Before diving into the duration, it’s essential to understand that tandem skydiving is a popular form where a first-time or novice skydiver is securely attached to an experienced certified instructor, allowing the student to enjoy the thrill while the instructor handles navigation, parachute deployment, landing and other technical aspects—a safe and accessible way to experience freefall adrenaline. The main question of how long a tandem skydive lasts isn’t straightforward as the total duration includes distinct phases: pre-jump preparation, airplane ascent, freefall, parachute flight and post-landing procedures, each with its own time frame to help better plan and appreciate the experience.
Pre-Jump Preparation Time
Briefing and Training
Before you even get near the airplane, you’ll undergo a briefing and some basic training. The briefing typically covers the essential steps of the skydive, including how to position your body during freefall, what to expect when the parachute opens, and the landing procedures. The instructor will explain key points such as arching your back to maintain stability, keeping your head up, and knowing when to lift your legs for landing. This training is crucial for your safety and to ensure a smooth experience. The length of the briefing can vary depending on the skydiving center and the instructor, but it usually takes between 20 to 30 minutes. Some centers may provide a more detailed briefing for first-time jumpers, especially if they have any specific concerns or questions.
Gear Preparation and Fitting
After the briefing, you’ll need to get into the appropriate gear. This includes putting on a jumpsuit, which is designed to be aerodynamic and protect your clothing during the jump. You’ll also be fitted with a harness that connects you to the instructor. The harness must be adjusted carefully to ensure a secure and comfortable fit. The instructor will check all the straps and connections multiple times to make sure everything is secure. This gear preparation process usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes. It’s a meticulous process because safety is the top priority, and no shortcuts are taken when it comes to ensuring the gear is properly fitted and functioning.
Waiting for the Airplane
Depending on the skydiving center’s schedule and how busy they are, there might be a waiting period before you board the airplane. Some centers have multiple planes operating, while others may have just one, leading to potential delays. The waiting time can vary significantly; it could be as short as 15 minutes or as long as an hour or more during peak times. This is an important factor to consider when planning your tandem skydive, as it can affect the total time you spend at the drop zone. It’s a good idea to arrive early and be prepared for some waiting time, as it’s all part of the skydiving experience. In total, the pre-jump preparation phase can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the factors mentioned above. While this part may not be as thrilling as the jump itself, it’s a necessary and important part of ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
Airplane Ascent Time
Once all the pre-jump preparations are complete, it’s time to board the airplane. The ascent to the jump altitude is another phase that contributes to the total duration of the tandem skydive. The time it takes to reach the jump altitude depends on several factors, including the type of airplane being used and the specific altitude from which you’ll be jumping.
Common Jump Altitudes: Tandem skydives are typically conducted from altitudes ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 feet above ground level (AGL). The most common altitudes are 12,000 feet and 14,000 feet. The choice of altitude can affect both the duration of the freefall and the overall experience. Higher altitudes mean longer freefall times, which can be more appealing to those seeking a longer adrenaline rush.
Ascent Speed of Airplanes
The type of airplane used for skydiving can vary, but most are small propeller planes designed to carry several skydivers at a time. The ascent speed of these planes is generally around 500 to 1,000 feet per minute. Let’s do some simple math to determine the ascent time for different altitudes:
For a jump altitude of 10,000 feet: If the airplane ascends at 500 feet per minute, it will take 20 minutes to reach altitude. At 1,000 feet per minute, it would take 10 minutes.
For 12,000 feet: At 500 feet per minute, 24 minutes; at 1,000 feet per minute, 12 minutes.
For 14,000 feet: At 500 feet per minute, 28 minutes; at 1,000 feet per minute, 14 minutes.
For 15,000 feet: At 500 feet per minute, 30 minutes; at 1,000 feet per minute, 15 minutes.
In reality, the average ascent time for most tandem skydives is between 10 and 20 minutes. This can vary slightly depending on the weight of the passengers, weather conditions, and the specific airplane’s performance. For example, a heavily loaded plane may ascend more slowly, while favorable weather conditions can allow for a smoother and faster ascent. During the ascent, you’ll be seated in the airplane, usually strapped to your instructor. It’s a good time to take in the views and mentally prepare for the jump. The ascent can feel relatively calm compared to the excitement that lies ahead, but it’s a crucial part of the journey to the skydiving experience.
