Difference between revisions of "Skydiving" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
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One type of parachuting is skydiving, which is recreational parachuting, also called sport parachuting.  
 
One type of parachuting is skydiving, which is recreational parachuting, also called sport parachuting.  
  
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The history of parachuting is not clear. It's known that [[Andre-Jacques Garnerin]] made successful parachute jumps from a hot-air balloon in 1797. The military developed parachuting technology first as a way to save aircrews from emergencies aboard balloons and aircraft in flight, later as a way of delivering soldiers to the battlefield. Early competitions date back to the 1930s, and it became an international sport in 1951.
+
[[Andre-Jacques Garnerin]] made successful parachute jumps from a hot-air balloon in [[1797]]. The military developed parachuting technology first as a way to save aircrews from emergencies aboard balloons and aircraft in flight, later as a way of delivering soldiers to the battlefield. Early competitions date back to the 1930s, and it became an international sport in 1951.
  
 
Today it is performed as a [[recreation]]al activity and a competitive [[sport]], as well as for the deployment of military personnel and occasionally [[smokejumper|forest firefighters]].
 
Today it is performed as a [[recreation]]al activity and a competitive [[sport]], as well as for the deployment of military personnel and occasionally [[smokejumper|forest firefighters]].
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The term skydiver was invented by [[Raymond Young]] in the middle [[1950]]'s as the first skydiver centers opened commercially. In [[1957]] the first commerical skydiver school was opened, and the start of skydiving was born.
 
The term skydiver was invented by [[Raymond Young]] in the middle [[1950]]'s as the first skydiver centers opened commercially. In [[1957]] the first commerical skydiver school was opened, and the start of skydiving was born.
  
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==Procedure==
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==Steps to Skydiving==
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Typically,   a trained skydiver (or [[jumper]]) and a group of associates meet at an isolated [[airport]], sometimes referred to as a "drop zone." A [[fixed base operator]] at that airport usually operates one or more [[light cargo]] [[aircraft]], and takes groups of skydivers up for a fee. In the earlier days of the sport, it was common for an individual jumper to go up in a [[Beech 18]] or [[Douglas DC-3]] aircraft for reasons of economy.
+
 
 +
===The Complete Rig===
 +
 
 +
'''Parachute System'''
 +
 
 +
The system is set up in a backup like harness container system that containes the parachutes. It is a FAA regulation that each parachute system carry a main parachute, and a emergency one as well. Some of the emergency chutes come with an automatic activation device in case of an emergency in the air. These devices work by sensing the jumpers altitude and vertical speed, and are used as backup equipment only.
 +
 
 +
"'Jumpsuit'''
 +
Jumpsuits can consist of a personally fit suit or just coveralls from a basic hardware store. They are used to protect jumpers during the landing from dirt and grass stains. While many schools give the person the choice, it is recommended to protect against cool air and to protect against abrasions.
 +
 
 +
"'Helmets"'
 +
The helmets purpose is to protect against bumps or abrasions in the airplane or while landing, andcan also keep someone warm during the jump. It also keeps the wind out during the jump and makes the ride quieter and avoids putting pressure on the ears.
 +
 
 +
"'Goggles"'
 +
Googgles for skydiving are designed to let a small amoun t of air in behind the lens to prevent fogging. While some let a new jumper use their sunglasses, most recommend using clear goggles or glasses so the instuctor and beginner can maintain eye contact.
 +
 
 +
"'Altimeter and other instruments"
 +
The altimeter helps skydivers know how far above the ground they are. The work like barometers for the weather, and most altimaters are analog and wear them on their wrist.
 +
 
 +
Sometimes jumpers use an audible altitude warning device in the helmet region to help keep track of frefall airpressure and will beep do different alitudes.
 +
 
 +
===Airplane Ride===
 +
At the start of skydiving, the most popular types of planes used for it were the [Beech 18]] or the [[Douglas DC-3]]due to the economy.
 +
 
 +
Today, most still use small aircrafts because they have a low purchase cost, and it is easier to complete maintenance on the aircraft.  Orginal interiors are removed in skydiving airplanes to save weight and allow for more people to be carried at once. Special doors are also installed that can be opened easily, and most planes also have handrails or steps outside these doors. Everyone person in the plane according to the FAA must be wearing a seatbelt when the airplane is in motion.
 +
 
 +
The thing to remember is that the higher you go in altitude, the longer your freefall will be. Once the aircraft reaches the desired elevation, the pilot is directed by the jumpmaster to fly the plane to the proper point so jumpers reach the drop zone
 +
 
 +
===The Jump===
 +
When jumping out of the airplane, a skydiver starts to accerlate downward for 12 seconds until they reach a speed of 120 MPH. Once one reaches this speed, they have reached [[nomial terminal velocity]], or the speed at which one's wind resistance equals the pull of gravity. The feeling occured here is usually described as laying on a bed. After expericing the effects of the [[nomial terminal velocity]], the skydivier waits for his altimeter to read 3,500 feet and then the parachute is pulled
 +
 
 +
===Canopy Ride, Landing===
 
[[Image:skydiving beech.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Skydiving Beech 18 was once a mainstay at drop zones]][[Image:Skydive at Chambersburg 10.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Typical freefall formation]]
 
