people to determine if you can’t jump due to inclement weather (wind, rain, etc.) If you are uncertain about the weather on your reservation date, you must call and we will keep you informed. If the weather isn’t jumpable during your scheduled time, you will be asked to reschedule (instead of waiting around all day). Also, in the event that your jump is canceled due to inclement weather, there would be no charge or deposit fee. Any monies would be returned in full and you will have the option to reserve a different day.

We require a 48 hour notice of cancellation or rescheduling at no charge. There are no exceptions since we regularly turn away others for spots that have been reserved. For groups of 8 and larger we require 1 (one) week notice of cancelation or rescheduling at no charge. No exceptions. Call (401) 845-0393 for more information.

We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover.

Skydive Newport has an impeccable safety record. We use state-of-the-art equipment. Our staff members are United States Parachute Association (USPA) certified and have many years of experience in the sport; they are highly trained. (You may be in greater danger driving your car).

Related Article: Is Tandem Skydiving Safe

The training usually takes about 5 minutes or so. The beauty of the tandem system is that your instructor handles all of the difficult parts of the skydive, while you have an up close and personal view of the world below. You will watch a brief video followed by gearing up, then meeting and boarding the aircraft with your instructor(s). The time it takes to jump also depends on the size of the group: we will give you a more accurate time frame when you call.

Freefall is not the “roller coaster drop” feeling most people expect it would be. It is a comfortable sensation of floating and support, with a slight pressure of air against your body. There is also an overwhelmingly euphoric adrenaline rush that cannot be described in any other way than awesome!

During the Summer months, dress in comfortable clothing such as shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, sweaters, jeans, yoga pants, or capris. For shoes, sneakers or similar comfortable, well-fitting shoes are recommended. No sandals, flip-flops, open-toed or slip-on shoes, or boots with hooks, please. During Spring and Fall bring a pair of well-fitting gloves and perhaps a fleece or sweatshirt; otherwise, we provide you with gloves and goggles for the jump. Glasses or contact lenses are okay as we will provide you with goggles to protect your eyes (and glasses, if necessary).

Recently, we have noticed an increased interest by our students to bring their own cameras with them on their skydive. Skydive Newport cannot allow this for a variety of reasons.

The first reason is safety. You or your instructor may be hit with a camera carried in freefall, causing possible injury. Because we are falling at speeds of 120 mph, any projectile that may dislodge from a mount at that speed is very dangerous. Our camera equipment has been specially designed and modified to be skydiving-friendly, and the instructor has extensive experience in safely operating that equipment.

The second reason is one of liability. Should the camera be dropped, bumped, or fall away for any reason, everyone below is at risk. Anything dropped from that altitude (even the lightest of equipment) is extremely hazardous. We regularly jump over highly populated areas, and we are not willing to put those below at risk, nor have to answer to the FAA as to why a camera went through someone’s windshield.

The third reason lies in the fact that our instructors have been highly trained in how to film in freefall and during the canopy ride, and are much more likely to produce a product that accurately reflects your jump. The sensory overload on one’s first jump can be a bit overwhelming, and being able to catch the angles and lighting takes great practice and skill. Our instructors are as much photographers as they are instructors!

You and your family/friends are more than welcome to bring your own cameras for on-the-ground filming/photography before and after the jump, but please do not attempt to bring one onto our aircraft. You will not be allowed to jump with it. This policy is non-negotiable and is generally shared by all other skydiving locations in New England.