If jumping out of a plane is on your bucket list, West Virginia Skydivers has you covered.
By Dawn Nolan
HQ 134 | SUMMER 2026
On a given weekend at West Virginia Skydivers, you’ll find people jumping out of planes for all kinds of reasons: thrill-seekers chasing an adrenaline rush, families celebrating birthdays and other milestones, people checking off bucket lists. There’s even been a wedding.
Located at Robert Newlon Airport along Route 2 in Huntington, the company draws visitors from across the Tri-State and beyond.
It’s not limited to any one kind of person. Jumpers span all ages (the minimum is 18), backgrounds and experience levels.
“The oldest that we’ve had here was 92, and she brought 108 family members,” owner Carl Bailey recalled. “And when she landed, it was the funniest thing. She said, ‘Now, I understand I get a free beer with this.’ I said, ‘Yes, ma’am.’ She ran up the hill to the Fly In Café, drank her beer and said, ‘I think that’s the best beer I’ve ever had.’”
A lot of people feel the same way after their jump — but not everyone.
“Either you end up like me and you keep coming back, or you never do it again,” said tandem master Jake Rubin, who has been skydiving for more than 15 years. “One woman made her first jump at 88 and has returned every year since to celebrate her birthday.”
If you’re feeling a little more apprehensive, know that you’re not alone.
“There’s nothing like it,” Rubin said. “I can’t climb a ladder, but I can jump out of a plane. I’m terrified of heights. But this is a whole different feeling — from the time we open the door to the time we hit the ground, we’re always moving.”
While Rubin said he especially enjoys first-time flyers, West Virginia Skydivers also draws a steady base of experienced jumpers.
“We have a core group of experienced jumpers who come about every weekend during the season,” Bailey said. “And of course, we always welcome travelers from out of state.”
Sometimes, it’s a planned adventure. Other times, it starts at the Fly In Café, watching others take the leap.
“A lot of people come here to the café on the weekends; they’ll ride their motorcycles or just come and hang out,” Bailey said. “They enjoy watching and they’ll ask, ‘Can I try?’”
That’s how it went for Ashland resident Ben Pritchard.
“I’ve always wanted to do it. I didn’t even know this place was here, and me and a girl went on a date over at the café, and they said that they do skydiving here,” he recalled. “I was like, ‘Sign me up.’”
He returned later for his first tandem jump.
“It was the coolest thing I’ve ever done,” he said.
In fact, he made his initial jump on a Saturday and came back the very next day — “and I’m going to do it again as soon as possible,” he added.
For Bailey, that kind of experience is exactly what he set out to build.
With a love of flying since childhood, his connection to aviation started long before West Virginia Skydivers.
“I would ride my bicycle to the airfield from West Pea Ridge just to see airplanes take off,” he recalled.
He took his first flight in 1974 with Charlie Henry and years later found himself back at the same airfield — not just visiting this time but shaping what the skydiving company would become.
“There was no plan,” Bailey said. “That came together over time.”
The skydiving operation began in 2009 with five partners that included Bailey, Bobby Dolan, Andy Ferguson, Ralph Osborne and Rocky Martin.
“We bought the first plane and later on we bought another one, and then another,” Bailey explained. “So, it’s just kind of grown over the years.”
For first-time jumpers, most experiences begin with a tandem jump where they’re paired with an experienced instructor. Those interested in jumping solo go through a more in-depth process.
“It’s an all-day course,” Bailey explained. “You go over every aspect of jumping, from entering the plane to exiting, to arching, to landing the parachute. After the course, we’ll take you up to about 4,000-4,500 feet and do what they call an instructor-assisted deployment. You’ll make your first jump, and then we’ll talk you down with the radio and tell you where to land.”
The program is approved by the United States Parachute Association.
Skydiving season at West Virginia Skydivers typically runs from April through late October, depending on weather conditions.
“You lose three degrees per 1,000 feet you go up,” Rubin explained. “So, the higher you go, the colder it gets.”
Over time, the airport has become more than just a place to skydive, functioning as a gathering spot as much as a drop zone.
There’s the Fly In Café, known for its fresh seafood and live entertainment. There’s the camping area. And there’s a recently added pavilion that can seat around 400 people.
It’s all part of an effort to continue growing the space and expand events and live music offerings, Bailey said.
On any given weekend, people come to watch, eat, listen to music or spend time along the river. Some never leave the ground.
“We have people come out here just to hang out,” he said.
The airport hosts community events throughout the year, from trivia nights and karaoke to cookouts for volunteer firefighters and library programs for local kids.
“Last year, we had probably about 60 kids come out,” Bailey said. “We let them get inside the airplane and experience what a jump plane is like. Then we did a skydive demonstration for them — they thought that was pretty neat. It was just so cool to see their eyes light up.”
For Bailey, what happens on the ground matters just as much as what happens in the air.
“That’s what it’s all about for me — being able to give back to other people,” he said. “I tell everybody, ‘This is not my place. This is our place.’”
For more information, visit www.wvskydivers.com.
Fly In Festival 2026
On July 23-26, the Robert Newlon Airport will host the 11th annual Fly In Festival. The unique event, which combines bluegrass and old-time music, aviation, skydiving, watersports and camping, draws an estimated 1,500-2,000 attendees.
“It has absolutely grown over the years,” Bailey said. “Our full-hookup campsites are booked up until 2028. We now have different bands calling us wanting to be a part of it.”
Hosted by The Bing Brothers Band and Jason Krack, this year’s lineup features acts like Grammy-winning and five-time IBMA Fiddler of the Year Jason Carter, best known for his work with the Del McCoury Band and the Travelin’ McCourys, as well as Appalachian Road Show, The Dave Evans Experience, the Tri-State Rock All-Stars and many other acts.
One of the festival’s signature attractions is skydiving, of course. Attendees can watch the West Virginia Skydivers all weekend — and even participate themselves.
The festival also offers plenty of opportunities for water recreation, including a recently added float trip.
“People do a lot of kayaking, paddle boarding and skiing on the river,” Bailey said.
Primitive and electric-only camping opportunities are available, and food and drinks are offered at the Fly In Café. Local vendors will also be set up.
A single-day pass is $45 plus a $1.90 service fee, and a weekend pass is $100 plus a $3 service fee. Proceeds from the Fly In Festival support the Barboursville Police K-9 Unit, local veterans and other charitable causes. For tickets and more information, visit facebook.com/flyinfestival or call 304-733-1240.
