What people are saying.

  • When I came across this tool I had never completed a skydive of any kind. I was preparing for AFF, I had spent time in the wind tunnel, but an element that was missing was canopy training. I was thrilled to learn about SkyDiVR and elated to be given an opportunity to train with Ronnie using the software. We scheduled 8 lessons over the time leading up to my first real skydive with each lesson progressively building on and reinforcing the skills from the previous lessons while applying toward learning new skills.The results of the training from my perspective were invaluable. While it is difficult to know how I would have progressed on my own without first training with SkyDiVR, I can say I felt more confident the first time under my own canopy and it was at that moment I personally felt the benefit of my training with Ronnie. I immediately recognized my location over the drop and immediately felt the confidence to grab the toggles and start flying my canopy. After checking altitude and doing my canopy control checks I started my way to the holding area, and nearly to the holding area before my instructor started guiding me on radio. After that, I felt I progressed very quickly in my canopy progression. I was only fully radioed in to landing again on my second jump, and only instructed in on my final approach and flare on my third jump. I was monitored under radio on jumps 4 and 5, and then cleared off radio after that. It would not be possible for me to compare how I or other students were to progress without first training with SkyDiVR, but I can say that with the training I personally had more confidence, and it was evident my instructors had confidence in me as well. On jumps 7 and 10 I landed less than 10 feet of the target, and on jump 11 winds were a little gusty at 1000 feet and I was the first student the instructors allowed to jump because of the confidence they had in the canopy skills I had demonstrated. It is my intent to continue to use SkyDiVR to not only continue to refine and develop my accuracy, but also to practice before visiting other dropzones. Because of my experience I would fully recommend this SkyDiVR to any new student. Additionally,I would recommend any dropzone looking to enhance their student program to utilize this tool as a way of rehearsing a landing plan immediately after a ground briefing, as well as to any licensed skydiver simply looking to improve their accuracy and canopy skills. Finally, I would like to thank Ronnie, Misha and the rest of the incredible SkyDiVR team for their brilliant work. This has been an amazing experience, I look forward to seeing the growth and development of the software, and want to thank you for the wonderful opportunity to train with you"!

    Christopher Ritter, ex-student and now licensed and active skydiver

  • "Navigation is the part of the skydive that so many new canopy pilots struggle with. This amazing simulator helps so magnificently with this very aspect of parachute flight, with realistic physics and great visuals. Imagine learning from actually making the common navigation mistakes without needing a rope and a chainsaw and a great big ladder to get back to the hangar. You can jump at a wide variety of dropzones to widen your comfort zone. Learn the sight pictures, the angles, and the time flow. I am a huge fan of SkydiVR, it is the future of parachute navigation training."

    Brian Germain, author of The Parachute and its Pilot, 30 year Canopy Course Director

  • "It’s not uncommon for students to be somewhat nervous before their first solo canopy flight. I find this program a bridge to confidence. Offering a practical exercise that confirms Ground School training. It is easy to navigate, and very user friendly. I like the ability to enter conditions of the day before every simulation for realism. During the flight key commands come in useful to confirm what was discussed before starting the session. Canopy position mode is handy for the student, and reference to confirm holding area. Having the ability for the student to draw their holding area is a nice feature. Visual of the altitude iskey, and student can verbally tell the instructor altitudes thru out their flight. Sitting with the student the instructor can ask questions, and pause the simulation to discuss any issues. I like the wind indicator to review Holding, Running, Crabbing, and quiz them on canopy direction(s)once I turn the wind mode off. One on one also instills the importance always knowing canopy positioning. Once the flight is over using flight path review shows altitudes, and decent in the holding area is great for review. I enjoy using the program, and have no doubt it builds student confidence. I have had students walk up to me afterwards and tell me they were glade to have that extra layer of training, and it made flying easy and fun. The program will also show the instructor the student has a clear understanding of canopy flight".

    Nadia Mazure, Crosskeys DZ Manager

  • "I contacted Ronnie about using SkydiveVR after an accident on my AFF stage 2 in which I broke my hand. I wanted to gain more experience and confidence under canopy while my hand healed, as this is a skill that is hard to simulate. SkydiveVR simulates this well. I did some solo jumps and then some with Ronnie coaching me. I found that it provides a realistic training experience for being able to become more comfortable with canopy flying but also with Ronnie's coaching I was able to embed skills of being able to collect information to make better decisions under canopy. Information on wind speed and direction at various altitudes and using this information to access canopy maneuvers to place myself in the holding zone correctly. Information on ground wind direction and speed to be able to assess and enter a landing pattern, and information on relative runway to assess correct landing position and in the case of an off DZ landing, how can I use this information to assess my safest landing position. It also gave me exposure to more simulated landings, which I found helpful in getting used to and managing the ground rush through my head position. I have now completed my AFF and in my opinion, SkydiveVR and wind tunnel training complement the existing scenario drills, and have made me a much more confident and safer skydiver, and should be part of AFF training at every DZ".

    Aaron Blishen, ex-student and now licensed and active skydiver

  • I use SkydiVR for post jump debriefing. For example, a student starts their pattern early, does a silly 360 in the downwind, then comes up short. During our "normal" debrief we discuss what decisions were made and what should have been done. After that "lets go to the VR and I'll put in the same conditions that we jumped in". At that point we re-fly the pattern, frequently pausing to discuss the items that we just talked about and how to correct them. SkydiVR is an amazing debriefing tool. Also, for students that have had trouble in past jumps, I frequently will put in current conditions and have them practice before we gear up. I've noticed a rapid improvement in the student who might have not picked it up as quick and gets frustrated. End result is a student who performs better since they feel more comfortable flying their canopy, and the instructor gets to keep a little more of their hair.

    Jon Kelly, https://dzoneskydiving.com/, DZ Operator, Boise ID