Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any age limitations?
You must be at least 18 years of age
to skydive.
What are the weight limits?
You can skydive if you weigh up to 285 Lbs.
Due to the advanced experience level of our full time professional
jumpmasters and our use of State of the Art equipment, Skydive Birmingham
can allow you to skydive at weights up to 285 lbs. You may find small non-professional
part time skydiving operations that have weight limits far below 285 lbs
due soley to lack of experience or inadaquate equipment.
Jump only with a FULL time PROFESSIONAL skydiving center.
What kind of plane will I jump out of?
Have you ever seen the movie POINT BREAK? Well that is one of our planes!!!
They used ours for the movie, and you will be skydiving out of that exact
same one! It is called a King Air B-90 twin turbine.
How much does it cost?
The cost varies with the type of skydive you make. We offer student
and Group rates and Military discounts. All prices are made available through
our toll free reservation line at 205-884-6937.
How long will it take to make my first jump?
For a tandem skydive, plan on at least 2 hours.
An AFF level 1 skydive is takes a good portion of the day.
Can I get pictures of my skydive?
Yes, Video and 35 mm stills are available at
an additional charge.
What will the skydive feel like?
It is nearly impossible to accurately describe. The sensation of freefall
is more like flying than falling. The parachute flight is inspiring.
This portion of the skydive can be anything from an exciting roller coaster
type event to a quiet and inspiring flight around the open skies. Many
say their skydive has been one the the greatest things that has ever happened
to them. For some their skydive is life changing.
How will it feel when the parachute opens?
It is like a rush after the rush! A tremendous decrease in speed (deceleration)
at approximately 5500 feet (1 mile above the ground)
What kind of parachute will we use?
The parachutes used are specially designed, large Elliptical "ram-airs".
A "ram-air" is a high-technology Elliptical parachute, as opposed to the
old-style round parachutes or even first generation square parachutes.
What happens if the parachute doesn't open?
In the very unlikely event that the main parachute doesn't open properly,
there is a reserve parachute in the top of the container which has been
inspected and packed by a FAA certified parachute rigger. All of
our reserve parachutes are equipped with the most reliable and modern AAD's
(Automatic Activation Device) available, the CYPRES. (Many other Drop Zones
use lower end AAD's. Always ask about this!) Skydive Birmingham utilizes
this system for your enhanced safety. This is a backup system only.
How long does the skydive last?
70 to 75 seconds of freefall and 7 to 9 minutes under the parachute.
Add that to the ride in the aircraft (12 minutes).
Isn't the landing like jumping off a two-story building?
NO! If that were the case, there would be no skydiving, because everyone
would have broken legs! In the early days of sport parachuting, landings
were sometimes quite hard. The new "ram-air" parachutes of today allow
landings that feel equivalent to hopping off a step 1-2' high.
Will I be scared?
Maybe, and maybe not. You will definitely feel a surge of excitement
and anticipation before the jump...this is a normal part of the experience.
During the jump itself, you'll probably feel a thrill that you've never
experienced before - enjoy it!
Skydiving is not just a sport, it's a lifestyle!
Come skydive with us is Birmingham
Alabama. Choose only a full time professional skydiving center.
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