Skydive Chicago

Absolutely amazing place! Whether your jumping as a tandem for your first time, or an experienced jumper, this place is amazing. Great people, great facilities, great aircraft.

It bums me out to re-​review a place and have to retract prior stars given, however reviews and opinion from customers exist for a reason, no?
It should be noted that I still think very highly of SDC. The place is amazing and I wouldn’t hesitate to refer friends to them for their first jump.
My new rating comes in the area where experienced jumpers and anyone involved in the sport would be concerned – not first-​time jumpers. If you’re not behind the scenes, this is an A+ place. If you’re behind the scenes, it can be a battle.
I took stars away, but my respect for SDC as an entity stands and I look forward to visiting my friends there in the future.

Absolutely incredible place for a first time diver. The place looks and feels professional, while still maintaining a comfortable environment. The staff was incredibly helpful. In my opinion, they went above and beyond to ensure that we had a successful jump. Top of the line place.

Such great staff, instructors and facility! My husband and I decided to go skydiving for his 30^th birthday and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience on our first jump! Thank you Enzo and Ryan, our awesome instructors who made it so fun and worry-​free & Ron and Anthony, our cameramen who caught our priceless footage. :) This place really focuses on educating all jumpers, as students learning to skydive, and focuses on safety first. Thank you all!

I started taking AFP courses here! My first AFP class was about 6 hours long. 5 hours the first night it was held follow by another 1 of emergency training. The class was taught by Adam and he was incredibly thorough. It was a lot to take in, but he wouldn’t let us go until we got it, which made me feel like I made a good decision getting my A license through Skydive Chicago. The levels are AFP are set up for you to meet with an instructor, go over the objectives of the jump, jump, then review your jump on video. So far, I’ve jumped with Jenna, Amy, and Martin and each one of them have been extremely fun, encouraging, but has taken their job seriously. I’ve felt comfortable and safe throughout the jumps. Going over the jumps, even when imperfect, (they won’t be!) they have been so patient on going over what to improve. I’m now moving on to AFP level 5, which in includes an unassisted exit and 90 degree turns, which I actually was able to go over in level 4. I absolutely love how the jumps are set up and I fee like I’ve made big improvements in such a small number of jumps. If you want to become a licensed skydiver, the type of program and school makes a huge difference. AFP at SDC is the way to go! I can’t believe I’ve gone from being afraid of planes to jumping out in a matter of months. I have yet to have landed in a plane though…

I took my son skydiving for his 22^nd birthday today. All I have to say is TODAY WAS PERFECT!!! Everyone was so happy and nice. My instructor was Ryan and he was such a wonderful person. Had my son and myself laughing the whole time. My videographer was Ron and he kept me smiling and did a perfect job. I love my video and my pictures. He even got my son Dylan jumping out of the airplane. Dylan also had a great instructor his name is Sean and his videographer is C-​bass. They were great also. His video turned out awesome. We had so much fun I didn’t want to leave. I wish I could of stayed for the fireworks and party they had tonight for the 4^th of July. Maybe next year. I am sooooooo going to do this again. OH!!! And they give you a coupon for your next jump at only $ 125. You have to buy it in 7 days from your jump but you have one year to use it. I will go next weekend. If you are looking for a place to jump go here it’s flipping awesome. And I would spend the extra money for the video. It’s well worth it.

What can I say, if you’re going to jump out of a plane you better do it with the best of the best and you will find that at SDC. I surprised my dad for his 50^th birthday. Our tandem instructors as well as the camera guys were just super cool, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable, people. Its hard for this sort of thing not to be amazing, but they truly took the day to the next level.
I did my second jump a few weeks ago. Theres nothing like the first jump, but the second was incredible, too. Jeff and Adam… MUAH!

