You're gathering your courage and deciding to experience the adrenaline rush of skydiving, an achievement you won't regret! This activity, described by many as a life-changing experience, is famous yet remains mysterious in terms of technicalities. Whether you choose to jump near London, at Headcorn, in the Scottish Highlands or elsewhere, all the skydiving options in the UK offer different landscapes, but the experience is roughly the same, as is the height.

Parachute jump during sunrise



The altitude at which we skydive is generally linked to the type of jump we're doing, whether tandem, training, etc. We'll therefore begin by discussing the tandem experience, as it's the most widespread activity.


At What Altitude Do We Jump During a Tandem Skydive?


in full free fall during a jump in tandem



During a tandem jump, altitude comes into play at two key moments of the jump: freefall and parachute deployment.

Indeed, after a flight lasting about twenty minutes, the plane reaches an altitude of 4,000 m. From this height, the instructor and jumper, attached to each other, can begin their freefall, which lasts just under a minute at a speed of 200 km/h. The parachute deploys once the pair reaches 1,500 m, allowing for a more leisurely descent and giving jumpers time to admire unique aerial panoramas.

Note that freefall occurs at 4,000 m when jumping from a plane. Several skydiving schools, particularly in the UK, allow participants to jump from a helicopter above the Scottish Highlands. If you choose to jump from this propeller aircraft, your freefall begins at 7,000 m - an even more thrilling and unforgettable adventure!

opening of the parachute at an altitude of 1500 m



At What Altitude Can You Jump During Skydiving Training?

 


jump from the plane


AFF Course:


For those unfamiliar, the AFF course (Accelerated Freefall) consists of multiple jumps (5 to 15) and theoretical lessons, aiming to make the student capable of independent jumping by the end. During these training jumps, the participant jumps simultaneously with two instructors (but not attached to either) for an autonomous freefall under their supervision. For this adventure, freefall also occurs at 4,000 m. The process is similar to a tandem jump, except the jumper has more freedom.


Traditional Static Line Course: 


This is the most traditional method, as the name suggests, for learning to skydive, as it depends on mastering initial techniques to progress in this extreme sport. Consisting of multiple jumps and ground training, this course's speciality is allowing jumpers to experience freefall with a parachute that deploys automatically after a few seconds. Trainees experience freefall at 1,200 m.

Now that you know the altitude for skydiving, are you even more excited to take the plunge? Let us know in the comments and book your tandem jump among the many options available on our platform.