03/24/2024
Skydive Allegan has made the decision to close its doors after 13 years of skydiving operations at Padgham Field, Allegan City Airport.
During our time here we offered skydiving from airplanes, hot air balloons and helicopters to countless first timers, skydiving students and experienced jumpers. We provided professional tandem skydiving services to military veterans as well as young, old, sick, dying and mobility impaired individuals.
Skydive Allegan was a stepping stone for many skydiving and aviation professionals as well. Over the years we offered home to new commercial pilots from WMU’s Aviation Academy and beyond for flight time building in preparation for jobs that required more hours and experience.
Additionally, we were home to many new skydiving professionals building time and experience before moving to larger drop zones. Our amazing staff was comprised of local professionals in fields outside of skydiving who made themselves available to the drop zone mainly out of love for the people and the sport.
Skydive Allegan made its limited resources available to a skydiving club out of Western Michigan University with roots dating back to the late 1960s. The Skydive Broncos now compete nationally in sport skydiving, maintain one of six clubs recognized by the United States Parachute Association and are an official club sport at WMU.
Over those 13 years, we supported our community of Allegan by frequenting local businesses, offering donations to local charitable organizations and performing skydiving demonstration jumps into local venues in support of first responders and veterans as well as in memory of fallen servicemen.
While we did many great things here in Allegan, we couldn’t have done it without an enormous amount of support from Allegan. We would like to extend a huge thank you to the Allegan Airport, the City of Allegan, Allegan’s Police, Allegan EMS, Allegan Fire and the whole Allegan community for making Skydive Allegan an amazing little drop zone.
Lastly, I would like to thank all that took the leap. You found your way to us and we jumped out of airplanes together. Thank you for your support.
Blue Skies,
Dennis Bennett, DZO
Skydive Allegan