[[Image:skydiving beech.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Skydiving Beech 18 was once a mainstay at drop zones]][[Image:Skydive at Chambersburg 10.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Typical freefall formation]]
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A typical jump involves individuals jumping out of [[aircraft]] (usually an airplane, but sometimes a [[helicopter]] or even the gondola of a [[hot air balloon|balloon]]), [[travel]]ling at approximately 4000 metres (around 13,000 [[Foot (unit of length)|feet]]) altitude, and [[free-fall]]ing for a period of time before activating a parachute to slow the [[landing]] down to safe speeds.[[Image:SkydivingExit1.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Exiting the plane]]
+
When the parachute is pulled, the skydiver endures a two to three minute ride and a rate of around 16 [[feet]] per second until the landing.  
  
 
Once the parachute is opened, (usually the parachute will be fully inflated by 2,500 ft). the jumper can control his or her direction and speed with cords called "steering lines," with hand grips called "toggles" that are attached to the parachute, and so he or she can aim for the landing site and come to a relatively gentle stop in a safe landing environment.
 
Once the parachute is opened, (usually the parachute will be fully inflated by 2,500 ft). the jumper can control his or her direction and speed with cords called "steering lines," with hand grips called "toggles" that are attached to the parachute, and so he or she can aim for the landing site and come to a relatively gentle stop in a safe landing environment.
−
Most modern sport parachutes are self-inflating "ram-air" wings that provide control of speed and direction similar to the related [[paraglider]]s.
+
 
−
(Purists in either sport would note that paragliders have much greater lift and range, but that parachutes are designed to absorb the stresses of deployment at [[terminal velocity]].)
+
When actually trying to land, the forward momemtum of the wind, and the canopy lead to some heavy feet. It is hard at first to practice this timing, but will improve with timing and practice.
  
 
[[Image:Skydiving 4 way.jpg|thumb|250px|right|4-way formation skydive]]
 
[[Image:Skydiving 4 way.jpg|thumb|250px|right|4-way formation skydive]]
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By manipulating the shape of the body, as a pilot manipulates the shape of his aircraft's wings, turns, forward motion, backwards motion, and even lift can be generated.  Experienced skydivers will tell someone that in freefall, one can do anything a bird can do, except go back up.
 
−
 
−
Skydivers generally do not experience a "falling" sensation due to the fact that they reach terminal velocity (around {{convert|120|mi/h|km/h|-1|abbr=on}} for belly to Earth orientations, 150-200 mph (240-320 km/h) for head down orientations) and are no longer accelerating towards the ground. This lack of "falling" sensation does not exist when they leave the plane, as their momentum from the plane causes the acceleration forces to be slow as their direction of travel changes from the direction of the airplane's flight to the direction pulled by the force of gravity.  Skydivers call this transition period "the hill", and the amount of distance they fly with the plane due to the momentum is called "forward throw". [[Acceleration]] is what causes the "stomach in your throat" feeling on a roller-coaster or other amusement park rides.
 
  
 +
==Other Details==
 
Most skydivers make their first jump with an experienced and trained instructor (this type of skydive may be in the form of a [[tandem skydiving|tandem skydive]]). During the tandem jump the jumpmaster is responsible for the stable exit, maintaining a proper stable freefall position, and activating and controlling the parachute. With training and experience, the fear of the first few jumps is supplanted by the tact of controlling fear so that one may come to experience the satisfaction of mastering aerial skills and performing increasingly complicated maneuvers in the sky with friends.  Other training methods include static line, IAD (Instructor Assisted Deployment), and AFF (Accelerated Free-Fall) aka Progressive Free-Fall (PFF) in Canada.  
 
Most skydivers make their first jump with an experienced and trained instructor (this type of skydive may be in the form of a [[tandem skydiving|tandem skydive]]). During the tandem jump the jumpmaster is responsible for the stable exit, maintaining a proper stable freefall position, and activating and controlling the parachute. With training and experience, the fear of the first few jumps is supplanted by the tact of controlling fear so that one may come to experience the satisfaction of mastering aerial skills and performing increasingly complicated maneuvers in the sky with friends.  Other training methods include static line, IAD (Instructor Assisted Deployment), and AFF (Accelerated Free-Fall) aka Progressive Free-Fall (PFF) in Canada.  
  
−
At larger dropzones, mostly in the [[Sun Belt]] region of the United States, training in the sport is often conducted by full-time instructors and coaches at commercial establishments. Commercial centers often provide year-round availability, larger aircraft, and staff who are current in both their sport and their instructional skills.[[Image:CloudJump3.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Formation above the clouds]]
+
At larger dropzones, mostly in the [[Sun Belt]] region of the [[United States]], training in the sport is often conducted by full-time instructors and coaches at commercial establishments. Commercial centers often provide year-round availability, larger aircraft, and staff who are current in both their sport and their instructional skills.[[Image:CloudJump3.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Formation above the clouds]]
  
 
In the other latitudes, where winter (or [[monsoon]]s) gets in the way of year-round operation, commercial skydiving centers are less prevalent and much of the parachuting activity is carried on by clubs. These clubs tend to support smaller aircraft. Training may be offered (by instructors who are tested and certified in exactly the same way as their commercial counterparts) in occasional classes or as demand warrants.  These clubs tend to be weekend only operations as the majority of the staff have full-time jobs during the week. Club members will often visit larger centers for holidays, events, and for some concentrated exposure to the latest techniques.
 
