What was Naval Air Station DeLand?

A WWII U.S. Navy training base from November 17, 1942 to March 1946, where pilots trained on the SBD Dauntless dive bomber — the plane credited with sinking four Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway.

Yes — the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum, in the former Master of Arms Residence.

SB2C Helldiver / SBD Dauntless dive bomber training at NAS DeLand during World War II

Naval Air Station DeLand & the Skydiving Capital of the World

Quick answer: DeLand is called the "Skydiving Capital of the World" because its municipal airport has hosted continuous skydiving operations since 1959 and is home to 24+ parachute manufacturers and training companies. From 1942 to 1946 it operated as Naval Air Station DeLand, a WWII dive-bomber training base.

Location

Skydive DeLand: 1600 Flightline Blvd, DeLand, FL 32724
NAS Museum: 910 Biscayne Blvd, DeLand, FL 32724
Get directions on Google Maps

From civilian airfield to Naval Air Station

The City of DeLand began developing a civilian airport in the 1920s; the first asphalt runway was laid around 1936 [S63].
On November 17, 1942, the City donated the facility to the U.S. Navy, and it was renamed Naval Air Station DeLand [S63, S64].
Training focus: PBO Ventura, PB4Y-2 Privateer, and SBD Dauntless dive bombers — the carrier-based plane credited with sinking four Japanese aircraft carriers at the Battle of Midway [S64].
The base closed in March 1946 and was returned to the City of DeLand [S63].

The DeLand Naval Air Station Museum

Fifty years after the base opened, the Museum was founded in the former Master of Arms Residence, donated by the City. It was dedicated November 1995 [S63].

Skydiving since 1959

DeLand Municipal Airport has been home to continuous skydiving operations since 1959 and is the worldwide center for parachute equipment development and manufacturing. Both Accelerated Freefall and Tandem skydiving were developed and tested in DeLand [S65, S66].

By the numbers

Aerial view of Skydive DeLand drop zone at DeLand Municipal Airport

24+ companies.

DeLand's parachute industry employs more than 600 locals across 24+ manufacturers and training companies.

Source: Skydive DeLand [S66].

Historic aerial of DeLand Municipal Airport, continuously hosting skydiving since 1959

Continuous since 1959.

The longest-running skydiving operation in the world — DeLand's municipal airport has hosted continuous skydiving since 1959.

Source: Naval Air Station DeLand / history [S65].

Freefall formation skydive over DeLand, where AFF and Tandem methods were developed

AFF was invented here.

Accelerated Freefall and Tandem skydiving — the two dominant training methods worldwide — were both developed and tested in DeLand.

Source: Skydive DeLand [S66].

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Frequently asked questions

Why is DeLand called the Skydiving Capital of the World?: Its municipal airport has hosted continuous skydiving operations since 1959, is home to 24+ parachute manufacturers and training companies, and is where Accelerated Freefall and Tandem skydiving were developed. [S65, S66]
What was Naval Air Station DeLand?: A WWII U.S. Navy training base from November 17, 1942 to March 1946, where pilots trained on the SBD Dauntless dive bomber — the plane credited with sinking four Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway. [S63, S64]
Is there a museum?: Yes — the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum, in the former Master of Arms Residence. [S63]