What are the strongest winds you will jump in? Most skydivers claim they know their limits. But, do we stay within them? How strong is your conviction when the door light comes on and your friends are ready to go?

When it comes to skydiving, the most powerful factor in our ability to have fun is the one thing we cannot control - the weather. 

You might hear the phrase "you can't jump if you're not at the dropzone" and that's completely true. But there are some things we know about weather that can help us define when we have the best chance of flying. Our goal here is to help you understand the weather that affects skydivers the most - and how you can set yourself up for success when scheduling your jump times.

We get more questions about safety than anything else. We have a perfect student safety record at Chicagoland Skydiving Center, and darn proud of it. But, that isn't really the question being asked, is it? The question is really, "Am I going to be safe when I go for my skydive?"

For the first time skydiver trying to wrap their mind around this activity, that’s a completely valid question. We'll do our best to answer, and explain the many factors that influence that answer.

I became a licensed skydiver on November 1, 2015. As I approach my one year anniversary, it got me thinking about how much the sport has changed me. As a Freefall University student, I learned about skydiving and how to fly a parachute. But, beyond the freefall, the knowledge and accomplishments I gained go far beyond what I imagined in the beginning.

Skydiving changes your life. The way you think, and the way you live are forever altered. I want to share my story with those considering this journey...and those who think they could never do something like this.

There is plenty to think about as a new jumper. The world of skydiving opens up once you earn your A License, and your life really is in your hands. One of the most fun things about having your license is the ability to travel to new dropzones and attend events with other licensed jumpers. Of course, this adds new issues to consider than you may be used to.