Newbie 0 #1 November 7, 2003 im sick of hearing about skydivers living in dog kennels and eating noodles in front of a cardboard box because they cant afford a tv. Someone tell me which skydivers - or those in the skydiving industry - are blinging, to give me some inspiration later, while im waiting for the kettle to boil for my 3rd run of ramen today. "Skydiving is a door" Happythoughts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davelepka 4 #2 November 7, 2003 ***im sick of hearing about skydivers living in dog kennels and eating noodles in front of a cardboard box because they cant afford a tv. ---------------------------------------------------------- Cut your ear off ala Vince Van Gough, or quit jumping. Problem solved. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
canopycandy 0 #3 November 7, 2003 I think the only skydivers who have made serious bling were coming from Columbia and making use of tandem rigs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #4 November 7, 2003 Well, I think there are some inventors, like Bill Booth that have done reasonably well. Invent something -everyone- will use, patent it and get people to pay you royalties to manufacture it. Not much profit per individual instance, but I think it adds up pretty well in the long run. Forget about making large amounts of money in the following ways; photography, instuction, demos, competitor. While there are a few that manage to squeek by, for the most part the chances of anybody getting rich (or even middle class) doing it are mighty slim.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jlmiracle 7 #5 November 7, 2003 Parachutist used to publish a list of occupations including skydiving. It basically said if you choose to make your living skydiving, you will be living below the poverty line. What do you consider serious money? I know some people who did the skydiving thing, lived in a trailer and kept their expenses down and said they had more money than they had before (when they had a house, car, utilities, etc.) but just not all the the material items, then there are those that can't make enough to eat that week. JudyBe kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikemc 0 #6 November 7, 2003 I think it boils down to quality of life and what you are happy with. If you want to drive fast cars and own a big house then skydive at weekends. If you want to be free from responsibility and dont want material possesions then skydive all week long. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #7 November 7, 2003 QuoteIf you want to be free from responsibility and dont want material possesions then skydive all week long. And under any circumstances NEVER EVER get married.__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #8 November 7, 2003 QuoteForget about making large amounts of money in the following ways; photography, instuction, demos, competitor. Include selling gear and rigging on that list. Most people in the skydiving industry are more into quality of life - ie being happy - than they are having piles of cash and material things. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
czechbase 0 #9 November 7, 2003 How about owning and running a dropzone? Sure that's gotta make some money?www.motavi.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #10 November 7, 2003 QuoteInclude selling gear Stop lying Lisa... we all know you live the life of a rock star in a 12 bedroom mansion by the sea.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #11 November 7, 2003 QuoteHow about owning and running a dropzone? Sure that's gotta make some money? There's an old saying.... want to make a small fortune in skydiving? Start with a large fortune and open a dropzone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuteless 1 #12 November 7, 2003 I made a living at it for years, mostly on the airshow circuit and jumping at special events. I had several good sponsors, (Toyota -- a new car every 3 months) Bulova watches, Canadian Tire stores (mostly ballooning) and others. The most I ever made for one job was $18,000.00 for two weeks. Many others were in the $5k to $7k range. I advertised a lot, managed to get lots of promotional ventures, TV commercials, and a good amount of publicity from CSPA because of their silly attitude that the press loved. All in all, I enjoyed every bit of it, and wish I had done more. 2 chuteless jumps, high altitude records, low openings and unusual jumps ( i.e. 3 chutes at one) helped draw the public's attention which only fostered more jobs. Bill Cole D-41 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Newbie 0 #13 November 7, 2003 sounds like chuteless is the only blinger out there. There has to be atleast one more skydiver out there right now chilling in his/her mountain cabin with a bottle of iced Krug next to them, sat in the jacuzzi, logged onto dz.com while watching the game/soaps on a 60" plasma screen, while their packer is earning a few extra $ by polishing the Ferrari in the driveway? "Skydiving is a door" Happythoughts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #14 November 7, 2003 but...but...that sounds boring! I'd much raather be jumping! Shit, I could sell the ferrari, and with that get new gear, buy a PS2 to hook up to the big screen (for bad-weather days), and turn the jacuzzi into a big beer cooler. Screw the STUFF, I just want to skydive!!Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #15 November 7, 2003 Bill Booth has some serious bling, but he also owns/runs one of the largest skydiving gear companies and invented damn near everything.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mixoligist 0 #16 November 7, 2003 QuoteQuoteMost people in the skydiving industry are more into quality of life - ie being happy - than they are having piles of cash and material things. Word ! Money sucks.................................. Better you than me .................................. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites airtwardo 7 #17 November 7, 2003 QuoteBill Booth has some serious bling, but he also owns/runs one of the largest skydiving gear companies and invented damn near everything. *** ...and Steve Snyder didn't spend a lot of time in the soup line either. Years back you couldn'd swing a dead cat without hitting something embossed with the SSE logo. Steve was killed in the crash of ONE of the warbird JETS he owned! