How High Are Skydiving Jumps?

TL;DR 

Tandem skydivers usually exit from 9,000 to 14,000 feet, with the global average being 10,000 feet. The type of airplane, operational costs, and airspace regulations affect the altitude from which skydivers jump. At Skydive Orange, we usually exit from 13,500 feet with our super speedy Twin Otter airplane.

How high are you in the sky when you skydive? In this article, we’re going to talk about a topic that’s near and dear to the hearts of skydivers everywhere! ALTITUDE. If you’ve never made a skydive before, it’s likely that you’ve not given too much thought about how high you’ll be jumping from, but this is a factor that you should consider because the higher the skydive, the more freefall you get to enjoy (and freefall is the fun part)! 

So let’s get right to it … Here’s everything you’ve ever wanted to know about skydiving height, with data up to date for 2025.

How High Are You When You Skydive? 

Tandem skydiving pairs usually exit between 9,000 and 14,000 feet. Larger skydiving operations that fly turbine aircraft usually will drop skydivers between 13,000 and 14,000 feet – especially when there are AFF (Accelerated Freefall) skydiving students on the load who need all the altitude they can get to practice what they’ve learned.

The type of plane affects the altitude because they have different speeds and engine capabilities. One of the most popular skydiving planes is a Cessna 182, which is a smaller, single-engine plane that can only really reach 10,000 feet efficiently. The popularity of the Cessna 182 is a big reason why 10,000 feet is the most common exit altitude among skydiving dropzones globally.

Higher altitude jumps can be made; however, in addition to requiring larger turbine aircraft, jumps made above 15,000 feet also require the use of oxygen to avoid hypoxia. Beyond airplanes, once you get your skydiving B-License, you can jump from different altitudes out of specialty aircraft, like a hot air balloon!

How High Do Skydivers Jump From at Skydive Orange?

Skydive Orange is fortunate to have the Rolls-Royce of skydiving aircraft – the prized deHavilland Twin Otter!! (She’s a beaut!) Because this 22-passenger, twin-engine is such a beast (don’t let the cute name fool you), we routinely drop skydivers from 13,500 feet. 

How Long Is Freefall? 

A parachute jump altitude of 13,500 feet will yield up to a minute of freefall. If in a belly-to-earth falling position, the first thousand feet usually lasts 10 seconds. As a skydiver builds speed and reaches terminal velocity, the descent rate is approximately six seconds for every thousand feet! (That’s pretty fast!)

There are a number of factors that affect freefall time, such as body position, weight, and altitude of deployment. For example, body positions that present less surface area into the wind will enable the skydiver to fall faster. More weight generally translates into a shorter freefall time, given that lighter loads are more affected by air resistance.

On your first jump at Skydive Orange, you can expect a 10 to 15-minute plane ride in our Twin Otter to 13,500 feet. Then, you’ll enjoy 45 to 60 seconds of freefall in the belly-to-earth position, followed by a few minutes of canopy flight until we bring you right back to the airport.

Most Common Exit Altitudes at a Glance

What is the Best Skydiving Altitude? 

What height gives you the best skydiving experience? Most skydivers will say that the best skydiving altitude is between 13,000 and 14,000 feet because this altitude allows for more freefall time without needing supplemental oxygen. Going to a higher altitude (beyond 15,000 feet) requires more preparation, the use of oxygen, a longer flight time, and it’s generally more expensive.

Consider these altitude factors when booking your skydive: cost, freefall time, and aircraft climb. If you want to maximize freefall time and don’t care about other factors, choose the highest altitude available. If you want the best well-rounded experience without spending extra money, you’ll be happy with 13,000 to 14,000 feet.What is High Altitude Skydiving?

Is a 15,000 foot skydive high altitude? Yes, compared to the average exit altitude, 15,000 feet is high. In fact, it has its own term: High Altitude Low Opening, or HALO jump. (However, the record for the highest tandem skydive is set at 42,917.2 feet, so high altitude is relative!) 

Any jump above 15,000 feet requires the use of oxygen and is considered a high altitude skydive. Supplemental oxygen is needed because of our physiology; the risks of hypoxia are too high with the thinner air above 15,000 feet. 

Another risk with high-altitude skydives is the cold the higher up you go. It’s vital to wear proper gear to keep warm and retain use and feeling in your hands and legs to deploy and land the parachute.

What is Skydiving at Low Altitude?

Can you parachute from 1,500 feet? Only in serious emergency situations. Even the most advanced skydivers cannot get a waiver for permission to purposefully jump below 2,000 feet. 

How about a little higher, then – can you skydive from 3,000 feet? Today, the lowest altitude that most civilian skydivers jump from is 3,000 feet. For tandem skydiving, the lowest industry standard exit altitude is between 7,500 and 8,000 feet, but this usually results in very little time spent in free fall.

The minimum altitudes are set with safety in mind. More altitude allows a jumper to respond to a malfunction. Plus, it’s more fun to jump from higher up so you can enjoy the thrill of freefall!

What is Deployment or “Pull” Altitude? 

Deployment altitude is the predetermined altitude at which a skydiver deploys the main parachute. The industry standard for tandem skydiving is considered to be between 5,000 and 6,000 feet above ground level. Licensed skydivers usually deploy or “pull” their parachutes at or above 3,000 feet.

How Do Skydivers Know Their Altitude? 

Skydivers use a couple of different tools to determine their altitude during a skydive. Firstly, the majority of skydivers use a wrist-mounted altimeter (which looks like an oversized wristwatch). The altimeter measures barometric pressure and speed in order to give the skydiver the correct altitude reading. 

Additionally, skydivers also use audible altimeters. Audible altimeters are mounted within the helmets of skydivers and give off different beeping sounds at different altitudes to alert the skydiver of their height. This helps a skydiver to maintain “altitude awareness.” Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How high do you go when you skydive tandem?

It depends on the location of the dropzone and the type of airplane they fly, but usually between 10,000’ and 14,000’ feet. At Skydive Orange, we jump from 13,500 feet.

When learning to skydive, how high do you parachute from? 

The most modern form of skydiver training used today is AFF. Unlike the static line training method (which offers minimal to no freefall time), skydiving students learn to skydive from full exit altitude – which is 13,500 feet at Skydive Orange.

Does the height of a parachute jump affect safety?

Yes. Extremely low altitude skydives (below 3,000 feet) limit the time to respond to any malfunctions, while high altitude skydives (above 15,000 feet) require supplemental oxygen to address risks of hypoxia.

How does weather affect exit altitude?

The Federal Aviation Administration sets limitations when it comes to jumping through clouds, so if there’s a lot of cloud cover at 12,000’, we’ll need to jump at a lower altitude to stay below the clouds, where we can have a clear view. 

What happens if the plane can’t reach its planned altitude because of weather or airspace restrictions?

If the restriction is temporary, the plane will usually circle for a few minutes until it can climb again. If not, but the plane can still reach a safe altitude to allow for a fun skydive, jumpers will just be released slightly lower. Otherwise, the plane may land and allow jumpers to try again when the airspace is clear.

And Now You Know!!! 

And now you know more than most about skydiving altitudes! If you want to keep learning, here are some helpful resources about skydiving planes and altitudes:

• United States Parachute Association Skydivers’ Information Manual
• Information about the De Havilland Twin Otter
• More about hypoxia and skydiving

If you’d like to experience the very best skydiving has to offer, we invite you to make a skydive with us here at Skydive Orange – book your jump today! Blue skies!