The most common exit altitude for skydiving is 10,000 feet. Larger paratroopers flying turbine planes typically drop paratroopers between 13,000 and 14,000 feet. Jumps to higher altitudes can be performed, but jumps over 15,000 feet require the use of oxygen to avoid hypoxia. If you`re ready to make your skydiving adventure a reality, take a look at all the great opportunities here at CSC. We can help you find the right type and level of jumping that is fun, fun, exciting and gives you a memory that you will have for the rest of your life. There`s nothing like skydiving, and whether you want to jump for a special event or just because you can, CSC is here to make your skydiving adventure dreams come true. New Zealand is considered the adventure capital of the world and we can understand why. The scenery is breathtaking, with lakes, glaciers and spectacular mountains for skydiving. During our stay in Queenstown, we decided to try paragliding from Coronet Peak, which is not as scary as skydiving, but also an amazing experience for those who want an adrenaline rush without jumping out of a plane part.
Especially if it is a unique experience for you, you should do as much as possible. That`s why we bring our skydivers to 18,000 feet instead of 14,000! From there, you`ll be in free fall for about another 20 seconds, giving you even more time to feel the rush of skydiving. If you descend 14,000 feet, skydivers can fall freely for about a minute. If you are in the fall position with your stomach on the ground, the first thousand feet usually last 10 seconds. When a skydiver picks up speed and reaches his maximum speed, the rate of descent is about six seconds per thousand feet! (That`s pretty fast!) Skydivers use different tools to determine their height during a parachute jump. First, most skydivers use a wrist-mounted altimeter (which looks like an oversized wristwatch). The altimeter measures barometric pressure and speed to give the paratrooper the correct altitude measurement. In addition, skydivers also use acoustic altimeters. The audible altimeters are mounted in the helmets of the paratroopers and emit different beeps at different heights to alert the paratrooper of their size. This helps a skydiver maintain “altitude awareness”. Equipping an aircraft with the ability to deliver oxygen is not an easy (or cheap) task. Due to the additional cost of equipping an aircraft with oxygen and the additional fuel required depending on altitude, tandem parachute jumps at high altitudes can range from $450 for an initial altitude of 18,000 feet to $3,500 for a 30,000-foot HALO parachute jump.
A parachute jump from an altitude of 30,000 feet also requires a special breathing apparatus. Since atmospheric pressure is significantly reduced at these extremely high altitudes (meaning that the number of oxygen molecules in the air decreases), the risk of hypoxia is extremely high. To reduce the risk of hypoxia, participants should breathe pure oxygen for about an hour before starting and receive supplemental oxygen on the way to altitude. A parachute jump consists of two main parts: the free fall and the canopy ride. Since the altitude of the parachute is fairly normal in all areas (between 6,000 and 5,000 feet), the only real difference you feel when jumping from different heights is the time you spend in free fall. The biggest difference between a normal parachute jump and a HALO jump is the height from which you will actually jump off the plane. While a standard jump takes place around 14,000 feet, HALO jumps can go up to 30,000+ feet. There is only one drop zone that the Federal Aviation Administration has approved for jumps to this height. It`s not something you will find anywhere. Skydive Orange is lucky enough to have the Rolls Royce among the skydivers – the esteemed deHavilland Twin Otter!! (She is a real beauty!). Because this 23-person twin-engine engine is such a beast (don`t let the cute name fool you), we regularly drop 14,000-foot paratroopers. We have the possibility of HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) parachute jumps from 17,500` between the months of May and October.
The freefall time of extremely large jumps such as the aforementioned 30,000-foot HALO jump is about 170 seconds, or 2.5 minutes. A more typical, though still quite rare, high-altitude parachute jump from 18,000 feet has a free fall time of 80 seconds, or 1 minute and 20 seconds. The typical freefall time in skydiving is about 60 seconds. This tandem skydive takes you into the realm of thin air and great views! Parachute jump height affects the duration of your skydive and can significantly change your experience. Skydiving in the Swiss Alps is a unique way to enjoy exceptional views of snow-capped mountains and glaciers. It`s also one of the cheapest places to skydive and is definitely on our bucket list! Interlaken not only offers skydiving, but you can also try hang gliding. Switzerland, here we are. It is possible to jump from a height of more than 14,000 feet. Generally, these jumps take place from 17,000 to 18,000 feet and are called HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) parachute jumps.