Learn About Skydiving : Static Line Training
We look at static line jumps in this installment of our go skydiving guide.
In static line skydiving, a line is pre-attached to the parachute pack on the jumper’s back. This static line releases the parachute automatically as the jumper leaves the plane.
Exiting at about 3,500-4,000 feet (1,067-1,220m) above the ground, though in some cases higher, the line opens the chute a few seconds after you leave the plane and your rate of descent drops from about 120 mph (193 kph) to around 10 mph (16 kph).
An instructor in the plane will check that the static line mechanism is attached properly but he or she will not exit the plane with the skydivers. However, in most cases the descending jumpers will be in two-way radio contact with an instructor on the ground who will give guidance for their landings.
While the parachute is deployed for the jumper, training is still required for this type of skydiving. The jumper must learn how to properly exit the plane and must grasp landing technique and safety measures, including deployment of the reserve parachute. This kind of training is much less involved than accelerated freefall training and usually takes about half a day.
Prices for static line jumping vary depending on the number of jumps purchased and the location of the skydiving school. However, this is often cheaper than other forms of skydiving because there is relatively little training and one instructor can train a small group of students.
As well as being the cheaper option, it also has the advantages of getting you up in the air quickly and of your being on your own from the minute you exit the plane (though some might not see the this latter point as an advantage).
But people who aim to become regular skydivers see static line jumping simply as a stepping stone. They tend to progress to accelerated freefall training and solo jumping as they want more time in freefall.
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Tags: extreme sports, skydiving, sports
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