How to Finance a DZONE Skydiving Franchise: Aircraft and Hangars
By Chris Cornella
A DZONE Skydiving franchise loan finances something very different from a storefront: a working drop zone with aircraft, parachute systems, a hangar and a team of instructors and pilots. Few franchises put an airplane on the equipment list, and that shapes everything from collateral to working capital for slower months.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by DZONE Skydiving; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice. Have a franchise attorney and an accountant review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) before you commit.
DZONE Skydiving Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a skydiving center, or drop zone, offering tandem skydives, a student licensing program and sport jumping.
- Franchisor: DZONE Franchising Corporation, led by the founder who built the brand’s original Idaho drop zone.
- Operating model: centralized online and phone reservations; each location runs its own aircraft, staff and jump operations.
- Major assets: jump aircraft (owned or leased), tandem and student parachute systems, a hangar and a landing area at or near an airport.
- Fees and investment: we could not verify the franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund, Item 7 investment range or net worth and liquidity requirements from the franchisor’s own materials. Get the current FDD and read Items 5, 6, 7 and 12.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as DZONESkydiving under code S8664, with no special directory note.
What Is DZONE Skydiving?
DZONE Skydiving began as a single drop zone in southwest Idaho before growing into a multi-location brand. The company’s own announcements describe DZONE Boise as an established Idaho drop zone flying high-performance turbine aircraft, and the brand has since expanded into other Mountain West markets.
The business serves three groups: tandem guests on a one-time experience, students training toward a license to jump on their own, and licensed sport skydivers who return for jumps, coaching and events.
How lenders size up the brand. DZONE is a young system in a specialized niche, so a lender cannot lean on a long franchise track record. It will weigh the borrower’s aviation and skydiving experience, the airport and landing area, the safety and insurance plan, and whether the aircraft and equipment hold value as collateral.
DZONE Skydiving Franchise Costs
We could not verify the franchisor’s current figures, so this section explains the cost categories to expect in Item 7 of the FDD and how each is typically financed in a DZONE Skydiving franchise loan.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 of the FDD sets the initial fee and whether any multi-unit or territory fees apply. Franchise fees are generally paid from the buyer’s cash or included in a start-up loan, depending on the program.
Aircraft. This is the defining cost of a drop zone. Owners can buy one or more jump aircraft or lease them, and that choice changes the total investment more than any other decision. Buying creates a large, financeable asset; leasing lowers the up-front cost but adds a fixed monthly payment that lenders treat much like debt.
Hangar, airport lease and site work. A drop zone needs a hangar, a manifest and customer area, a packing area, a landing zone and parking. Most operators lease airport space rather than buy land, so the airport lease and its term are central documents for a lender.
Parachute systems and gear. Tandem and student rigs, reserves, automatic activation devices, helmets, altimeters, radios and camera gear all carry inspection and replacement cycles.
Opening costs and working capital. Expect insurance deposits, fuel, staff training and certification, marketing before opening and additional funds to carry payroll, aircraft costs and rent while the location builds volume.
Total investment. Item 7 of the current FDD shows the estimated range and its assumptions, including whether the aircraft is purchased or leased. Typical categories include:
- Initial franchise fee
- Aircraft purchase, down payment or lease deposits
- Hangar, airport lease deposits and site improvements
- Parachute systems, gear, computers and signage
- Insurance, licenses, training and opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your DZONE Skydiving Franchise Loan
Royalty, marketing fund and any technology or reservation fees are disclosed in Item 6. Read carefully how charges for the centralized booking system are calculated.
How lenders factor fees in. Fees tied to gross sales come off the top before fuel, maintenance, insurance and payroll. A lender deducts every franchise fee, then tests whether the business still covers debt service in a below-average season. Model fuel and maintenance per load, not as a flat monthly figure.
