What's free fall really like?

funnyesq · 08-27-2008, 03:36 PM

Totally off the subjects of CC'ers...but perhaps not to AFA Cadets or their friends and family..but....

I may take the plunge and was wondering what does FREE FALL really feel like? I mean what do you feel in that immediate first several seconds as you exit the plane? The program I'm considering is a tandem at 13,000 with about 60 seconds of initial free fall before the chute is deployed.

Thanks.

07PETKO · 08-27-2008, 03:59 PM

Freefall is amazing. It's not at all like a falling or rollercoaster feeling - you feel much more like you're flying or floating. The first time you stand in the door, you'll probably be impressed by the speed and sound of the wind coming off the props. Naturally, everyone's nervous before their first jump, but that goes away as soon as you let go of the airplane. That moment is indescribable.

I'd recommend that everyone try at least one jump at some point in their lives. There's just nothing else like it.

07PETKO · 08-27-2008, 04:01 PM

Oh, and being under canopy is awesome too. Almost as much fun as the freefall, in my humble opinion.

GroogWaugh · 08-27-2008, 04:02 PM

frefall is absolutely the coolest thing. I just got off AFF which is the training course to get your license. As you jump out of the plane, you feel a little bit of that falling sensation, but it is really only for a second or two because you are already traveling at 90 mph so its only a small difference from the plane. once you're stable in the ir, it is undescribable just because you have the entire surface of the earth in your view. It's just like sticking your head out of a car at 120 mph with the best view. After your chute deploys you get this huge rush, because you have just completed a skydive and its one of the besst feelings...but to get back to your question, you basically just roll out of the plane and really don't feel that dropping sensation too much, just a rush that you're skydiving...

Are you heading up to longmont this weekend?!! If so have a blast, I'm trying to get my dad to take a tandem this weekend.

For all you cadet skydivers, Longmont will give you a free half jump for every person you bring up to skydive this weekend!

hornetguy · 08-27-2008, 10:16 PM

Amazing. Simply. I never had the falling feeling. Just felt like floating!

funnyesq · 08-27-2008, 10:24 PM

It's so weird...I've been watch videos of people's first tandem out the plane...and they drop so quickly and yet everyone seems to say the same thing...that they don't feel any sudden falling/dropping sensation as in a roller coaster. Weird...I acknowledge that I "think" too much...but like a lot...I is scared to try this..but it is intriguing...and I do think I will be like the rest...oh it was so fun and nothing like I thought.

hornetguy · 08-27-2008, 10:30 PM

Here's the thing. You're already traveling around 90-100 mph forward. Your going from 90-100 forward to 120 down. Essentially, you're accelerating only 20mph by speed (velocity is different of course), so the feeling is muted to an extent.

AFPJ · 08-27-2008, 10:54 PM

So what if you jumped from a helicopter at that altitude? Even though a helicopter probably won't fly that high?.

packermatt7 · 08-27-2008, 11:19 PM

The scientific description...

Free fall only occurs for a small amount of time, when no other forces are acting on you but gravity. Your stomach gets that feeling sometimes. After that small time-frame, the friction of the air blasting against your body stops free-fall. Wind resistance keeps you from free-falling.

As for the feeling, I've never been. I really want to do it as hobby though.

hornetguy · 08-27-2008, 11:20 PM

Actually, a pave hawk (black hawk) can go to 14,000ft and a pave low can go to 16,000 ft. A Chinook can go all the way to 18,500 ft.

Besides that, no idea how it would feel.

GroogWaugh · 08-28-2008, 10:07 AM

I know a lot of experienced skydivers say one of the biggest rushes is jumping out of a hot air balloon, I basically think it's because it's so peaceful and also the fact that you're literally starting from nothing so the falling sensation is more. Looking forward to that.

eagle36 · 09-02-2008, 05:33 PM

when your just "floating" there and realize "holy cow, i'm falling right now" as you look around, its just incredible. i need to talk to GroogWaugh about looking into joining him to get a private's license...

dshadoin · 09-05-2008, 05:21 PM

I would describe it as absolute terror followed by an immense feeling of relief. You start out feeling like you've done something stupid and end up feeling like you've done something special.

funnyesq · 07-21-2009, 04:11 PM

Oh my...set for this Saturday July 25th.....<gulp>...will post my findings after I land in GREAT shape....

HNeedle · 07-21-2009, 05:46 PM

you'll really REALLY enjoy it. nothing like jumping out for the first time by yourself, here though

just soak it all in.. as much as you can, try to remember the feeling