Frequently Asked Questions

Boston Skydive Center is located at North Central State Airport, 300 Jenckes Hill Rd, Smithfield, RI 02917. We’re within an hour of Boston, 40 minutes from Worcester, MA, and less than 20 minutes from Providence, RI.

NOTE: Please enter “Boston Skydive Center” into your GPS or click this link to bring up our location on Google Maps. Entering the airport address or the airport name will take you to the main entrance of the airport, rather than to the dropzone. We are located just down the street at a separate entrance. Make sure to follow the arrows and blue wind flags on the fence to find us!

Boston Skydive Center is open 7 days a week between May and the end of September. Operations are weather dependent. Reservations are highly recommended!

Tandem skydiving reservations are highly encouraged. Individuals and small groups should reserve slots at least a week in advance. Larger groups should make reservations two to three weeks in advance. Save $50 off the cost of your jump by paying for your skydive in full at the time of booking.

Walk-in appointments depend on availability. Walk-ins are charged the full retail rate – $278 on weekdays and $298 on weekends.

Please arrive at least half an hour before your scheduled time so you can complete your paperwork, get briefed, and complete a short training session before your jump. Depending on the day’s manifest, late arrivals may not be able to jump on the originally-scheduled day.

Prepare to be at the dropzone for half of your day. You may not be here as long as that, and you could be with us for longer – it all depends on the weather. Safety first, always.

Yes. We have a big, dedicated spectator area complete with picnic tables and a clear line of sight of the landing area. Skydiving is always more fun with friends – share your excitement!

Yes! Make sure you book well in advance. If you don’t see enough slots to accommodate your group on a particular date, get in touch – we may be able to help. You can also make a reservation and invite others to join your group by sharing your booking on your social media!

Our airplanes can accommodate up to two students at a time. Groups of more than two will go up on consecutive flights. You can hang out before and after, and ham it up for the camera together too. (Pro tip: get the video and photos – you won’t regret it!)

Please consult your physician. If they think it’s ok, let’s talk!

It depends on your abilities! Can you lift your legs? Can you arch your back? Contact the Dropzone to talk through your specific needs and we’ll see if we can safely make accommodations. If you think skydiving is feasible for you, it probably is!

Yes, you must be at least 18 years old to tandem skydive in Rhode Island in accordance with regulations set forth by the United States Parachute Association (USPA).

Permission from a parent or guardian won’t cut it – be sure to bring your valid, government-issued photo ID. No identification, no jump; no kidding.

There is no maximum age for skydiving. If you’re in general good health and your doctor is good with you jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, do it!

Yes. At Boston Skydive Center, you must weigh no more than 250 lbs – clothing and shoes included – and be height-to-weight proportionate to be eligible to skydive.

All students will be weighed before jumping (with shoes on). To compensate for the increased workload the instructor bears and the additional weight on the equipment, a fee will be applied for all students over 200 lbs.

Yes, tandem skydivers must weigh no more than 250 lbs, be height-to-weight proportionate, and be in generally good health. Contact us with questions and consult with your physician if you have health-related concerns.

Skydiving physical requirements are in place for safety reasons and are not intended to be exclusive or discriminatory.

You cannot skydive at Boston Skydive Center if you weigh more than 250 lbs, are not height/weight proportionate, or know you are pregnant.

Consult your doctor before booking your skydive if you have a history of fainting/blacking out or seizure, high blood pressure or a heart condition, chronic disease, previous neck, back or knee injury, or another health issue.

It’s also ill-advised to skydive with a cold! The sinus pressure can be very painful and may even lead to a burst eardrum. If you are sick, please reschedule your skydive.

At Boston Skydive Center, we offer a weekend rate and a more affordable weekday rate – and if you pay for your skydive in full at the time of booking you can save money on both! We also offer a Gotta Go Again! rate (our lowest price) for those who’ve jumped with us before and are itching to jump again.

Check out our Skydiving Prices page for details.

Yes – enter the code STUDENT at checkout and receive $25 off your Video & Photo package! Don’t forget to bring your student ID on the day of your jump!

We’re located in close proximity to several New England colleges and universities, including:

• Bryant University, Smithfield, RI – 5 minutes
• Rhode Island College, Providence, RI – 15 minutes
• Brown University, Providence RI – 25 minutes
• RISD, Providence, RI – 25 minutes
• Wheaton College, Norton, MA – 30 minutes
• College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA – 40 minutes
• Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA – 1 hour
• Brandeis University, Waltham, MA – 1 hour
• Tufts University – Medford, MA – 1 hour
• University of Rhode Island, South Kingstown, RI – 1 hour
• Wellesley College & Babson College – Wellesley, MA – 1 hour

Book now!

Yes – we offer $25 off your Video & Photo package to active, veteran, and retired members of the military. Enter the code MILITARY at checkout and be sure to bring your military ID on the day of your jump!

