When Ground Level is Way Above Sea Level

[jfields 0]

Hi.
As I get ready for a trip to Colorado tomorrow, I was wondering how skydiving worked there. Aside from the usual "jump and pull", that is. I won't be jumping this trip, but it got me wondering. If the ground level where you are jumping is at an altitude of up to 10,000 feet above sea level, how far up to jump planes fly? The effects of hypoxia are related to altitude above sea level, correct? Does that mean that you have a practical jump ceiling of 5,000 feet above ground level?
Just call me confused.
Justin
Member of the Whuffo Conversion Team

[Grogs 0]

The altitude limits for jumps are MSL (Mean Sea Level), so if you're at 5000' MSL to begin with, you can only go to 15000' MSL or 10000' AGL (Above Ground Level). I have heard people saying that since everyone is already acclimated to 5000' they tend to cheat and go a little higher at those dropzones, but that's not from personal experience.
Some of the things to watch out for at high altitude dropzones are your parachute opening (it will open harder than it would at sea level) and the canopy flight - your canopy won't have as much lift because of the thinner air.

[RemiAndKaren 0]

Some high altitude DZs also use O2 on all jumps (I'm not sure, but I think one of the Denver DZs does that) to get to 12,000 or more.
Remi

[jfields 0]

Wow. So if you live at high altitude, you are doomed to either hop-n-pops or expensive jumps with O2. Man, that must suck! At least people there get to live in beautiful mountains. That would make up for part of it.
Thanks for the explanation.
Justin
Member of the Whuffo Conversion Team

[Pammi 0]

Thanks for asking JT! I've wondered about that myself...I have family in Colorado and thought about going to see them sometime and, of course, jumping while I'm there.
Is it true that your canopy flies like it's one size smaller? (I saw where it was said that it will open harder and fly differently becaue of the thin air...but does it fly THAT much faster?)
Pammi
Our webpage

[Krishan 0]

I live in NM and our dz is at 5000 feet. There is always oxygen available in jump planes that are at high elevation dz's. Most people dont need it cause they are used to it. The only real restriction is the 18,000 ft MSL Class A Airspace that you can go above unless you have filed an instrument flight plan and received clearance. Most of us have no problem going to right below 18,000 msl to jump. Now whether our planes can get there is another story.
So basically the determining factor is how much space there is between ground level and 18,000 above sea level.

[DZBone 0]

I've noticed quite a difference in openings, flying, landing and packing between the East Coast (sea level, humid) and the desert (1000' MSL, dry as a [dz]bone).
Between the slightly higher elevation and the dry air, openings are brisker, the canopy more responsive, landings faster, and packing a little easier. Also, when you sweat, it actually evaporates and cools you off, rather than just running all over (eew).
Carl