Dropzone VIP: K.C. Campbell

Ever wonder what it’s like to keep day-to-day dropzone operations running smoothly? Meet K.C., Skydive Carolina’s office manager and skydive manifest aficionado, who shares her experiences, goals and advice for anyone ready to take the leap.

How many skydives do you have? 

“I have a total of 6 skydives under my belt. I have completed 3 tandems and 3 solos, all at Skydive Carolina. I can relate to the pre-jump jitters that tandem skydivers have!”

What is your favorite part about your job? 

“The relationships I have formed with the staff, fun jumpers, students, and frequent tandem customers. I see A LOT of people come in and out of these doors and the ‘frequent flyers’ and staff members make my day! Every morning, the staff comes in and greets me with hugs and personalized handshakes. It really is a great start to the day.” 

I’m sure you’ve seen all sorts of things while working manifest – from different disciplines to wild formations. Do you have any specific goals in the sport yet? 

“My only goal right now is to complete AFF and earn my USPA A License so that I can play in the sky with my sky fam.” (YASSS – we cannot wait until K.C. starts shredding the skies with us!)

What’s the most rewarding part of working manifest at a skydiving dropzone and interacting with jumpers of all experience levels?

“Seeing people excel in the sport. I love seeing a tandem come down and automatically book their First Jump Course. Then, I get to see them progress through AFF and receive their USPA A License. Watching that journey is inspiring.” 

At Skydive Carolina, we require prospective AFF students to complete a tandem first – do you think it’s beneficial to jump tandem prior to pursuing solo jumping? 

“I do think completing a tandem jump before going into AFF is helpful. It gives the jumper a chance to see how they will react, not only during the skydive itself, but also while in the aircraft, experiencing the change in air pressure, once the door opens, and the brisk rush of air on exit.”  

What’s one thing you wish every first-timer knew before they stepped onto the dropzone? 

“This sport is extremely weather-dependent. There are so many weather factors that have to align to make skydiving fun and to ensure we keep safety first. We could be jumping all morning and then clouds roll in out of nowhere and put us on a weather hold. Then, a few hours later, there will be blue skies again! We do our best to keep an eye on the forecast but sometimes Mother Nature has her own plan.” 

Psst! If you have to reschedule your jump, K.C. will get you sorted in no time – she’s good like that! 

As a new jumper yourself, what was your own first jump like, and how does that experience shape the way you talk to first-timers?

“My first tandem was on my 21st birthday and it was amazing. I loved every part and felt safe and ‘in the know’ the entire time. When it came to my first AFF jump, I was a little more nervous, but had the confidence in myself and went for it. After my first solo, I was riding an adrenaline rush for days. My experiences with both tandem and solo jumps at Skydive Carolina have made it easy for me to reassure first-timers (in full confidence) about our expert instructors, ground crew, and pilots. They all take their job very seriously, while still sprinkling in that ‘rizz’ that will get you hooked on the sport.” 

What’s your go-to piece of advice for someone who’s hesitant about skydiving but wants to give it a try?

“JUST DO IT! Come up with a date, grab some buddies and BOOK THAT SKYDIVE. Skydive Carolina prides itself on having a safety-first culture and being a friendly dropzone. We’ve all been in the shoes of a first-time skydiver, so we will help you with any hesitation you may have to ensure you can have the ride of your life. If the nerves are getting the best of you, feel free to come visit the dropzone and check out the operation before you book.” 

What’s something you wish every fun jumper knew about working manifest? 

“It’s not as easy as we make it seem! On a daily basis, I am juggling tandem check-in, phone calls, AFF students, and fun jumpers all at once. And although I love the high-paced environment, patience with me as I balance all these tasks is a must. It is very helpful when fun jumpers have all the necessary information before coming to manifest on a 20 minute call. I am not able to ‘hold slots’ or ‘hold the plane’ so if everything is good with their jump profile and funds are present, it is an easy task to get them on the load of their choice.” 

What are five characteristics someone should have if they want to work in a managerial position at a dropzone one day? 

“Patience, leadership, organization, customer service, and confidence.” 

K.C. fabulously embodies each of these qualities and ensures the dropzone runs seamlessly, all day, every day. We are so thankful to have her as a critical member of our team at Skydive Carolina. Book your skydive today – K.C. will be a friendly face that greets you when you get here, she’ll help you cross all your Ts to get you ready to jump, and she’ll be stoked for you when you report back about your phenomenal experience! We have an incredible community here at Skydive Carolina – we can’t wait for you to join us! Blue skies.