This article is part 2 in a series from our intern, Jack. Enjoy!
Getting Started – Interning at Skydive Colorado Springs
Interning at Skydive Colorado Springs was my first hands-on experience with the world of skydiving, and it turned out to be anything but routine. Each day brought a mix of tasks that kept me on my toes and made me feel like a part of the team. From cleaning the floors of the bathroom to catching tandem instructors with their students in high wind, I quickly learned that a lot goes into ensuring each jump is a smooth, safe experience.
What Ground Crew Work Really Looks Like
One of my main duties was keeping track of the “five-minute call,” a message the pilot gives when the plane is five minutes from drop time. Once I heard it over the radio, I’d round up anyone who wanted to watch the parachutists land and drive them out to the landing zone.
There, I got to see the skydivers descend and touch down, each landing slightly different, with at least something to discuss as they walked back to the truck with a large parachute over their shoulders. When winds picked up, I’d step in to help collapse the parachutes for the tandem instructors, catching them as they glided in.
It might sound simple, but every detail had a purpose. Interning at Skydive Colorado Springs taught me how much goes on behind the scenes to make each jump feel effortless.
Skydiving Isn’t Just About the Jump – It’s About the People
Being on the ground wasn’t just about logistics; it was also about the people. Each day, I met folks who had saved up for this experience or were celebrating something big. Some were first-timers, shaky and nervous, while others were seasoned jumpers who saw the sky as a space to escape routine.
Watching their emotions go from nervous anticipation to pure exhilaration after a jump was one of the best parts of the job. Talking with them about their favorite moments made every day memorable.
Behind the Scenes, But Still Part of the Team
The ground crew job itself was humbling. It wasn’t glamorous, and a lot of it happened behind the scenes. But it was rewarding to be part of the bigger picture—making sure everything on the ground was in place so the skydivers could have their moment.
I got to witness the team’s dedication, attention to detail, and the camaraderie that kept things running smoothly. Every staff member had a role to play, but they all shared a deep respect for safety and a genuine passion for the sport.
Looking Up – Ready for the Next Leap
Being surrounded by the skydiving culture every day started to affect me more than I expected. Watching skydivers return with stories of perfect exits or unexpected challenges made me think harder about what I was missing.
There’s a deep respect for the sky among these jumpers—a balance of pushing limits while staying grounded in the skills they’ve built. The more I watched, the more I wanted to be part of that world, not just as support on the ground, but up there in the air.
Interning at Skydive Colorado Springs gave me a solid foundation in skydiving operations. After watching hundreds of jumps and helping make them happen, I couldn’t help but ask myself: when is the next first jump course going to come along?
Thinking about starting your own journey? Whether you’re curious about the sport or ready to book your first jump, there’s no better place to begin than Skydive Colorado Springs. Take the leap.