One is welcomed to Skydive San Marcos by the timeworn shell of an aircraft, its nose facing the ground as if perpetually bracing for impact.

Next to the plane, a sign reads: "There is no such thing as a perfectly good airplane," and in bold-red letters continues, "Learn to skydive!"

Assistant Manager Vic Krusi said skydiving has been offered at the Fentress-based facility for more than 25 years.

The drop zone, about 13 miles south of San Marcos, has attracted adventure-seekers not only from Central Texas, but from throughout the world.

In fact, its owners, Paul and Jen Illingworth, hail from the United Kingdom.

Matt Webster, a native of England who visited Texas last year, trained at Skydive San Marcos and obtained his United States Parachute Association A license in a two-week span.

"It's pretty unusual for someone to travel here and be constricted to a two-week period of time and actually be able to progress through the entire thing," Krusi said. "It's unusual because there are so many factors that come in to play that they're not in control of. Everything has to align just right."

But Webster completed his training, which entails 25 jumps, during a nice patch of weather for skydiving and had no trouble meeting the objectives of the two-week course, Krusi said.

The USPA is a nonprofit dedicated to furthering the sport of skydiving, but the sport itself is not regulated federally.

While there are no laws governing skydiving, most drop zones are members of a parachute association and thus follow its guidelines. The USPA has more than 32,000 members, according to its website.

With his USPA license, Webster proves he has obtained the skills necessary so that he can dive alone, for instance, without an instructor.

He can also pack his own main parachute and jump in groups or into a body of water.

Skydiving can be an expensive sport to pick up. Krusi said initial overhead for becoming a licensed skydiver can total more than $5,000.

Beginners curious for a one-off jump, however, can try a tandem skydive, in which the jumper is paired with an instructor. On Saturdays and Sundays, Skydive San Marcos offers tandem skydives for $209. A discounted price of $199 is offered on Monday, Thursday and Friday.

Experienced skydivers are offered much lower rates.

"If you're really keen to try it, if it's for you and you find it interesting, then I don't think there is anywhere better to do your jump [than Skydive San Marcos]," Webster said.

Webster said people taking it up on a regular basis ought to save their money and try to do as many jumps in a short span of time.

"If you drag it out, you lose the skillset and have to re-jump," Webster said. "If you can keep the momentum, that's certainly a factor."

As for skydiving novices, Webster said there is nothing like the rush of diving from an airplane 10,000 feet in the air.

"Do a tandem, or 'try dive,'" he said. "There are very few people who walk away from this place not having enjoyed themselves."

Skydive San Marcos, 517 Airfield Road, Fentress, 512-488-2214, www.skydivesanmarcos.com