New owner: Same adrenaline rush for those who want to get onboard, then jump off

Skydive New England Manager Curtis White says they are fully open and ready to fly. (Rochester Voice photo)

LEBANON, Maine - The owners of a Connecticut skydive adventure center have spread their wings with the purchase of Skydive New England.

Curtis White, the new manager, said they began talks with former longtime owner Fred Cotreau last summer and completed the purchase on the 240-acre property in October.

White, who has been an instructor at the Danielson drop zone for five years, said they plan to make few alterations this year at the Lebanon drop zone.

"We're not making changes this year, we're just getting acquainted," he said.

And there's a lot to get acquainted with.

Skydive New England is the largest parachuting venue in all of New England, both in its acreage and its skydiving capacity.

He said last Sunday - still in the early part of the season - they did 60 tandems, which is when an instructor accompanies a novice or beginner during the jump.

White said it can take as little as 45 minutes for a first-timer to sign paperwork, watch a video, and get required group and individual training for their first jump, which normally costs about $240.

Then it's onto one of their three planes for the actual jump, which can include about a minute of free fall before the chute opens and another five or 10 minutes before landing.

"Whenever you jump you get a discounted $165 price on your next jump if you purchase it within 48 hours," White said. "The next jump can then be scheduled anytime."

While they've made few changes on the skydive side, they have upgraded their Ripcord Cafe with an executive chef out of Johnson and Wales, a premier culinary school in Rhode Island.

Skydive New England began operations on May 1 and will be open through Nov. 1.

Their regular hours are Thursday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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