iSkydive’s family and history

THE START OF OUR SKYDIVE JOURNEY

In 2001, our founder and CEO, Luther Kurtz, started his first skydiving center in Northern Michigan. He ran things out of the back of his car (an Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, for the record) in the Parachute Landing Area of this scenic region. Together with his only other employee, pilot Greg Bentley, they completed 160 tandem jumps in their first season as a business.

In those early days, Luther would meet their skydivers at the PLA for a comprehensive training session before riding them to the airport in the Oldsmobile. Greg would then take them to the skies for a scenic flight around Little Traverse Bay before dropping Luther and his tandem diver over the PLA. Thanks to the speed of freefall, Luther and the buzzing diver would land first before Greg eventually descended back at the airport. Greg would then drive the Oldsmobile back to the PLA just as Luther finished packing the parachute and training the next student.

At the end of the day, they would edit the customer videos and send the VHS by United States Post to the customer to relive the powerful, adrenaline-inducing memories at home with their friends and families.

This was the beginning of a nationwide business that now takes care of hundreds of skydives per day.

HOW OUR PLUNGING PROGRESSED

After a few successful seasons in Northern Michigan, Luther teamed up with Andy Rowell, and together they flew their small Cessna 182 to San Diego in time for winter. Here they started another skydiving center at the Brown Field Airport.

From there, Andy took over the San Diego center, and Luther embarked on a journey to start more skydiving centers across America. He added a new location to their portfolio each year for eight years while still returning home to provide tandem skydiving in Northern Michigan for the summers. This added Lansing/Detroit, Phoenix, Miami, Los Angeles, Fort Myers, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. into their smorgasbord of skydives.

Later, with the help of Chief Operations Officer Imre Bucsanyi, New York and Dallas were added to the iSkydive America family of skydiving centers.

This enthusiastic spirit of expansion isn’t over yet. The team gets a massive kick out of sharing the buzz of skydiving and we plan to keep offering it to as many people as possible. Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico — who knows where you’ll spot an iSkydive America next.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

At iSkydive America, our mission comes to life every day through our team of passionate people, dedicated procedures and fulfilling experiences for customers and team members alike. We believe unforgettable skydiving experiences start with meticulous preparation, friendly hospitality, and a focused commitment to safety. Whether it’s a first-time tandem jumper or a seasoned fun jumper riding to altitude, our team is dedicated to making every skydive seamless, safety focused, and truly exceptional.

”To deliver exceptional skydiving experiences through outstanding customer service, organized and efficient processes, a fulfilling and supportive workplace for our team, and an unwavering commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.

Our Core Values

Stewardship

Emphasize responsibility, care, and the ethical management of resources for long-term success.

Culture

Creating an environment where employees, contractors, associates feel valued, motivated, and productive.

Safety

Promoting a strong culture of safety for flying, skydiving, and working is the foundation of everything we do.

Experience

We are dedicated to surpassing our customers’ expectations at every stage of their journey with us.

MEET OUR TEAM

At iSkydive America we are proud of our country. We are supporting our communities on special holidays & events.

Managers

Oleg

Manager + Instructor at iSkydive Dallas Fort Worth

I made my first jump at the age of 18, and after that I really fell in love with skydiving. I have been skydiving for 16 years all over the world. I have 5000 jumps.

Tom White

Manager + Instructor at iSkydive Dc

I experienced my first tandem skydive during the summer of 2017, the same year I started working manifest, packing tandem parachutes. I’ve been jumping as a licensed skydiver since Nov. 2022. I’m a digital native who thrives on skydiving, music & gaming.

Zsolt Szabo

Manager + Instructor at iSkydive New York

Paulo

Manager + Instructor at iSkydive Detroit

My first jump was on August 29, 1979, (44 years ago) I have 19874 jumps today.

Alex

Manager + Instructor at iSkydive Los Angeles

I had the privilege of making a tandem skydive at the age of 14, back in 2002. That first jump sparked a 20+ year adventure in skydiving. With over 17,000 successful skydives, I am one of most experienced and knowledgeable instructors available.

Come join us at the iSkydive Los Angeles location. I will be there, ready to share the experience of a lifetime with anyone willing to take their life to new heights!

John

Manager + Instructor at iSkydive Miami

Started jumping in 2009.I have over 11,000 jumps.Always looking forward to the next jump.

Instructors

Brian

Instructor at iSkydive Miami

Skydiving for 6 and a half years. 3800+ jumps. Passionate about things I love

Yosvel

Instructor at iSkydive DC

I have more than 25 years of experience.more than 3200 jumps.I am a person designed to fly, the most perfect machine, created to make your dream come true

Igor

Instructor at iSkydive Miami

More 20 years jump.+15000 jumps. El paracaidismo es parte de mi vida y alegria con la que yo comparto con cada persona que salto, sorie a la camara y disfruta tu vuelo!!!!

Dmytro

Instructor at iSkydive Charlevoix

31 years in the skydiving industry.
Tandem Instructor: 8 years
AFF instructor : 8 years
Parachute Rigging: 10 years
Nearly 6500 skydives. I love my family, I love outdoor activities, trail running, swimming. I love parachute rigging, reading books, listen to rock and drum & bass music.

Patrick

Instructor at iSkydive Miami

Works at iSkydive Miami
I’ve been skydiving since I was 7 years old.
I have over 13.000 skydives.
Parachute Rigger for 9 years
Pilot for 4 years
S&TA 4 years
Dropzone Manager for 7 years

I was born in a skydivers family, skydiving is my second nature. I would love to show you why we fall in love with this sport.

