Kevin Stone
- Year you started skydiving: 2013
- Total number of jumps: 11,700
- Licenses / ratings: D-34792, Tandem Instructor, AFF-I, Coach, Pro, FAA Senior Rigger, Advanced Wingsuit Flight Instructor
- First canopy → current canopy: Sabre 150, Sabre 150
- Role at Skydive Windy City: Tandem Instructor, AFF-I, Rigger, Wingsuit Instructor
What got you into skydiving?
Wingsuit BASE jumping.
Do you remember your first jump?
Yes.
What was going through your mind?
Terror.
When did you realize this was more than just a hobby?
When I realized that I could do what I loved for work and never work again.
What keeps you coming back?
Skydiving is my passion, I spend my time off jumping. It’s great to get to share that with new jumpers.
Favorite type of jump?
Wingsuit 3 ways.
Go-to hype song before a jump?
It changes on a daily basis.
What would you be doing if you weren’t skydiving?
BASE jumping or wind tunnel flying.
What separates a good instructor from a great one?
Good ones love jumping, great ones love helping other people enjoy their jump.
What’s the biggest lesson skydiving has taught you?
Fear is not a bad thing, it’s just an emotion like any other. Learn to control your emotions and your life gets easier.
FROM THE SKY TO THE CREW
Who’s the most chaotic person on the team?
Aaron.
Most unforgettable jump you’ve ever done?
I have a tone of jumps that have been unforgettable, My last jump with my friend Jed Carpenter is a jump that means a lot to me. It was very special because he didn’t have any money to jump so my friend Brady and I put a jump ticket on his account. We ran over to his van and shouted he was on the 5 minute call. He popped out in his underwear and threw his gear on and ran to the plane with us. That is the jump that my FB profile picture is from and the reason it means so much to me is Jed died in a car crash 6 months later and I never saw him again. He was one of my absolute favorite people to jump with and one of my best friends. I am so happy that I bought him that jump, best $32 I ever spent.
What do you love most about jumping at Skydive Windy City?
We have a solid team with very little drama.
Why He Loves What He Does
What makes this dropzone special?
Great pay with 5 months of vacation.
What do you enjoy most about working with first-time jumpers here?
I like helping them realize that life is about living. We will all die, but not all of us will live to the fullest.
What’s your biggest “this is why I love this job” moment?
When I see the look on a students face as they are discovering that they did something on their own. So many people don’t believe in themselves. People who try skydiving are stepping into the unknown and trusting in their own abilities, and that is a powerful experience to be a part of.
WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE SKYDIVE WINDY CITY
At Skydive Windy City, it’s more than just the jump, it’s the people, the passion, and the mindset that make the experience unforgettable. From dedicated instructors like Kevin to the entire team behind the scenes, every part of the dropzone is built around helping people step outside their comfort zone and experience something bigger than themselves.
Whether you’re planning your first tandem skydive near Chicago or coming back for another jump, Skydive Windy City offers the kind of view, energy, and support that makes every visit memorable. When you’re ready to take the leap, there’s no better place to start.