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

Apr 16, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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Skydiving and riding are two extreme sports that attract adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers alike. Skydiving involves jumping out of an aircraft and free-falling through the air, while riding can be done on any type of terrain and requires a great deal of skill and risk-taking. Both of these activities can have serious consequences if they are not done properly.

The most common cause of injury or death in skydiving is due to improper equipment or human error, such as not using a parachute or failing to check the equipment for safety before jumping. Similarly, riders must be extremely careful when selecting the terrain, as well as the type of equipment used, as both can have a major impact on their safety. the weather conditions such as high winds and storms can also have a major effect on the outcome of both skydiving and riding.

Steps How to Become

Get in shape. Whether you plan to jump solo or with a tandem instructor, you'll need to be in good physical condition to become a skydiver. Make sure you meet the minimum age requirements, too.
Take a class. The United States Parachute Association (USPA) recommends that all first-time jumpers take a basic skydiving class before their first jump. This will teach you the basics of skydiving and prepare you for the experience.
Get certified. After you've taken your class, you'll need to be certified by the USPA. This means that you've met the necessary requirements and are ready to jump.
Find a drop zone. A drop zone is the place where all skydivers go to make their jumps. You can find one near you by visiting the USPA website or asking at your local airport.
Make your first jump. Now that you're certified and have found a drop zone, it's time to make your first jump! You'll need to rent gear, sign waivers, and go through the safety briefing before you can make your jump.
Practice. Once you've made your first jump, it's time to keep practicing! You can do this by making more jumps at your drop zone or by joining a skydiving club. The more experience you have, the better skydiver you'll become!

In order to stay updated and qualified as a skydiver or rider, it is important to regularly review safety protocols and complete any necessary certification and training courses. Staying up to date with industry standards, learning new techniques, and honing existing skills will ensure that any activity is conducted in a safe and responsible manner. having access to the right equipment and understanding how to properly use it is paramount to successful and safe skydiving or riding experiences.

Finally, any skydiver or rider should always make sure they understand weather patterns and have the right gear for the conditions theyll be facing. By taking all of these measures, skydivers and riders can stay up to date and qualified while enjoying their activity in a safe and responsible way.

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Job Description

Skydiving Instructor: Responsible for teaching the fundamentals of skydiving and ensuring the safety of students.
Skydiving Tandem Master: Responsible for supervising tandem skydives and ensuring the safety of the student and instructor.
Skydiving Load Organizer: Responsible for organizing skydive loads and ensuring the safety of all jumpers.
Skydiving Video Instructor: Responsible for teaching students the basics of skydiving videography and providing instruction on capturing skydive footage.
Skydiving Photographer: Responsible for capturing high-quality photos of skydiving jumps and editing them for use in marketing materials.
Skydiving Gear Technician: Responsible for inspecting, maintaining, and repairing skydiving gear and equipment.
Skydiving Rigging Technician: Responsible for packing parachute canopies and ensuring that the gear is safe for use.
Skydiving Medical Technician: Responsible for providing medical care and administering first aid to skydivers in case of an emergency.
Skydiving Dispatcher: Responsible for coordinating skydiving jumps and ensuring that all jumpers have the necessary gear and equipment.
Skydiving Wind Tunnel Technician: Responsible for providing instruction and safety advice to wind tunnel riders, as well as maintaining and calibrating wind tunnel equipment.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to follow instruction and safety protocols
Knowledge of skydiving equipment and operations
Physical fitness and agility
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Ability to work as part of a team
Good communication skills
Excellent coordination and balance
Ability to assess risks and make quick decisions
Understanding of weather conditions and their effects on skydiving
Knowledge of basic first aid and emergency procedures

Skydiving and riding require a great deal of skill and training in order to be done safely and effectively. Skydivers need to have a thorough understanding of the principles of aerodynamics and the skill to make adjustments during the course of the dive. Riders must possess a combination of physical strength and balance as well as the ability to properly react and adjust to the environment.

