hey,
Most of the time, we talk about airplanes and stuff but we never really discussed sky diving..has anyone here ever sky dived? if so, then how does it feel? what's the first time like, do u need a lot of training and how much does it cost on average? when i turn 18, i will sky dive, its just that my parents won't let me at this age so i wanted to know..thanks in advance
Full Version: Sky Diving
It’s actually not as expensive as people think. It’s about $160 for a tandem jump. That’s a jump where you’re strapped to the instructor. In most cases, you got to the place, you sign up and they teach you the steps (on the ground) in about an hr and after that you’re ready to jump. All in all, it’ll probably take 2-3hrs from the time you get to the location to the time you leave. It’s quick and reasonably priced. You can also pay a little extra to have a camera man jump with you and record and snap pictures of your jump for an extra 50 bucks or so. I’m thinking about doing it next month actually. 
Check out this website for more info:
http://www.1800skydive.com/index.htm
Check out the FAQ's section, and check out the prices as well.
-Daniel
Check out this website for more info:
http://www.1800skydive.com/index.htm
Check out the FAQ's section, and check out the prices as well.
-Daniel
First up DO IT!!!. Falling at terminal velocity illusions the body to beleive it is about to die. It pumps out a mass of adrenilene and for this reason most people agree skydiving is better than sex....
When you read the word skydiving no doubt the word dangerous comes to mind also. Skydiving is proved statisticaly more safe than many many things you do every day. You have more chance of killing yourself in a bathtub. Skydiving in most casses comes with many safety nets. First up remember you are jumping from in some casses 14,000ft. Once you are ready to deploy the chute you still have alot of time to take evasive action if for some reason the chute does not open or is tangled. The risk comes when you are flying in formation, or at low altitudes. Remember that when flying on formation you are all high speed projectiles. If a collision were to occur chances are you would fall unconsiuos and fall to your death. Saying that most new chutes have automatic deployment if they are not manually deployed by a certain altitude.
If you are new to skydiving chances are you will go tandem. It is alot more expensive because you are intern paying for the instructor to jump also (plus aircraft hire,landing fees and any other fees such as tax, insurence etc).
I went tandem on my 14th birthday (which is the legal tandem age requirement in AUS). All up it cost about $400AUD. Faily expensive, but for that cash i got a video, a roll of still shots, a membership to the skydiving federation and a memery that will last a lifetime. Tandem jumps usually include a short training session of arounmd 10-15mins. These are just aimed to prepare you on what you are about to do, and include how to exit the aircraft, and how to land.
Well i think i answered all of your questions.... Just to add i am heading solo on my 16th. I will be getting my solo permit, and then should be able to jump for about $80AUD, why not every weekend?
When you read the word skydiving no doubt the word dangerous comes to mind also. Skydiving is proved statisticaly more safe than many many things you do every day. You have more chance of killing yourself in a bathtub. Skydiving in most casses comes with many safety nets. First up remember you are jumping from in some casses 14,000ft. Once you are ready to deploy the chute you still have alot of time to take evasive action if for some reason the chute does not open or is tangled. The risk comes when you are flying in formation, or at low altitudes. Remember that when flying on formation you are all high speed projectiles. If a collision were to occur chances are you would fall unconsiuos and fall to your death. Saying that most new chutes have automatic deployment if they are not manually deployed by a certain altitude.
If you are new to skydiving chances are you will go tandem. It is alot more expensive because you are intern paying for the instructor to jump also (plus aircraft hire,landing fees and any other fees such as tax, insurence etc).
I went tandem on my 14th birthday (which is the legal tandem age requirement in AUS). All up it cost about $400AUD. Faily expensive, but for that cash i got a video, a roll of still shots, a membership to the skydiving federation and a memery that will last a lifetime. Tandem jumps usually include a short training session of arounmd 10-15mins. These are just aimed to prepare you on what you are about to do, and include how to exit the aircraft, and how to land.
Well i think i answered all of your questions.... Just to add i am heading solo on my 16th. I will be getting my solo permit, and then should be able to jump for about $80AUD, why not every weekend?
I really want to go skydiving, but i do not know where to start. I live near Manchester, UK. Does anybody know anywhere in the North West of England that provides skydiving facilities, and the cost in £?
QUOTE(Speedbird1 @ Aug 13 2006, 12:51 PM) 
I really want to go skydiving, but i do not know where to start. I live near Manchester, UK. Does anybody know anywhere in the North West of England that provides skydiving facilities, and the cost in £?