In the other latitudes, where winter (or [[monsoon]]s) gets in the way of year-round operation, commercial skydiving centers are less prevalent and much of the parachuting activity is carried on by clubs. These clubs tend to support smaller aircraft. Training may be offered (by instructors who are tested and certified in exactly the same way as their commercial counterparts) in occasional classes or as demand warrants.  These clubs tend to be weekend only operations as the majority of the staff have full-time jobs during the week. Club members will often visit larger centers for holidays, events, and for some concentrated exposure to the latest techniques.
  
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==Skills==
 
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[[Image:Texel-Cessna 208-Skydivers.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Skydivers walking to a [[Cessna 208]] on [[Texel]]]]
 
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Parachuting has complex skills that can take thousands of jumps to master, but the basics are often fully understood and useful during the first few jumps.  There are four basic areas of skill: basic safety, free fall maneuvers, parachute operation, and landing.
 
−
 
−
===Free-fall maneuvers===
 
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In freefall most skydivers start by learning to maintain a stable belly to earth "arch" position<ref>http://www.uspa.org/publications/SIM/2008SIM/Section4CatA.htm#1b Freefall stable body position</ref>. In this position the average fall rate is around {{convert|190|km/h|mi/h|-1|abbr=on}}. Learning a stable arch position is a basic skill essential for a reliable parachute deployment. Next, jumpers learn to move or turn in any direction while remaining belly to earth. Using these skills a group of jumpers can create sequences of formations on a single jump, a discipline known as relative work (RW). In the late 1980s more experienced jumpers started experimenting with freeflying, falling in any orientation other than belly to earth. Today many jumpers start freeflying soon after they earn their license, bypassing the RW (deployment-position flying) stepping stone.
 
−
 
−
===Parachute operation and landing===
 
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The decision of when to deploy the parachute is a matter of safety. A parachute should be deployed sufficiently high to give the parachutist time to handle a malfunction, should one occur. {{convert|600|m|ft|-1}} is the practical minimum for advanced skydivers.<ref>http://www.uspa.org/publications/SIM/2007SIM/section2.htm#21g</ref>  Skydivers monitor their altimeters during freefall to decide when to break off from the formation (if applicable) and when to open their parachutes.  Many skydivers open higher to practice their parachute flying skills. During a "hop-and-pop", a jump in which the parachute is deployed immediately upon exiting the aircraft, it is not uncommon to be under canopy as high as 1200 to 1500 meters (4000 to 5000 ft).
 
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[[Image:dropzonecss.JPG|thumb|250px|left|White sand circular target at a drop zone]]Parachute flying involves two basic challenges. Firstly to avoid injury and secondly to land where planned, often on a designated target. Some experienced skydivers enjoy performing aerobatic maneuvers with parachutes, the most notable being the "Swoop". This is a thrilling, but dangerous maneuver entailing a steep, high speed landing approach, before leveling off a couple of feet above the ground to maintain a fast glide parallel to the surface. Swoops as far as {{convert|180|m|ft|-1}} have been achieved.
 
  
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A modern parachute or canopy "wing" can glide substantial distances.  Elliptical canopies go faster and farther, and some small, highly loaded canopies glide faster than a man can run, which can make them very challenging to land. A highly experienced skydiver using a very small canopy can achieve over {{convert|100|km/h|mi/h|-1|abbr=on}} horizontal speeds in landing.
 
−
 
−
Today, the majority of skydiving related injuries happen under a fully opened and functioning parachute. The most common causes being poorly-executed, radical maneuvers near to the ground, such as hook turns, or landing flares performed either too high or too low.
 
  
 
==Safety==
 
==Safety==
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A unique program where students accomplish their very first jump as a solo freefall is offered at the [[United States Air Force Academy]].  The program is called AM490, one in a series of airmanship courses at the school.  While typically open only to cadets, [[Winfield W. Scott Jr.]], the school's superintendent, went through this program when he was nearly 60 years old.
 
A unique program where students accomplish their very first jump as a solo freefall is offered at the [[United States Air Force Academy]].  The program is called AM490, one in a series of airmanship courses at the school.  While typically open only to cadets, [[Winfield W. Scott Jr.]], the school's superintendent, went through this program when he was nearly 60 years old.
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−
== Parachute deployment ==
 
−
 
−
At a skydiver's designated deployment-altitude; the individual pulls the pilotchute from a pocket at the bottom of the rig (the backpack-like container holding both parachutes, a.k.a. canopies). This is known as a bottom of container (B.O.C.) deployment system.  This small parachute is connected to the main parachute by a line known as the "bridle" which feeds through a grommet on a small  bag - the deployment bag (or d-bag) which has the folded parachute inside and the lines stowed in rubber bands across the top. At the bottom of the container's tray which holds the main parachute is a loop which, in the closing sequence of the parachute system, is fed through grommets on each of four flaps that closes the container.
 
