Skydiving FAQS

You must be 18 or older (with valid ID) and weigh less than 250lbs. There is no maximum age for skydiving. Skydiving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not permitted. Safety restrictions include certain weather conditions: extremely high winds, low cloud layers, or extremely low temperatures. Medical restrictions should be determined by your physician.

Wait times can be effected by a number of factors- how many bookings for the day, how many instructors are available, how many customer purchase video, customers checking in on-time for their appointments and weather can all have an impact on wait times. We do our best to keep wait times as low as possible. Weather is the biggest factor effecting wait times. For this reason, we ask that you be plan to make a day of it!

Weather aside, wait times are generally pretty reasonable. However, weekends are our busiest days of the week. If you’re looking to spend the shortest amount of time here, book on a weekday. We frequently have over 200 customers booked on weekends. For this reason, weekend wait times are always longest.

Large groups should also plan on longer wait times. We will be trying our best to keep your group together which can sometimes take a little longer. If you don’t mind splitting your group up to make the process faster, please let us know at check-in.

Aside from booking on a weekday, another way to shorten your wait time is to book the earliest available appointment. The first appointments of the day move the fastest. Also, if there is bad weather, once a weather delay ends, the que begins with the first check-ins jumping first.

Average wait times on weekends- 1-6 hours or more depending on weather
Average wait times on weekdays- 1-3 hours or more depending on weather

Skydiving is an inherently dangerous activity due to the nature of the sport. You are exiting an aircraft 14,500 feet above the earth and plummeting towards the earth at speeds up to 120mph. Skydiving is an extreme sport by definition. That being said, we do absolutely everything possible to minimize risks. From following all FAA and USPA guidelines to properly training our staff members to the meticulous maintenance of our aircraft and equipment. We are very confident in our staff, aircraft and equipment and have an impeccable safety record.

Tandem skydiving is an extremely regulated activity. As such, the risks involved with tandem skydiving are as minimal as they can possibly be in such an extreme activity. Most skydiving incidents occur with experienced skydivers who push the limits of the sport or allow themselves to become complacent in it. Tandem instructors are allowed no such freedoms to push limits or become complacent. Still, on occasion a tandem incident can occur. The most common injury to a tandem student is a sprained or broken ankle- typically as a result of not following instructions for proper landing procedures.

You will be provided with goggles which should protect you from losing your contacts. We have ‘over-the-glasses’ goggles available which should fit over most prescription glasses.

The only person who can answer this question for you is a medical professional. Health-related issues we recommend discussing with your doctor include but are not limited to: cardiac or pulmonary conditions, high/low blood pressure, fainting spells, convulsions, epilepsy, narcolepsy, ear infections, hearing loss, inner ear or sinus problems, nervous or mental disorders, diabetes, back injuries, kidney disease or related disorders, orthopedic problems, alcohol or drug addiction/dependency, artificial limbs, recent surgical problems, contagious diseases, subluxation or join dislocation, pregnancy or any other mental/physical condition. Skydiving with a sinus infection is not recommended. Any medical disclosures listed on your waiver will require a doctor’s permission to skydive.

Ironically, many skydivers claim to be afraid of heights but say they don’t feel affected by skydiving. Most agree that the distance they are above the ground at the start of the jump is so high that it doesn’t feel relative or at all similar to standing atop a shaky ladder 10 feet above the ground.

The airplane ride is between 10-20 minutes- depending on the aircraft. Freefall is roughly 60 seconds. The parachute ride is 3-6 minutes. So, the whole experience is 15-30 minutes.

You do NOT have to do a tandem jump before doing a solo. However, we generally recommend starting with a tandem.

Skydiving is an experience unlike any other- including a roller coaster ride. There is no comparison between the two. The “stomach-drop” sensation that comes with roller coasters does not occur. Our aircraft is already traveling at a high velocity when you exit so there is no acceleration. You are gradually shifting from forward velocity to vertical velocity. This gradual change eliminates the stomach-drop sensation.

We will do our absolute best to ensure you jump with as many members of your group as possible. We are sometimes limited by certain factors such as number of instructors available, number of videographers, weights of students and instructors, size of aircraft we are operating on the day of your visit, etc. However, if we need to split your group we will try to make sure you get to jump with at least one other member of your group. Booking a large group may also result in a slightly longer wait time as we will be trying to keep your group together.

Unfortunately, no. No exceptions. We abide by all USPA guidelines regarding safety. The USPA requires a jumper to have a license and 200 jumps prior to wearing a camera in freefall. However, we have many professional video/picture options available for purchase.