We’re located in close proximity to several New England military bases and sites, including:

• Air National Guard, North Smithfield, RI – 15 minutes
• Pawtuxet Rangers, Warwick, RI – 20 minutes
• US Army Department, Cranston, RI – 20 minutes
• Rhode Island National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, Cranston, RI – 20 minutes
• Military Home Link, Warwick, RI – 25 minutes
• Rhode Island Army National Guard, Warwick, RI – 25 minutes
• Quonset Point Air National Guard Base, North Kingstown, RI – 30 minutes
• Military Department, Rehoboth, MA – 30 minutes

Book now!

Yes, at minimum, we require a $50 deposit to make a reservation. But – if you decide to pay in full at the time of your booking, you’ll save $50!

If you prefer to make a deposit, the remaining balance will be due upon arrival. All payments are non-refundable but are transferable.

If you do not want to make any payments in advance, you can call the dropzone or stop by to see if we have any walk-in availability. Availability will vary and wait times may be longer for walk-ins. Walk-ins pay the full retail rate.

Check out our Prices page for details.

Yes, there is a non-refundable $5 online booking fee and a $2.50 fuel surcharge applied at the time of booking.

Boston Skydive Center accepts VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit cards, as well as cash on-site. Sorry, we do not accept checks.

You can change your reservation at any time without penalty up until 48 hours prior to your jump date. Once within the 48-hour period before your jump, a $50 fee will be charged to change your reservation.

This payment is non-refundable but is transferable. All sales are final. This promotional price is valid for up to 1 year from the date of purchase and can be applied to the full rate only after the one-year expiration date.

No-shows forfeit all processed payments. No exceptions.

You can manage your reservation using the booking link in your confirmation email or by contacting the dropzone.

This payment is non-refundable but is transferable. All sales are final. This promotional price is valid for up to 1 year from the date of purchase and can be applied to the full rate only after the one-year expiration date.

You can manage your reservation using the booking link in your confirmation email or by contacting the dropzone.

No-shows forfeit all processed payments. No refund will be issued; no exceptions.

Those refusing to agree to and be bound by the terms of the Legal Release, Waiver of Liability, and Assumption of Risk Agreement will be refunded all processed payments minus a $50 cancellation fee.

Signing the waiver and then changing your mind forfeits all processed payments. No refund will be issued.

Flying to altitude and deciding to ride the plane back down instead of jumping forfeits all processed payments. No refund will be issued.

If we deem that the weather is unfit for skydiving, we will reschedule your jump or put your reservation in limbo until you are ready to pick a new date. You can contact us to reschedule or manage your own booking online. No refunds.

Wind, upper-level winds, rain, and cloud cover are equally important factors that we consider when making a weather call. It may seem fine at ground level, but conditions may be unsafe at altitude.

If you are concerned about the weather on your reservation date, please give us a call before heading out to the dropzone.

Tipping is customary and your tandem instructor would, of course, appreciate a tip – but you decide based on your experience! Additionally, another great way to express your gratitude would be to leave your instructor and Boston Skydive Center a glowing online review!

Yes!! And they are so much fun to gift to the adventurous person in your life! Boston Skydive Center’s gift certificates are available in various denominations, can be applied to tandem skydiving and video and photo services, and are delivered electronically. Check out our gift certificates page for details.

Gift certificates cover jumps made with an advanced reservation, good for any day of the week. Certificates redeemed for walk-ins must pay a $50 walk-in fee.

Not in any amount, but we have many options available in our gift certificate store so you can find the perfect gift.

The promotional value for a tandem skydive gift certificate is good for one year from the purchase date. If you choose to use the gift certificate after one year from the purchase date, the promotional value can be applied toward the current retail rate.

All payments are non-refundable but are transferable. The promotional value for a tandem skydive gift certificate is good for one year from the purchase date. If you choose to use the gift certificate after one year from the purchase date, the promotional value can be applied toward the current retail rate.

YES! Seriously … yes. You only make your first skydive once – and it is nothing short of life-altering! The anticipation leading up to your jump in concert with jump-day jitters will make your skydive go by lightning fast. Your memory will be a crazy-amazing, blissful blur! Getting video and photos of your tandem skydive will help you realize the enormous magnitude of your accomplishment … and also enable you to show the world how cool you are.

Don’t forget to tag us: #bostonskydivecenter

At Boston Skydive Center, we use Shred – super-sick editing software that lets us digitally turn over four versions of your footage to you by the end of jump day!!

Insta Movie: 50 seconds

Jump Movie: 30 seconds

Full Movie: 3 minutes

Check out our Video & Photo Services page for more information.

No. You have to be a licensed skydiver with a minimum of 200 jumps to be cleared to jump with a camera. It’s a safety issue as well as a rule enforced by the United States Parachute Association and by the manufacturers of the equipment we use. Non-negotiable.

No, for safety and logistics reasons, every tandem skydiver must have their own individual video/photo package. Tandem pairs jump separately, so one camera cannot film both skydivers in freefall or parachute flight at once! However, you may feature each other in your video/photos before your jump and upon landing.

The ideal skydiving attire is close-fitting exercise gear – it’s comfortable and will give you full range of motion. Same goes for your shoes. They should be comfortable, flexible, closed-toe, covered-heel, and preferably lace-up. Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty!

