U.S. Parachute Association Announces May is “Learn to Skydive Month”

Skydiving Centers Around the U.S. Offer Free Ground Training Classes
– The First Step in Taking to the Skies – Celebrating USPA’s 70th
Anniversary

**Check out this video
of the wonderful world of skydiving!**

FREDERICKSBURG, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#blueskies–This May, participating skydiving centers around the country are
offering first-timers the chance to learn how to skydive – for free!
Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, the United
States Parachute Association (USPA) has proclaimed May as “Learn to
Skydive Month.”

Each year, more than half a million people enjoy the life-changing
experience of jumping out of an airplane for the first time. Now,
skydiving centers are making it easy for beginners to learn all about
the sport and what it takes to make that first leap – with free ground
training.

“Learn to Skydive for Free” classes will be hosted by participating
skydiving centers throughout May. These classes include the
ground-training portion of a first-jump course, the first step toward a
solo skydive. U.S. Parachute Association-certified instructors will
teach the courses, which include all the basics for jumping solo.
Students will learn about equipment, aircraft, exiting, freefall, how to
open and land a parachute, emergency procedures and more – at no cost!
Those who then decide to take the leap of a lifetime can pay for the air
portion of the jump and receive additional hands-on training before
doing a solo or tandem skydive.

For the past decade, skydiving has continued to grow in popularity. In
2015, USPA membership set record highs, topping 38,000 members for the
first time in the association’s history. USPA members, along with about
a half million first-timers, made roughly 3.2 million skydives last year
at more than 230 USPA-affiliated skydiving centers across the country.

USPA also welcomed nearly 6,500 new members and issued more than 3,700
basic skydiving licenses, proving that more first-timers are pursuing
the sport and becoming certified solo jumpers.

Whether you’ve always wanted to skydive or just want to learn more about
the sport, now is your chance! “Learn to Skydive Month” is open to
anyone 18 or older. (For those wanting to jump, additional weight and
health requirements apply.)

Contact a participating skydiving center to reserve your slot now! View
participating centers at http://www.uspa.org/Make-A-Skydive/Learn-to-Skydive.

About USPA

Founded in 1946 and now celebrating its 70th anniversary, the U.S.
Parachute Association is a nonprofit association dedicated to promoting
safe skydiving nationwide—establishing strict safety standards, training
policies and programs at more than 230 USPA-affiliated skydiving schools
and centers throughout the country. Each year, USPA’s 38,000 members and
hundreds of thousands of first-time jump students make about 3.2 million
jumps across the nation. USPA represents skydivers before government,
the public and the aviation industry, and sanctions national skydiving
competitions and records.

For more information on making a first jump or to find a skydiving
center near you, visit www.uspa.org
or call 1-800-371-USPA (8772).

Contacts

United States Parachute Association
Nancy Koreen, 540-604-9742
nkoreen@uspa.org