Skydiving Trivia

1. Who can legally pack a main parachute in the United States?

From Quiz Parachute Rigging

Answer: All these people are legally authorized to pack a main parachute

A person employed by the manufacturer may also pack the parachute. Believe it or not, some people pack their own parachute for their very first jump.

From Quiz Skydiving 102

Answer: Either

Modern day parachutes will have either 7 or 9 cells which inflate and fly much like an airplane wing. In the old days, parachutes were round in shape and had little to no control by the pilot.

From Quiz Skydiving 101

Answer: Pilot chute.

A pilot chute is released which acts as a mini-parachute. The pilot chute catches air and pulls out the parachute which opens and unfolds as it catches air, a 10-20 second process.

From Quiz Skydivers Say What?

Answer: Frappe hat

They were originally made in France, and "frappe" in French refers to a strong impact. Skydivers have a dark and twisted sense of humor worldwide. A hard helmet worn by skydivers is often called a "brain bucket".

From Quiz Skydiving 102

Answer: Shoes, Helmet, Altimeter, & Goggles

It is amazing, but sometimes, these items are easily forgotten when hurrying to get on the aircraft. Shoes are needed for landing, you never know when you might have to land where the ground may not be as soft as a grassy field. A helmet is required by USPA. It may seem silly, but rules are in place for a reason. You will need an altimeter to know how high up from the ground you are throughout the fall. Finally, you need goggles in order to keep your eyes open as you free fall.

From Quiz Skydiving 101

Answer: Arch at hips.

Some refer to this position as belly to earth. The most stable, and first lesson in freefalling technique, is to arch at the hips. Essentially making a U shape with your body, having the waist as the bottom of the U. Head down and sit flying are other styles of freefall, but are not practiced until one can fly stable while belly to earth.

From Quiz Parachute Rigging

Answer: Airframe Mechanic

Such parachutes are considered "appliances" by the FAA, and as a result, riggers are not authorized to work on them.

From Quiz Skydiving 101

Answer: Deploy the reserve parachute.

Although malfunctions are rare, there are inevitable times when the main parachute must be released if it cannot be landed safely. A reserve parachute should be deployed in such a case. With such great risks within the sport, redundancy is quite neccesary; hence the requirement of a second parachute.

From Quiz Skydiving 102

Answer: Fasten your seat belt

Always fasten your seat belt. This is a rule set forth by the United States Parachute Association. Basically, you need to be kept from being thrown about in an emergency. Pilots can land malfunctioning aircraft, but they may not be the softest landings you encounter. The seat belt will keep you from being thrown about, which is safer than trying to bail out of the craft without enough altitude.

From Quiz Skydiving 101

Answer: USPA.

The United States Parachute Association oversees skydiving in the USA. Contact them or do some research, you may be surprised to see how safe it is and how many safeguards are in place to keep each skydiver out of harm's way from the "craziness" that is commonly associated with the sport.

From Quiz Skydivers Say What?

Answer: Formation skydiving rehearsal on the ground

Dirt dives are often done on your feet in a crouching position to somewhat simulate the airborne geometry. In some cases, they are also done while lying down on mechanic's creepers for a better simulation.

From Quiz Skydiving 101

Answer: 21.

This number is incredilby low when compared to the number of jumps made that same year was more than 2.2 million. This percentage has been relatively the same for quite some time. According to the incident reports the majority of those 21 deaths were from experienced skydivers doing things that they should not have been. More info and the incident reports can be found at USPA.org.

From Quiz Skydiving 101

Answer: Any of these.

There are many types of airplanes used for skydiving. If ever given the chance, take a ride on a Super King Air. It's by far the fastest plane used in the sport and makes the ride to altitude extremely fun.

From Quiz Skydivers Say What?

Answer: A person who does not skydive

Whuffo is a contraction coming from, "What for you jump out of a perfectly good airplane?" Poor grammar but still a common thing to hear around the drop zone. It can be used as a derogative or a term of affection, or anything in-between depending on the context.

From Quiz Parachute Rigging

Answer: 200

The hard part is demonstrating the ability to make major repairs on parachutes, containers, and harnesses. You are also required to demonstrate your knowledge of industrial sewing machines by assembling one during the practical exam.

From Quiz Skydiving 102

Answer: 3500-2500 feet

Beginning skydivers are taught to begin the opening sequence no lower than 3500 feet. Rules allow for skydivers to open lower as they progress through their license progression, 2500 feet being the lowest recommended opening altitude.

From Quiz Skydiving 101

Answer: Parachute Landing Fall.

A parachute landing fall, or PLF, should be performed if landing may not go as planned. To perform a PLF, the skydiver should place their feet together, bend their knees slightly, and roll over to one side upon touching the ground. This will move the weight of the fall over most the skydiver's body.

From Quiz Parachute Rigging

Answer: Part 65

Part 65 is titled "Certification: Airmen other than Flight Crewmembers. Part 101 regulates balloons, rockets, and kites. Part 105 regulates parachute operations. Part 121 regulates airlines.

From Quiz Skydiving 101

Answer: No, but your body changes position.

Although pictures, and even some video, give that illusion, you continue to fall. Your fall rate is slowed so dramatically that your body moves to a stand up (feet down) position.

From Quiz Skydivers Say What?

Answer: Turbulent or dead air in the wake of a body moving through the air

If you fall through somebody else's burble, you might get "funneled". The sudden low pressure in the burble will cause you to fall faster and generally with little or no control. One out of control person can easily take out a large formation of 4 to 10 people. Viewed from the side, it looks like they're being poured down an imaginary funnel. This is also referred to as being "flushed" at times.

From Quiz Parachute Rigging

Answer: Within 180 days of jumping

Damage and deterioration are not always apparent from an exterior inspection, so unpacking reserves periodocally for detailed inspections is necessary. Parachutes including natural materials such as silk must be checked every 60 days. The repack cycle was extended in late 2008 from 120 days to 180 days due to the fact that many other countries and the U.S. military have all demonstrated that it is a safe interval. In fact, it will probably lengthen the life of reserve parachutes as every inspection and repack does add a small amount of wear to equipment.

From Quiz Skydiving 102

Answer: Open the reserve parachute when you cannot

A great insurance policy for any skydiver is an AAD. There are a few different brands, but they all do the same thing. They will open the reserve if you cannot. Imagine being unconscious, not realizing how close you are to the ground, or not being able to reach or pull your ripcord or pilot chute. It reads altitude and fall rate and will cut the reserve pull cable if you are falling too fast and/or are too close to the ground.

From Quiz Skydiving 102

Answer: Otter

The DeHavilland Twin Otter is one of the most popular jump ships currently used. In fact, it's so popular that they are being produced again after a 25 hiatus.

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