Can You Skydive From A Hot Air Balloon?

TL;DR

Yes – you can skydive from a hot air balloon, but it’s a different ride: silent ascent, lower exit altitudes into dead air, and drifted landings. Tandem hot air balloon jumps are rare, and licensed jumpers typically need at least a USPA A – often a B license – to skydive from a hot air balloon.

The Allure of Hot Air Balloon Skydiving

Imagine drifting silently above the countryside, the hiss of the burner the only sound breaking the morning calm. Suddenly, the peace gives way to pure adrenaline as you step over the edge of the basket and instantly enter into freefall. That’s the magic of a hot air balloon skydive – serenity and intensity, back-to-back.

Yes, you can skydive from a hot air balloon! But it’s not quite the same as leaping from an airplane. From the quiet ascent to the unique exit, balloon jumps deliver a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thrill. In this article, we’ll cover everything about skydiving and hot air balloons: a bit of history, how the process works, what makes it different from traditional skydiving, the rules and requirements of jumping from a balloon, and cover some frequently asked questions. Let’s go!

A Brief History of Skydiving & Hot Air Balloons

Skydiving and hot air balloons have been linked since the very beginning of human flight! In fact, the earliest recorded parachute jumps took place not from airplanes, but from balloons. 

In 1797, André-Jacques Garnerin made history in Paris when he ascended beneath a hydrogen balloon and leapt with a frameless parachute of his own design. Crowds watched as he drifted safely to earth, marking the first public demonstration of parachuting.

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, balloon jumps were the main way parachutists practiced and performed, often thrilling spectators at fairs and exhibitions. It wasn’t until after World War I, with the rise of aircraft and military parachuting, that airplanes became the dominant platform for skydiving.

So, why is hot air balloon skydiving less common than airplane skydiving today? Hot air balloons are heavily weather-dependent, carry only a few people at a time, and climb to lower altitudes than airplanes. This makes scheduling and logistics more complicated – and also part of what makes a balloon jump so special and unique.

How a Hot Air Balloon Skydive Works

A balloon jump begins much like a traditional hot air balloon ride. After a safety briefing with your instructor (if tandem) and balloon pilot, you’ll watch as the balloon inflates and gently lifts off the ground. From the very first moment, the experience feels different from skydiving from an airplane.

The Ascent

Instead of the roar of engines and the rush of wind through the open door, the climb is calm and quiet. The only sounds are the burner’s occasional blast and the hushed conversations in the basket. The landscape stretches out beneath you in near silence – a peaceful prelude to the adrenaline to come.

The Exit

At altitude, the biggest difference reveals itself: there’s no “relative wind.” When you jump from an airplane moving at 80–100 knots, the slipstream immediately presses against you, giving stability and the sensation of floating. 

From a hot air balloon, you’re stepping into dead air – no wind, no pressure, just gravity. It feels like the stomach-dropping plunge of a rollercoaster as you accelerate straight down until you accelerate to terminal velocity.

Freefall or Hop & Pop

Because balloons usually fly at lower altitudes than airplanes, many balloon jumps are “hop and pops,” where the parachute is deployed almost immediately. If the balloon climbs higher (8,000-10,000 feet or more), you’ll get a short freefall before opening. Either way, the canopy ride tends to be longer and more scenic, giving you time to soak in the rare perspective.

The Landing

One more difference: the landing zone. Airplanes always drop skydivers over a defined area near the dropzone, but balloons drift with the wind. That means the landing spot can vary with every jump, and skydivers must be ready to adapt, sometimes touching down in open fields away from the main landing area. This unpredictability adds another layer of adventure – and showcases just how skilled instructors and balloon pilots need to be to make the experience smooth.

Quick Comparison: Balloon vs. Airplane Skydiving

Skydiving from a hot air balloon is an entirely different experience than jumping from an airplane. Both deliver the thrill of freefall and the beauty of flight, but the atmosphere, logistics, and sensations set them apart.

Hot Air Balloon Skydiving: Rules & Requirements

Just like with any skydive, there are rules and requirements for making a skydive from a hot air balloon. Our top priority is safety, always. 

In the United States, skydiving operations are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Those who elect into membership of the USPA (United States Parachute Association) – like Skydive Orange – must also follow their strict guidelines. Balloon skydives fall under these same regulations.

Tandem Skydivers

Most first-timers get introduced to skydiving through a traditional tandem airplane jump. Opportunities for a tandem jump from a hot air balloon are super rare. Regardless of which way you get to altitude, the rules are the same:

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old (no exceptions, per USPA regulations).
• Weight: Most dropzones set a weight limit around 220-240 lbs for tandem skydives. (At Skydive Orange, our standard weight limit is 220 lbs for tandem skydiving.)
• Health: You should be in reasonably good health, with no serious conditions.

Licensed Skydivers

For a solo skydiver to try to jump from a balloon, they must demonstrate that they know what they’re doing! 

• USPA A License or B License: Most dropzones require at least a USPA A license to jump from a balloon. Some require a B license, especially if the landing zones are particularly variable.
• Hop & Pop Proficiency: You must be comfortable with stable exits and instant canopy deployment.
• Off-DZ Landing Skills: Many DZs prefer or require jumpers to have solid canopy accuracy and comfort landing in unfamiliar areas.

Why Don’t Hot Air Balloons Have Parachutes?

Hot air balloons don’t carry parachutes for passengers because they’re not designed for rapid descent or emergency evacuation. Balloons move slowly, operate under strict weather conditions, and are flown at relatively low altitudes by licensed pilots. 

Safety relies on controlled navigation, gradual descents, and backup systems like onboard fuel and trained ground crews – not parachutes. In the rare case of an issue, the pilot can vent hot air and bring the balloon down successfully. Parachutes are not necessary.

Which Is Safer, Skydiving or Hot Air Ballooning?

Both activities come with risks, though they are managed differently. Hot air balloons move slowly, fly in carefully selected weather, and rely on the pilot’s skill to land smoothly. Skydiving involves more variables – freefall, parachute deployment, and landing – but is also supported by layers of regulation, specialized equipment, and highly trained instructors. 

Rather than saying one is safer than the other, it’s more accurate to note that each has its own risk profile, and both are closely overseen by organizations like the FAA and USPA to keep those risks as low as possible.

Ready to Fly?

Flying through the sky is a dream-come-true experience! Book a tandem jump with us, or learn to skydive solo with our phenomenal team of super passionate pros. We can’t wait to fly with you! Blue skies.