About Skydive Airkix

History of the Centre 

Skydive Sibson was opened in 1971 by John and Sue Meacock. Following in their footsteps were his three talented sons; Stuart, Chris and Alex, who excelled in their own skydiving arena and have all been involved in the business. Sibson has always been one of the premier UK dropzones and is the longest established full-time centre in the country. Over half a million descents have been made and over 50,000 people safely trained to jump.

The Centre offers people without any previous parachuting experience the opportunity to make a parachute descent. Students who wish, are encouraged to progress further as the centre has both the facilities and instructors with the experience to coach skydivers to the highest standards.

Now new life has breezed in with the introduction of two new business partners, both super successful entrepreneurs. David Turner (DT), who became the youngest BPA Examiner at 25, and was a joint owner of BPS Langar for nine years, has purchased 50% of the business. He brings a wealth of experience in marketing and DZ management, having been originally credited with inventing the concept of sponsored charity jumps with Parachuting Promotions, which brought a massive injection of finances into the skydiving industry in the eighties.

Owning a minority share (20%) is Airkix Plc. Headed up by astute businessman Simon Ward, Airkix will bring the enviable e-marketing systems that have proved so successful for the Milton Keynes wind tunnel, which has introduced more than 100,000 people to 'freefall' since opening two years ago.  

The Meacocks retain 30%, with young, friendly Stuart in place as CCI. Stuart is an Advanced Instructor, BPA Pilot Examiner and has been a National Champion eleven times in seven different disciplines! Stuart says the decision to merge was motivated by wanting to create an organisation to enhance an individual's ability to learn to skydive. With high quality professional coaching on the DZ and in the tunnel, the progression should be higher.

Aims of Skydive Airkix

Skydive Airkix is the first UK drop zone to combine forces with a wind tunnel. This brings two clear benefits to the DZ. Firstly, as a recruitment tool as many first time tunnel flyers are interested in 'trying it for real'. Secondly, to accelerate the learning process; Skydive Airkix are offering an enhanced AFF programme, which includes 10 minutes, 30 minutes or even an hour of tunnel flying, bringing the total 'freefall time' to 16, 36 or 66 minutes for an AFF Level 8 graduate.

Experience elsewhere in the world has shown that students who do tunnel time have fewer re-jumps and progress more quickly. There are learning tools such as AFF-style tunnel rigs and wind-down 'altimeters'. The student can learn to skydive before they have ever been in the aircraft, let alone jumped out of it! Once Skydive Airkix has graduated these first time flyers, the superb quality teaching will continue through special coaching programmes, which share the instructors between the DZ and the tunnel. They aim to fill that gap often experienced pre and post-FS1.

The concept is to create, from the bottom up, a new and more professional approach to skydiving. Many of us have probably cringed when bringing our Mum, friends or TV crew to a shabby dropzone and not much of a customer attitude. Skydive Airkix see the burning down of Sibson Bar, catastrophic at the time, now at least meaning they can make a complete new start. A purpose built restaurant/bar/clubroom is under way, and scheduled to open for the new season. Instructors/coaches will wear branded clothing (sweatshirts, helmets etc) so students will turn to the right people for advice. State of the art streaming digital systems and photography is planned. They want to involve the spectators (friends and family) in briefs and de-briefs of tandem and AFF jumps, the aim being to work hard at interest, retention and at bringing new blood into the sport.

Dave Turner explained, “Skydiving is a mature market so the only way to improve it is to change the whole approach. We're re-evaluating the whole concept of skydive training. We want a culture of staff professionalism.” Of course it will take time to introduce the new systems but they have a clear vision of what is wanted.

An associated company, Airkix Aircraft Limited, owns four aircraft. Some are leased to other drop zones, the main jump ship at Sibson will be a 16-place fast climbing Turbolet, with a large in-flight door – perfect for skydivers. They also have another Turbolet, which doubles as a complete set of spares, plus a brand new Airvan and a Cessna 206.

So – great for growing the sport, but what does it mean to Joe Jumper? Cheap jump tickets, best price £15 for altitude. Great deals on tunnel time with a special Skydive Airkix deal for club members. The opportunity to carbon offset at a voluntary £2 per jump. High quality coaches and a professionally run DZ you'd be proud to take your friends and family to. Combined with all the advantages Peterborough has always had, an idyllic countryside location, less than an hour from London, excellent safety management, and lovely atmosphere, makes it a good place to put on your visiting list this season.