Jumpers Away Recognized as a 2025 AOPA Distinguished Flight School

Jumpers Away, a South Caolina-based jump pilot training school, has been designated by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association as a 2025 Distinguished Flight School. It is the third year in a row for Jumpers Away to receive the distinction. Jumpers Away was one of 62 flight schools in the U.S., and one of only 12 flight schools in the Southern Region to receive the honor for 2025.

AOPA annually surveys pilots about their recent flight school experience and ranks flight schools based on the responses. Jumpers Away received high marks in Educational Quality and Customer Focus, with an aggregate overall score of 88 (in a range from 0 to 100); higher than the national flight school average of 86 and regional flight school average of 85.

As part of the survey, pilots were invited to add comments about their flight training experience. Here is what some Jumpers Away graduates said.

“If you want to become a jump pilot, this is the best school in the country to do so. Ed is extremely knowledgeable and an amazing instructor.”

“Ed Scott is an experienced skydiver and jump pilot who gives students all the skills expected of a jump pilot. I was able to land a good job with a drop zone a few months after completing his course.”

“The Jumpers Away course is without a doubt the best decision I’ve made in my aviation career thus far. I am now enjoying a jump pilot job that has opened many opportunities for me and I have only jumpers away to thank for it.”

“Ed's course (and Ed going the extra mile, forwarding me job openings) landed me my first paid Commercial gig at 340 hours! Highly recommend; it definitely set me apart from other new commercial pilots.”

“The training is 100% personalized, providing all the tools needed to get the confidence to do the job as a Jump Pilot in a safe manner. They are also checking on your progress after the training is completed and assist you with a job position.”

“Not only did Ed provide skydive pilot experience, he did so clearly and concisely. Taking only a few days to make a regular pilot into a hirable jump pilot is very useful and a great resource.”

Jumpers Away has course dates available in July and beyond.