Skydive West Plains

Skydive West Plains in Ritzville, Washington offers tandem skydiving and comprehensive training programs from Ritzville Aero Recreation, located 50 miles west of Spokane. The dropzone is a full-service, open operation running five days a week during the April through October season, welcoming observers, students, and licensed jumpers alike. The operation is equipped with 1 Cessna 182 and 1 Cessna 208 Caravan, providing reliable aircraft for both introductory and advanced skydiving activities.

The facility features a range of amenities designed for comfortable visits, including a designated camping area, equipment rentals and sales, packing services, rigging services, RV space with electricity, shower facilities, and videography services. This combination of on-site accommodations and support services makes Skydive West Plains an accessible destination for jumpers traveling from across the region, particularly those coming from the greater Spokane area.

Skydive West Plains offers tandem skydiving experiences that place jumpers at 13,000 feet, with pricing that includes video and photo documentation options. The dropzone markets both weekday and weekend tandem packages, with the ability to customize experiences and preserve memories through professional media capture. First-time skydivers can expect professional instruction from USPA-rated instructors, with options to book solo or tandem experiences.

Beyond tandem jumping, Skydive West Plains operates three formal training programs: AFF (Accelerated Freefall), IAD (Instructor Assisted Deployment), and Tandem progression training. This emphasis on structured instruction positions the dropzone as a venue not just for single recreational jumps, but for jumpers committed to earning their licenses and building long-term involvement in the sport.

The dropzone's community-oriented atmosphere is evident in its welcome to spectators, with landing areas positioned near the hangar and runway for easy ground viewing of skydiver take-offs and landings. The operation actively encourages group experiences and social engagement, maintaining a visible social media presence on Instagram and Facebook where the community can follow jumps and facility updates (@skydivewestplains).

Located at 2045 E Schoessler Road in Ritzville, Skydive West Plains operates in the Northwest Region of USPA-affiliated dropzones. The facility's seasonal April-through-October schedule, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, accommodates the regional climate while maintaining consistent availability for the core jumping season. The combination of accessible pricing, professional instruction, multi-option amenities, and a focus on both recreational and progressive training makes Skydive West Plains a practical choice for skydivers in the Pacific Northwest.