Freefall Time
How Freefall Works
When you exit the airplane, you initially experience a brief moment of acceleration as you pick up speed. In a tandem skydive, the combined weight of the instructor and the student causes them to reach a terminal velocity, which is the constant speed at which the force of gravity is balanced by air resistance. For a tandem pair, the terminal velocity is typically around 120 miles per hour (mph), which is the same as a solo skydiver in a stable, belly-to-earth position.
Freefall Duration by Altitude
The higher the jump altitude, the longer the freefall time. Here’s a breakdown of freefall times for different altitudes:
10,000 feet: From this altitude, the freefall time is approximately 30 to 40 seconds. This is a shorter freefall, making it a good option for those who may be a bit more nervous or want a shorter intense experience.
12,000 feet: The freefall here lasts around 45 to 55 seconds. It’s a bit longer, allowing for more time to enjoy the sensation of falling through the sky.
14,000 feet: This is a popular altitude for tandem skydives, offering a freefall time of about 60 to 70 seconds. A full minute of freefall is enough to really take in the experience and feel the rush of adrenaline.
15,000 feet: At this altitude, you can expect a freefall of around 70 to 80 seconds. It’s the longest freefall commonly offered for tandem skydives and is ideal for those who want the maximum amount of time in freefall.
It’s important to note that these times are approximate and can vary slightly depending on factors such as body position and weather conditions. For example, if the skydivers assume a more aerodynamic position, they may fall faster, reducing the freefall time slightly. On the other hand, strong headwinds can slow down the descent, increasing the freefall duration.
The Experience of Freefall
During freefall, you’ll feel the rush of air against your body, and the ground will appear to be rushing up at you. Many people describe the sensation as incredibly exhilarating, with a mix of excitement and awe. The instructor will help you maintain a stable body position, ensuring that you experience the freefall safely and comfortably. It’s a moment that many people find unforgettable, and the relatively short duration makes it a intense and concentrated burst of adrenaline.
Parachute Flight Time
After the freefall, the next phase is the parachute flight. This begins when the instructor deploys the parachute, usually at around 5,000 feet above ground level. Once the parachute is open, the descent becomes much slower and more controlled, allowing for a smooth glide down to the landing area.
Parachute Deployment and Stabilization: When the parachute is first deployed, there is a momentary jolt as the canopy opens and slows down the descent. The instructor will then take a moment to stabilize the parachute, ensuring that it’s flying correctly and that there are no issues. This stabilization process takes just a few seconds, and once it’s done, you’ll start gliding through the sky.
Glide Speed and Duration: The speed at which you descend under the parachute is much slower than during freefall, typically around 5 to 6 miles per hour. The duration of the parachute flight depends on the altitude at which the parachute was deployed and the distance to the landing area. Since the parachute is deployed at around 5,000 feet, the vertical distance to the ground is 5,000 feet. To calculate the descent time, we can use the glide speed.
First: We need to convert the altitude from feet to miles, since the glide speed is in miles per hour. There are 5,280 feet in a mile, so 5,000 feet is approximately 0.947 miles. At a descent speed of 5 miles per hour, the time to descend 0.947 miles can be calculated using the formula: time = distance / speed. So, 0.947 miles / 5 mph = 0.189 hours, which is approximately 11.3 minutes. At 6 mph, it would be 0.947 / 6 = 0.158 hours, or about 9.5 minutes.
In Reality: The parachute flight time is usually between 5 and 7 minutes. This is because the instructor may take a more direct path to the landing area or make turns to adjust the trajectory, which can affect the actual descent time. Additionally, some skydiving centers may have landing areas that are closer or farther from the point where the parachute is deployed, depending on the local geography and wind conditions.
Conclusion
A tandem skydive’s total duration varies across phases: 45–90 minutes for pre-jump prep (briefing, gear, waits), 10–20 minutes for airplane ascent, 30–80 seconds of freefall (longer at higher altitudes like 14,000 ft), 5–7 minutes under parachute, and 10–25 minutes post-landing. Altogether, expect 2–4 hours at the drop zone from arrival to departure. While the intense freefall and parachute ride are short, the experience blends anticipation, thrill, and calm into a memorable journey. More than a clocked time, it’s an emotional rush—stepping into the unknown, hurtling through the sky, and gliding to earth—that leaves a lasting story. Ready to jump? The sky’s waiting, and every second aloft is worth it.