−
 
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Attached to the bridle is a curved pin which is inserted through the closing loop after it has been fed through each of these grommets. When the pilotchute is thrown out, it catches the wind and pulls the pin out of the closing loop, releasing the deployment bag from the container worn by the skydiver (who is ideally in the stable belly-towards-earth arched position). The parachute lines are pulled loose from rubber bands, through which they were stowed during packing, and extend as the canopy starts to open. To reduce the risk of injury, a rectangular piece of fabric called the "slider" (which separates the parachute lines into four main groups fed through grommets in the four respective corners of the slider) slows the opening of the parachute and works its way down until the canopy is fully open and the slider is just above the head of the skydiver.  During a normal deployment, a skydiver will generally experience a few seconds of intense deceleration, in the realm of 3 to 4 G's, while the parachute slows the descent from {{convert|120|mi/h|km/h|-1|abbr=on}} to approximately {{convert|12|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.
 
−
 
−
If a skydiver experiences a malfunction with their main parachute which they cannot correct, they have a "cut-away" handle on the front right-hand side of their harness (on the chest) which will release the main canopy from the harness/container.  Once free from the malfunctioning main canopy, the reserve canopy can be activated by pulling a second handle on the front left (sometimes triggered by a Reserve Static Line (RSL) which, if present, opens the reserve container and allow the spring loaded pilotchute to extract the Reserve Canopy located in the top of the container immediately after the main is cut away).  A new type of RSL has been developed called the [[Skyhook (skydiving)|Skyhook]].  This new system uses the "cut-away" main canopy to act as a very large pilot chute to more quickly extract the reserve canopy.  The Skyhook is an incredibly fast system that has the jumper under the reserve canopy and flying within 2 seconds (compared to the 2-5 seconds of the old system).
 
  
 
==Variations==
 
==Variations==
  
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In addition to the various "disciplines", for which people actually train and purchase specialized equipment and get coaching, the recreational skydiver finds ways to just have fun.
 
  
 
===Hit and rock===
 
===Hit and rock===
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Famous people associated with this sport include Valery Rozov, a gold medalist from the 1998 X Games, who has had more than 1,500 jumps. Georgia Thompson("Tiny") Broadwick is one of the first American skydivers, and she made the first freefall.
 
Famous people associated with this sport include Valery Rozov, a gold medalist from the 1998 X Games, who has had more than 1,500 jumps. Georgia Thompson("Tiny") Broadwick is one of the first American skydivers, and she made the first freefall.
 
[[Image:Two-Skydiving.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px|A tandem instructor and a student skydiving together]]
 
[[Image:Two-Skydiving.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px|A tandem instructor and a student skydiving together]]
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==Dropzones traditions and culture==
 
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[[Drop Zone]]s often have distinct cultures or traditions and there are many skydiving traditions that are practiced at drop zones all over the world.  Most drop zones have a "[[beer]] line", a perimeter around the landing area which marks where it become unsafe to land. When an experienced skydiver crosses over the beer line when landing or if their parachute crosses over the beer line they are required by tradition to buy a case of beer for the other experienced skydivers at the drop zone.  Other events often prompt beer buying.  For instance when an A license is achieved the licensee is expected to buy a case of beer for other experienced skydivers for them to get to know each other over. Also saying the word "first" after your first static line jump prompts the offender to buy a  case of beer. Often the beer tally is announced over the loud speakers from the manifest.  Often on the weekends experienced skydivers party and drink the owed beers in the [[hanger]] or around a [[bonfire]] sometimes musicians are brought in for more busy times of the year especially during Boogies.  Boogies are huge jumping parties that often last a few days and evolve entertainment and special food at night and special skydiving events during the day.  It is important to know that beer drinking activities are kept strictly separate from jumping activities and skydivers are mostly acutely conscious of safety. 
 
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Other traditions include wearing [[jumpsuit]]s with particularly bright colors and bold designs along with eye catching parachutes.  It is tradition that when one archives 100 jumps they are pied and thrown in the swooping pond by their experienced skydiver friends. Among skydivers it is common to make jokes about jumping out of a 'perfectly good airplane'. It is common for many instructors and skydiving enthusiasts to camp out at the drop zone promoting these traditions.
 
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Many skydivers enjoy playing [[hackysack|footbag]] when the weather doesn't permit jumping. A common description of hackysack by skydivers is "A game played with a ball that doesn't bounce by people who might."
 
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While there isn't a official code of ethics among skydivers many follow some unwritten rules. Skydivers are like a family and it is common for skydivers to be very generous, often opening their home to a skydiver they have just met. Skydiving is a dangerous sport and because of that karma is very important to skydivers. Stealing or cheating are rare among skydivers because each time they jump they are risking their lives.
 
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==Equipment==
 
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Costs in the sport are not trivial. As new technological advances or performance enhancements are introduced, they tend to nudge equipment prices higher. Similarly, the average skydiver carries more equipment than in earlier years, with safety devices (such as an [[automatic reserve activation device|Reserve static line]]) contributing a significant portion of the cost.
 
