How to Be Skydiving Flight Planner - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jul 7, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Skydiving is an exhilarating and exciting experience for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies. It requires careful planning to ensure safety, fun, and accuracy. The flight plan begins with analyzing the weather conditions, as wind and precipitation can cause dangerous turbulence and can even lead to emergency landings.

Next, the jump height must be determined, as the higher the jump, the more time skydivers have to perform skills and stunts. The skydiving location must also be studied, as it must be suitable for a safe landing. Finally, drills must be practiced in order to ensure that everyone involved knows exactly what to do during the jump.

All of these elements come together to create a successful skydiving flight plan that ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for all involved.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. To become a skydiving flight planner, you should first earn a bachelors degree in an aviation-related field. This may include aviation management, aviation science, or aeronautical engineering.
Get Certified. You must be certified in order to become a skydiving flight planner. You can obtain this certification by completing a course in skydiving flight planning, which is usually offered through community colleges or private schools.
Become Familiar with Air Regulations and Safety Procedures. As a skydiving flight planner, you must be familiar with all local and federal air regulations, as well as safety procedures. You should also be knowledgeable about the types of aircraft used in skydiving and the different types of parachutes used.
Obtain a Pilots License. To become a skydiving flight planner, you must also obtain a pilots license. You can obtain this license by completing a ground school course and passing the necessary exams.
Gain Experience. It is beneficial to have experience in the skydiving industry before becoming a skydiving flight planner. You can gain experience by attending skydiving events, participating in skydiving clubs, and working as a skydiving instructor or tandem skydiver.
Find Employment. After gaining experience, you can look for job openings as a skydiving flight planner. These positions are typically found in skydiving centers or schools. You can also search online job boards for openings in this field.

Staying ahead and qualified in skydiving requires careful and consistent planning. To remain qualified, skydivers must complete a certain number of jumps per year and also maintain a current knowledge of safety protocols, equipment maintenance, and emergency procedures. To stay ahead, skydivers must continually practice and refine their skills by participating in educational courses, attending events, and networking with other skydivers.

they should monitor their own physical fitness levels to ensure they are physically able to handle the demands of the sport. Planning is key, and by taking the necessary steps to stay ahead and qualified, skydivers can ensure a safe, enjoyable, and rewarding experience.

You may want to check BASE Jumper, Formation Skydiver, and Solo Skydiver for alternative.

Job Description

Skydiving Flight Planner: Responsible for planning and coordinating all aspects of the skydiving flight, including weather analysis, flight route selection, aircraft selection and coordination of jumpers.
Skydiving Instructor: Responsible for providing instruction and supervising student skydivers throughout their skydiving experience.
Skydiving Safety Officer: Responsible for ensuring all aspects of the skydiving experience are conducted safely, including equipment checks, pre-flight safety briefings and onsite monitoring.
Skydiving Equipment Technician: Responsible for maintaining and repairing all skydiving equipment, ensuring it is safe for use at all times.
Skydiving Logistics Officer: Responsible for organizing and managing all logistics related to the skydiving flight, including transportation, accommodation and food.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of airspace regulations and requirements
Knowledge of aircraft performance characteristics
Understanding of weather and flight conditions
Ability to assess and plan for changing weather conditions
Ability to read and interpret maps, charts, and diagrams
Ability to calculate fuel requirements, flight times, and distances
Knowledge of emergency procedures and safety protocols
Knowledge of parachuting techniques and regulations
Good problem-solving skills
Strong communication skills

An important skill to have when planning a skydiving flight is the ability to assess the weather conditions and plan accordingly. Knowing how to accurately read weather forecasts, analyze wind speed and direction, and plan accordingly is essential for a safe skydiving flight. If a pilot does not properly consider the weather, it could lead to dangerous conditions in the air, including turbulence, wind shear, and even thunderstorms.

skydivers need to understand how their altitude and body position will affect their flight path, as this can have an impact on whether they land safely. By taking into account all of these factors, skydivers can ensure that they have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Skydiving Safety Officer, Advanced Canopy Pilot, and Freefly Instructor are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in skydiving flight planning?
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest regulations and protocols for skydiving?
What methods do you use to plan safe and efficient skydiving flights?
Describe a time when you had to make a quick decision during a skydiving flight?
How do you manage multiple skydiving flights at once?
What techniques do you use to ensure skydiving safety?
How do you handle unexpected events during a skydiving flight?
Describe a time you had to adjust a flight plan due to unforeseen circumstances.
How do you manage risk when planning skydiving flights?
What strategies do you use to mitigate potential hazards associated with skydiving?

Common Tools in Industry

Skydiving Planning Software. This software helps skydivers plan the details of their flight, such as the drop zone, altitude and wind speeds. (eg: SkydivePlanner)
Risk Management System. This system helps skydivers assess the risk of a flight before they jump and provides warnings if any potential risks are identified. (eg: SkydiveRisk)
Weather Forecasting Tool. This tool helps skydivers plan their flight by providing weather forecasts and wind speed predictions. (eg: WindGuru)
Navigation System. This system helps skydivers identify their location and plan a safe route to the drop zone. (eg: SkydiveNavigator)
Flight Logging Software. This software helps skydivers track and log their flight details, such as the altitude, speed and duration of the jump. (eg: SkyLogger)

Professional Organizations to Know

United States Parachute Association (USPA)
National Aeronautic Association (NAA)
Federation Aeronautique International (FAI)
International Skydiving Commission (ISC)
British Parachute Association (BPA)
World Air Sports Federation (WASF)
International Bodyflight Association (IBA)
International Skydiving Museum (ISM)
World Freefall Convention (WFC)
International Skydiving Training Organization (ISTO)

We also have Skydiving Operations Manager, Skydiving Instructor, and Skydiver Spotter jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Drop Zone. A designated area on the ground where skydivers descend from the sky.
Exit Altitude. The altitude a skydiver plans to jump from.
Parachute Opening Altitude. The altitude at which the skydiver's parachute is deployed.
Flight Path. The route the skydiver will take from the time of exit to the ground.
Wind Speed. The speed of the wind, which affects the skydiver's flight path.
Freefall. The time period from the exit altitude to the parachute opening altitude, during which the skydiver is in freefall.
Canopy Flight. The time period from the parachute opening altitude to the ground, during which the skydiver is under canopy.
Landing Area. The area on the ground where the skydiver will land.
Weather Conditions. The conditions of the atmosphere at the drop zone, such as temperature, wind, and visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of aircraft is commonly used for skydiving?

The most common aircraft used for skydiving is the Cessna Caravan, which is a single-engine turboprop aircraft that can typically hold up to 16 passengers.

What is the minimum altitude required for a skydive?

The minimum altitude required for a skydive is 3,500 feet (1,067 meters).

How long does a typical skydive last?

A typical skydive lasts around 60 seconds of freefall, followed by a 5-7 minute descent under the parachute.

What type of safety equipment is used for skydiving?

Skydivers use a variety of safety equipment including an altimeter, a main parachute, a reserve parachute, and an Automatic Activation Device (AAD) to ensure their safety during the jump.