Born in South Africa but now from New Zealand
Started skydiving in 1995
Worked with us for 2 years
Robbie is one of Skydive Franz and Fox Glacier’s most experienced tandem instructors and in his 25 year skydiving career he has completed thousands of parachute descents around the world including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Botswana.
Robbie has been involved in a range of commercial parachuting activities including reality TV shoots, commercials, airshow displays and was even involved in a program to train anti-poaching dogs to skydive. He is also a very experienced competitive skydiver.
“Jumping in one of the world’s most unique and pristine environments takes my breath away each and every time. The views from 20,000ft are spectacular. When people ask me if I ever get tired of skydiving they clearly haven’t seen the view from my office in the sky.”
From New Zealand
Started skydiving 10 years ago
Worked with us for 2 years
Kelly from Taranaki New Zealand, is part of a family of rally drivers so was no stranger to adrenaline as a youngster. She had always been keen to try skydiving but her parents requested she waited until she was 21 and she did her first solo jump the day after her 21st birthday. Since then she’s gone on to become a tandem master, AFF (advanced freefall instructor), and skydive camerawoman and she’s now done more than 3300 skydives.
Her career has taken her around the world.
“I’ve skydived in Dubai, Jordan, Kuwait, NZ, Australia and Norway,” says Kelly. “No one jump is the same which makes it exciting.”
Being a female tandem master allowed her to take women skydiving in the Middle East where female customers don’t jump with a male tandem master.
Kelly’s enjoying being back amongst the amazing scenery in New Zealand and loves skydiving in Franz Josef.
From New Zealand
Started in the industry, making parachutes for Aerosports
Worked with us seasonally for 4 years
Originally from the mighty North Waikato, he has previously worked many years in Auckland, for New Zealand Aerosports. This company designed and produced almost all of the parachutes that we currently use daily.
When he’s not at work you’ll find him out fishing, snowboarding, reading a book or standing strong on his standup paddle board. You will be able to spot him at our Drop Zone showing off his majestic mullet.
Angus
From New Zealand
Worked in the industry since 2018
Started working with us in 2019
Angus started his flying career in his hometown of Wanaka in 2018. He worked as a qualified flight instructor, where he discovered a passion for flying around New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
“I have the best office in the world, with the best views”, says Angus. He is also fortunate enough to be able to fly at our sister Dropzone’s at Skydive Able Tasman and Skydive Mt Cook.
Although he has done one tandem skydive, Angus insists he has more fun staying in the plane trying to beat the skydivers to the ground.
From USA
Started working with us in 2018
In June ’18, Sandy agreed to a 1 month contract with Skydive Franz to assist ground crew personnel. She can still be found haunting the drop zone as well as the office. Her background is in communications, with experience in aviation ground crew, office administration, and herding cats. In her spare time, Sandy enjoys long walks, horseback riding, and passionate conversations about world peace.
Angelique
From South Africa
Worked in the industry since the 80s
Started working with us in 2019
Angelique’s passion for skydiving started in the late 80’s and nowadays, she can be found at our front of house, helping others check off their bucket lists and experience the most exciting time of their lives.
“Skydiving is more than a once in a lifetime experience. You will forever know that you have had the courage to leap into the great unknown and taken flight above this beautiful world. It changes you. Working at Skydive Franz is incredible as I get to be part of all these exciting experiences every day and at one of the most beautiful drop zones in the world”