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 |  | Wind Tunnel: $20-$20 Per Minute |  | Tandem Jump: $100-$260 |  | Accelerated Free Fall Training: $1,500-$2,500 |
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The cost of skydiving or parachuting varies according to the type of training, location and whether the jump is a once in a lifetime event or the participant plans to become a frequent jumper.
Typical costs: |
- Tandem[1] jumping typically costs $100-$260, depending on location and takes about an hour of training after signing a multi-page waiver. The student is harnessed to a professional skydiver who controls all aspects of the dive from the plane, through the five minutes of falling to landing. Static-line[2] jumps require 4-5 hours of training and cost about $85-$190 per jump. The student makes the dive alone; however, a line attached from the plane to the diver's pack opens the chute and the student drifts to the ground.
- Accelerated Free Fall[3] costs about $250 for the first jump, depending on location, and is a common first step for jumpers wishing to attain skydiving "A" licensed status. Seven levels of AFF training costs about $1,500-$2,500, depending on location and typically includes 7-10 jumps. It takes about 10-15 jumps for the student to be cleared to dive without supervision and about 25 jumps to earn an "A" license.
- Jump tickets for licensed skydiving enthusiasts cost about $18-$35 per jump, depending on the drop zone location. This covers the cost of the ride to altitude. No equipment is included.
- Wind tunnels[4] are one way to experience the sensation of parachuting without the inherent dangers. Virtual or indoor skydiving in a wind tunnel costs about $20-$30 per minute.
Related articles: Bungee Jumping, Whitewater Rafting
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What should be included: |
- Training varies according to the type of skydiving involved, but in each case all equipment, jumpsuit, instruction and the ride to altitude are included. While the student is harnessed to the instructor during tandem jumping, AFF dives are completed as two unconnected instructors hold either side, guiding the novice through parachute deployment. An all-day private or semi-private session occurs prior to the first AFF jump.
Additional costs: |
- While not mandatory, tipping the instructor is often appreciated and costs about $20-$40, depending on location and price of jump.
- Videos of the jump cost about $60-$100, depending on location; photos cost $20-$100 or more depending on location and photo sizes. The cost covers more than the price of the film as the photographer must leap from the plane at the same time as the student. In tandem jumps, the instructor may wear a wrist-mounted video camera.
- Renting student-level parachute and rigging costs about $20-$25, depending on location, after the jumper is certified to dive unsupervised. Purchasing gear[5] costs about $5,000-$9,000, depending on manufacturer and typically includes the main and reserve canopies, altimeter, goggles and helmet.
Discounts: |
- Buying a group package of four or more typically reduces the per person cost by $10 or save up to $20 each for groups of 18 or more.
- At many locations receive $10-$20 off for paying cash, active military or if a student.
- Weekday jumps typically cost about $10 per jump less than on the weekend.
Shopping for skydiving: |
- Find a drop zone by state through the US Parachute Association, an independent organization recognized by the Federal Aviation Association. Companies belonging to the USPA have pledged to follow all regulations governing skydiving. Pilots and parachute riggers are certified by the FAA.
- The USPA also has copies of the USPA Skydiver's Information Manual[6] available online.
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External Resources: |
- www.skydiving.com/tandem-skydiving.php
- www.skydivingcenter.net/Static_Line.html
- www.uspa.org/BecomeaSkydiver/ChooseaMethod/tabid/65/Default.aspx
- www.skydivingmagazine.com/windtunl.htm
- www.uspa.org/Portals/0/Downloads/Newsletters/Buying%20Gear%20Jan%2009.pdf
- www.uspa.org/SIM/tabid/161/Default.aspx
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