# World record skydiver fell faster than originally thought **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 5, 2013, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426 "2013-02-05T22:29:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/1 "2013-02-05T22:29:08Z")
Felix Baumgartner, the skydiver who broke the sound barrier over New Mexico last October, was going even faster than originally reported. He reached a top speed of 843.6 mph (1357.6 kmh) or Mach 1.25. His top speed initially was estimated at 10 mph slower, 834 mph (1342 kmh) or Mach 1.24. [Here is the article](http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/02/05/supersonic-skydiver-felix-baumgartner-actually-went-faster-than-everyone-thought/). ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/2 "2013-02-05T22:48:11Z")
Too late to edit: He also jumped from lower than originally reported. His exit altitude was 127,852.4 ft (38,969.4 m), a reduction from the previous estimate of 128,100 ft (39,045 m). The highest I ever jumped from was 21,000 ft. The fastest speed I ever attained was 180 mph. Missed it by _that_ much. Maybe next time. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/3 "2013-02-06T18:52:54Z")
Have always wanted to try skydiving. Not sure why I’ve never made a real effort to do it. But I think of it more and more often. The only thing that makes me reluctant is having to tandem jump as a beginner. I don’t want to jump strapped to someone else. Not even on the first jump. So is that a hard requirement or do I simply need to find a school that will allow first time jumpers to go solo? ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/4 "2013-02-06T19:24:03Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Have always wanted to try skydiving. Not sure why I’ve never made a real effort to do it. But I think of it more and more often. The only thing that makes me reluctant is having to tandem jump as a beginner. I don’t want to jump strapped to someone else. Not even on the first jump. So is that a hard requirement or do I simply need to find a school that will allow first time jumpers to go solo? A lot of skydiving centers want you to make a tandem jump first but it’s really just a money-maker for them. There are still some around that do a static-line program, where you jump out solo and the static-line immediately opens the parachute. You’re never in freefall, but it’s still quite an adrenaline rush (it’s the way I learned). More dropzones these days are doing an accelerated freefall program, where you go higher and jump with two instructors who hold you stable until it’s time to open. You get to experience freefall and pull your own ripcord, but it’s more expensive than static-line. [Here is a link](http://www.uspa.org/FindaDZ/GroupMemberListbyStateandTerritories/tabid/321/Default.aspx) to the U.S. Parachute Association’s list of dropzones. Click on any state name (assuming you live in the US) to get a list of dropzones in that state. It will also tell what training program(s) they offer. If you’re lucky you will have more than one option within a reasonable distance. The eastern states usually have multiple dropzones to choose from. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/5 "2013-02-06T19:29:46Z")
I probably could have googled that :smack:, so thank you\*\* Bumbershoot\*\*. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/6 "2013-02-06T19:41:16Z")
…jumping out of a perfectly good airplane… ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/7 "2013-02-06T19:43:06Z")
No problem; I hope some other people click that link and decide to make their first jump. If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to ask. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/8 "2013-02-06T19:43:41Z")
> [@Bumbershoot](#): > > More dropzones these days are doing an accelerated freefall program, where you go higher and jump with two instructors who hold you stable until it’s time to open. You get to experience freefall and pull your own ripcord, but it’s more expensive than static-line. You can also learn (more cheaply/quickly) how to skydive at an [indoor skydiving facility.](http://skyventurecolorado.com/indoor-skydiver-training) Would an outdoor facility allow you to solo skydive with X hours of indoor experience, or will they always insist on tandem jumps or escorted jumps for first-timers? ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/9 "2013-02-06T19:44:28Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > …jumping out of a perfectly good airplane… The door was open… ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/10 "2013-02-06T19:46:26Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > You can also learn (more cheaply/quickly) how to skydive at an [indoor skydiving facility.](http://skyventurecolorado.com/indoor-skydiver-training) Would an outdoor facility allow you to solo skydive with X hours of indoor experience, or will they always insist on tandem jumps or escorted jumps for first-timers? Indoor skydiving is a lot of fun and a good way to learn to control your body in freefall, but they will still insist you follow their program. Edit: It gives you no experience at opening, steering or landing a parachute. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/11 "2013-02-06T20:18:15Z")
What’s the typical altitude for a rookie jumper with a static line? ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/12 "2013-02-06T20:24:30Z")
With a static line your first few jumps will usually be from 3,000 feet. That gives you a few minutes under canopy. Most dropzones use a walkie-talkie attached to the helmet to allow an instructor on the ground to give you directions and guide you back to the landing area. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/13 "2013-02-06T20:41:52Z")
