In this installment of our go skydiving guide we look at static line jumps.
In static line skydiving, you have a line pre-attached to the pack on your back which contains your parachute, which pulls the parachute open automatically as you leave 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).
Instructors will be in the plane with you prior to your jump and will ensure that the line mechanism is attached properly but they don’t exit the plane with you. Normally though, as you descend, you’ll typically be in two-way radio contact with an instructor on the ground who will provide directions on landing.
While the static line automatically deploys the parachute, jumpers still need to learn how to exit the plane, how to steer the chute and how to land safely. They also need to know how to release the reserve parachute in case of emergency. This training usually takes roughly half a day.
Static line jumping tends to be cheaper than other forms of jumping as it requires only a few hours of training and each instructor can train a small group of students at the one time. Prices will vary depending on the location of the skydiving school and whether the jumps are paid for singly or in blocks.
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.