Sky Diving
By Chris Wilson
Jim Neumann, who has jumped at least once monthly for over 26 years,
explained skydiving to CyberSports by saying, "After leaving the
aircraft at 10,000 feet, face to earth, you will accelerate to 120 miles
per hour in only a few seconds. Loops and turns are performed during
the 40 seconds of freefall.
"At 4,000 feet the parachute is opened. The winds of freefall will
depart leaving a calm breeze and the relaxing four minute ride back to
earth."
"The exhilaration you receive from each jump can't be compared
with anything else you have ever experienced."
Static-Line Jump
After training, students make jump with automatic parachute opening.
Sometimes called "skydiving on a budget." A total of five jumps
required before progressing to freefall.
Tandem Jump
Although some students start with a static-line jump, most students
start with a tandem jump. Some companies require at least one tandem
jump before freefall jumps.
After a short training course on the ground, the instructor and the
student board the aircraft, climb to 10,000 feet, leave the aircraft to
stand on a step over the wheel, then enter the freefall of a tandem
jump.
The instructor wears the parachute assembly and the student is
attached to the parachute in 4 spots by a harness. The student's back
is against the instructor's chest.
After a 40 second freefall, the instructor opens the over-sized, square
parachute and the student starts maneuvering the parachute back to
earth. All students participate in the dive as much or as little as they
wish.
The landing is stand-up in a soft, grassy field.
Accelerated Freefall
After one or more tandem jumps, the student receives
approximately eight hours of ground training and then jumps
with two instructors holding on to him/her.
The AFF Course consists of a minimum of seven jumps. The student
progresses from two to one to no instructors while learning back loops,
turns, and tracking. Each jump is more complex than the previous one.
After receiving a logbook certifying completion of the course, the
student is ready for large freefall formations, camera jumps,
competition jumps, and general exploration of this exciting sport.
Other
If you are ready to jump into skydiving, be aware of the following:
You must be at least 18 years old to participate.
You should dress in clothes suitable for the weather plus athletic
shoes.
You should be in reasonable physical condition to jump.
Maximum weight is 235 to 250 pounds for freefall and less for
tandem jumps.
It is probably best to be under 200 pounds.
USPA Certified Instructors are trained and certified by US Parachute
Association and follow safety rules put forth by USPA.
If you still have a slight twinge of fear about jumping out of a perfectly
good airplane, remember this: you are far more likely to be killed in an
automobile wreck than a skydiving accident. Most of the people who
have been killed while sky diving have violated some safety rule.
Besides,if Jim Neumann is still alive after more than 26 years of
skydiving, you should be good for a few jumps.