Finger Lakes Skydivers

This place is amazing we are going for my roommates birthday. Super nervous before hand and they have a professional funny staff that makes you excited to jump!

I had an amazing experience here on the Columbus Day. Since the airport is located next to Cayuga lake, you have a great view when skydiving. Needless to say it was scary when jumped out of the plane but still if was one of the best experience that I ever had!

I did my first ever tandem skydive this past weekend at Finger Lakes Skydivers in Ovid NY and what an experience it was! At first glance one may be very dismissive or even judgmental as Ovid is a very small town seemingly in the middle of nowhere and the airport is very small. However, the location and the fact that the airport is private added to the experience in ways many would never think about.
From the moment I arrived I was greeted by a few staff members and was really made to feel like a friend and not a customer at all. The clubhouse was very new and included bathrooms with showers, a full kitchen, and seating areas where other skydivers were hanging out. I was then instructed to watch a video where Bill Booth (amazing beard) explained the inherent risks of tandem skydiving. Following the video and some waiver forms I was directed to the «packing room» for my briefing and instruction. If you have never been to a drop zone (DZ) before this place is controlled chaos! There are many skydivers packing their parachutes with precision while carrying on conversations with others about the previous and future jumps, not to mention it somewhat resembles a frat house or military barracks with the constant inside jokes and trash talk being thrown back and forth. My instruction was through and complete giving me a greater sense of ease now that I knew a little bit more. From there I was dressed in jump suit, put into a harness, and away we went out to meet the airplane!
The airplane itself was a Cessna 182 Skylane that did not look like much from the outside but seemingly never shuts down and still runs like new so I assume the maintenance is fantastic. Inside the airplane was a little snug but what can you expect from a small single engine airplane, all in all it got the job done and I was never uncomfortable. The whole way up my amazing instructor Gabe was showing me the sights and explaining to me where things were. I have to say the view was breathtaking! I could see all of the Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario, and even the Canadian shoreline! On our load were two experienced skydivers who treated me not like the novice I was but like a member of the family asking me questions and joking around with me like they had known me for a while. After getting hooked up so tight I was confident that I would not fall out and plummet towards earth I heard the engine slow down and there it was… the door opened.
Now onto the skydive itself. Gabe calmly instructed me to walk forward on my knees towards the door and then place my feet out on the step, at this point I was pretty much out of the airplane completely. After a few seconds of video we were out of the plane and in free fall. This was not what I had expected; there was no «losing your stomach» feeling at all but rather a very exhilarating wand windy feeling. One instructor there described it perfectly when he said «It is like floating in a pool of water with a big fan on your face.» Once the canopy deployed there was absolute silence and we floated along like a bird taking in the scenery and the realization of what had just happened. Gabe then let me take the toggles and do a little steering and then spirals down which could not have been more fun. When we neared the ground Gabe took back full control and set us up for a landing. She was so precise in here landing that we actually hit a target in the grass and slid in for a soft touch down that you could barely feel. I’d have to say that was the best ride I’ve ever been on.
After the skydive was concluded I could not wipe the smile off my face and barely heard all of the other skydivers congratulating me on my first tandem and welcoming me to a world they love. From here the experience was not over, not even close. Being as this was the last load of the day and they shut down for the evening I was given a beer and invited to stay for dinner. Apparently most every weekend night many skydivers will stay and all eat dinner together and some even spend the night at the DZ. I stayed over and ate dinner with everyone, shared a few beers and even more stories. Even though they all come from different walks of life when at the DZ they are equals and treat each other like brothers and sisters. I had no idea just how close these people were, they really are on big dysfunctional family. This was one of the greatest experiences that I will never forget for the rest of my life. Thanks to Kinger, Brett, Gabe, and the rest of the Finger Lakes Skydivers family for a truly amazing day!
I will be back!

This was my first time sky diving and it was so amazing! The staff was kind, professional, and fun! They explained everything in depth before we made the jump and answered any questions we had.
We got the video and it was definitely worth it. They do a great job of making you wave and talk with the camera. Then they edit it and put music to it. It came out great! I can’t wait to show my friends and family :)
My only complaint is that the plane is very small so flying up isn’t too comfortable. But it is 110% worth it for the view! Seeing the finger lakes from above is so spectacular!
I can’t wait to go again next year!

So great experience and it is really amazing
I think that if I have another chance I will come and skydive again

Amazing experience! Staff (especially Gabe) was professional, friendly and extremely knowledgeable!

I went to Finger Lakes Skydivers for my first tandem jump along with my girlfriend! We both had the MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCES EVER!!! The FLSD crew was amazingly professional, good-​humored, reassuring, and fun! I would whole heartedly recommend this adventure to all my friends– the views are astounding; you will not regret it!!!

This is was my second jump, and it was an amazing experience!
All the staff was incredibly nice to me, and treated me as if I was like one of the crazy adrenalin junkies that they were. They also where extremely knowledgable on how to successfully have a safe skydive. I definitely suggest going for the people, scenery, and the overall great time that you will have.

Gabrielle was an absolutely wonderful instructor who made me feel at ease and completely comfortable 10,000 feet in the air. She kept me laughing the entire time and ensured me that I was not going to fall out of the plane and that even though I’m terrified of heights, the drop doesn’t create that stomach-​in-​your-​throat feeling; and she was right. I would highly recommend Finger Lakes Skydivers to anyone looking for an adrenaline rush. They are fantastic!

Amazing place. Instructors are very knowledgeable, polite, patient, and funny. I felt very safe with them. They even bought us pizza and played music while we waited for our friends to drop. Highly recommend. Will go again.