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A full set of brand-new equipment can easily cost as much as a new motorcycle or half a small car.
 
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The market is not large enough to permit the commoditization and price-erosion that is seen in other technologically intensive industries (like the computer industry).
 
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In many countries, the sport supports a substantial used-equipment market.
 
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For many beginners, especially those with limited funds, that is the preferred way to acquire "gear", and has two advantages:
 
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* First, they can try different types of parachutes (there are many) to learn which style they prefer, before paying the price for new equipment.
 
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* Second, they can acquire a complete system and all the peripheral items in a short time and at reduced cost.
 
−
 
−
Novices generally start with parachutes that are large and docile relative to the jumper's body-weight. As they improve in skill and confidence, it is customary to graduate to smaller, faster, more responsive parachutes.
 
−
An active jumper might change parachute canopies several times in the space of a few years, while retaining his or her first harness/container and peripheral equipment.
 
−
 
−
Older jumpers, especially those who jump only on weekends in summer, sometimes tend in the other direction, selecting slightly larger, more gentle parachutes that do not demand youthful intensity and reflexes on each jump.
 
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They may be adhering to the maxim that: "There are old jumpers and there are bold jumpers, but there are no old, bold jumpers."
 
−
 
−
Most parachuting equipment is ruggedly designed and is enjoyed by several owners before being retired. Purchasers are always advised to have any potential purchases examined by a qualified parachute rigger.
 
−
A rigger is trained to spot signs of damage or misuse.
 
−
Riggers also keep track of industry product and safety bulletins, and can therefore determine if a piece of equipment is up-to-date and serviceable.
 
  
 
==Parachuting records==
 
==Parachuting records==

Revision as of 19:55, 19 December 2007


Ram air square.jpg
File:Landing skydiver big.jpg
Skydiver about to land

Parachuting is an activity involving a preplanned drop from a height using a deployable parachute.

One type of parachuting is skydiving, which is recreational parachuting, also called sport parachuting.

Andre-Jacques Garnerin made successful parachute jumps from a hot-air balloon in 1797. The military developed parachuting technology first as a way to save aircrews from emergencies aboard balloons and aircraft in flight, later as a way of delivering soldiers to the battlefield. Early competitions date back to the 1930s, and it became an international sport in 1951.

Today it is performed as a recreational activity and a competitive sport, as well as for the deployment of military personnel and occasionally forest firefighters.

Sport of Parachuting History

In 1797 a Frenchman by the name of Andre Jacques Ganerin made the first known parachute drop. It was done by using an open parachute made of silk.

The first known limp parachute jump was done by an American by the name of Tom Baldwin a hundred years later in 1897.

Kathe Paulus from Germany was one of the first woman in the sport as she jumped professionally around Germany at the start of the century.

However, the jump the revolutionized the sport was done by Leslie Irvin near Dayton, Ohio in 1919 as he comleted the first ever free-fall jump usiing his own hand-operated chute.

The sport had a hard time taking off when it picked up steam in the 1930's because the FAI or Federation Aeronautique Internationale would not accept it as a sport. The FAI later recognized it as a aeronatuical sport in the 1950's.

The term skydiver was invented by Raymond Young in the middle 1950's as the first skydiver centers opened commercially. In 1957 the first commerical skydiver school was opened, and the start of skydiving was born.

Steps to Skydiving

The Complete Rig

Parachute System

The system is set up in a backup like harness container system that containes the parachutes. It is a FAA regulation that each parachute system carry a main parachute, and a emergency one as well. Some of the emergency chutes come with an automatic activation device in case of an emergency in the air. These devices work by sensing the jumpers altitude and vertical speed, and are used as backup equipment only.

"'Jumpsuit Jumpsuits can consist of a personally fit suit or just coveralls from a basic hardware store. They are used to protect jumpers during the landing from dirt and grass stains. While many schools give the person the choice, it is recommended to protect against cool air and to protect against abrasions.

"'Helmets"' The helmets purpose is to protect against bumps or abrasions in the airplane or while landing, andcan also keep someone warm during the jump. It also keeps the wind out during the jump and makes the ride quieter and avoids putting pressure on the ears.

"'Goggles"' Googgles for skydiving are designed to let a small amoun t of air in behind the lens to prevent fogging. While some let a new jumper use their sunglasses, most recommend using clear goggles or glasses so the instuctor and beginner can maintain eye contact.

"'Altimeter and other instruments" The altimeter helps skydivers know how far above the ground they are. The work like barometers for the weather, and most altimaters are analog and wear them on their wrist.

Sometimes jumpers use an audible altitude warning device in the helmet region to help keep track of frefall airpressure and will beep do different alitudes.

Airplane Ride

At the start of skydiving, the most popular types of planes used for it were the [Beech 18]] or the Douglas DC-3due to the economy.

Today, most still use small aircrafts because they have a low purchase cost, and it is easier to complete maintenance on the aircraft. Orginal interiors are removed in skydiving airplanes to save weight and allow for more people to be carried at once. Special doors are also installed that can be opened easily, and most planes also have handrails or steps outside these doors. Everyone person in the plane according to the FAA must be wearing a seatbelt when the airplane is in motion.