Of course! You can make this decision while checking in on the day of your appointment or purchase a video option in advance over the phone. Our professional aerial photographers will accompany you every step of the way. They will document your skydive as well as ground footage before and after your jump. Once you have landed, your video will be put on a USB drive and given to you shortly after you land. Upload photos instantly to Facebook, and put your video on Youtube as soon as you get home!

One video per person. When you jump out of the airplane, you will be thousands of feet away from your friends for safety reasons. One photographer can’t be in two places at once!

Many customers ask for “just one picture” like you would get on a roller coaster. However, we have no floating cameras in the sky to get you this shot! To get these special moments captured forever, a videographer must jump with you and/or your instructor must wear a HandCam.

Yes you can! The main priority will always be for you to have a safe and productive program jump. However, your AFF instructor can wear a camera during your jump to review with you what you did well and what you can improve on.

We would prefer students to arrive 15 minutes prior to their check-in time if possible. Getting a head-start on paperwork is always a good idea. It is extremely important that you arrive, at the very least, on time.

Dress comfortably and weather-appropriate. Keep in mind the temperature drops as your altitude increases (generally speaking) so it’s a good idea to dress a little warmer than you may think is necessary on the ground. We recommend removing all jewelry. We recommend braiding long hair. If you are purchasing video or photos we suggest you consider wardrobe malfunctions associated with low cut tops or shorts. Shorts may also be uncomfortable during seated landings. We have jumpsuits available for you to use if you need an extra layer or wish to protect your clothing from a seated-landing and possible grass stains.

Skydiving on an empty stomach is not a good idea. Eat a normal meal. Consider the fact that you may be at the drop zone for many hours in the event of weather delays and pack a snack. After checking in at our facility, you will be required to stay within hearing distance of the loudspeakers to listen for your group to be called. Keep this in mind in regards to food. To keep things moving smoothly at Skydive Lonestar, you will most likely not be able to leave to get food after checking in.

Valid ID, a form of payment, comfortable clothes and sneakers, a snack, any coupons, 3^rd party vouchers, gift certificates or rainchecks. Rainchecks absolutely must be physically presented as they are fully transferrable.

Skydivers are at the mercy of the weather. Inclement weather can impair skydiving for an hour, several hours, or sometimes even the entire day. Strong, gusty winds can be a factor as well as cloud coverage, rain or extreme temperatures (below 30 F).  We will always put safety first.

Weather forecasts are only forecasts, so we don’t recommend cancelling your appointment because of a forecast. Our instructors will still plan to be at the dropzone ready to teach your training class and jump as soon as the weather (hopefully) clears. If you choose to cancel because of a forecast, you must do so 48 hours in advance or you will forfeit your $50 deposit.

Tandem training classes will still be held at their scheduled times, and you are required to attend if you have an appointment. After your class, it is up to your group as to how long you would like to wait for the weather to clear. We will wait with you until 1 hour prior to sunset at which point we must issue you a rain check. We want to skydive as much (sometimes even more) than you do!

A rain check voucher can be taken at any time. If you purchased your ticket directly through our company, rain checks never expire. If you have purchased a coupon voucher through a third party, it will still expire at the original date of expiration for the coupon. Rain checks are non-refundable, however they are fully transferable and easy to use.

Skydive Lonestar does not offer refunds for purchases made in regards to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. All purchased skydive and video packages will be issued on rainchecks. No call, no show appointments are subject to forfeiture of $50.00 deposits and coupon vouchers.

You must reschedule 48 hours in advance. If you fail to provide proper notice you will forfeit your $50 deposit or be charged a $50 rescheduling fee if you did not make a deposit.

You can **Click Here** to make a reservation online. Or you can call our office to make a reservation. A $50 deposit per person in your group is required to hold your place in a training class (held rain or shine). The deposit is non-refundable but will be applied to the cost of your jump when you check in.

Spending the day at the dropzone can be a lot of fun! We have lots of picnic tables set up on the property to observe jumpers and watch friends and family land after their skydive. We also recommend bringing lawn chairs, a picnic basket, blanket, books, magazines, playing cards, footballs, soccer balls or other sports entertainment equipment or games.

Groupon, RushCube, gift certificate or raincheck. How do I make a reservation? All 3^rd party vouchers, gift certificates and raincheck reservations must be made over the phone. You can reach our office from 9am-5pm, 7 days a week at 512-593-2888. Please have the following information ready:

Groupons: 7-8 digit barcode number
Rainchecks: first and last name of each customer using a raincheck

If you have small children please keep in mind that you will be outside in the elements for several hours or a full day. Long, hot days can be difficult for children. If you do bring your children please make sure they are supervised and within the observation area at all times. The airport is a dangerous place and small children can easily slip under or over our fenced in areas into dangerous territory. Please leave your pets at home. Animals are not allowed in the building or on the property.