Skydiving is an exhilarating adventure sport that many people dream of trying at least once in their lives. One common question that pops up among first – timers is, “How long does the skydiving process take?” The answer isn’t as straightforward as one might think, as it depends on several factors. In this article, we’ll break down the skydiving process into its various stages and explore how long each part typically takes. Understanding the time commitment involved can help you better plan your skydiving experience, ensuring you’re mentally and physically prepared for every step of this thrilling journey. Additionally, knowing the duration of each stage allows you to manage your expectations, so you can fully immerse yourself in the excitement without any unwelcome surprises.
Pre – Jump Preparation
Arrival at the Skydiving Center
When you first arrive at the skydiving center, you’ll need to check in. This usually involves filling out paperwork, including liability waivers and personal information forms. The check – in process can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how busy the center is and how many people are checking in at the same time. After checking in, you’ll likely be given a brief orientation about the skydiving center, safety procedures, and what to expect during your jump. This orientation can last around 20 – 30 minutes and is an important part of getting familiar with the environment and the process.
Training
For tandem skydiving, which is the most common way for beginners to skydive, the training session is relatively short but essential. Tandem skydiving involves being attached to an experienced instructor, who will handle most of the technical aspects of the jump. The training for tandem skydiving typically focuses on basic body position, hand signals, and what to do during the exit from the plane and the landing. This training can take about 30 – 45 minutes.
If you’re planning to do a solo skydive, the training process is much more extensive. It usually involves multiple days of ground school, where you’ll learn about parachute systems, aerodynamics, safety procedures, and emergency procedures. Ground school for solo skydiving can last several hours a day for 3 – 5 days, depending on the level of certification you’re aiming for. In addition to ground school, solo skydivers also need to complete a certain number of tandem jumps and supervised solo jumps before they can skydive independently.
Gear Fitting
Once the training is complete, it’s time to get fitted for your skydiving gear. For tandem skydiving, you’ll be provided with a jumpsuit, goggles, and a harness that attaches you to your instructor. The gear – fitting process usually takes about 15 – 20 minutes, as the staff will make sure everything fits properly and is adjusted for your comfort and safety. Solo skydivers have more complex gear requirements. They need to choose and fit their own parachute system, which includes a main parachute, a reserve parachute, and a container to hold them. Fitting a parachute system can take 30 minutes to an hour, as it involves carefully adjusting the harness, packing the parachutes correctly, and ensuring all the components are in good working order.
Boarding the Plane: After all the pre – jump preparations are done, it’s time to board the plane. The time it takes to get everyone on the plane and ready for takeoff depends on the size of the plane and the number of skydivers.
Waiting for the Plane: At the skydiving center, there’s often a waiting period before the plane is ready for boarding. This could be due to various reasons, such as the plane being refueled, previous groups of skydivers finishing their jumps, or weather conditions. The waiting time can vary greatly, from as little as 15 minutes to over an hour.
Boarding and Takeoff
Once the plane is ready, it’s time to board. For a small – to – medium – sized skydiving plane, it usually takes about 5 – 10 minutes to get all the skydivers and instructors on board, get seated, and secure their gear. After everyone is on board, the plane will taxi to the runway, which can take another 5 – 10 minutes. Then, the actual takeoff process takes about 3 – 5 minutes, depending on the type of plane and the length of the runway. The flight to the jump altitude is another significant part of the skydiving process. Most tandem skydives occur at an altitude of around 10,000 – 14,000 feet, while solo skydivers may jump from even higher altitudes. The time it takes to reach the jump altitude depends on the plane’s speed and the altitude. On average, it can take 10 – 20 minutes for the plane to climb to the appropriate jump altitude.
The Jump: Now, the most exciting part of the skydiving process – the jump itself! The duration of the jump can be divided into two main parts: freefall and canopy flight.
Freefall
The freefall is what most people think of when they imagine skydiving. In a tandem skydive, the freefall typically lasts between 30 seconds to 60 seconds, depending on the jump altitude. At 14,000 feet, you can expect a freefall of around 60 seconds, while at 10,000 feet, it will be closer to 30 seconds. During freefall, you’ll experience an incredible rush of wind as you plummet towards the earth at speeds of around 120 miles per hour. For solo skydivers, the freefall time can also vary based on their body position and the altitude they jump from. Experienced solo skydivers can perform various maneuvers during freefall, which may affect the duration. Some advanced solo jumps from very high altitudes, such as high – altitude – low – opening (HALO) or high – altitude – high – opening (HAHO) jumps, can have freefall times of several minutes.
Canopy Flight
After the freefall, it’s time to deploy the parachute. In tandem skydiving, the instructor will deploy the parachute at the appropriate altitude, usually around 5,000 – 6,000 feet. Once the parachute is open, you enter the canopy flight phase. The canopy flight is a much more peaceful and controlled part of the skydiving process. The canopy flight time depends on several factors, including the wind conditions, the type of parachute, and the landing site. On average, the canopy flight can last between 3 – 7 minutes. During this time, the instructor (in tandem skydiving) or the solo skydiver will steer the parachute towards the landing area, adjusting for wind and other factors to ensure a safe and smooth landing.
Landing
Final Approach and Landing
As you get closer to the ground during the canopy flight, you’ll start the final approach. The instructor or solo skydiver will make sure the parachute is in the right position and speed for landing. The final approach and landing process usually takes about 1 – 2 minutes. During the landing, it’s crucial to follow the proper technique. In tandem skydiving, the instructor will guide you through the landing process, usually instructing you to lift your legs up just before hitting the ground to avoid injury. Solo skydivers need to have precise control over their parachute to land softly and accurately. A successful landing is a great way to end an amazing skydiving experience.
Post – Jump Activities
Gear Return and Debriefing
After landing, you’ll need to return your skydiving gear. This involves removing the jumpsuit, goggles, and harness (in tandem skydiving) or packing up your parachute system (in solo skydiving). The gear – return process can take about 10 – 15 minutes. Following the gear return, there’s often a debriefing session. In tandem skydiving, the instructor will talk to you about your experience, answer any questions you may have, and provide feedback. In solo skydiving, the debriefing may involve discussing the jump with an instructor or coach, analyzing any areas for improvement, and sharing the experience with other skydivers. The debriefing session usually lasts around 15 – 30 minutes.
Photo and Video Services
Many skydiving centers offer photo and video services so you can capture your amazing skydiving experience. If you’ve opted for these services, there will be some additional time involved. The time it takes to review and select your photos and videos can vary depending on the number of shots and the options available. On average, it can take 20 – 40 minutes to go through the footage and choose your favorite moments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the total time the skydiving process takes can vary significantly depending on several factors. For a tandem skydive, from the moment you arrive at the skydiving center to the time you finish all the post – jump activities, you can expect to spend anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. This includes time for check – in, training, gear fitting, waiting for the plane, boarding, the jump itself, landing, and post – jump activities. For solo skydivers, especially those in the process of getting certified, the time commitment is much greater, involving multiple days of training and preparation. However, regardless of whether you’re a first – time tandem jumper or an experienced solo skydiver, each stage of the skydiving process is essential for ensuring a safe and unforgettable experience. So, if you’re planning to take the plunge, now you have a better understanding of how long it will take and what to expect at each step of the way.