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Hooknswoop 19 #18 November 7, 2003 Quote...and Steve Snyder didn't spend a lot of time in the soup line either. Years back you couldn'd swing a dead cat without hitting something embossed with the SSE logo. Steve was killed in the crash of ONE of the warbird JETS he owned! Correct me if I am wrong, but I think I remember reading that SSE was seriously in debt at the time of his death. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites airtwardo 7 #19 November 7, 2003 I bet it was... He no longer owned it! Hence the JETS! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnRich 4 #20 November 7, 2003 I know there is good money to be made in the skydiving industry, because I put it there. Some of the gear manufacturers are not affluent at all. They have to beg drop zone owners to make their monthly payments on their gear in order to meet their payroll. And the drop zone owners sometimes can't make their payments due to a string of bad weather. And when a turbine engine dies, it takes $50,000 and more to fix them. And so on... And glad those guys are out there taking the financial risk so that I can have quality gear and just pay my $18 to have fun jumping out of airplanes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites FrogNog 1 #21 November 7, 2003 Well, what about the famous people? If you know their names in skydiving, there's a reason for it that might be bling-related. Rob Harris - did he do well? How about Joe Jennings - how many copies of "Good Stuff" did he sell and what is his royalty per copy? Who owns the Pink skyvan? How much does Mike Mullins clear on his special jump flights? I don't know the answers to any of these, but I hear about these people a lot so it's a guess. -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites AggieDave 6 #22 November 7, 2003 You hear about them a lot do to the size of this sport and how fast word travels. Not to mention that even though the sport is very small, there are 2 major publications dedicated to them. I'm willing to bet that the money they make on these things is fairly slim.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites andy2 0 #23 November 7, 2003 do skydiving stunts for movies. You get paid assloads for the money shots! --------------------------------------------- let my inspiration flow, in token rhyme suggesting rhythm... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites flyangel2 2 #24 November 7, 2003 QuoteInvent something -everyone- will use, patent it and get people to pay you royalties to manufacture it. Not much profit per individual instance, but I think it adds up pretty well in the long run. Does the name Bill Kitchen ring any bells? Bill=SkyventureMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites CrazyDave 0 #25 November 7, 2003 what sort of money do you get for winning competitions? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 1 of 3 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
airtwardo 7 #17 November 7, 2003 QuoteBill Booth has some serious bling, but he also owns/runs one of the largest skydiving gear companies and invented damn near everything. *** ...and Steve Snyder didn't spend a lot of time in the soup line either. Years back you couldn'd swing a dead cat without hitting something embossed with the SSE logo. Steve was killed in the crash of ONE of the warbird JETS he owned! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #18 November 7, 2003 Quote...and Steve Snyder didn't spend a lot of time in the soup line either. Years back you couldn'd swing a dead cat without hitting something embossed with the SSE logo. Steve was killed in the crash of ONE of the warbird JETS he owned! Correct me if I am wrong, but I think I remember reading that SSE was seriously in debt at the time of his death. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #19 November 7, 2003 I bet it was... He no longer owned it! Hence the JETS! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #20 November 7, 2003 I know there is good money to be made in the skydiving industry, because I put it there. Some of the gear manufacturers are not affluent at all. They have to beg drop zone owners to make their monthly payments on their gear in order to meet their payroll. And the drop zone owners sometimes can't make their payments due to a string of bad weather. And when a turbine engine dies, it takes $50,000 and more to fix them. And so on... And glad those guys are out there taking the financial risk so that I can have quality gear and just pay my $18 to have fun jumping out of airplanes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #21 November 7, 2003 Well, what about the famous people? If you know their names in skydiving, there's a reason for it that might be bling-related. Rob Harris - did he do well? How about Joe Jennings - how many copies of "Good Stuff" did he sell and what is his royalty per copy? Who owns the Pink skyvan? How much does Mike Mullins clear on his special jump flights? I don't know the answers to any of these, but I hear about these people a lot so it's a guess. -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #22 November 7, 2003 You hear about them a lot do to the size of this sport and how fast word travels. Not to mention that even though the sport is very small, there are 2 major publications dedicated to them. I'm willing to bet that the money they make on these things is fairly slim.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy2 0 #23 November 7, 2003 do skydiving stunts for movies. You get paid assloads for the money shots! --------------------------------------------- let my inspiration flow, in token rhyme suggesting rhythm... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #24 November 7, 2003 QuoteInvent something -everyone- will use, patent it and get people to pay you royalties to manufacture it. Not much profit per individual instance, but I think it adds up pretty well in the long run. Does the name Bill Kitchen ring any bells? Bill=SkyventureMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyDave 0 #25 November 7, 2003 what sort of money do you get for winning competitions? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