I had wanted to try skydiving for some time. When I finally found the courage, I researched and found that Skydive Chicago is highly recommended and is in driving distance from my home.
I took a tandem jump with an instructor named Adam. He was funny and laid back and knew exactly what info was most important for me to remember in order to have a good jump (and made sure I knew that if I didn’t remember everything, it would still be fine). I paid for the video/​photo package — which is a must for first-​timers, even if you don’t usually like being on camera — and my photographer, Ron, was friendly and cheerful and made the whole experience even better.
They give you a ton of info in a pre-​jump video and in your instructor lesson, but they make sure to emphasize the few items that you need to remember and reassure you that it’s OK if you just go into sensory overload and forget the rest. (I did — I didn’t remember to look at my altimeter, and my instructor pulled the parachute because it was not going to occur to me to do so!) Jumping is far easier than I expected — you’re on your knees with your head back, and all you have to do is arch your back and lean forward. I was picturing trying to jump forward, looking down, panicking, messing up — but the way a tandem works, you don’t really go through any of that.
The freefall was totally amazing — I remembered enough to smile at the camera but mostly just laughed and laughed. On the parachute descent, Adam offered to let me help steer, but I just wanted to float and look around, so he did it. The landing was incredibly gentle and easy — that was another thing I had been scared of — but all I had to do was lift my feet, and Adam got us safely and smoothly to earth without any difficulty.
Everything about this experience made me feel confident and excited and happy. I felt like I always had the control to call it off if I got too scared, but the atmosphere of calm and confidence helped me feel like this was a perfectly good choice and that I didn’t have anything to be scared of. I felt so powerful and excited and brave for having done it, and I learned a lot.

It’s a great facility with terrific instructors and a fantastic place to try tandem skydiving. Safety is a priority and everybody is most helpful. They want everyone to enjoy a terrific jump. We came to tandem skydive as my friend and I have both jumped at other out of state locations. We waited an additional 2.5 hours after our 12pm appointment time. They are extremely busy as a skydiving school so make sure to allow for additional wait time because you’ll most likely be sharing a plane with solo jumpers. My cameraman was hilarious, my instructor was super nice, and I immensely enjoyed watching my personal video. Thank you Chicago Skydive, you are the best!

I just recalled that I had an experience skydiving that I completely forgot to review. Of course the dive happened in October 2012 before I officially starting my life as a Unilocaler. Not even seeing a photo I enlarged of myself and my diver in the sky that currently hangs over my living room reminded me. It took looking at fellow Unilocaler Richard «The Compliment Santa» current profile picture of him skydiving to remember my own experience. So thanks Richard R. for the kicker.
So Hemingway when I was 26 years old, one of my former colleagues had just celebrated his 40^th birthday and showed us a video of his skydiving experience. It looked cool but I was thinking there’s no way in hell I could see me jumping out of a perfectly good plane. But thinking my turning 40 was a long time away, I told him that I would go skydiving for my 40^th birthday. Sadly the years went by WAY TOO FAST and I found myself nearing that fateful day. I bit the bullet and searched around for a facility where I could skydive and Skydive Chicago was top on the list. I decided to register online for a dive to ring in my 40^th birthday. So it looks like after all I did jump out of a perfectly good plane.
So my birthday came and the weather Gods were with me and gave nice sunny weather. It had rained the day before and the day after that so wasn’t sure the dive was going to happen. I drove to Ottawa, which was a little over 2 hours from where I currently reside. A few winding one lane roads after exiting the freeway led me to the facility.
I made quick calls to my parents, sisters, and a couple friends in the parking lot to tell them goodbye in case I didn’t make it from my adventure.
So I go inside and note there’s another couple that’s walking in as well. I walk into the main area where you change into your gear and was directed by someone to walk further back to register.
You’re basically SIGNING your life away during the registration process and it made me question my decision with each page. I lost count of the number of pages after 25.
One of the instructor divers took me and the aforementioned couple to a classroom like area where he proceeded to give info about Skydive Chicago and their history and then left us to watch a video.
Again I was questioning my decision as I watched the video and they mentioned the risks involved in skydiving. But I figured since I already paid for it, I might as get my money’s worth… as there’s no refund.
As it turned out I wound up getting the very instructor diver who took us to the classroom as my human parachute. Honestly I think I lucked out on getting the best one of the day, though unfortunately I don’t remember his name (but his face is plastered along with mine on my living room wall and also in the hundreds of photos that were shot so I’ll remember his face at least).
Since it was my first time diving I decided to pay for pictures and video of my experience so I could share with everyone. That wound up being worth it in the end.
So my instructor was showing me all the things I’m supposed to do when I start falling from the sky. He went over the exercises a few times to try and reinforce it.
Before I knew it, it was time to board the plane. The couple from earlier and two other experienced divers also joined us along with their parachutes, so a total of ten of us were on the plane.
I was perfectly content sitting on the plane as it slowly ascended. My instructor was giving me last minute lessons while my videodiver was filming. Just when I was relaxed the videodiver asked if I was ready to dive. I wanted to make a quip like, I thought we were just riding on the plane but I was too nervous and just said ‘I’m as ready as I’ll ever be’. Since I was in the front of the plane, I was first to go dive.
I was so nervous but kept my hands in the prayer position my instructor told me to do as he positioned me outside of the plane. The videodiver jumped out and then we followed.
I screamed for my life and felt the cold air quickly searing through my nose and mouth. My instructor kept tapping for me to open the parachute after several seconds of free falling. But I was so scared I didn’t move and remained in the prayer position so he wound up opening it.
Amazingly my videographer dived around and was filming the entire time, even motioning for me to wave to the camera, which I reluctantly did.
Once you get past the first 30 seconds of free falling, the remaining dive was more relaxed. It was great seeing the trees and some birds flying around (though thankfully we didn’t hit a bird on the way down). It was truly a breaktaking and enjoyable experience. It wasn’t long before I made the final descent to the ground. I did remember that part of the lesson to raise my legs in a sitting position.
Then it was over. It was definitely fun and the facility is top notch. I hope someday to return again.