The thing to remember is that the higher you go in altitude, the longer your freefall will be. Once the aircraft reaches the desired elevation, the pilot is directed by the jumpmaster to fly the plane to the proper point so jumpers reach the drop zone

The Jump

When jumping out of the airplane, a skydiver starts to accerlate downward for 12 seconds until they reach a speed of 120 MPH. Once one reaches this speed, they have reached nomial terminal velocity, or the speed at which one's wind resistance equals the pull of gravity. The feeling occured here is usually described as laying on a bed. After expericing the effects of the nomial terminal velocity, the skydivier waits for his altimeter to read 3,500 feet and then the parachute is pulled

Canopy Ride, Landing

File:Skydiving beech.jpg
Skydiving Beech 18 was once a mainstay at drop zones
File:Skydive at Chambersburg 10.jpg
Typical freefall formation

When the parachute is pulled, the skydiver endures a two to three minute ride and a rate of around 16 feet per second until the landing.

Once the parachute is opened, (usually the parachute will be fully inflated by 2,500 ft). the jumper can control his or her direction and speed with cords called "steering lines," with hand grips called "toggles" that are attached to the parachute, and so he or she can aim for the landing site and come to a relatively gentle stop in a safe landing environment.

When actually trying to land, the forward momemtum of the wind, and the canopy lead to some heavy feet. It is hard at first to practice this timing, but will improve with timing and practice.

File:Skydiving 4 way.jpg
4-way formation skydive

Other Details

Most skydivers make their first jump with an experienced and trained instructor (this type of skydive may be in the form of a tandem skydive). During the tandem jump the jumpmaster is responsible for the stable exit, maintaining a proper stable freefall position, and activating and controlling the parachute. With training and experience, the fear of the first few jumps is supplanted by the tact of controlling fear so that one may come to experience the satisfaction of mastering aerial skills and performing increasingly complicated maneuvers in the sky with friends. Other training methods include static line, IAD (Instructor Assisted Deployment), and AFF (Accelerated Free-Fall) aka Progressive Free-Fall (PFF) in Canada.

At larger dropzones, mostly in the Sun Belt region of the United States, training in the sport is often conducted by full-time instructors and coaches at commercial establishments. Commercial centers often provide year-round availability, larger aircraft, and staff who are current in both their sport and their instructional skills.

File:CloudJump3.jpg
Formation above the clouds

In the other latitudes, where winter (or monsoons) gets in the way of year-round operation, commercial skydiving centers are less prevalent and much of the parachuting activity is carried on by clubs. These clubs tend to support smaller aircraft. Training may be offered (by instructors who are tested and certified in exactly the same way as their commercial counterparts) in occasional classes or as demand warrants. These clubs tend to be weekend only operations as the majority of the staff have full-time jobs during the week. Club members will often visit larger centers for holidays, events, and for some concentrated exposure to the latest techniques.


Safety

Despite the perception of danger, fatalities are rare. However, each year a number of people are hurt or killed parachuting world-wide.[1][2] About 30 skydivers are killed each year in the US; roughly one death for every 100,000 jumps.[3]

In the US and in most of the western world skydivers are required to carry a second reserve parachute which has been inspected and packed by a certificated parachute rigger (in the US, an FAA certificated parachute rigger). Many skydivers use an automatic activation device (AAD) that opens the reserve parachute at a safe altitude in the event of failing to activate the main canopy themselves. Most skydivers wear a visual altimeter, but some go as far as using audible altimeters as well.

In recent years, one of the most common sources of injury is a low turn under a high-performance canopy and while swooping. Swooping is the advanced discipline of gliding parallel to the ground during landing.

A military Parachutist about to jump above Dakar, Senegal

Changing wind conditions are another risk factor. In conditions of strong winds, and turbulence during hot days the parachutist can be caught in downdrafts close to the ground. Shifting winds can cause a crosswind or downwind landing which have a higher potential for injury due to the wind speed adding to the landing speed.

Equipment failure rarely causes fatalities and injuries. While approximately one in 600 jumps results in a main parachute malfunction, reserve canopies are packed by an FAA licensed rigger and are designed to be highly reliable.

Parachuting disciplines such as BASE jumping or those that involve equipment such as wing suit flying and sky surfing have a higher risk factor due to the lower mobility of the jumper and the greater risk of entanglement. For this reason these disciplines are generally practiced by experienced jumpers.

It is worth noting that depictions in commercial films — notably Hollywood action movies — usually understate the dangers of the sport. Often, the characters in such films are shown performing feats that are physically impossible without special effects assistance. In other cases, their practices would cause them to be grounded or shunned at any safety-conscious drop zone or club. USPA member drop zones in the US and Canada are required to have an experienced jumper act as a "safety officer" (in Canada DSO - Drop Zone Safety Officer; in the U.S. S&TA - Safety and Training Advisor) who is responsible for dealing with the jumpers who violate rules, regulations, or otherwise act in a fashion deemed unsafe by the appointed individual.

In many countries, either the local regulations or the liability-conscious prudence of the dropzone owners require that parachutists must have attained the age of majority before engaging in the sport.