Seasonality. Skydiving is weather dependent, and Mountain West drop zones tend to concentrate jumping in warmer months. Fixed costs such as aircraft payments, hangar rent and insurance continue year-round, so lenders will look for a reserve or a line of credit sized to the off-season. Our article on seasonality and cash flow in entertainment businesses walks through how to plan for it.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify DZONE’s net worth, liquid capital or experience requirements from the franchisor’s own materials. Expect the franchisor to look for some combination of:
- Skydiving experience, instructor ratings or a commitment to hire rated instructors
- Access to qualified commercial pilots and aircraft maintenance support
- A workable airport or airfield with room for a landing area and customer facilities
- Enough capital to fund the aircraft plan, insurance and working capital
- A safety culture built on instructor certification and background checks
Approval generally runs from inquiry to FDD delivery, a review period, market and site evaluation and signing. Start financing conversations early so the aircraft plan and loan request fit together.
Ways to Own a DZONE Skydiving Location
A new drop zone. Opening in a new market is a start-up loan: the lender relies on the business plan, the airport lease and the owner’s experience rather than historical results. Our entertainment business start-up financing page covers how these requests are structured.
Buying an existing location. The brand’s first franchisee bought an operating drop zone from the founder, so resales and corporate location sales do happen. An existing location gives a lender actual jump counts and revenue history. See our entertainment business acquisition financing.
Converting an independent drop zone. If the franchisor allows conversions, an independent center brings history to show a lender, but projections must absorb rebranding and new fees.
Financing Options for a DZONE Skydiving Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can be considered for a new location, a resale, equipment, working capital and, in some cases, aircraft. Program rules on eligible uses apply, and the lender will decide what fits.
SBA 504 loans. The SBA 504 program is designed for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. It can fit when an owner buys a hangar or property, and may be considered for other long-lived assets that qualify under program rules.
Conventional term loans. A conventional business loan can suit experienced operators with strong collateral, particularly for refinancing or buying an established drop zone.
Aircraft and equipment financing. Jump aircraft, engines and avionics, tandem and student rigs, reserves, automatic activation devices, ground vehicles, golf carts for the landing area and camera gear can be financed through equipment financing and leasing for entertainment businesses. Aircraft lenders will look at logbooks, engine time and maintenance history.
Working capital and lines of credit. A line of credit can carry fuel, payroll and aircraft costs through spring ramp-up and the off-season. See our entertainment business working capital and credit lines.
Seller financing on resales. When buying an existing location, part of the price may be carried by the seller. A seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and some loan programs limit how it can be structured.
SBA Loans for DZONE Skydiving Franchisees
SBA lenders generally require a brand to appear on the SBA Franchise Directory before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to its franchisees. A listing does not approve any borrower or location.
DZONE Skydiving’s listing. The brand appears on the directory as DZONESkydiving under code S8664, with no special note attached. In plain English, an SBA lender can generally proceed with the standard franchise documents without an extra addendum or rider tied to the listing. Directory status can change, so confirm it with your lender when you apply.
Tips for an SBA application. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Bring a sources and uses table, the FDD, the airport lease, aircraft documents, a safety and insurance plan, and projections that separate tandem, student and sport revenue. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates, which are for planning only and are not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a DZONE Skydiving Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, plus a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want cash left over after a DZONE Skydiving franchise loan closes. For a drop zone, reserves cover the real risks: an engine overhaul, a grounded aircraft or a wet spring.
Industry and management experience. Instructor ratings, drop zone management history and an experienced chief pilot all strengthen a file.
Business plan and projections. Build projections around loads per day, slots per load, the tandem and student mix, weather days and the jumping season in your market. Show fuel, maintenance reserves and insurance per load.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal and transfer provisions and any franchisor financing in Item 10. Our guide to how lenders read a Franchise Disclosure Document explains what they look for.
Site and airport lease. The lease should generally run at least as long as the loan and permit skydiving operations.
Historical financials for resales. For an existing location, plan to provide several years of profit and loss statements, jump records and tax returns.
