Well… that’s it. You’ve done it.
You have taken the very brave step to jump from a perfectly good aircraft. You’ve now joined a small group of people willing to throw caution to the wind (quite literally) and risk it all for one of the best experiences of their lives.
Bravo to you.
Whether you’re super excited or questioning your life choices… here’s exactly what to expect on the day.
Arrival at the Drop Zone
As you approach the drop zone, you’ll notice a steadily creeping feeling of the unknown. You might hear or see the aircraft and think, “What the hell am I doing?”
But it’s all okay.
At Black Knights, you’ll be greeted in reception by the lovely Julie, whose radiant smile can’t help but put you at ease. Julie will check you in and explain how the day will run. She’ll also go through your waiver and make sure you have a medical declaration or form in place if needed (this must be signed before the day, if applicable).
Julie will then take on the very awkward task of weighing you. This helps us plan weight distribution on the aircraft and under each parachute, as there are strict safety limits in place. Its a necessary evil that helps us maintain safety.
After that, she’ll check whether you’d like the full paparazzi experience with one of our camera packages, or if you’d like to maximise your altitude and get the most out of your jump.
Once all the admin is out of the way, the rest is up to us to plan your dream flight.
Safety Briefing
Once everyone has checked in, one of our tandem instructors will take you for a safety briefing.
Here, they’ll explain (with varying levels of humour) the equipment we use and your role in the jump. You’ll practice your exit and freefall position, and learn how to “arch”. Which is basically creating a banana shape by pushing your hips forward.
Don’t worry, it’s simple guidance and just helps you have the best possible experience.
The Waiting Game
Once the briefing is done, it’s time to wait for your turn.
If the weather is good, you can relax outside, watch other skydivers, and soak up the atmosphere. If not… welcome to Britain, unfortunately.
There’s a good chance you may need to wait for a weather window. We only skydive when it’s safe to do so, so this can mean holding out for that perfect break in the clouds (which usually does come).
Getting Ready
When it’s your turn, you’ll meet your instructor in reception. They’ll get you into a jumpsuit and harness, and answer any last-minute questions.
Don’t worry if it feels snug – it’s supposed to be. You want it to be.
They’ll then put on their parachute, and you’ll head outside to the “pen” for final safety checks.
At this point, you might hear instructors casually mention it’s their first ever skydive… or that they’ll be sacked if they “lose another one,” or questioning if the harness is too loose.
Do not be alarmed!!!!!
This is just their slightly unhinged sense of humour. We’re big fans of lighthearted banter over taking ourselves too seriously – and it usually helps people relax.
The Plane Ride
Once ready, you’ll walk out to our very expensive taxi – the Blackhawk, a turbine aircraft that gets you to 15,000 feet in around 12 minutes.
The ride up is an experience in itself.
Your instructors will point out landmarks like Heysham Power Station, Lancaster City, and Blackpool Tower—all of which look very different (and much better) from above.
If you’ve booked a camera flyer, they’ll be snapping photos and chatting with you on the way up.
But before you know it… You’re at altitude.
The door opens. The air rushes in, smelling of jet fuel and fresh air.
And once again, you question: “What am I doing?”
The Exit & Freefall
Before you can answer that question, your instructor will shuffle you to the door and dangle you outside.
You’ll tuck your legs underneath you, feel the “ready, set, go”…
…and then suddenly –
You’re not falling.
It feels like flying.
Like floating. Like being an actual bird.
It’s chaotic, magical, and completely surreal….. all at once.
This is the feeling people come back for time and time again.
The Parachute Ride
Then suddenly… everything slows down.
The noise disappears, and the chaos of freefall is replaced by calm of the canopy ride.
You’ll glide peacefully, take in the views, and actually have a moment to breathe and process the magic of it all.
Landing
About seven minutes later, the ground will start to get a lot closer!
Your instructor will shout, “legs up, legs up!” – which you’ll do – and you’ll land either gently on your bum or on your feet, depending on the winds.
And just like that… you’ve done it. You have jumped out of a perfectly good aircraft… and loved every second.
The Aftermath
You’ll be completely hooked.
You’ll want to do it again.
You’ll talk about it non-stop to anyone who will listen. You’ll rewatch your video over and over, with the song stuck in your head for weeks.
And somewhere in all of that, you’ll realise something:
Fear isn’t the end of the story.
It’s the start of something unreal. It’s time to book again!!!