Do they use ram air ‘chutes for static line jumps? When I did it 35 years ago it was a round chute. Three or four jumpers packed into a Cessna 172 or something. I had to open the side hatch and step out onto a little step with one foot with the other leg dangling in the wind. Both hands clamped on the wing strut until the pilot signaled to let go. They didn’t have walkie talkies either - just big speakers on the ground pointing up. “Left 90 degrees!” “Your other left!” “Ok. Now right 45!” and so on until you were down. My hand was still shaking 20 minutes later when I had to sign something. I did a tandem recently from 12,000’. Now, that was fun and my hands were fine right away. Highly recommended. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/14 "2013-02-06T21:11:50Z")
How many jumps do you have to complete and how many training hours/sessions before you can do a jump with a freefall before deploying the parachute? ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/15 "2013-02-06T21:35:59Z")
> [@Bumbershoot](#): > > Indoor skydiving is a lot of fun and a good way to learn to control your body in freefall, but they will still insist you follow their program. > > Edit: It gives you no experience at opening, steering or landing a parachute. Frankly I think steering/landing is the easy part. I did a static-line jump about 18 years ago. It was maybe eight hours of classroom instruction followed by a single jump, and during the descent under canopy, we had one-way radio communication from a spotter on the ground to guide us to the landing zone. The hours of instruction was almost entirely for dealing with contingencies (twisted risers, water landing, chute malfunction, etc.). Steering was a no-brainer (pull left handle, turn left, right handle to turn right) - and landing was pretty easy too (pull both handles to flare, but not too soon or you dump the canopy and drop like a rock). The freefall stuff is more difficult. I spent several minutes in an indoor skydiving facility (see link in my previous post) a few years ago, and it was pretty tough to maintain control when when the instructor didn’t have a grip on your arm to stop me from flopping all over the place. If you get that part sorted out, then IMHO descent-under-canopy is relatively easy. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/16 "2013-02-06T21:38:11Z")
**MikeF:** Yes, they use ram-air canopies for all students these days, whatever training method they use. I made my first jump in 1982 and they were using round parachutes (army surplus). I don’t miss those days, the landings could be pretty rough! **QuickSilver:** It depends on the individual. If you show that you can reliably do a safe exit- that is, maintain a hard arch in your back and not curl up, flip over or spin during deployment- after a few jumps they will give you a practice ripcord handle to pull. It’s not attached to anything, the static line still opens the parachute. If you can pull the practice handle without breaking your arch on three consecutive jumps, you get a real ripcord. You still go to 3,000 feet and pull the ripcord immediately. Do it perfect a few times and you then do a 5 second delay (count one thousand, two thousand, etc) before pulling. Then comes a 10 second delay and so on, going 500-1,000 feet higher each time. You will progress faster if you jump every week or two, and make more than one jump per day. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/17 "2013-02-06T21:48:26Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Frankly I think steering/landing is the easy part. I did a static-line jump about 18 years ago. It was maybe eight hours of classroom instruction followed by a single jump, and during the descent under canopy, we had one-way radio communication from a spotter on the ground to guide us to the landing zone. The hours of instruction was almost entirely for dealing with contingencies (twisted risers, water landing, chute malfunction, etc.). Steering was a no-brainer (pull left handle, turn left, right handle to turn right) - and landing was pretty easy too (pull both handles to flare, but not too soon or you dump the canopy and drop like a rock). > > The freefall stuff is more difficult. I spent several minutes in an indoor skydiving facility (see link in my previous post) a few years ago, and it was pretty tough to maintain control when when the instructor didn’t have a grip on your arm to stop me from flopping all over the place. If you get that part sorted out, then IMHO descent-under-canopy is relatively easy. Yeah, that stuff isn’t super difficult but I can assure you, they will insist you go through their program. They aren’t going to hand you a parachute and say “Have at it!” based on wind tunnel time and no canopy experience. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-record-skydiver-fell-faster-than-originally-thought/649426/18 "2013-02-06T22:08:24Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Frankly I think steering/landing is the easy part. I did a static-line jump about 18 years ago. It was maybe eight hours of classroom instruction followed by a single jump, and during the descent under canopy, we had one-way radio communication from a spotter on the ground to guide us to the landing zone. The hours of instruction was almost entirely for dealing with contingencies (twisted risers, water landing, chute malfunction, etc.). Steering was a no-brainer (pull left handle, turn left, right handle to turn right) - and landing was pretty easy too (pull both handles to flare, but not too soon or you dump the canopy and drop like a rock). > > The freefall stuff is more difficult. I spent several minutes in an indoor skydiving facility (see link in my previous post) a few years ago, and it was pretty tough to maintain control when when the instructor didn’t have a grip on your arm to stop me from flopping all over the place. If you get that part sorted out, then IMHO descent-under-canopy is relatively easy. It’s sometimes tough even for an experienced skydiver to stay in that column of air in a vertical wind tunnel. I’ve “flown” in a few different ones, but not the one in Colorado. It’s a fairly narrow column and if even part of your body slides out of it, down you go. The wind is everywhere when you’re skydiving, if you slide around a little it’s no big deal. Also, on a skydive you get at most a minute or so in the air and it’s time to open your parachute. Spend five minutes in a wind tunnel and your back gets tired of arching. I really felt it after multiple flights in the thing.