WOOOHOOOO !!!
AWESOME !!! Just one word.
I went with my family — my bro, sis, mom, cousin and friend — all of us jumping for the first time. My brother and mom came from India and I wanted them to get the experience and they simply loved it.
The instructors are great, very clear and easy to understand, but at the end of it, it’s totally okay if you dont get anything of what they say and end up doing none of the few things they let you do on your first jump. The instructors are there for you to do everything needed and safety is taken seriously here. All you have to do is ENJOY the beauty from up there.
The only downside here is the wait-​time. Wen went on a Saturday, prettypacked it was. We had to wait 3 hrs after the paper work and before the jump. But, it was worth the wait !!! They have games to play and a cafeteria, so you should be good for the most part.
If you are looking to do your first jump, go ahead, book it, and don’t forget to take the videos and pictures. Have fun !

If you are looking to do your first jump or if you are a licensed skydiver this is the place. Skydive Chicago is not just a dropzone it is a skydiving resort. There are to many great things to list about this place so just go see for yourself. Best drop zone in the midwest!

All the positive reviews on this page are accurate. Fun, positive, professional, safety oriented. First jump was pretty amazing. Instructors make you feel comfortable, and give you the confidence necessary (sometimes a nudge) to get you out the door of the plane, when your body and mind are doing everything to keep you inside the plane. Once you’re out, sensory overload. Spectacular feeling and views. Landing is easy, right on your butt. Great experience

Took one for the kids 18^th Bday, so we researched it pretty thoroughly. Can safely say these guys exceeded expextations. Professional, safe, fun, meaningful… u pick it. Once in a lifetime event and our instructors Mike and Enzo, as well as our video guys Scott and Ron, were incredible pros. Go jump… u won’t regret it!

WOW! WOW! WOW!
What a rush! Great place, great staff!
Enzo was the tandem master. Great dude! made me feel at ease the whole time. Bill shot video and pics, another cool guy. So glad i did it!!!

Whew!!! I am still coming down from the major adrenaline rush I got from my jump at Skydive Chicago. This was my third tandom jump but my first time at SDC, and I would definitely go back.
It was super busy because there was a competition going on and because it was one of the first nice weekend days we’ve had in the Chicagoland area. We did have to wait quite a while for our jump, but we just hung out and watched the other jumpers landing. We packed some food with us, but they did have a little food place that looked decent and drinks available. Make sure you plan to spend at least half a day there when you’re jumping.
Finally it came to jump time. We were a party of 6, we each had tandom divers and three in our group had never been before so they also had video/​pictures (which cost extra) and we were excited because we all got to go in the same plane. Everyone we dealt with from SDC– the instructors (my instructor was Marcello– he was fantastic), the camera guys, the dudes just walking around– everyone– were awesome. Everyone was totally chill and happy to be there. They really made the experience great.
We all had safe jumps. We all enjoyed our time there and we had an experience that we will never ever forget. Thanks, Skydive Chicago!