For £20 quid and a suicide note, i'll push you off a tall building...
No? It was worth a try
Go to your nearest airport and ask around. Also try tourists centers, most skydive ops have websites too. I can't give you an exact price but contact the drop zone (when you find one) and the will help out...good luck 
Why would I jump out of a perfectly good airplane? 
I wear a 'chute when I am in the L-39, but that is in case it becomes a "not perfectly good" airplane.
I wear a 'chute when I am in the L-39, but that is in case it becomes a "not perfectly good" airplane.
British woman killed in Spanish skydive tragedy
11:33am 9th August 2006
A woman has died after she was knocked unconscious during a skydive in Spain.
Mother-of-four Anna Endicott, 31, from Thornbury, Gloucestershire, plunged 12,000ft to her death during the skydive near Madrid.
Mrs Endicott, an experienced skydiver, lost consciousness after colliding with her instructor; her reserve parachute was activated but couldn't slow her descent.
She died at the scene after suffering massive internal injuries.
Mrs Endicott had recently separated from her husband Stephen and was due to move to Oxford after selling her hairdressing business.
She had hoped to set up her own skydiving company.
Mr Endicott told the Western Daily Press: "I'm still numb with shock, it's terrible news.
"She had only just set up her own company called Sky High, and she did a lot of charity work."
Friends today said they were devastated by her death. Hairdresser Claire Hodges, 33, said: "Anna was simply an exceptional person.
"She was extremely generous in everything she did and gave so much time to charity.
"I met her because she was a customer at our salon, but we clicked and became great friends."
Mrs Endicott was skydiving with Spanish firm Skydive Lillo at Toledo near Madrid.
She had been taking part in a tandem dive with her instructor and they had planned to separate halfway through the jump.
Spanish police have launched an investigation.
There have been a few folk killed just recently in skydiving. so it is quite risky to undertake.. but then again possibly the thrill of the risk makes it all worthwhile..and this is just one instance of what can go wrong.. but do not let it put you off at all....
11:33am 9th August 2006
A woman has died after she was knocked unconscious during a skydive in Spain.
Mother-of-four Anna Endicott, 31, from Thornbury, Gloucestershire, plunged 12,000ft to her death during the skydive near Madrid.
Mrs Endicott, an experienced skydiver, lost consciousness after colliding with her instructor; her reserve parachute was activated but couldn't slow her descent.
She died at the scene after suffering massive internal injuries.
Mrs Endicott had recently separated from her husband Stephen and was due to move to Oxford after selling her hairdressing business.
She had hoped to set up her own skydiving company.
Mr Endicott told the Western Daily Press: "I'm still numb with shock, it's terrible news.
"She had only just set up her own company called Sky High, and she did a lot of charity work."
Friends today said they were devastated by her death. Hairdresser Claire Hodges, 33, said: "Anna was simply an exceptional person.
"She was extremely generous in everything she did and gave so much time to charity.
"I met her because she was a customer at our salon, but we clicked and became great friends."
Mrs Endicott was skydiving with Spanish firm Skydive Lillo at Toledo near Madrid.
She had been taking part in a tandem dive with her instructor and they had planned to separate halfway through the jump.
Spanish police have launched an investigation.
There have been a few folk killed just recently in skydiving. so it is quite risky to undertake.. but then again possibly the thrill of the risk makes it all worthwhile..and this is just one instance of what can go wrong.. but do not let it put you off at all....
Arghh bluebird i hate this.... Although it was a fatality, it is one of a small amount. Do you ever travel in a car? You should be much much more scared of driving or even being a passenger than freefalling at termianl. I mentioned in my first post how dangers are induced, and this lady that died was and example of such.
I sky-dived before with my wife. I was eager, but my wife had bad thoughts. Many video catchs sky-diving that went wrong, most commonly, the main and emergency parachutes won't deploy. Anyways, the day came and in training, my wife was shaking her legs. After training, I asked the instructor if I may hold hands with her while in the air and he agreed. We boarded a De Havilland DHC-6 Otter. She was still shaken. As we took off she hugged my as if she was about to die, which I hope will never happen in my lifetime. We jumped off the plane and she held my hand tightly. It was exhilarating, intense, and with pounds of adrenaline. At least she loved it! We separated and deployed our parachutes. I landed a bit far from the target, but my wife did great.
