Questions & Answers

Almost everybody has a few questions

Which is to be expected; jumping out of airplanes is not in most peoples everyday routine. Fortunately, we do have answers and we’ve listed them all here on this page.

Please check if your questions are listed here before you give us a call (+31 (0) 519 554880) or send us an e-mail via the contactform.

General

It's near impossible to provide an answer to this question. We'd love to be able to though!

We try to make our assessments as accurate as possible, given the current state of technology and understanding of weather patterns. The fact that Ameland is an Island further complicates accurate forecasting.

Before you board the ferry you can always give us a call to make your own determination regarding to travel to the Island or to reschedule.

Factors that negatively influence jumping operations are:

  • low and thick cloud cover
  • strong winds
  • rain
  • a combination of the above

When in doubt if the weather is good enough to jump: give us a call before you travel.

Short answer: no, not really. Every season has its merits although most people tend to prefer the warmer temperatures of summer.

If your weight -including clothes and shoes- is between 95kg. and 105kg. we might be able to take you skydiving. This is dependant on a few factors though:

  • We need light winds on the day of the jump, but not strong winds
  • The passenger needs to have enough physical strength to lift their legs for a duration of 10 seconds (all the way up).
  • On the day of the jump we need to have an instructor on site that is willing and able to jump with additional passenger weight.

If you're not sure if you meet these demands contact us to discuss your options. Take note though that we can never unconditionally agree to jump as there are many variables in play that can change just prior to a jump.

Short answer: yes you can. We have goggles that you get to wear that can fit over glasses. It's theoretically possible though that these could off during freefall, in that case you might also lose your glasses. Bringing glasses is therefore at your own risk.

Yes. Fear of height will not affect you at all. That's just not the way fear of heights works as you'll elevation above the earth will be higher than your subconscious mind will register as 'height'.

No that's not necessary. If you have doubts that your medical fitness might not be good enough to experience the skydive please consult your medical doctor.

Participants in a parachuting course, to jump solo, do need a medical exam before they can partake in the course.

Experiencing a tandem skydive is not dangerous, statistically you'll be in a lot more danger every time you venture outside in public traffic. The same as with driving a car; it's not a dangerous activity per se but it's possible to get hurt in very rare occasions.

Yes, your canine is more than welcome to join you at our spectators patio. A few rules do apply:

  • Always on a leash
  • Always supervised by a human
  • Any mess is yours to clean up ;-)

Reservations and bookings

There's two ways:

  1. Use our online booking site
  2. Come by in person although we can't guarantee availability

Yes, absolutely! When you create a booking on our booking page just fill in the details of the jumper so that they receive the confirmation email.

If you'd like the jump to be a surprise, just fill in your own e-mail address.

Rescheduling is super easy, either just give us a call (when the date is near) via +31 (0) 519 554880 or send us an email (when the jump is more than a week away) at info@skydive-ameland.nl

Your purchase will stay valid for 2 years after purchase. Within that period you may reschedule as many times as you like. Please try to reschedule as early as possible so that we can try to fill the slot.

Tandem jump

Officially no. But we do use the following rules to determine if we'd like to jump with someone:

For the maximum age:

  • Is the passenger able to lift his/ her legs properly for the landing?
  • Is the passenger still spry and sturdy?

For the minimum age:

  • Will the passenger properly fit the harness?
  • Is the passenger fully aware what a tandemjump entails?
  • Does the passenger (child) want to jump or is the passenger acting under social pressure from the parent(s) ?
  • Is a legal guardian present to sign a release of liability waiver?

If you'd like to jump and you're not yet 18 we'll need a permission document signed by a legal guardian / parent. Download the underage permission document by clicking here.

Suitable clothes (and shoes) that enable you to move easily (skirts, dresses, slippers and high-heels are not ideal) should be enough. Also don't forget to bring friends and family for support in the spectators area!

You'll leave the airplane at +/- 9000 ft. / 3km. for a 30 second freefall.

You can leave your belongings best with family or friends that accompany you. If you come alone we'll keep your things safe in a student locker.

Yes, you can breathe during freefall.

Generally speaking the atmosphere is about 18 degrees celsius colder at 9000 ft. then at sealevel. Although when you make your first jump it's quite likely you won't notice the cold at all.

Our airplane is big enough to hold 2 tandem-passengers (and their instructors). Groups larger than 2 jumpers will be distributed over multiple flights.

The flight up to 9000ft. takes between 20 and 30 minutes. You'll get to enjoy a spectacular view of the Island of Ameland and it's surroundings.

The freefall typically takes about 30 seconds. Both the longest and shortest 30 seconds of your life.

The canopy ride down takes between 4 and 5 minutes, depending on how steep you ask your instructor to make the turns. 

You can always ask your instructor if you can try flying the canopy, usually it's fine!

For shoes sneakers are best. As long as there's nothing protruding where a line can snag, such as with classic army boots.

With regards to clothing; anything that you can freely move in is fine as we'll provide you with overalls. Dresses and skirts are probably not ideal though.

We land right in front of the centre and the hangar. And right in front of the spectator area.

Tandem jump

Officially no. But we do use the following rules to determine if we'd like to jump with someone:

For the maximum age:

  • Is the passenger able to lift his/ her legs properly for the landing?
  • Is the passenger still spry and sturdy?

For the minimum age:

  • Will the passenger properly fit the harness?
  • Is the passenger fully aware what a tandemjump entails?
  • Does the passenger (child) want to jump or is the passenger acting under social pressure from the parent(s) ?
  • Is a legal guardian present to sign a release of liability waiver?

If you'd like to jump and you're not yet 18 we'll need a permission document signed by a legal guardian / parent. Download the underage permission document by clicking here.

Suitable clothes (and shoes) that enable you to move easily (skirts, dresses, slippers and high-heels are not ideal) should be enough. Also don't forget to bring friends and family for support in the spectators area!

You'll leave the airplane at +/- 9000 ft. / 3km. for a 30 second freefall.

You can leave your belongings best with family or friends that accompany you. If you come alone we'll keep your things safe in a student locker.

Yes, you can breathe during freefall.

Generally speaking the atmosphere is about 18 degrees celsius colder at 9000 ft. then at sealevel. Although when you make your first jump it's quite likely you won't notice the cold at all.

Our airplane is big enough to hold 2 tandem-passengers (and their instructors). Groups larger than 2 jumpers will be distributed over multiple flights.

The flight up to 9000ft. takes between 20 and 30 minutes. You'll get to enjoy a spectacular view of the Island of Ameland and it's surroundings.

The freefall typically takes about 30 seconds. Both the longest and shortest 30 seconds of your life.

The canopy ride down takes between 4 and 5 minutes, depending on how steep you ask your instructor to make the turns. 

You can always ask your instructor if you can try flying the canopy, usually it's fine!

For shoes sneakers are best. As long as there's nothing protruding where a line can snag, such as with classic army boots.

With regards to clothing; anything that you can freely move in is fine as we'll provide you with overalls. Dresses and skirts are probably not ideal though.

We land right in front of the centre and the hangar. And right in front of the spectator area.

Location

Skydive Ameland BV
Strandweg 21
9162 EV Ballum

Tel: +31 (0) 519 – 55 48 80
info@skydive-ameland.nl

Check www.wpd.nl or www.bestellen.wpd.nl for timetables and to purchase a ferry ticket.

Check www.9292.nl and enter Veerdam, Holwerd as your destination.

From the ferry you take the bus to Ballum-Hollum, make sure to tell the driver that you visiting the airport. You can also take a taxi or rent a bicycle. If you plan to travel by bicycle please factor in additional travel time.