Keith

Instructor at iSkydive Miami

I've been jumping for 12 years now. Managed to put together about 8,000 jumps of different disciplines. I'm a calm and relaxed person, who's always open to questions and helping others achieve their goals in the sport of skydiving.

Erik

Instructor at iSkydive Miami

I’ve been jumping for about 8 years I have a little over 6000 jumps. I’m caring, understanding, and compassionate.

Ernesto

Instructor at iSkydive Miami

I’ve been jumping for 8 years, and I have 1415 jumps

Imi

Operations Officer & Instructor at all iSkydive locations

Jumping for 22 years .Packing for 22 years .Flying for 4 years.Rigger for 10 years.19,000 Jumps
I Am a legend.

Anton

Instructor at iSkydive Dallas Fort Worth & iSkydive Traverse City

I’ve been involved in skydiving for over 13 years and have 2,000+ jumps. I have been working as instructor for the past two years.

Outside of skydiving, I enjoy rock climbing, kiteboarding and wakeboarding. These activities help me stay active and focused.

Roberto

Instructor at iSkydive Miami & iSkydive DC

Jorge

Instructor at iSkydive Miami

Stefan

Instructor at iSkydive Miami

Time jumping 1 year and 6 months time packing 2 years and 245 jumps

Leodan

Instructor at iSkydive Miami

I have been skydiving since 2012 and have over 2000 jumps. I love what I do.

Kevin

Instructor at iSkydive Dc

Kevin ‘Kp’ Petit is a retired Army officer (Airborne Ranger) with over 2000 jumps. He began skydiving at iSkydive (Warrenton) in 2016. He is now a Tandem Master, Advanced Free Fall Instructor, and rigger where he started.

tandem instructor of iskydive charlevoix

Roman

Instructor at iSkydive Charlevoix

10 years in skydiving industry.
Tandem instructor, coach, camera flyer, parachute packer.
1000+ skydives.
I like outdoor activities, trekking in mountains, bicycle, paragliding, BASE jumping.

Luchiano

Instructor at iSkydive Detroit

Hi, I’m Luchy. I’ve been skydiving for 40 years and have completed 19,207 jumps. Up there—even for just a few seconds—you truly live.
Down here, sometimes after many years, you’re just existing. May the sky be eternally blue for us.

Aishwarya

Instructor at iSkydive Miami & iSkydive New York

17+ years of awesome Skydiving.
12,000+ jumps.
Life is awesome as always and forever!

Luian

Instructor at iSkydive Los Angeles

I am a passionate and experienced skydiving instructor and certified parachute rigger who has been jumping since 2015. With over 3,000 jumps, I bring both skill and enthusiasm to every flight. With dedication and love for the sport, I take pride in helping others experience the thrill of skydiving safely and confidently—because for me, it’s not just a job, it’s what I excel at.

Jamie

Instructor at iSkydive Los Angeles

My name is Jamie and I’ve been skydiving for sixteen years. I have over 15,000 jumps and I really love taking people on their first skydive. I have been lucky to jump in many countries and I can’t wait to show you the skies! You may of never heard of me, but just so you know, I’m kind of a big deal!

Support

Kristina

Packer + Photographer at iSkydive Dallas Fort Worth

Hi, I’m Krystyna.
I did my very first skydive 5 years ago, but I truly started jumping two years ago — and now I have over 200 jumps.

I’m also a rigger and skydiving photographer at ISKYDIVE Company .

I absolutely love that skydive feeling — and I encourage everyone to experience it at least once. It’s something unforgettable.

Tetiana

Rigger

I have been a packer for 8 years. I'm a rigger, doing parachute equipment repairs.I have two tandem jumps and two hours of wind tunnel flight.
In my free time I like to draw and cook.

Gabor

Packer & Parachute Rigger at iSkydive Miami

5 years. 15,000 pack. I have 33jumps. I’m a life saver. Life is good…
In my free time I like to draw and cook.

Oleg

Packer at iSkydive Miami

I have been packing more than 15 years. I packed over 20,000 canopies. I have over 200 skydiving jump.

Vitaliy

Packer at iSkydive Dallas Fort Worth

Hi, I’m Vitalii. I’ve been working in skydiving for over six years as a professional parachute packer. I truly love what I do — and that’s why I’ve packed over 13,000 parachutes so far.

I also have quite a few jumps under my belt, including tandem jumps. In the future, I plan to take Freefly courses to continue growing in the sport.

The sky is where I feel truly happy.

Whitney

Packer at iSkydive Los Angeles

I’ve worked at iSkydive Los Angeles for two years, and have put so much effort and love into packing your parachutes. I’m honored to share the skydiving experience with you!

Samira

Packer at iSkydive Detroit

I've been packing parachutes for 15 years, I did 120 solo jumps. In my free time I like to enjoy my family and cook.

Pilots

Rodolfo

Chief Pilot at iSkydive America

Joel

Pilot at iSkydive Miami & iSkydive DC

I’ve been working one year for the company.1470 flights and counting.
Don’t let life pass you by.

Weston

Pilot at iSkydive DC

I have been flying for the company for about a year and a half and loving every second of it! Dropping people out of the sky puts a huge smile on my face! Literally living the dream!

Ethan

Pilot at iSkydive New York

Hey, my name’s Ethan and I’m proudly one of iSkydive America’s pilots in New York City. I’ve been flying for 2 years all over California where I got my ratings before being based out of Greenwood Lake. When I’m not flying I’m either working out, cooking or hanging with the TIs. Nothing beats the team here!