Parachuting - adrenaline and discovery

One of the most popular sports in the world, parachuting combines the adrenaline you feel at high altitudes and the emotion of amazing landscapes. Although the idea of ​​freefalling from the sky might seem scary at first, skydiving is a safe and fun choice for adventurers of all ages.

Below is a complete guide that will help you explore everything skydiving or parachuting means. You can find information about the origins of this sport, how you can practice it and what is the basic equipment. In addition, you have as a bonus the most popular locations for skydiving in the world, which will help you embark on an experience full of adrenaline.

What is skydiving or parachuting?

Skydiving, also called parachuting, uses a parachute - either for recreational purposes or for competitive purposes - to slow down the descent to the ground after jumping from a plane or from another point at a height.

The main idea of ​​parachuting is to free fall up to a certain altitude from an aircraft or from a mountain, a flight of approximately 30-180 seconds, followed by floating in the air and ending with landing on a safe ground with the help of the parachute.

The origins of skydiving

Parachuting is an extremely old sport, which has existed since the end of the 18th century. The first parachute jump belonged to the French aeronaut Andre-Jacques Garnerin, who in 1797 would jump for the first time with a parachute from a hot air balloon, but modern skydiving is generally done from a propeller plane. In addition, there are events such as the Annual World Free Fall Convention in Quincy, Illinois, where skydivers have the opportunity to jump from various flying objects, such as hot air balloons, helicopters and a Boeing 727.
Since 1797, the sport has come a long way sprinkled with incredible technological improvements and has become a worldwide attraction.

Aerodynamics of parachuting or skydiving

For experienced skydivers, typical jump altitudes these days vary between 2,300 and 4,600 meters above ground level, which provides a free fall time of between 40 and 85 seconds. The duration of the free fall (the time elapsed between the release from the plane and the opening of the parachute) depends on factors such as exit altitude, opening altitude and fall speed.

The fall speed is determined by the suit worn by the parachutist, but also by the way this suit conforms to the body during free fall (a wider suit offers more resistance to the air and slows down the fall) and by the position of the parachutist's body relative to the ground .

Free fall speeds for parachutists who fall in the "belly to earth" position (with the abdomen and chest towards the ground and the back in a flat position) vary between 180 and 210 km per hour. Descent speeds exceeding 530 km/h were recoded for parachutists in speed skydiving competitions (in which the diver falls head first and the body in an aerodynamic position), and speeds below 65 km/h were fitted to parachutists using "birdman" suits with outstretched wings.

The altitude at which a parachutist opens his parachute varies, but it is generally practiced at 1000-750 meters. With most parachutes, the diver initiates deployment by opening a pilot parachute in the air (other parachutes have pilot parachutes that are released automatically by pulling an attached cable). The pilot parachute is a small open air resistance parachute that acts to remove the main parachute from the bag in which the parachutes are packed.

The main parachute increases air resistance and slows the parachutist's fall to the ground at a speed of approximately 16 km/h. Modern parachutes are made of 7-9 nylon cells that inflate and act like a wing or glider. They allow the parachutist to turn and navigate easily to the ground.

For added safety, sports parachutists carry two parachutes, the main one and a spare one. In addition, they are equipped with a series of devices that detect the altitude in order to know when to open the parachute.

Competition skydiving

The first world parachuting championship took place in Yugoslavia in 1951, and later the world championships came under the auspices of the International Aeronautical Federation (FAI). Since then, the sport has developed worldwide, and competitive skydiving events now include: the classic style, in which the skydiver performs a series of timed acrobatic maneuvers; precision trials, in which they must land on (or as close as possible to) a 5 cm target for a certain number of jumps; acrobatics with parachutes in which the parachutists build formations after opening the parachutes; and freestyle, which involves a mix of acrobatic and gymnastic maneuvers combined with movements involving a videographer (another parachutist who jumps with a video camera to film the activity).

Recently, competitive events such as skysurfing (in which a device similar to a snowboard is used, which acts as a maneuvering platform for freestyle acrobatic elements during free fall) and blade running (maneuvering a high-performance parachute through a route with flagpoles - airblades - mounted approximately 4.5 meters above the ground on thin sticks).

How do you learn to jump with a parachute?

There are several training programs for skydiving. In the original military training, known as the static-line program, the parachutist jumps from an airplane wearing a parachute that opens via a cable. In the accelerated freefall program, two flight instructors jump with the student - generally at altitudes of 3,000 meters or more above ground level - and help the student remain stable while performing a series of tasks designed to train to maintain stability in free fall and to open the parachute correctly.

In the tandem training program, a double parachute harness is used, capable of supporting two parachutists (the student positioned in front of the instructor), thus the student being introduced to what it means to skydive under the direct control of an experienced instructor.

Other parachute sports

There are other forms of sport parachuting that do not use an aircraft as a launching platform.

One such sport is paragliding, in which the pilot caught in a harness connected to a parachute launches from a high place and descends using air currents.

In parasailing, the parachute is connected by a long cable to a boat or a land vehicle, and the forward movement of the vehicle takes the parachute and its pilot high into the sky.

Finally, in BASE (acronym for building, antenna, span, earth), the skydiver jumps from a very high point, such as a building, a bridge or a cliff, rather than from an airplane.

We must note that given the relatively low altitudes from which the jump takes place, it will have a much higher level of risk than in the case of other parachute sports. For this reason and because of the risk of injuring pedestrians on the ground, BASE is generally an illegal activity.

