You might imagine a skydiving club as a quonset hut or hanger on a grass runway out in the middle of nowhere.

Many dropzones are like this, and they can be great fun -- if you can get there, and don't mind roughing it a bit with porta-potties and uninsulated buildings.

Today there are also some very large, commercial drop zones run as a high-volume business, processing hundreds of students in a summer weekend.

These can also be exciting places to visit, as there are many interesting people to watch while you hold your ticket for "tandem #174" and wait for an instructor to scoop you up for your turn on the ride.

We've jumped at these places, large and small, had fun and made friends. But there's a reason Skydive Milwaukee is our home...

We have the warmth and personality of a close-knit small-town dropzone, with the comfort and amenities of a large skydiving center. We're located right off I-43, just 1/2 hour southwest of Milwaukee. We have restaurants, hotels, campgrounds, convenience and grocery stores, pubs, and even lake access all within a 5-minute drive. Our location adjacent to the East Troy Municipal Airport and its long, paved runway allows us to jump year-round and to use larger aircraft.

The clubhouse facilities feature air-conditioned classrooms and social areas, real restrooms and showers, a large covered packing area, beverage and snack vending, and video equipment.

The front office provides information and sales of tickets, gift certificates, clothing and equipment. Forgot your goggles, gloves, hook knife? We can help.

Several club members are equipment dealers and can order everything from complete skydiving rigs, canopies, helmets, and altimeters to custom-fitted jumpsuits.

Approaching Sky Knights SPC from the south on Hwy L, you'll see both our main clubhouse and the newer addition with deck, lounge, and equipment storage.

The heated and air-conditioned clubhouse houses the front office and manifest, two classrooms, and features restrooms, showers, refrigerator and kitchen areas.

Vending machines in the lobby are stocked with snacks and drinks.

In the front office, you'll register for class and fill out required paperwork. Later, this is where you'll pick up your first jump certificate. We also stock t-shirts and other clothing, as well as skydiving neccessities for experienced jumpers.

This newly refinished second classroom is used for classes and coaching sessions away from the distractions of drop zone operations.

Our larger classroom features framed snapshots of previous graduates. Will yours be next?

In the summer, our shaded backyard is full of activity. Instructors debrief students, while teams practice competition moves. Spectators mingle with jumpers, who are happy to talk about their passion for the sport.

The spacious carpeted packing shed is our primary packing area, offering room to sort out and repack gear out of the degrading UV rays of the summer sun.

The elevated deck is ideal for spectators.

If you have good vision, and know where to look, you can see skydivers in freefall before they even open their parachutes.

Below deck, a large concrete patio provides shaded assembly space.

The smooth patio surface is ideal for team formation practice on available wheeled creepers.

Students, instructors and groups of jumpers meet under the deck before heading out to meet their aircraft.

Aircraft boarding takes place beyond the fenced border of our backyard.

(No spectators past the fence without clubmember escort, please!)

Students select from an inventory of jumpsuits and helmets.

Our gear room is stocked with AFF and new state-of-the-art tandem gear. All equipment is regularly inspected and maintained by our FAA-certified riggers to USPA and manufacturer requirements.

The Ravin's Nest lounge is named for our pilot/instructor Ravin', not the bird raven.

It provides additional climate controlled meeting and socializing space, with amenities like a refrigerator, microwave, gear lockers and broadband equipped PC. Free Wi-Fi is also supplied in the Nest and the clubhouse.

Join us after hours in the Ravin's Nest to review the day's videos on the giant-screen TV.