Types

There are several different disciplines to embrace within parachuting. Each of these is enjoyed by both the recreational (weekend) and the competitive participants. There is even a small group of professionals who earn their living with parachuting. They win competitions having cash prizes or are employed or sponsored by skydiving related manufacturers.

Parachutists can participate both in competitive and in purely recreational skydiving events. World championships are held regularly in locations offering flat terrain and clear skies. An exception is Paraski, where winter weather and ski-hill terrain are required.

Types of parachuting include:

File:Wingsuit-01.jpg
Wingsuit flying
  • Accuracy landing - Landing as close as possible to a target.
  • BASE jumping - From buildings, antennas, bridges (spans) and cliffs (earth).
  • Blade running - A kind of slalom with parachute.
  • Big-ways - Formation skydiving with many people.
  • Canopy formation - Making formations with other parachutists while under canopies. (Known also as canopy relative work or simply CRW)
  • Canopy piloting - Also known as 'swooping'.
  • Formation skydiving - Making formations during freefall. (Known also as relative work or simply RW)
  • Freefall style
  • Freeflying
  • Freestyle skydiving
  • Military Parachuting
    • HALO/HAHO
    • Treejumping
  • Para-ski
  • Skysurfing - Skydiving with a board strapped to one's feet.
  • Vertical Formation Skydiving - a subset of Formation skydiving that uses high-speed freeflying body positions instead of bellyflying. (Known also as VRW)
  • Wingsuit flying - Skydiving with a suit which provides extra lift.

Training

Tandem Skydiving

There are ways to practice different aspects of skydiving, without actually jumping. Vertical wind tunnels can be used to practice skills for free fall ("indoor skydiving" or "bodyflight"), while virtual reality parachute simulators can be used to practice parachute control.

Beginning skydivers seeking training have a few different options available to them:

  • Tandem skydiving
  • Static line
  • Instructor Assisted Deployment
  • Accelerated Freefall

A unique program where students accomplish their very first jump as a solo freefall is offered at the United States Air Force Academy. The program is called AM490, one in a series of airmanship courses at the school. While typically open only to cadets, Winfield W. Scott Jr., the school's superintendent, went through this program when he was nearly 60 years old.

Variations

Hit and rock

One example of this is "Hit and Rock", which is a variant of Accuracy landing devised to let people of varying skill-levels "compete" for fun, while spoofing the age and abilities of some participants. "Hit and Rock" is originally from POPS (Parachutists Over Phorty Society). See the POPS Main site

The object now becomes: to land as close as possible to the chair, doff the parachute harness, sprint to the chair, sit fully in the chair and rock back and forth at least one time. The contestant is timed from the moment that feet touch the ground until that first rock is completed. This event is considered a race.

Pond swooping

Pond swooping is a form of competitive parachuting wherein canopy pilots attempt to touch down at a glide across a small body of water, and onto the shore. Events provide lighthearted competition rating accuracy, speed, distance and style. Points and peer approval are reduced when a participant "chows," or fails to reach shore and sinks into the water.

Swoop and chug

Very similar to Hit and Rock, except the target is replaced by a case of beer. Jumpers are timed from the moment their feet touch the ground until they chug the can of beer and place the empty can upside-down on their head.

Of course, it must be mentioned that dropzones enforce strict rules prohibiting anyone from jumping any more that day once alcohol has been consumed. Therefore, the Swoop & Chug (aka Hit & Chug) is usually reserved for the last load of the day.

Cross-Country

A cross-country jump refers to a skydive where the participants open their parachutes immediately after jumping, with the intention of covering as much ground under canopy as possible. Usual distance from Jump Run to the DZ is 10 miles (20 km).

Camera flying

In camera flying, a cameraman or camerwoman jumps with other skydivers and films them. The camera flyer often wears specialized equipment, such as a winged jumpsuit to provide a greater range of fallrates, helmet-mounted video and still cameras, mouth operated camera switches, and special optical sights. Some skydivers specialize in camera flying and a few earn significant fees for filming students on coached jumps or tandem-jumpers, or producing professional footage and photographs for the media.

There is always a demand for good camera flyers in the skydiving community, as many of the competitive skydiving disciplines are judged from a video record.

Night jumps

Skydiving is not always restricted to daytime hours. Experienced skydivers sometimes perform night jumps. For obvious safety reasons, this requires more equipment than a usual daytime jump and in most jurisdictions requires both an advanced skydiving license (at least a B-License in the U.S.) and specialized training (night rating). A lighted altimeter (preferably accompanied with an audible altimeter) is a must. Skydivers performing night jumps often take flashlights up with them so that they can check their canopies once they deploy, so they can be assured that the canopy has opened correctly and is safe to fly and land. Visibility to other skydivers and other aircraft is also a consideration; FAA regulations require skydivers jumping at night to be wearing a light visible for three miles (5 km) in every direction, and to turn it on once they are under canopy.

Stuff jumps

A skydiver sits in a rubber raft steadied by three other jumpers

Skydivers are always looking for something new to do in the air. With the availability of a rear door aircraft and a large, unpopulated space to jump over 'stuff' jumps become possible. In these jumps the skydivers jump out with some object. Rubber raft jumps are popular, where the jumpers sit in a rubber raft. Cars, bikes, motorcycles, water tanks and inflatable companions have also been thrown out the back of an aircraft. At a certain height the jumpers break off from the object and deploy their parachutes, leaving it to crash into the ground at a very high speed.