My opinion: go sky-diving, it's cheap.
P.S. I couldn't take a video-camera for some reason...
Regards,
Smile
My opinion: go sky-diving, it's cheap.
P.S. I couldn't take a video-camera for some reason...
Regards,
Smile
QUOTE(milehigheric @ Aug 13 2006, 10:46 PM)
Arghh bluebird i hate this.... Although it was a fatality, it is one of a small amount. Do you ever travel in a car? You should be much much more scared of driving or even being a passenger than freefalling at termianl. I mentioned in my first post how dangers are induced, and this lady that died was and example of such.
Well pointed out, driving is more dangerous and yes sky diving sounds ace!
Chris
Dude...no...
I have, however, flown skydivers. Not just in the military, but also as a civilian pilot. It's my "weekend job" to take these lunatics wearing funky colored clothing up to 14 grand and then let them leap out the backdoor. For the pilots, it's actually kinda boring...except for that 6,000 fpm dive toward the ground after they all leave. That's pretty cool. No fun with a cold, though.
I have, however, flown skydivers. Not just in the military, but also as a civilian pilot. It's my "weekend job" to take these lunatics wearing funky colored clothing up to 14 grand and then let them leap out the backdoor. For the pilots, it's actually kinda boring...except for that 6,000 fpm dive toward the ground after they all leave. That's pretty cool. No fun with a cold, though.
QUOTE(Magnum @ Aug 13 2006, 09:36 AM)
Why would I jump out of a perfectly good airplane?
Hey now! Seeing as you've worked hundreds of my skydiving flights I'd expect a little more ethusiasm.
(Glad to hear ya on 125.3 BTW....)
Jumping is really cool- if you can get past that first step! It really is a doozy! Once out and on your belly in freefall- it is one of the most incredible experiences you will ever have. It's deafening lound, then unbelieveably quiet under canopy. I flew jumpers for almost two years and went once myself for a sunset jump. Drop Zones are all around fun places to be.
USPA.org Drop Zone Locator
I'd love to fly Skydivers. And then as they jump begin a dive so that you are chasing them to the ground and then they can play the 'dodge the propellor at 2500rpm' game. What fun.... Or even more fun would be the game where they jump out without a parachute and then you dive, go underneath them, and then let them land on your wings, climb back into the plane and then you land. As Magnum said, why would I want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?
Or even more fun would be the game where they jump out without a parachute and then you dive, go underneath them, and then let them land on your wings, climb back into the plane and then you land. As Magnum said, why would I want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?
I would love to go skydiving, seriously i have promised myself that I will do it sometime im my life. I did a search on google and came up with an unbelievable video, this guy dives out his plane and comes within about 10 feet of another plane, looked like a light trainer, possibly a ketana or grob, I'm not to sure but it is absolutely crazy! Wow! ***LANGUAGE*** (one strong reference).
But as Milehigheric says, it's incredibly safe, as is flying. The press report when things go bad, which forces steriotyped view on things like flying (16 year old killed while soloing recently, God rest his soul) and skydiving (and that other poor woman who died in Spain) when they are really very safe.
Lol Charliepapa! I'll tell you what, we can call it £15 and forget the suicide note?
Cheers,
Chris
But as Milehigheric says, it's incredibly safe, as is flying. The press report when things go bad, which forces steriotyped view on things like flying (16 year old killed while soloing recently, God rest his soul) and skydiving (and that other poor woman who died in Spain) when they are really very safe.
Lol Charliepapa! I'll tell you what, we can call it £15 and forget the suicide note?
Cheers,
Chris
The nearest skydiving facility to me is Skydive Cross Keys. Website:www.skydivecrosskeys.com It is about 1 and a half mile from me at Cross Keys Airport 17N. The use Dash6-300 Twin Otter. They used to use that and the SC-7 SkyVan, and the C208 Caravan. They also have some other kind of aircraft. Think it is some kind of Beech. Very fast!
I am very hesitant to post this, but for the sake of someone else making the same mistake I will.
For you skydivers, I have a very sobering piece of embarrassing news. Sunday, while flying back from Columbia (O22), something happened to my transponder and I was unable to get flight following. I was headed for the Linden VOR but knew that I must avoid the Lodi area. My flying partner was working the old Garmin 195 GPS and told me that I was well away from the Lodi field. I saw the stacks to my right and Mt. Diablo to my left and I wanted to be north not south of the field to avoid any skydiving activity. Still trying to get flight following I got distracted and trusted my flying partner's word that we were indeed clear of Lodi when....
