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

Feb 17, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Traveling at speeds of up to 120 mph, skydiving is an extreme sport that brings a rush of adrenaline to participants. Skydiving can be a thrilling and rewarding experience, but it also poses risks. One of the most dangerous forms of skydiving is swooping.

During swooping, the diver dives and maneuvers around obstacles at speeds of up to 200 mph, often just feet off the ground. This increases the risk of injury or even death. To safely perform swooping, it is important for skydivers to have extensive knowledge of their equipment, the environment, and the fundamentals of the sport.

In addition, they must have the skills to navigate around obstacles while traveling at high speeds. If a skydiver does not follow the necessary safety precautions, they can suffer serious injuries such as broken bones, paralysis, and even death.

Steps How to Become

Start by researching the different types of skydiving available and decide which type of skydiving is best suited to your experience level, goals, and budget.
Contact a local skydiving center to learn more about the skydiving courses they offer and to inquire about the cost of training.
Purchase all the necessary safety equipment and clothing required for skydiving, such as a jumpsuit, helmet, goggles, and parachute.
Enroll in a skydiving course or take some lessons from a qualified instructor. During this time, you will learn basic skydiving skills such as controlling your body position in the air, packing a parachute, and using a ripcord.
Practice your skills in a wind tunnel or on an indoor skydiving simulator to gain experience without making an actual jump.
Make a few solo jumps from an airplane or helicopter to test your skills and get comfortable with the sensation of freefalling.
Once youre feeling confident and have gained some experience, you can start incorporating swooping maneuvers into your jumps.
Continue to hone your skills and work on perfecting your swooping technique until you feel comfortable performing it in front of an audience.
Join a swooping competition or arrange an exhibition to show off your new-found skills and get recognized as a swooping skydiver!

As a skydiver, it is important to keep updated and efficient in order to avoid any potential safety hazards. To achieve this, regular practice and consistency are key. staying informed on the latest safety and navigational procedures as well as current weather conditions can prevent potentially dangerous situations.

Furthermore, ensuring that all necessary equipment is in good working order and regularly inspected by a certified technician is essential for a safe and successful skydive experience. Finally, following the rules and regulations of the drop zone or skydiving center can help ensure the safety of everyone involved in the sport. By following these guidelines, a skydiver can maintain an efficient, safe and enjoyable skydiving experience.

You may want to check Skydiving Event Coordinator, Skydiving Flight Technology Specialist, and Static Line Instructor for alternative.

Job Description

Skydiving Instructor: Instructs and supervises beginner and experienced skydivers in the proper techniques and safety protocols of skydiving.
Skydiving Equipment Technician: Installs, maintains, and repairs skydiving equipment, including parachutes, harnesses, and other related accessories.
Swooping Skydiver: Performs aerial stunts and maneuvers while skydiving, such as spiraling, rolling, and looping.
Skydiving Videographer: Captures aerial video footage of skydivers in motion using specialized cameras and drones.
Aerial Acrobat: Performs daring aerial stunts and maneuvers while skydiving, such as somersaults, flips, and twists.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of skydiving safety procedures and regulations.
Proven experience in skydiving.
Ability to follow directions, communicate effectively, and work with a team.
Ability to read and interpret weather forecasts.
Physical fitness and agility to perform moves under freefall conditions.
Proficiency in the use of parachutes and related equipment.
Understanding of wind patterns and aerodynamics.
Knowledge of swooping techniques and safety practices.
Ability to quickly assess risks and make decisions in high-stress situations.
Good hand-eye coordination and precision with body movements.

Having the right skills is essential for any skydiver. The most important skill to have is the ability to make quick decisions. Good decision-making is essential in order to assess the situation and plan a safe and successful jump.

This involves being able to recognize potential hazards and responding accordingly. Along with decision-making, good communication is essential in order to communicate with other skydivers, such as when to deploy the parachute and when to land. Other important skills include problem solving, staying calm under pressure, and having good physical fitness to handle the rigors of freefall.

Having these skills can help skydivers make the most of their skydiving experience and ensure that they have a safe and enjoyable experience.

BASE Jumper, Skydiving Equipment Inspector, and Skydiving First Aid Attendant are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with skydiving?
What safety protocols do you always follow when skydiving?
How do you stay current with safety regulations in the skydiving industry?
What techniques do you use to ensure the safety of skydivers?
Are you comfortable with teaching new skydivers?
What techniques do you use to ensure a successful skydive?
Describe how you respond to emergency situations while skydiving.
What type of maintenance do you perform on the equipment you use for skydiving?
How do you handle difficult weather conditions while skydiving?
How do you ensure the safety of your students during their first skydive?

Common Tools in Industry

Parachute. A large canopy used to slow a descent from a high altitude, for example when skydiving. (eg: Parachute can be used by a skydiver to safely descend from a high altitude. )
Altimeter. A device used to measure altitude, for example when skydiving. (eg: An altimeter can be used by a skydiver to measure the altitude at which they are jumping from)
Goggles. Protective eyewear used to protect the eyes from wind and debris, for example when skydiving. (eg: Goggles can be worn by a skydiver to protect their eyes from wind and debris while in freefall)
Helmet. Protective headgear used to protect the head during impact, for example when skydiving. (eg: A helmet can be worn by a skydiver to protect their head from impact during landing)
Wingsuit. An aerodynamic suit worn by skydivers in order to increase lift, for example when flying through the air. (eg: A wingsuit can be used by a skydiver to increase lift and slow their descent while flying through the air)

Professional Organizations to Know

Association of Professional Skydivers (APS)
United States Parachute Association (USPA)
British Skydiving (BS)
World Freefall Convention (WFC)
International Bodyflight Association (IBA)
International Parachuting Commission (IPC)
National Skydiving League (NSL)
British Parachute Association (BPA)
World Air Sports Federation (FAI)
International Skydiving Commission (ISC)

We also have Skydiving Flight Suit Technician, Accuracy Skydiver, and Recreational Skydiver jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Skydiving. Skydiving is an extreme sport in which a person jumps from an airplane or helicopter and free falls before opening a parachute to land safely.
Free fall. Free fall is the period of time between the moment of leaving an aircraft and the moment when the parachute is opened.
Parachute. A parachute is a device used to slow a person's descent during a skydive and allow them to land safely.
Wingsuit. A wingsuit is a type of skydiving suit that has fabric wings between the legs and under the arms which, when worn correctly, increase lift and allow the wearer to glide or fly through the air.
Swooping. Swooping is a skydiving technique in which the skydiver dives steeply toward the ground and then pulls up into a shallow dive at the last moment. It creates a thrilling sensation of speed and acceleration.