FreedomStack

Switch guide for dropzone operators

Looking for a Burble alternative? See manifest, digital waivers and tandem booking built around how dropzones actually run.

FreedomStack is dropzone management software for owners, managers and manifest staff: one system for load building, tandem waivers and online tandem booking. We are running founder-led pilots. Try the demos, read the switch plan, then tell us about your dropzone.

Request a pilot for your dropzone Try the live demos
Demos use sample data only. Pilot pricing discussed on request. This page is an independent comparison guide, not an endorsement by or affiliation with any other vendor.

What dropzones tell us they want from manifest software

Use this as an evaluation checklist for any manifest system, ours included. It comes from conversations and our own build notes. It is not survey data and it is not research results.

  • Fast load buildingAdd, move and split jumpers across loads in a few taps, with the board readable from a manifest desk or a phone on the flightline.
  • Tandem and fun-jumper separationTandem students, instructors, videographers and licensed jumpers handled as different slot types, so the load stays clear and correct.
  • Waiver capture and storageWaivers signed digitally before arrival or on site, stored against the jumper record, retrievable later. Have your counsel and insurer review any waiver language.
  • Online tandem booking with depositsCustomers pick a slot online, pay a deposit, and the booking lands in your manifest. Payment processor to be confirmed per dropzone.
  • Staff and instructor rolesManifest staff, instructors, pilots and managers each see and change only what they should.
  • ReportingJumps, tandems, and booking and deposit activity you can export and check against your own books.

Not on the list but worth asking any vendor: data export, offline behaviour, support response, and who reviews the waiver text. See the comparison section below.

Feature walkthrough: three live demos

Each demo is a working view with made-up sample data. Unless a panel says it is a screenshot, it is a simplified illustration. Open the demo to click through the real thing. Anything that is not built yet is marked.

Manifest · Load board Load 1 · sample Tandem · Sample Student 1 Tandem · Sample Student 2 Fun jumper · Sample A Fun jumper · Sample B + add slot Load 2 · sample Tandem · Sample Student 3 Fun jumper · Sample C + add slot
Simplified illustration, not a screenshot. Open the demo for the real view.
Demo with sample data

Manifest and load building

  • Loads with separate tandem and fun-jumper slots
  • Built for quick changes at the manifest desk

In development Staff roles and permissions, and reporting beyond what the demo shows, are being built out with pilot dropzones.

Open the manifest demo
Tandem waiver · sample form Participant Sample Student Date of birth [Waiver text supplied by the dropzone] [Reviewed by your counsel and insurer] I have read the waiver text above Sign here Submit
Simplified illustration, not a screenshot. Open the demo for the real view.
Demo with sample data

Digital tandem waivers

  • Participant details and signature captured digitally
  • The waiver text is yours to supply

Have your counsel and insurer review any waiver language. We do not provide legal advice and do not claim that any waiver is legally sufficient or approved by any body.

In development Long-term storage rules, retrieval and export, linked to jumper records.

Open the waiver demo
Book a tandem · sample Choose a day and time Sample Sample Sample Full Your details Name Email Deposit: set by the dropzone (sample) Continue
Simplified illustration, not a screenshot. Open the demo for the real view.
Demo with sample data

Online tandem booking with deposits

  • Customers choose a slot and enter their details
  • Deposit amount and rules set by the dropzone

In development Live payment processing (Stripe or your existing processor, to be confirmed), and automatic hand-off of bookings to manifest.

Planned Customer reminders and rescheduling flows for weather holds.

Open the booking demo

Want the overview first? See the main dropzone software page.

Switching without losing a weekend

A move between manifest systems should not happen in the middle of peak season. This is the outline we propose. It is an outline to be confirmed per dropzone, because every operation has different data, staff and seasons.

  1. Export your current listsExport jumper and customer lists from your current system, in whatever format it offers (often CSV). Check with your current vendor what they can export, and keep a copy.
  2. Import into the pilotWe map the columns and load the data into a pilot account together, then you check a sample of records. Import tooling in development Early pilots may be assisted by hand.
  3. Run in parallel for a trial periodKeep your current system as the record of truth while staff try the new one on real loads or on a quiet day. Length of the trial is agreed with you.
  4. Go live on a slow dayPick a low-traffic day with your manifest lead, agree a fallback to your old process, and switch. Review what worked after the first week.

Nothing here is a guarantee of timing or zero disruption. We will confirm scope, data format and dates with you in writing before anything starts.

An honest comparison: questions to ask any vendor

We do not list competitor features, prices or reliability here. We have not verified them to a standard we would publish, and they change. Use these questions with every vendor you are considering, including us, and check each vendor's own public materials and trial.

Our column states current status as we know it. The other column is intentionally for you to fill in.
Ask any vendorFreedomStack todayBurble or other vendor (check their public materials)
Can I export all my jumper, customer and waiver data, in what format, and when?We intend for you to own your data and will confirm export format in writing. Self-serve export is in development.Ask for the answer in writing.
What happens with no signal at the dropzone? Is there an offline mode?Offline mode is planned, not built. Keep a paper fallback.Ask, and test on your own field.
How fast is support during a busy weekend, and who answers?Pilots are founder-led, so you reach the builder directly. We do not claim a formal response-time guarantee.Ask for stated hours and response targets.
Which payment processor is used, and who holds the funds?Stripe or your existing processor, to be confirmed per dropzone. Live payments are in development.Ask which processors and fee structures apply.
Who reviews the waiver text and its legal sufficiency?You do. Have your counsel and insurer review any waiver language. We supply the capture tool, not legal advice.Ask what they supply and what they disclaim.
Can I separate tandem and fun-jumper slots, with staff roles?Tandem and fun-jumper slots are shown in the demo. Detailed staff roles are in development.Trial it with your own staff.
What does it cost, and what is the contract term?Pilot pricing discussed on request.Ask for current pricing and terms in writing.

Burble is a trademark of its owner. FreedomStack is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Burble. The name is used here only to describe the software you may be comparing.

Pilot, data, payments and what is built

What does the pilot involve?

A founder-led trial with your dropzone. We start with a call about how you run loads, tandems and bookings, agree a scope, and set up a pilot account. You test it alongside your current system. Scope, length and success criteria are agreed in writing first.

Pilot pricing discussed on request.

Who owns our data, and can we export it?

Our intent is that your jumper, customer, booking and waiver data stays yours. We will put ownership and export terms in writing before the pilot starts. Assisted export is available on request during a pilot. Self-serve export is in development.

How do payments work?

We expect to use Stripe or your dropzone's existing processor, to be confirmed with you. Live payment processing is in development. The booking demo does not take real payments.

Are your waivers legally approved?

We do not claim that any waiver is legally sufficient, and we do not claim approval or endorsement from USPA, the FAA or any insurer. Have your counsel and insurer review any waiver language before you use it.

What is and is not built yet?

Shown in demos with sample data: manifest load board, digital tandem waiver form, online tandem booking flow.

In development: live payments, self-serve data import and export, staff and instructor roles, waiver storage and retrieval, reporting.

Planned: offline mode, customer reminders and weather-hold rescheduling.

Status can change, and we will give you the current picture on the pilot call.

Do you have customer references?

Not yet, and we will not invent any. That is why we offer a pilot and live demos instead.

Request a pilot for your dropzone

Tell us a little about your operation. We reply personally, usually to set up a short call. Pilot pricing discussed on request.

We use your details only to reply about this request. See our privacy policy. Prefer email? Write to julien@relaycairn.com.