How High Are Skydiving Jumps?

Guess what? That’s a bigger question than you think it is. Most skydiving centers here in the US jump from an altitude of around 10,000 feet. That’s about 1.9 miles. Sounds like a lot, right? Well: What if we told you that 10,000 feet is pretty much the bare minimum to get your tandem skydiving freefall on? ‘Cause it is.

It takes 1,483 feet to reach terminal velocity (120MPH), which takes 12 seconds. Falling at 120MPH, you move at 176 ft/sec. For reasons of safety, United States Parachute Association regulations require that tandem skydiving parachutes be deployed no lower than 5,000 feet. So from 10,000 to 5,000 feet–minus the time it takes you to get up to speed–you have about 20 freefall seconds left on the clock before opening. It feels like a flashbulb going off.

From 13,500 feet–a pretty normal opening altitude for a dropzone with a larger, more powerful plane, those numbers look better. From this altitude, you’ll enjoy around a minute of freefall time. That’ll give you enough time to look around and marvel at the world below.

But if you really want to experience something special, you’ve gotta aim even higher.

If you’re joining us at Skydive Tecumseh, you should know that we’re special. When it comes to skydiving altitude, we’re really special. Here’s why: We’re the only drop zone in the entire US to jump from 18,000 feet. Not many skydivers in the world have experienced what it’s like to jump from eighteen grand. When you land, you’ll be part of a pretty elite cadre! The extra altitude will add twenty whole seconds to your skydive, so by the time you land, you’ll feel like you really have a handle on this “freefall” thing. If you’re an experienced skydiver, you already know what extra altitude means: SO MUCH TIME to turn those points, workshop that transition and dial in the ideal body position. For any skydiver, student and experienced alike, extra altitude is pure magic.

There’s another cool element at play here, that’s supplemental oxygen. Because 18,000 feet is above the point where commercial aircraft need to pressurize their cabins, we need to get that 02 flowin’. It works a little differently in a skydiving aircraft than it does in Economy Class: Here, you’ll be wearing an oxygen mask. It’s a super-novel experience that many skydivers insist makes them feel like an astronaut or a fighter pilot. (No matter how it makes you feel, oxygen-mask-on-the-plane selfies are reliable social hits.)

Are you ready for 18,000 feet?

Are you ready to experience America’s highest altitude skydive? Book your 18,000’ skydive with us today! Book online now or contact one of our team and we’ll be happy to get you a-way up there with a smile on your face.