LOW and BEHOLD!! He spotted opened canopies off and well below my right wing!!! I fought panic and was unsure if I would be encountering a body. I have never been so nervous in my life. I wanted the HECK out of there. I did everything I thought possible to avoid the area and STILL found myself right smack in the middle of the skydiving activity.
To this day I am scratching my head (good thing it is still attached as well as those skydivers) as to what could have happened. The GPS must have been off, I don't know, but I do know this. I will Go as far north or south as I can to avoid that area, even it it means going out of my way to avoid skydiving activity.
Looking back, I should have dialed in the CTAF as I did on the way there, but I got distracted by the inop transponder and getting flight following that the obvious almost cost lives...theirs and ours. Lesson learned.."Never Again!"
For you skydivers, I have a very sobering piece of embarrassing news. Sunday, while flying back from Columbia (O22), something happened to my transponder and I was unable to get flight following. I was headed for the Linden VOR but knew that I must avoid the Lodi area. My flying partner was working the old Garmin 195 GPS and told me that I was well away from the Lodi field. I saw the stacks to my right and Mt. Diablo to my left and I wanted to be north not south of the field to avoid any skydiving activity. Still trying to get flight following I got distracted and trusted my flying partner's word that we were indeed clear of Lodi when....
LOW and BEHOLD!! He spotted opened canopies off and well below my right wing!!! I fought panic and was unsure if I would be encountering a body. I have never been so nervous in my life. I wanted the HECK out of there. I did everything I thought possible to avoid the area and STILL found myself right smack in the middle of the skydiving activity.
To this day I am scratching my head (good thing it is still attached as well as those skydivers) as to what could have happened. The GPS must have been off, I don't know, but I do know this. I will Go as far north or south as I can to avoid that area, even it it means going out of my way to avoid skydiving activity.
Looking back, I should have dialed in the CTAF as I did on the way there, but I got distracted by the inop transponder and getting flight following that the obvious almost cost lives...theirs and ours. Lesson learned.."Never Again!"
QUOTE(Becky_KSTS @ Aug 15 2006, 06:56 PM)
Lesson learned.."Never Again!"
Unfortunately, there are too many pilots who do just as you did but aren't even aware of it! Every weekend there would be at least one transient, completely oblivious aircraft that blew through our DZ, even though it was clearly charted on the sectional. Good thing we had Magnums help in keeping the jumpers out of harms way as I was advised of most such aircraft prior to jump run and held the drop. Too bad that didn't happen here.
For the future jump pilot- http://www.diverdriver.com/
QUOTE(SF3aviatrix @ Aug 15 2006, 11:17 PM)
Drop Zones are all around fun places to be.
Ya, fun... unless you're on your first solo cross-country and they start jumping out all around you
Edit: Just saw Becky had a similar experience. I was flying over Harvey (S43) and dialed in the CTAF to see if anything was going on. It was quite most the way through, and right before I switched to FSS, a guy said "Parachute activity 10 miles south of Harvey at and below 10,000'," so I looked at my chart and was 9 miles south, south bound and at 6,500'. I'll always remember seeing those chutes pop open all around me with that feeling of helplessness (probably really similar to what you felt Becky) until I was well clear of the area. A CFI told me to always to check the NOTAMs before flying that area (they usually have it posted when jumping) and nothing was there, so that really came as a surprise to me.
This is turning into a great skydive education thread!
"Generally, skydivers will file a NOTAM with the FAA when planning a demonstration jump someplace other than at a drop zone. A NOTAM that covers a longer period of time than just a few days will be filed away and only delivered to pilots if they specifically ask about it. A large drop zone with regular jumping activity will most likely have an annual notice on file with the FAA and pilots are expected to know about the jump activity based on the magenta parachute symbol published on VFR charts. A charted drop zone often isn't mentioned to pilots, even if they get an official weather briefing and ask about skydiving operations. The basic rules governing NOTAMs for skydiving operations and the notices we are required to provide are listed in FAR 105.15, 105.21 and 105.25." - "Look, Up In The Sky..."
So, keep your eyes peeled for that parachute on your sectional charts.
http://www.blincoe.org/articles/Skydive-Fl...Operations.html
QUOTE(AName @ Aug 15 2006, 10:50 PM)
Ya, fun... unless you're on your first solo cross-country and they start jumping out all around you ....A CFI told me to always to check the NOTAMs before flying that area (they usually have it posted when jumping) and nothing was there, so that really came as a surprise to me.