It’s quite a bit cooler at altitude, so bring an extra layer with you. If it’s 60 degrees or below on jump day, you’d benefit from gloves too. Be sure to tie back long hair.

Baggy clothes will whip in the wind and potentially hinder your instructor’s line of sight. Plan on a close-fitting skydiving outfit. Jewelry and other accessories should be removed so as not to present a snag hazard (or hurt you while you freefall at 120 mph!). No heels, boots, sandals, or flip flops.

Yes! We provide sanitized, skydiving goggles to every guest – including those that can fit over top of your glasses.

Whatever you do, don’t forget your valid, government-issued photo ID (e.g. driver’s license or passport)! If there’s a chance you’ll forget it on jump day, take a photo with your phone right now, then just don’t forget your phone! You need to prove that you are who you say you are and that you are at least 18 years old. No ID, no jump, no kidding.

You must also bring the card you used at the time of booking. If you do not present the same card, the initial card will be refunded and payment in full will be required in order to rebook your jump.

Those using the Student/Military $25 discount, don’t forget your ID to keep your discount!

Pack a cooler with snacks and water. You need to stay hydrated and keep your blood sugar stable. There are several gas stations within a 10-minute drive if you need to stock up.

Yes, please do! Eat as you normally would on any other day, choosing a lighter meal over a heavy or greasy one. Not eating will leave you feeling light-headed or dizzy, and eating too much might may make you sick to your stomach.

This question warrants clarification. You can – and should – drink water and other non-alcoholic drinks. Drinking alcohol ahead of your skydive is illegal, and we’ve heard skydiving while hungover is awful. There’s plenty of time to celebrate later!

Yes! There are a number of restaurants and bars nearby, and there are both Target and Walmart stores in close proximity to us.

Typical freefall speeds are approximately 120 mph although this can increase or decrease slightly with body size and position.

Freefall does not come with the “roller coaster drop” feeling most people expect it would. This is because of the wind resistance coming up at you as you freefall down. It’s a comfortable sensation, like floating!

Yes! There’s plenty of oxygen up there, you’ve just got to remember to use it! Most people who say they couldn’t breathe in freefall, just didn’t breathe – they forgot to inhale and exhale! A natural reaction to jumping out of a plane is to gasp, and then students subconsciously hold their breath! Make a mental note to scream as you leave the plane, which will require that you take a nice big breath first.

Don’t let a fear of heights keep you from making a skydive! Unlike being on a ladder or bridge, where you can clearly see the ground, when you skydive the ground is super far away – it’s as if you’re flying over a map! If flying on a commercial plane doesn’t trigger your fear of heights, you’re likely to be A-OK to skydive.

Modern parachutes are more than just fabric and string – there’s a lot of sophisticated technology involved. They are designed to open swiftly, but gradually, for a seamless and smooth experience. On occasion, the opening can be harder than normal and an injury is possible, but unlikely. Consult with your doctor if you have any health concerns.

Most tandem landings are easy peasy; nothing more than hopping from a chair to the floor. Ås long as you have the core or lower-body strength to lift your legs so your instructor can navigate the landing, you should be good to go. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about your physical condition or strength.

From wheels up to touch down, a skydive typically lasts about 20 minutes. This includes 10 or so minutes in the plane, about 60 seconds in freefall, and five to seven minutes under the parachute.

Plan to be at the dropzone for a good part of the day, though, in order to allow for weather holds and associated delays.

Skydiving is considered an extreme sport for good reason. Like other extreme sports, it’s all about calculated risk.

To mitigate the inherent risk of jumping out of an airplane, we take meticulous care of our aircraft and equipment, invest in best-in-class gear, engage USPA-rated tandem skydiving instructors, and maintain strict compliance with safety protocols.

The United States Parachute Association (USPA) has oversight of more than 200 member dropzones in the US and numerous dropzones overseas. To be considered a member, a skydiving center must pledge to abide by the skydiving safety and training standards set forth by the USPA. Boston Skydive Center and all of our tandem skydiving instructors are longstanding members of the USPA.

We also strictly adhere to rules and regulations set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Boston Skydive Center’s tandem instructors are highly experienced, trained, and credentialed skydiving professionals. The road to earning your tandem instructor rating is long. Candidates must:

• Earn their USPA D license (after earning A, B, and C licensure)
• Log at least 500 jumps (our instructors have way more than 500)
• Accrue a minimum of 3 years in the sport
• Possess a current FAA Class III Flight Medical Certificate
• Complete Tandem Instructor training course

Every tandem skydiving rig includes two parachutes – a main parachute and a reserve parachute.

All main parachutes are packed by Boston Skydive Center FAA-certificated parachute riggers, or packers under the supervision of FAA-certified parachute riggers. In compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, reserve parachutes are inspected and repacked every 180 days, regardless of whether or not they have been deployed.

An AAD is an Automatic Activation Device – a little computerized gadget that’s packed with the parachute. It tracks barometric pressure in order to monitor a skydiver’s altitude and rate of descent. If the skydiver has not manually deployed the main parachute by a predetermined altitude, the AAD will automatically deploy the reserve. Every tandem skydiving rig at Boston Skydive Center is equipped with an AAD.