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Skydiving · Tennessee

Skydiving in Tennessee

Jump 4 drop zones across Tennessee. Maps, hours, contact info, photos, and verified operator profiles, all in one place.

Smokies, Cumberland Plateau, and the Mississippi River bluffs.

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About Tennessee

Tennessee gives you a lot of different ground to fall toward. West of the state the land flattens into fertile plains along the Mississippi; the middle folds into river valleys and low plateaus; the east rises into the foothills of the Appalachians. Drop zones spread across those three Tennessees, and they run the full menu: tandem jumps for first-timers, Accelerated Freefall (AFF) training for people going after a license, and a fun-jump scene for licensed jumpers passing through.

For a first tandem, the state makes an easy sell. You climb out over the Cumberland Plateau, or trace the Tennessee River winding below, or watch farmland roll out flat and green under the plane. Drop zones tend to sit where the view earns its keep, so the descent doubles as a look at the state you don't get from the ground. Expect a short ground briefing before you go, enough to make sense of what happens once the door opens.

The DZs also do the long work of turning people into skydivers. AFF programs walk students up from instructor-held first jumps to solo canopy flights, one coached step at a time. And because Tennessee sits in the middle of the Southeast, licensed jumpers treat it as a convenient stop, the kind of place where the bonfire crowd knows each other and a visiting jumper gets folded in fast, weather and manifest permitting.

What ties it together is the tone: professional operations run with a genuine Southern ease. Facilities are kept up, instructors know the work, and safety tracks national standards without turning the day cold. That leaves room for the actual reason you came, the flight itself, first leap or fiftieth. And the geography means a second visit rarely looks like the first.

Best time to go

When to jump in Tennessee

Full seasonality
Peak season Jun–Aug
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April through November.

  • June–September: the heart of the season, most events and loads
  • Spring and fall jump well on clear, calm days
  • Winter: many DZs limited, so call ahead

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Quick facts

Drop zones listed
4
Best season
April through November

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4 drop zones

across Tennessee

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Jumping Season and Weather Windows

Most Tennessee drop zones operate from early spring through late fall, with some offering year-round weekend operations, weather permitting. Always check the specific operational schedule and weather policies of your chosen drop zone, as adverse conditions like high winds or thunderstorms will cause delays or cancellations.

Tandem Skydiving

A tandem skydive is the recommended first jump experience, where you are securely harnessed to a certified instructor. This option requires minimal training, typically a short ground briefing, and allows you to experience freefall and a parachute ride with an expert guiding you throughout.

Accelerated Freefall (AFF) Progression

For those aspiring to become licensed skydivers, Accelerated Freefall (AFF) programs are available. This involves comprehensive ground school followed by a series of jumps with instructors, gradually teaching you the skills needed for solo freefall and canopy control. The full progression leads to a USPA A-license.

Licensed Skydiver Options

Experienced skydivers holding a valid United States Parachute Association (USPA) license can engage in fun jumping at Tennessee drop zones. Licensed jumpers should always verify the specific requirements of each drop zone, including gear checks, ratings, and local rules, before planning their visit.

Age and Weight Requirements

The minimum age for skydiving in Tennessee is 18 years old for all participants, including tandem and AFF students. Most drop zones also have weight restrictions, commonly between 220-250 pounds, with potential surcharges or specific requirements for individuals at the higher end of the weight spectrum. Always confirm with the drop zone.

What to Expect on Your First Jump

Your first tandem skydive typically involves registration, a safety briefing, gearing up with your instructor, a scenic plane ride to altitude, the freefall portion, a parachute ride, and a landing. The entire process, from arrival to departure, can take several hours, so plan accordingly and arrive well-rested and hydrated.

Confirm current requirements with the state agency before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

  • Minimum Age Requirement

    All individuals participating in skydiving activities in Tennessee, whether as tandem students or Accelerated Freefall (AFF) students, must be at least 18 years of age. This 18-year minimum comes from USPA's Basic Safety Requirements and the tandem-equipment manufacturers, not a Tennessee state law, and it cannot be overridden by parental consent or other waivers.

    Tennessee Secretary of State (General Liability Law)

  • Compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAA)

    Skydiving operations within Tennessee, including aircraft maintenance, pilot qualifications, and flight procedures, are governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). All drop zones are required to operate in strict compliance with relevant FAA regulations, particularly Part 105 (Parachute Operations) and Part 91 (General Operating and Flight Rules), ensuring safety standards are met.

  • Drop Zone Specific Operational Policies

    Beyond state and federal mandates, all visitors and participants must adhere to the specific operational policies and safety procedures established by each individual drop zone. These policies often cover aspects like equipment requirements, manifest procedures, and local jump rules, which are critical for maintaining a safe and efficient jumping environment.

  1. 01

    Research and Select a Drop Zone

    Find the USPA-affiliated Tennessee drop zones that match what you're after: tandem, AFF, or fun jumping. Weigh location, services, and reviews to land on the right fit.

  2. 02

    Verify Requirements and Book Your Jump

    Check age, weight, and health requirements straight with the DZ. For a tandem, book ahead, especially in peak season. Licensed jumpers should make sure USPA membership and gear are current and meet the local DZ's standards.

  3. 03

    Prepare for Your Skydiving Day

    Dress in comfortable athletic clothes suited to the weather, nothing loose or binding. Show up rested and hydrated, on time for check-in, ready for paperwork and the safety briefing.

  4. 04

    Engage in Safety Briefings and Training

    Whatever the jump, give the briefings your full attention. Knowing the procedures, the emergency drills, and your equipment is what keeps the day safe and lets you enjoy it.

  5. 05

    Enjoy Your Skydive and Plan Next Steps

    Take in the jump. Afterward, figure out what's next: another tandem, the start of an AFF progression, or for licensed jumpers, other Tennessee DZs and disciplines to explore.

01What is the minimum age to skydive in Tennessee?
You have to be 18. That holds for everyone (tandem students, AFF students, all of it), and parental consent doesn't get around it. Licensed drop zones across the state enforce it without exception.
02Are there weight restrictions for skydiving?
Yes. Most DZs cap weight for safety, usually somewhere in the 220 to 250 pound range, driven by gear limits and instructor safety. If you're near or over that line, confirm the exact policy and any surcharge with the drop zone before you book.
03What should I wear for my skydive?
Comfortable athletic clothes for the day's weather, with layers a good call in the cool months. Skip anything with hooks, buckles, or bulk that could fight the harness. Athletic shoes, tied snug, no open toes, sandals, or heels.
04How long does the entire skydiving experience take?
The freefall and canopy ride are quick, but the whole day (check-in, briefings, the jump, the debrief), usually runs 2 to 4 hours. Weather holds, air traffic, and a full manifest can stretch it further, so plan on a half-day.
05Can I get video or photos of my skydive?
Most centers sell video and photo packages for an added fee, shot either by an outside videographer jumping with you or off a wrist-mounted camera on your instructor. For safety, students generally can't bring their own cameras, GoPros included, on tandem or AFF jumps.
06What is the difference between a tandem jump and AFF?
On a tandem you're harnessed to an instructor for the whole jump, a guided first taste with almost no training up front. AFF is the training track for people who want to jump solo and earn a license: progressive jumps with instructors backed by real ground school.

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