Skydive Arizona™, located in the heart of the scenic Sonoran Desert, lies midway between Arizona's two largest cities, Phoenix and Tucson. Drop zone owners Larry and Liliane Hill started out in the skydiving business at a gravel airstrip north of Phoenix with a single Cessna 182 in January of 1978. As their operation grew, it became apparent they would need more space, and in 1986 they moved to Coolidge, Arizona to start Skydive Arizona™. Soon the drop zone had grown to four Cessnas, four Beeches, and two DC-3s.
In 1990 Skydive Arizona™ obtained its first turbine airplane, a Westwind Beech. Business continued to grow to the point where the drop zone sought a new location that would allow for expansion. Work began on the new DZ at Eloy (just 10 miles from Coolidge) in February of 1991, and the new facility opened for business in April of 1991. Since then, Skydive Arizona™ has grown into the world's largest skydiving center, averaging over 135,000 jumps per year.
Skydivers soon learned that the new Skydive Arizona™ was unlike any other drop zone in the world. Although close to major highways, it is surrounded by flat, uninhabited land for miles in every direction. Visitors remark on the oasis like appearance of the center, which has plenty of grass, a swimming pool, and trees in the midst of an otherwise barren desert. Around the central building, which houses offices, aircraft manifesting, classrooms, and an indoor packing area, one can find everything a skydiver needs. Equipment sales, food, a shower and laundry facility, grassy camping area, recreation hall with bunks for overnight guests, and a basketball court are some of the many amenities.
It takes more than just great facilities to put thousands of skydivers a year in the air efficiently and safely. No other skydiving center has the quality or quantity of aircraft found at Skydive Arizona™. The fleet is led by 4 Super Otters and 4 Skyvans, each capable of taking twenty three skydivers to 13,000 feet in 15 minutes.
A venerable DC-3, once the workhorse of the fleet, carries the occasional load of 43 jumpers. Rounding out the flightline is a Pilatus Porter. Altogether, these airplanes can put over 240 skydivers at a time in the air, or over 500 jumps an hour!
Another factor in the success of Skydive Arizona™ is a talented, dedicated staff that averages over 5,000 jumps apiece. Among the expert coaches, instructors, videographers, pilots, and management are a dozen skydivers with over 10,000 jumps each and ten former National or World Champions! This highly professional team has created an outstanding reputation for safety, efficiency, and expertise.
Finally, Skydive Arizona™ enjoys a perfect location. The clear desert weather allows over 340 flying days a year. Average daytime temperatures range from the 60s in the winter to the low 100s in the summer. Throughout the year, the humidity is much lower than in other parts of the country, resulting in comfortable weather and cloudless skies. Throughout the winter, when skydivers find their home drop zones closed by cold, rain, and clouds, Arizona remains sunny and warm. The unique desert environment provides a scenic change of pace, with plenty of fascinating sites to visit.
Once you have experienced Skydive Arizona™, you'll know why more and more skydivers choose...
more sun, more jumps, more fun.
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