Skydiving Lessons Northern Michigan

Tandem Skydiving Lessons

Over the years, the skydiving industry has evolved from the WWII days of jumping round parachutes with static line deployment systems, to modernized equipment which utilizes rectangular airfoils and computerized automatic activation devices (emergency back up only).

There are two main types of modern day skydiving which are being taught at United States parachute Association (USPA) drop zones (a.k.a – Skydiving Centers): Tandem skydiving, and the Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) program. The advent of the dual harness tandem skydiving equipment in the early to mid 80's revolutionized the sport of skydiving. It brought forth the opportunity for the 'Average Joe' to experience a thrill of a lifetime, and introducing the sport of skydiving to mainstream America. tandem skydiving allows first time students to experience free fall without having to take a daylong course, only to have to worry about opening the parachute for him or herself. Tandem skydiving is the equivalent of going to an amusement park, paying your money, and enjoying the ride!

Tandem skydiving consists of two people who use the same parachute system utilizing a dual harness system. Training for a novice takes as little as 20 minutes, as the student is briefed on the equipment, free fall position, exiting, and deployment of the main parachute. Ultimately, the instructor is in charge of the free fall, parachute deployment, and canopy ride. This is why so many people prefer tandem for their first parachuting experience. Most skydiving centers train and encourage tandem students on all aspects; yet, are not required to pull or steer the canopy. Usually the student's only requirement is to have fun!

At www.skydive4free.com, the tandem skydiving program is a fun, comfortable experience. You do not need to make any special arrangements for our tandem skydives. You must be at least 18 years of age, under 230 pounds, and be in generally good shape. For anyone thinking that they are to old to skydive, someone forgot to tell George Bush celebrating his 85th birthday, or the 96 year old man I took on his first skydive earlier this year!

Wearing athletic clothing such as shorts, sweatpants, and sneakers are highly recommended. You want to be comfortable based on the outside temperature. It may be a bit cooler up at 13, 000', and most skydiving centers will provide you with a jumpsuit, which will keep you warm.

The ride to altitude can be quite nerve-racking. Thoughts of the worst-case scenario often pop into first time student's heads; these thoughts are quite normal, as skydiving brings one to a place never experienced! As the plane ascends to the jump altitude, the instructor fastens the dual harness system together and does his last minute checks. The last minute jitters and nervous energy quickly emerges as tandem students watch jumpers exit out of the aircraft before them. Upon nearing the aircraft door and knowing that the 'moment of truth' has arrived, the tandem pair exits and quickly accelerates up to 120 m.p.h.

Freefall typically lasts between 30-60 seconds, depending on the exit altitude. The higher the exit altitude, the longer the free fall! Many first time tandem students are concerned about the stomach dropping feeling that one experiences on an elevator or a roller coaster. Contrary to popular belief, there is not a stomach dropping feeling, for the aircraft is flying through the air at 90 mph; therefore, the tandem pair is already traveling that fast prior to leaving the aircraft and gradually accelerates to 120mph.

First time skydivers are also concerned about 'opening shock' of the parachute when the deployment handle is extracted, for they have seen videos of friends where they could have sworn that they were jerked up upon opening. This effect is only because the videographer is still in freefall and filming the opening sequence, creating an illusion that the tandem pair is being jerked up. In reality, the cameraperson is merely falling away. Modern day tandem parachutes are designed to open softly, and when opened, have a gradual de-acceleration to the full opening of the tandem canopy.

The tandem canopy ride last's between 3-5 minutes offering the student spectacular view's of the surrounding area, and a chance to catch their breath! Landing can be as easy and soft as jumping off of a chair in one's house (not a high chair). Depending on the winds, combined weight of the tandem pair, and parachute manufacture all have a factor on whether the pair will stand up, or slide in on landing.

For further information on Tandem Skydiving Lessons, please visit us on the web at: www.skydive4free.com