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Skydiving is the recreational and competitive sport where the participant jumps out of an airplane while wearing a parachute. The elevation of the plane varies from the low of elevation of 200’ (60 meters) to upwards of 18,000’ (5500 meters). The world record for freefall distance is at 80,360’ (24,500 meters).
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 Photo Credit: United States Army Tandem Freefall
There are three primary ways of learning to skydive: Tandem Freefall; Solo Freefall; and Static Line.
Tandem freefall is the most popular way and quickest way of learning to train. During the tandem freefall, the student is attached to a certified instructor with a harness. The jump is performed at an elevation of around 10,000’ (3100 meters). The student and instructor freefall for about 30 seconds before opening the common chute. After chute deployment, the student and the instructor both use separate controls that will maneuver the parachute. Training using this method usually consists of approximately 30 minutes of ground school before the initial dive.
Solo freefall is a training technique that allows the student to jump with two instructors at their side. The student has a separate parachute from the instructors. Jumps are normally made form an elevation of about 10,000’ (3100 meters). During the fall, the instructor teaches the student by hands on demonstration. Training and first dive usually occurs on the same day.
Static line is an educational method where the chute is automatically deployed after exiting the aircraft. One end of the line is attached to the student's parachute while the other end is attached to the plane. After exiting the plane, the static line pulls the student's chute out from the harness. Jumps are made from an elevation of about 3500’ (1100 meters). The student pilots the parachute to the ground with the assistance of the instructor via a radio that is attached to the student's harness. Training and first dive usually occurs on the same day.
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 Formation Skydiving
Freefall skydiving is performed when the participant enjoys the fall. Average speed during the fall is about 125 mph (200 kmh).
During the freefall the skydiver may opt to perform aerobatics. This type of skydiving is called freestyle.
Skysurfing is accomplished when the diver brings along an object such as a boogie board. Acrobatics are performed during the fall with the board.
Formation skydiving involves a group of skydivers forming geometrical shapes during the freefall.
Another type of formation skydiving is called Crew. After chutes are deployed, the participants stack, or dock, themselves one atop another.
Base jumping is enjoyed by experienced skydivers with advanced training who enjoy jumping off of stationary objects such as buildings and cliffs.
Swooping is acheived with a combination of advanced canopy skills and the use of a high performance canopy especially designed for a high velocity landing. Experienced skydivers often enjoy swooping bodies of water such as ponds or lakes, and lightly skim the top of the water surface with their feet. Although the technique and skill required to swoop is only considered to be safe for the very advanced skydiver, spectators and less advanced skydivers often enjoy watching these exciting landings.
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