Who doesn’t love jumping out of an airplane?
Great time, twice. Camping was fun, plenty to do on site.
Both of my tandem leaders were very informative, helpful, and easy to talk to. I have wasted a couple of days waiting while light weather loomed (clouds one day, gusty winds another), but that is to put safety first. They have never lost a tandem jumper and accident reports are available on request as regulated by the FAA.
The only thing I have to say is that it would be nice if things could be scheduled a little tighter, but I understand why it is done the way it is and it is not something to take likely.
If you want to be more sure of the jump, schedule for the first jump of the day!
If I didn’t put so much money toward the state for stupid tickets this year, I’d go for the AFF course… thinking about it for next year anyway.

Did this for my birthday yesterday! It’s something that’s been on my list to do probably since I was 18 years old. And well, life happens and it got pushed to the back burner. So happy I did this!
I recommend if you sign up for say, the 9:30 AM session and you want to be one of the first, get there around 9. You have to sign your rights away — basically any and everything you could possibly sue them for — you no longer can. And this is backed up by a lovely man on the intro video you see in your class. I am unsure if the man was Amish, a missing member of ZZtop, or one of those dudes you see on the beach that lives his life full of things like skydiving. :) And anyone that has been there knows what I am talking about!
So, you go to a class before you gear up and head out. «Arch and Smile.» «Arch and Smile» and hey, if you forget everything else, don’t forget to arch and smile.
We had a slight delay because of the wind. My tandem person was Will. Who had a sense of humor like mine, and made it so much more comfortable for me. In other words, it calmed my anxiety. For it being my first jump, I really wasn’t scared until we went through the cloud and I felt like I got water up my nose from it. Outside of that, and when I pulled the cord for the chute — it was great.
After you pull the chute out, you can take hold of the reins and direct where you go. You and get some crazy G’s!!! My stomach couldn’t handle them too well though. Next time I think I won’t have McDonald’s before the jump. ;)
The experience was great. The people were great. And I recommend the photos at a MINIMUM.
Go jump out of a plane, and thank me later.

I went skydiving on Saturday and, like almost everyone who did it, all I can label it as, is «addictive». Now I understand the jump itself depends on many factors and everyone can experience it in a different way, so I am only going to refer to the level of professionalism that the guys (and gals) there displayed.
The training was good and to the point, but what stayed with me was the level of comfort my instructor was able to give me. For a first jump, I think I did ok, mostly because of him; will be back for more.

AWESOME!!! Wow!!! Breathtaking!!! Adrenaline Rush!!! Amazing!!!
I can’t come up with enough words to describe the sensation, the anticipation, the rush of skydiving.
I’ve raced motorcycles. I’ve done dog fights in fighter planes. I’ve stolen candy from a baby — and really nothing can compare to the «Oh shit» feeling you get as you approach that door and feel the wind rushing over your face. It’s unnatural to stick your head out of plane. Now imagine you’re just taking a trip to see you’re friend. The plane takes off, and you’re staring out the window looking out like a little kid — now imagine that window is a big freaking door — and instead of just looking, you’re jumping!!!
I bought the strongest gel money can buy so that I looked good in my video, but that plan went down the drain along with my manliness! I’ve got to admit I was really nervous, but they say the hardest part is getting out of the plane — and they are right!!! Once you’re out– it’s amazing.
We did some «red» turns which made me feel some serious G’s in my stomach (and if we did one more I would have thrown up all over the guy) and did a perfect landing! (and by perfect I mean Alive)
The facility is great. The people were nice, knowledgeable, and patient. The memory will last forever, and the video proves that even an uptight guy like me can smile like fat kid with chocolate every now and then!!!
Go do it — you’ll never regret it.