The most important skill for both skydivers and riders is the ability to stay calm and focused in stressful situations. This skill is vital in order to be able to react quickly and correctly in any given situation. Furthermore, both riders and skydivers must have excellent communication skills in order to effectively communicate with their partner and the ground crew.

Finally, a good sense of judgment is important for making the right decisions in order to ensure a safe and successful dive or ride.

Hang Glider/Rider, Camel Rider, and Zip Line Rider are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with skydiving and/or riding?
How do you manage any fear or anxiety you may have about skydiving or riding?
What safety protocols do you follow when skydiving or riding?
What precautions do you take to ensure a safe skydiving or riding experience?
What techniques do you use to ensure accurate landings when skydiving or riding?
What challenges have you faced when skydiving or riding, and how did you overcome them?
How do you keep your skills sharp when skydiving or riding?
What strategies do you use to educate and mentor other skydivers or riders?
How do you stay current on industry trends and regulations?
What do you believe sets you apart as a skydiver or rider?

Common Tools in Industry

Parachute. Used to slow a skydiver's descent and provide a safe landing. (eg: Parachute Canopy)
Helmet. Protects the head of a skydiver or rider from injury if they hit the ground. (eg: Full-Face Helmet)
Harness. Secures a skydiver or rider to their parachute and allows them to control their descent. (eg: Chest Harness)
Altimeter. Measures the altitude of a skydiver or rider during their descent. (eg: Digital Altimeter)
Goggles. Protects the eyes of a skydiver or rider from the wind and sun. (eg: Anti-Fog Goggles)
AAD (Automatic Activation Device). An electronic device that automatically deploys a reserve parachute if the skydiver or rider is descending too quickly. (eg: Cypres AAD)

Professional Organizations to Know

United States Parachute Association (USPA)
International Skydiving Commission (ISC)
British Parachute Association (BPA)
World Freefall Convention (WFF)
Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI)
International Bodyflight Association (IBA)
National Skydiving League (NSL)
International Skydiving Sports Federation (ISSF)
International Parachuting Commission (IPC)
U. S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA)

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Common Important Terms

Parachute. A parachute is a device used to slow the descent of an object through the air.
Freefall. Freefall is the period of time between an object's release from a height and the commencement of the opening of a parachute or other means of deceleration.
Canopy. The canopy of a parachute is the fabric component of the parachute that provides the air resistance to slow the descent of a skydiver.
Parachuting. Parachuting is the act of jumping out of an aircraft and using a parachute to descend safely to the ground.
Skydiving. Skydiving is the recreational and competitive sport of jumping from an aircraft and free falling through the air before deploying a parachute and landing safely on the ground.
BASE Jumping. BASE Jumping is a dangerous extreme sport involving parachuting or wingsuit flying from a fixed structure or cliff.
Wingsuit Flying. Wingsuit flying is a sport that involves flying the human body through the air with the use of a wingsuit, which adds surface area to the body to enable it to glide through the air.
Canopy Piloting. Canopy Piloting is a competitive parachuting sport that involves precision flying of a parachute in close proximity to obstacles and targets, and is sometimes referred to as canopy acrobatics.
Paragliding. Paragliding is a recreational sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of aircraft is used for Skydiver/Rider?

Skydiver/Rider typically use a Cessna 172 aircraft to jump from.

How high do Skydiver/Rider usually jump from?

Skydiver/Rider typically jump from an altitude of 10,000 to 14,000 feet.

How long does a typical skydive last?

A typical freefall skydive lasts about 60 seconds, followed by a five minute parachute ride down to the ground.

What type of parachute is used for Skydiving/Riding?

Skydiver/Rider typically use a ram-air canopy parachute, which is designed for increased maneuverability and stability.

What safety measures are taken for Skydiver/Rider?

All Skydiver/Rider must use a reserve parachute, and carry an altimeter, audible altimeter and a two-way radio for communications with the pilot. All jumps are also monitored by ground staff to ensure the safety of the jumper.