Aircraft and Equipment: The Heart of the Deal
Turbine aircraft climb faster and carry more jumpers per load, but cost more to buy, fuel and maintain. Some operators lease aircraft for the season to limit up-front cost.
The lender’s questions are practical. Who owns the aircraft, the franchisee or a related company leasing it to the business? What is the engine time and when is the next overhaul? Expect to show a maintenance plan and reserves that fund overhauls before they are due, plus replacement schedules for reserves, automatic activation devices and tandem systems.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
A second drop zone usually means a second aircraft plan, airport lease and team. Lenders look at combined cash flow and whether management can oversee both in peak season. If you plan to share aircraft between nearby locations, make sure the loan documents and insurance allow it. Read about financing an emerging franchise brand for how lenders approach young systems.
Real-World Scenarios
A veteran instructor opens a new drop zone. A rated tandem instructor with years at another center signs with DZONE for a new market. The lender pairs an SBA 7(a) loan for start-up costs with separate aircraft financing, and requires a working capital reserve sized to the first off-season.
A buyer acquires an existing location. A first-time owner buys an operating DZONE drop zone. The lender underwrites past jump counts and revenue, reviews aircraft logbooks and requires the seller to stay on through a transition period.
An independent center converts. An independent owner joins for central booking and marketing; the lender reviews how franchise fees change the margin.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying on investment figures from anywhere other than the current FDD
- Treating an aircraft lease as a minor expense instead of a fixed obligation
- Underestimating engine overhauls, maintenance reserves and gear replacement
- Building projections on peak-season weekends instead of a full year
- Signing an airport lease shorter than the loan term
- Leaving too little working capital for the off-season
For more pitfalls, read the entertainment center loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your DZONE Skydiving Franchise
Step 1: Request and review the FDD. Read Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Decide on the aircraft plan. Choose whether to buy or lease aircraft, and line up pilots and maintenance support.
Step 3: Secure the airfield. Identify an airport or airfield and negotiate a lease that supports skydiving operations for the length of the loan.
Step 4: Build a sources and uses table and projections. List every Item 7 cost, then model loads, weather days and seasonality.
Step 5: Talk to a financing specialist. Compare SBA, conventional and equipment financing options before you sign.
DZONE Skydiving Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a DZONE Skydiving franchise cost?
Item 7 of the current FDD sets out the estimated initial investment; the largest variable is whether you buy or lease aircraft.
What is the DZONE Skydiving franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is disclosed in Item 5 of the FDD. Ask the franchisor for the current document.
Is DZONE Skydiving eligible for SBA loans?
Yes, the brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory as DZONESkydiving under code S8664, with no special note. Each borrower and location still has to qualify.
Can I finance the airplane?
Often, yes. Aircraft can be financed through equipment or aircraft loans, and in some cases as part of an SBA loan. Lenders will review logbooks, engine time and maintenance history.
Do I need to be a skydiver to own a DZONE?
Experience is a major advantage with the franchisor and lenders. Owners without it should hire experienced instructors, pilots and managers and explain that team in the plan.
Can I buy an existing DZONE location?
Resales can occur, subject to franchisor approval. An existing location lets a lender review actual jump and revenue history.
How do lenders handle the off-season?
They look for reserves or a line of credit large enough to cover aircraft payments, rent, insurance and payroll during slow months.
Does DZONE Skydiving offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the current FDD.
What documents will I need?
Expect to provide tax returns, a personal financial statement, a resume, the FDD and franchise agreement, the airport lease, aircraft documents, a business plan and projections.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Review Item 19 of the current FDD to see whether it includes financial performance representations.
Final Thoughts
A DZONE Skydiving franchise loan comes down to three things: a realistic aircraft plan, a secure airfield and enough working capital to carry the business through weather and seasons. SBA 7(a) financing is available to consider, but the strongest requests pair it with experienced people and a careful maintenance budget.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and entertainment and recreation business financing solutions.