The first steps in parachuting

Skydiving seems like a thrilling activity, or even scary at first, but overcoming this fear will be the biggest step you can take to succeed in living your first skydiving experience.

After overcoming the feeling of fear, the path that most skydivers follow is tandem skydiving, where you will be connected with an experienced instructor, who will do most of the work; no previous experience is necessary. There are spectacular places all over the world, where you can enjoy skydiving at relatively low prices for how memorable this experience will be.

What do you need to know before the first jump?

Although in the skydiving centers you will always receive detailed information about what you have to do, it is still good to know a few things beforehand.

breath

One of the most common preconceived ideas about skydiving is that you can't breathe. Which is completely wrong, because during the skydiving experience you can breathe perfectly, even at extreme speeds, such as 300 km/h.

Safety

Skydiving is an aerial sport, and safety measures must always be the number one priority. At first you will probably live with the impression that parachuting is dangerous, but it is one of the safest extreme sports, with far fewer deaths than those caused by car accidents.

The conversation

It will not be possible to talk to other parachutists while skydiving, because you will not be able to cover the noise of the wind, but you will still be able to communicate with the operator.

What equipment do you need for skydiving?

It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the equipment you will use, before making a jump. Most of the equipment will be provided in the skydiving centers, but it is not a bad idea to have your own cool overalls, especially if this sport is among your passions.

Parachute

The parachute is the equipment that will keep you in the air. Parachutes come in different sizes, but beginners generally jump with wider and slower ones to minimize the impact of landing. All parachutists jump with two parachutes, one main and one spare, as a safety measure.

AAL

The AAD is an "automatic activation device" that will automatically deploy the parachute if you or the instructor cannot open it manually in the event of unconsciousness. The AAD monitors the altitude and descent speed, then triggers at a certain height, guaranteeing a safe landing.

Coverall

There are many overalls designed for certain skydiving activities. Most skydiving centers offer such a suit upon request.

altimeter

Altimeters are a useful way to measure your altitude in the sky. Experienced skydivers do not always use an altimeter, because they can estimate the altitude at which they are.

Goggles and helmet

Safety glasses are essential when skydiving. Goggles protect your eyes from the wind and it's nice to see clearly while free falling at about 200 km/h. The helmet is also essential, because it protects your head especially when leaving the plane and landing.

Tips for preparing to jump with a parachute

Parachuting is definitely a challenge, but when you are fully prepared, it won't be a difficult one. And in order to prepare adequately, below are some tips that will improve your skydiving experience.

Have breakfast

It is important to have a healthy and moderate breakfast before jumping. An empty stomach amplifies the emotional state, which you will have anyway. You can also take some snacks with you in the drop zone.

Wear the right gear

If you jump with loose clothing, you will definitely experience the cold weather at higher altitudes. It would be best to wear a fitted jumpsuit. Try not to negotiate the equipment that is recommended to you.

Film the jump

Skydiving will probably be one of the most interesting experiences you can have. Although skydiving centers usually also offer registration services, you can take your own camera with you just for the scenery.

Sleep well

You must be well rested before the skydiving experience. A good night's sleep will reduce your stress level, stimulating your mood and attention to jumping.

What is the best time for skydiving?

Skydiving is possible and fun in every season in different parts of the world. Winters can be a bit more difficult, because at higher altitudes the air is much colder than the temperature on the ground.

There are beautiful landscapes at every time of the year, but many of these landscapes depend on the location, making parachuting a unique experience for the part of the world where you decide to experience this sport. You can have a spectacular skydiving experience in Dubai on a perfectly clear sky or in the endless Arabian Gulf or in Kayseri, Turkey, with an amazing snowy mountain in the background.

In general, the best time of day for skydiving is in the morning. The sun is much milder and is much more likely to enhance the beauty of the landscapes, compared to hot afternoons.

The best places in the world for skydiving

There are many wonderful places in the world where you can try skydiving and where you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience. Here are some of the top locations.

Cluj

One of the most beautiful and visited cities in Romania, Cluj offers skydiving enthusiasts or those who want to try this sport for the first time, a unique skydiving experience. The views of the city and the surroundings will take your breath away and make you enjoy every moment in the air.

Dubai

Dubai is one of the most popular places in the world where you can experience skydiving. There are many skydiving centers with different concepts and landscapes in the city. In Dubai, indoor skydiving is even possible, thanks to the world's first double vertical wind tunnel.

Northern Cyprus

Skydiving in North Cyprus is a thrilling experience. You can jump from the plane almost 4 kilometers above the ground, with a speed of 200 km/h. The natural beauty of Northern Cyprus, with its clean and endless sea and green land, will turn skydiving into a visual experience.

London

London is one of the most famous skydiving destinations in Europe, with millions of skydivers visiting the metropolis every year. The city has many world-class instructors and you can enjoy a free fall of up to 80 seconds, even for the first time!

Barcelona

Barcelona is a very well-organized coastal city, and one of the greatest pleasures of visitors is to see it from above, in all its splendor.

Rotterdam

The second largest city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam is absolutely charming. If you have this city as your city break destination, don't miss the skydiving centers here. You will be part of an amazing and different activity, ideal even for beginners.

Kayseri

Turkey is one of the most popular destinations in the world, with many skydiving sites accompanied by amazing historical or natural landscapes. The ideal locations for skydiving are located in different parts of the country and all promise adventures at reasonable prices for nature lovers who want to try skydiving.
Kayseri, located in the central part of Turkey, is the most famous skydiving place in the country. The city is built at the foot of Mount Erciyes and offers spectacular landscapes in the winter season.