....A CFI told me to always to check the NOTAMs before flying that area (they usually have it posted when jumping) and nothing was there, so that really came as a surprise to me."Generally, skydivers will file a NOTAM with the FAA when planning a demonstration jump someplace other than at a drop zone. A NOTAM that covers a longer period of time than just a few days will be filed away and only delivered to pilots if they specifically ask about it. A large drop zone with regular jumping activity will most likely have an annual notice on file with the FAA and pilots are expected to know about the jump activity based on the magenta parachute symbol published on VFR charts. A charted drop zone often isn't mentioned to pilots, even if they get an official weather briefing and ask about skydiving operations. The basic rules governing NOTAMs for skydiving operations and the notices we are required to provide are listed in FAR 105.15, 105.21 and 105.25." - "Look, Up In The Sky..."
So, keep your eyes peeled for that parachute on your sectional charts.
http://www.blincoe.org/articles/Skydive-Fl...Operations.html
At the airport i'm working at (northampton 7b2) they have a sky diving plane. They can go up up to 10-15 times a day. Every time its 3 or 4 dudes and you have to watch out! as magnum wisely said...
i don't see the point of jumping out of a perfectly good plane. if i'm on fire or something... why not.
I'm going to fly in a Decathlon this week, which is like an aerobatics plane (picture ) so i have to wear a chute... i don't plan on using it though...
i don't see the point of jumping out of a perfectly good plane. if i'm on fire or something... why not.
I'm going to fly in a Decathlon this week, which is like an aerobatics plane (picture ) so i have to wear a chute... i don't plan on using it though...
QUOTE(SF3aviatrix @ Aug 15 2006, 04:17 PM)
Hey now! Seeing as you've worked hundreds of my skydiving flights I'd expect a little more ethusiasm.
(Glad to hear ya on 125.3 BTW....)
Jumping is really cool- if you can get past that first step! It really is a doozy! Once out and on your belly in freefall- it is one of the most incredible experiences you will ever have. It's deafening lound, then unbelieveably quiet under canopy. I flew jumpers for almost two years and went once myself for a sunset jump. Drop Zones are all around fun places to be.
USPA.org Drop Zone Locator
(Glad to hear ya on 125.3 BTW....)
Jumping is really cool- if you can get past that first step! It really is a doozy! Once out and on your belly in freefall- it is one of the most incredible experiences you will ever have. It's deafening lound, then unbelieveably quiet under canopy. I flew jumpers for almost two years and went once myself for a sunset jump. Drop Zones are all around fun places to be.
USPA.org Drop Zone Locator
Alright, I will be honest here....I think a HALO jump would be really cool!
It is always a pleasure to provide service to the World's Greatest Airline Pilot!
10 days, 15 hours, 47 min and 45 secs to go!
QUOTE(Magnum @ Aug 13 2006, 06:36 PM)
Why would I jump out of a perfectly good airplane?
You know, if there were snakes on it....
QUOTE(niko_future_pilot @ Aug 21 2006, 07:55 AM)
At the airport i'm working at (northampton 7b2) they have a sky diving plane. They can go up up to 10-15 times a day. Every time its 3 or 4 dudes and you have to watch out! as magnum wisely said...
i don't see the point of jumping out of a perfectly good plane. if i'm on fire or something... why not.
I'm going to fly in a Decathlon this week, which is like an aerobatics plane (picture ) so i have to wear a chute... i don't plan on using it though...
i don't see the point of jumping out of a perfectly good plane. if i'm on fire or something... why not.
I'm going to fly in a Decathlon this week, which is like an aerobatics plane (picture ) so i have to wear a chute... i don't plan on using it though...
The Decathlon isn't "like" an aerobatic plane, it IS aerobatic. Fully, with an inverted fuel and oil system and a near-symetrical airfoil. It can do just about anything but tailslides (not approved for it).
I've got over 100 hours in the 8KCAB Super Decathlon and have taken a number of people for a ride to do some acro and everyone had a blast (even my mother, who threw up 30 minutes into a one hour trip).
You'll like it, Niko. Don't go up on an empty stomach. Trust me.
Just an update to this skydive topic.... i am headed for my solo on my 16th B'day so that should be interesting. I will let everyone know how it goes...
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