How to Be Professional Skydiver - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 25, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Skydiving has become a popular recreational activity for people of all ages. It offers an adrenaline rush and a chance to experience the world from a new perspective. Professional skydivers take the activity to the next level, engaging in more complex jumps and formations.

By doing so, they hone their skills and are able to take on more intricate challenges. As a result, they become more confident and comfortable with the sport, which leads to greater skill and safety. professional skydivers often work together in teams, helping to build camaraderie and trust among the members.

This collaboration allows them to plan and execute complex jumps while keeping everyone safe. the higher level of skill and safety that professional skydivers achieve leads to an even greater sense of accomplishment and enjoyment when they complete a jump.

Steps How to Become

Get a Skydiving License. The first step to becoming a professional skydiver is to obtain a skydiving license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). To do this, you will need to pass a written test and demonstrate proficiency in skydiving techniques.
Attend a Skydiving School. Once you have obtained your license, the next step is to attend a skydiving school to hone your skills. A reputable school will provide instruction on safety, navigation, body positioning, canopy handling, and other important skills.
Become an Experienced Skydiver. After completing your skydiving school, youll need to log some time in the sky. Most professional skydivers have logged hundreds of jumps before they become certified instructors or professional performers.
Get Certified. Once you have gained enough experience, you can apply for a certification as a professional skydiver. This certification is issued by the United States Parachute Association (USPA). The USPA has several levels of certification, including instructor, coach, and performer.
Find Employment. Once youre certified, you can start looking for employment opportunities in the skydiving industry. There are many different types of jobs available, such as working at a skydiving center, being an instructor, performing in shows, and more.

The path to becoming a professional skydiver is a long one, requiring dedication and hard work. To become skilled and qualified, aspiring skydivers must obtain extensive training, become certified, and gain experience. Training starts with an introductory course that teaches the basics of skydiving, such as equipment knowledge, safety protocols, and basic parachuting maneuvers.

Afterward, skydivers must pass a written test and complete additional training to become licensed and certified. This includes completing a minimum number of jumps, mastering advanced maneuvers, and meeting other requirements set by the United States Parachute Association (USPA). Finally, in order to become a professional skydiver, one must gain extensive experience by completing hundreds of jumps and participating in competitions.

Becoming a professional skydiver takes commitment and perseverance, but the rewards are worth it.

You may want to check BASE Jumper, Formation Skydiver, and Canopy Piloting Instructor for alternative.

Job Description

Plan and execute skydiving jumps, providing instruction to new skydivers and assessing the performance of experienced jumpers
Monitor the weather conditions and maintain records of jumps
Perform pre- and post-jump inspections of skydiving equipment
Communicate with other skydivers and air traffic control personnel to ensure safety
Provide first aid and emergency medical care for injured jumpers
Teach students basic parachuting techniques and safety procedures
Show students how to use parachuting equipment
Demonstrate freefall techniques to experienced jumpers
Monitor beginners throughout their first jumps
Inspect landing sites for hazards and make sure they are suitable for skydiving
Participate in promotional activities to increase the popularity of skydiving

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to read and interpret weather forecasts and conditions.
High level of physical fitness and strength.
Ability to make quick decisions and respond quickly to changing conditions.
Knowledge of safety protocols and procedures.
Knowledge of skydiving techniques, equipment, and terminology.
Ability to multitask and manage several tasks simultaneously.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and nonverbal.
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
Ability to work well with a team as well as independently.
Ability to follow directions and perform detailed work.

Having the right skills is essential for a successful career as a professional skydiver. One of the most important skills is mental resilience. A skydiver must be comfortable with the idea of taking risks and pushing their boundaries.

Mental resilience also helps to stay focused on the task at hand, despite any distractions or external pressures. Physical fitness is also essential for a professional skydiver, as it allows them to stay agile in the air and move quickly to avoid potential hazards. Good physical coordination and strength are also key, as they help a skydiver to maintain their balance while free-falling, and to land safely and on target.

skydivers need to possess excellent spatial awareness and knowledge of the environment, to avoid obstacles and adjust their descent accordingly. Having an understanding of weather patterns and wind speed can also be beneficial, so that the skydiver can plan their jump accordingly. Finally, having strong communication skills is essential for a professional skydiver, as they must be able to work in tandem with other team members, and convey instructions clearly and concisely.

Skydiver Load Organizer, Skydiving Risk Manager, and Recreational Skydiver are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in skydiving?
How often do you skydive?
What is your preferred skydiving discipline?
What safety protocols do you follow while skydiving?
What is your experience with coaching and instructing others in skydiving?
How comfortable are you with working with a wide range of skydiving equipment?
Are you comfortable working in a variety of weather conditions?
Are you able to work independently and in teams?
How do you handle challenging situations while skydiving?
Are you able to travel to different locations for skydiving events and competitions?

Common Tools in Industry

Parachute. A large canopy designed to slow a skydiver's descent and assist in landing. (eg: Parachute with a rectangular canopy and three rings)
Altimeter. A device that measures altitude, typically worn on the wrist or helmet. (eg: Digital Altimeter with audible warnings)
Helmet. A protective headgear designed to reduce the risk of injury during a skydive. (eg: Full-face helmet with adjustable straps)
Goggles. A type of eye protection worn by skydivers to protect their eyes from wind and debris during freefall. (eg: Mirrored Goggles with UV protection)
Logbook. A document that records the details of skydives, including date, location, and type of jump. (eg: Spiral-bound Logbook with waterproof pages)
Jump Suit. A jumpsuit worn for skydiving, typically to improve aerodynamics and provide warmth during freefall. (eg: Ripstop Nylon Jumpsuit with integral harness)
Rigging Tools. Specialized tools used to assemble and maintain skydiving equipment. (eg: Ratcheting Rigging Tool with interchangeable bits)
AAD (Automatic Activation Device). A safety device designed to automatically open a parachute if a skydiver is unable to do so themselves. (eg: Cypres 2 AAD with dual deployment capability)

Professional Organizations to Know

United States Parachute Association (USPA)
International Skydiving Commission (ISC)
World Freefall Convention (WFC)
International Bodyflight Association (IBA)
Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI)
International Association of Licenced Parachutists (IALPA)
British Parachute Association (BPA)
Canadian Sport Parachuting Association (CSPA)
Australian Parachute Federation (APF)
USPA International Competitions Committee (ICC)

We also have Skydiving Equipment Technician, Skydiver Record Keeper, and Skydiving Center Manager jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Parachute. A device used by skydivers to slow their descent and provide a safe landing.
Freefall. The period of time during a skydive when the skydiver is in the air and not using their parachute.
Altitude. The height of a skydiver above the ground.
Canopy. The main part of the parachute that catches the air and slows the skydiver's descent.
Deployment. The act of opening a parachute while in freefall.
Aerobatics. Refers to performing stunts or tricks while in freefall or with a canopy.
Relative Work. Refers to two or more skydivers working together in freefall, often performing stunts or tricks.
Packing. The art of folding and arranging a parachute before a skydive.
Skydiving Gear. The equipment used by skydivers during a jump, such as harnesses, helmets, altimeters, and parachutes.
Wind Tunnel Flying. A type of skydiving where the skydiver flies inside a wind tunnel instead of jumping from an aircraft.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are required to skydive professionally?

Generally speaking, professional skydivers require at least two people in order to skydive safely: a pilot to fly the aircraft and a certified skydiving instructor to oversee the jump.