How windy is too windy skydiving?

If you are a solo student skydiver (generally in our Advanced Freefall Program or an unlicensed skydiver), the USPA Basic Safety Requirements state that wind limits are 14 miles per hour. This is the most strict limit as student skydivers are still learning the flight and landing characteristics of the parachute.

Is it safe to skydive when windy?

In order to safely skydive, the wind speed must be somewhat steady. Gusts of wind can not only make for a bumpy ride, but significant gusts can drastically affect the flight performance of the parachute.

How does wind affect skydiving?

High winds significantly affect how our parachutes fly, pushing them off course. Sometimes, they even push them backward. Because of this, we enforce wind speed limits for different solo skydiving licensing levels.

How many knots do you need for skydiving?

Skydiving is a weather dependent activity, so the conditions need to be suitable for skydiving in order for us to complete your jump. Times when we can't jump due to weather include: When the ground winds are above 25 knots.

Are tandem skydives safe?

Tandem skydiving—where you're attached to an experienced skydiving instructor for your jump—has an even better safety rate, with one student fatality per 500,000 jumps on average over the past 10 years.

Understanding Relative Wind When Skydiving

Who shouldn't skydive?

Is skydiving worth the risk?

Skydiving isn't without risk, but is much safer than you might expect. According to statistics by the United States Parachute Association, in 2018 there were a total of 13 skydiving-related fatalities out of approximately 3.3 million jumps!

Can you skydive if it's raining?

Skydiving in the rain is not allowed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that skydives only be completed in Visual Flight Rules conditions. Simply put, you need to be able to see as you fly (or skydive).

Does skydiving get Cancelled if its raining?

Rain, of course, comes from clouds--and we've already established how clouds can get in the way of a skydive. Even if those clouds are high enough to make it safely underneath, however, the cancellation can come if it's raining.

What is winds aloft in skydiving?

The stronger the Winds Aloft, the more time that is required between skydiving groups. The larger the skydiving group, the more time that is needed between groups. If opening altitude is going to be higher than normal (3000 feet) exit order needs to be adjusted to allow the higher opening groups to exit later.

Can you skydive in 20 mph winds?

If you are a solo student skydiver (generally in our Advanced Freefall Program or an unlicensed skydiver), the USPA Basic Safety Requirements state that wind limits are 14 miles per hour. This is the most strict limit as student skydivers are still learning the flight and landing characteristics of the parachute.

What kind of weather is required for skydiving?

Bright blue cloudless skies, gentle breezes, and temperatures of 75 degrees make a perfect day for tons of activities, skydiving included. Though, not every day will match up to the delightful description above.

What conditions are needed for skydiving?

We have minimum fitness requirements. All participants must be physically fit, fully self-mobile with a full range of mobility and able to lift their knees to their chest unaided. Unfortunately, if you have a condition or disability which reduces your mobility, you won't be able to skydive.

Can you skydive if cloudy?

You aren't legally allowed to jump through clouds, even if that seems like fun. Second, clear skies make for a better view! You can see for miles when you're 2.5 miles above the Earth, and a cloudy day would take away from that experience. Low and consistent winds are the second coveted condition.

How do you calculate the wing loading of any canopy?

What happens if you skydive through a cloud?

If you try to parachute through the thundercloud, things get much worse. The turbulence can tangle your lines, or wrap you in the canopy, and the updraughts can mean you gain altitude instead of falling. You could be flung so high that you asphyxiate in the thin air, or freeze to death.

Do heavier skydivers fall faster?

Someone the same height as you but heavier will have increased mass, and fall faster. Someone the same weight as you but taller will have increased surface area, and fall slower.

Is bungee jumping or skydiving safer?

The National Safety Council says a person is more likely to be killed being stung by a bee or struck by lightning than during tandem skydiving. Bungee jumping sports the same fatality rate or 1 in 500,000. When it comes to safety, bungee jumping and skydiving are right on par.

Why is there a weight limit for skydiving?

All the components and the final rig design goes through rigorous testing before released to the market and must receive at TSO (Technical Standard Order) from the Federal Aviation Administration. The weight limit helps keep tandem skydiving consistently operating within the known tested limits of the gear.

How often do parachutes fail?

Even seemingly properly packed parachutes can fail, with one in every 1,000 parachutes not always operating at 100% efficiency. With these stats in mind, skydiving professionals know better to never trust just one chute with their life. That's why tandem skydivers typically descend with three parachutes.

What's the odds of dying skydiving?

Of the 3.3 million total skydives recorded in 2019 by USPA-member dropzones, 15 resulted in a fatality – making the skydiving death rate 1 in 220,301. When considering the tandem-related skydiving fatality rate, the number is 1 in 500,000 jumps. More common are minor and non-fatal injuries.

Is skydiving safer than driving?

The answer is surprising: statistically speaking, yes, skydiving is safer than driving. As you get behind the wheel for your daily commute, you may not even bat an eye, but did you know it's far more "dangerous" than jumping out of a "perfectly good airplane." It's true.

Should I be scared to skydive?

Your first time skydiving is a big deal. It's perfectly natural to feel nervous or scared about your first jump. Here, we'll explore what makes you nervous, why it's totally normal, and how to face your fears.

Does skydiving change your life?

The answer is, unequivocally, yes. Our world is moderated by patterns of perception: we discern a “regularity” and then apply it to everything. Unwittingly, we allow these views to influence and shape how we act. Skydiving is a life changing experience because it 'flips the script' on these structured expectations.

What should you not do when skydiving?