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Last Updated on May 7, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Can You Skydive from a Hot Air Balloon?
Have you ever wanted to do something crazy, like skydiving from a hot-air balloon? If so, you’re in luck! It is possible, and all it takes is some simple steps.
Key Takeaway
Skydiving from a hot-air balloon is a unique and exhilarating experience that offers a different perspective and feeling than traditional skydiving from airplanes. However, for safety reasons, it requires a higher level of experience and certification.
Summary
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- Skydiving from a hot air balloon is possible, but requires a B or higher level skydiving license and a packing card proving recent parachute maintenance.
- Balloon jumps typically happen at lower altitudes than airplane jumps due to hot air balloon limitations.
- The lack of horizontal wind speed creates a unique sensation of freefall called “dead air exit” during the initial jump.
- Experienced skydivers enjoy the calmness and silence of the initial freefall before the wind picks up.
- Tandem jumps for first-time skydivers are uncommon for hot air balloon jumps.
Skydiving from a hot-air balloon is possible and offers a unique and exhilarating experience compared to traditional airplane jumps.
This activity merges the serene ascent of a balloon with the adrenaline-fueled thrill of freefall, providing adventurers with a novel perspective and an unforgettable skydiving adventure.
All the equipment needed for this endeavor can be found at your local hardware store or online with just a few clicks on their website.
You’ve gone skydiving before but want to change things up – if possible, rather than throwing yourself out of an airplane again, why not try exiting from a hot air balloon instead?
Yes, you can skydive from a hot air balloon, but you must have a level B or higher skydiving license. You’ll also need a packing card proving that you packed your parachute within the last six months.
Skydiving from a hot air balloon is probably one of the most exciting experiences you can have in life.
It’s not just about jumping, but also how thrilling it feels to fly as high up into the sky that your eyes will see and then fall back down again with an exhilarating twist.
Skydiving has been around for quite some time now; people jump out of airplanes or helicopters worldwide without hesitation every day.
But when they are offered this amazing opportunity while suspended under a giant red balloon, let’s just say their imaginations go wild about what could be possible next!
What is Skydiving From A Hot Air Balloon Like?
Floating in a hot air balloon high up into the sky and jumping out is an exhilarating experience! You will enjoy views of Earth from almost three miles above ground level.
The speed at which you fall when you are dropped provides more than enough time for some fantastic shots, so have your camera ready before making that big leap of faith!
Skydiving has always been one-way people like to spice up their lives with new adventures, but there are now even more benefits to this parachuting activity.
A typical skydiving jump usually starts with a plane facing forward, which creates horizontal relative wind as the jumper leaves. This quickly changes to vertical once aerodynamic drag and gravity take effect.
Skydivers going out of a hot air balloon are in for an experience that feels like falling without wind.
This is because there’s no “relative” or headwind during the freefall, which can take some time since you won’t have anything steering your body toward Earth when skydiving from this height.
The feeling of freefall is exhilarating. The dead air exit sensations are short-lived; we’ll let you know.
You’re attached to a parachute, after all, so the weightlessness of descent only lasts until you reach that specific point and open your chute for some relaxation back on land. This is just like when skydiving from a plane altitude where gravity has taken over again, even though it feels as if there’s no such thing anymore!
Most people who’ve done Skydives or BASE jumping before Dead Air Exit Sensations (DEES) know the incredible feelings during this transition phase.
These last briefly, but they feel oh so good, surrounded by nothingness while plummeting towards earth at terminal velocity – then suddenly air speed picks up, and you’re plummeting to earth.
Some might think that the most enjoyable part of a hot air balloon ride is when it finally comes time to jump out. But for me, what made my experience was hearing silence and feeling weightlessness in those first few seconds after hitting altitude.
Do You Need A License?
If you want to skydive, remember you need a license before your trip! For an experienced jumper, a single jump can cost as little as $150.
The United States Parachute Association issues these licenses, and a B license grants the most experience-filled skydiving adventures.
With skydiving’s popularity, there are many types of licenses to choose from. I’ll discuss a few different ones and how to obtain each one.
The A license is a beginner-level certification that you must take to jump out of an airplane and parachute safely back down. The course takes two days, after which the applicant needs to demonstrate their skills by jumping with coaches from various heights.
The second level of skydiving license is the B license. To get this certification, you’ll need to enroll in a canopy course and jump at least 50 times. By then, you will know plenty of landing and flying maneuvers, including water landings!
You are eligible for coaching jobs when you have over 100 jumps under your belt. In these jobs, aspiring A-license holders can talk with someone who has been through it before about what they should expect as they earn their way up the ladder.
C License Upgrade: The next step in your jumping career is the C license. With 200 jumps, you’ll be skilled enough to land within range of a target, even if that target is smaller.
With this upgrade, you can also become an instructor and do some demonstration jumps for entertainment purposes.
If you’ve progressed to your D license, congratulations. You have completed a lot of jumps for this. You first need 500 skydives before being eligible, and if you are pro-rated, that means doing demonstrations with flags or pyrotechnics.
Conditions for Skydiving from a Hot Air Balloon
- Age Requirement: Typically, one must be at least 18 years old.
- Health Criteria: Good general health, no serious medical conditions like heart problems or severe osteoporosis.
- Weight Limits: Depending on the skydiving service, the maximum limit is often around 220-240 pounds.
- Training: Completing a standard skydiving training course or tandem skydiving experience; specific briefing for hot air balloon exits.
- Equipment: Standard skydiving gear (parachute system, jumpsuit, helmet, goggles), usually rented from the service provider.
- Weather Conditions: Suitable weather, clear of strong winds and storms, as hot air balloons are highly weather-dependent.
- Legal Waivers: Signing liability waivers and possibly other legal documentation acknowledging the risks involved.
- Payment: Due to the unique experience and logistics of hot air balloon skydiving, costs can be higher than for typical airplane jumps.
- Booking: Advanced booking required; availability may be limited compared to regular skydiving.
Who Should Not Ride in a Hot Air Balloon?
It is important to recognize who should not ride in a hot-air balloon for the safety and well-being of all participants. While a serene and picturesque experience, ballooning is not suitable for everyone.
Specifically, infants and young children under 6 or under 48 inches tall are advised against riding in hot air balloons.
This restriction is primarily due to safety concerns; young children may not be able to comprehend or adhere to safety instructions, and they may find the balloon’s noise and sensation overwhelming.
Additionally, their smaller size makes standard safety restraints less effective.
Furthermore, pregnant women are also advised not to participate in hot air ballooning. The potential for bumpy landings or unforeseen complications during flight poses a risk that is not advisable to take during pregnancy.
The altitude changes, and the need for a stable environment make ballooning an activity that pregnant women should avoid to ensure their safety and that of their unborn child.
Final Words
This unique form of skydiving offers an alternative to the traditional airplane jump, presenting adventurers with a more serene and quiet platform from which to descend.
The tranquil ascent of the balloon adds to the anticipation and starkly contrasts the rush of the free-fall.
However, due to the lower altitudes at which hot air balloons operate, skydivers must be prepared for a shorter free-fall experience and deploy their parachutes earlier than when jumping from a plane.
Safety is paramount in such an endeavor, necessitating training and guidance from certified instructors.
Additionally, it is essential to recognize that weather conditions play a significant role in the feasibility of skydiving from a hot air balloon. Ideal conditions are required to ensure both a safe ascent and jump.
As such, those interested in pursuing this exhilarating activity must do so with careful planning and respect for the inherent risks involved.
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