Parachuting organizations

National parachuting associations exist in many countries (many affiliated with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)), to promote their sport. In most cases, national representative bodies, as well as prudent local dropzone operators, require that participants carry certification, attesting to their training, their level of experience in the sport, and their proven competence. Anyone who cannot produce such bona-fides is treated as a student, requiring close supervision.

The primary organization in the United States is the United States Parachute Association (USPA)[1]. This organization hands out licenses and ratings for all American skydiving activities based on safety qualifications. The USPA governs safety in the sport of skydiving as this is the organizations sole responsibility and also publishes the Skydivers Information Manual (SIM) and many other resources. In Canada, the Canadian Sport Parachuting Association is the lead organization. In South Africa the sport is managed by the Parachute Association of South Africa.

Within the sport, associations promote safety, technical advances, training-and-certification, competition and other interests of their members. Outside their respective communities, they promote their sport to the public, and often intercede with government regulators.

Competitions are organized at regional, national and international levels in most these disciplines. Some of them offer amateur competition. Many of the more photogenic/videogenic variants also enjoy sponsored events with prize money for the winners.

The majority of jumpers tend to be non-competitive, enjoying the opportunity to "get some air" with their friends on weekends and holidays. The atmosphere of their gatherings is relaxed, sociable and welcoming to newcomers. Party events, called "boogies" are arranged at local, national and international scale, each year, attracting both the enthusiastic young jumpers and many of their elders — Parachutists Over Phorty (POPs), Skydivers Over Sixty (SOS) and even older groups who have yet to choose a catchy name for themselves. Famous people associated with this sport include Valery Rozov, a gold medalist from the 1998 X Games, who has had more than 1,500 jumps. Georgia Thompson("Tiny") Broadwick is one of the first American skydivers, and she made the first freefall.

File:Two-Skydiving.jpg
A tandem instructor and a student skydiving together

Parachuting records

  • World's largest freefall formation: 400. This record was set February 8, 2006 in Udon Thani, Thailand.
  • World's largest canopy formation: 100. This record was set November 21, 2007 in Lake Wales, Florida, USA. [2]
  • Don Kellner holds the record for the most parachute jumps, with a total of over 36,000 jumps. [3]
  • Cheryl Stearns (USA) holds the record for the most parachute descents by a woman, with a total of 15,560 in August 2003.
  • Capt. Joe W. Kittinger achieved the highest and longest (14 min) parachute jump in history on August 16, 1960 as part of a United States Air Force program testing high-altitude escape systems. Wearing a pressure suit, Capt. Kittinger ascended for an hour and a half in an open gondola attached to a balloon to an altitude of 102,800 feet (31,330 m), where he then jumped. The fall lasted 4 minutes and 36 seconds, during which Capt. Kittinger reached speeds of 714 miles per hour (1,150 km/h)[4]. The air in the upper atmosphere is less dense and thus leads to lower air-resistance and a much higher terminal velocity.
  • Adrian Nicholas holds the record for the longest freefall. A 4 minutes and 55 seconds wingsuit jump made on March 12 1999.[4]
  • Jay Stokes holds the record for most parachute descents in a single day at 640. [5]
  • Hildegarde Ferrea is the oldest person to have completed a skydive jump - at the age of 99 years old. She completed her tandem jump on February 17, 1996 at Dillingham Field in Oahu, Hawaii The Honolulu Advertiser, Wednesday, March 6, 1996.

See also

  • drop zone
  • parachute
  • free-fall
  • tandem skydiving

Notes

  1. ↑ Fatality statistics.
  2. ↑ dropzone.com statistics.
  3. ↑ How skydiving works.
  4. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20050205062355/http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/eagles/kittnger.htm

External links

Commons
Wikimedia Commons has media related to::
  • SkydivingMagazine.com Monthly international magazine about the equipment, techniques, people, places and events of sport parachuting.
  • SkydivingMovies.com Large public skydiving video database, user-uploadable.
  • Skydive Radio The world's first and only podcast dedicated to skydiving.
  • FAI The Federation Aeronautique Internationale — The international governing body for all airborne sports, including skydiving.
  • USPA The United States Parachute Association — The governing body for sport skydiving in the U.S.
  • CSPA The Canadian Sport Parachuting Association — The governing body for sport skydiving in Canada.
  • BPA The British Parachute Association — The governing body for sport skydiving in the United Kingdom.
  • Skydive Ireland In Ireland all Skydiving Centers are Approved Directly by the Irish Aviation Authority.
  • Article on about.com History, Design, and Information about parachutes.
  • FFU Skydiving Articles Articles about various disciplines in the sport.
  • Red Cross Appeal Week skydiving stunt The Britchicks will be raising money for the British Red Cross by attempting to beat the British women's formation record.
  • Australian Parachute Federation The Australian Parachute Federation - The governing body for sport skydiving in Australia
  • Airtite Airtite - The Australian Representative 4-Way Skydiving Team
  • Information about military parachuting

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