Exit Altitudes

[Blassiter 0]

Ive noticed that most DZ's I have talked to exits are usually at 13k or 13.5k and the highest I have seen is 18k. Is there a reason for this? Why wouldnt you go higher?

[SARLDO 0]

Ever notice the lack of oxygen up there? There are rules for having to have supplemental oxygen available for all above certain altitudes 15K I believe, a pilot can answer better but that's the reason... no O2.

"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens

MB#4300
Dudeist Skydiver #68

[pilotdave 0]

Yeah, in the US the pilot needs to be on oxygen above 14k (above sea level). That's pretty much what dictates that most DZs exit at about 13.5. The ones (one?) that goes to 18k offers oxygen, and we use oxygen for special jumps when we go above 14k.

Dave

[billvon 2,990]

Generally if you go above 15K MSL (that's MSL, not AGL) you need O2. Up to about 20K generally it's in-aircraft oxygen only; above that you should really have bailout O2. Personally I've gone as high as 18,000 without any O2, 26,000 with O2 in the plane, and 31,000 with bailout oxygen. That's pushing it though.

[BillyVance 34]

My highest without O2 is 17,500 in the King Air 200 T tail with the long porch. That thing could climb! Highest with on-board O2 is just 23,000. Would like to do a 30K+ jump but not for what it costs.

Also, Mullins usually goes up to 14K AGL around here in the southeast, but back in the 90's, we were routinely treated to 15K skydives all day long at his DZ.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[JohnMitchell 16]

Anything above 17,999' above sea level requires a designated airspace for skydiving in Class A airspace. It also requires an IFR rated pilot, IFR equipped plane, and a clearance from air traffic control.

[porpoishead 8]

also besides the O2 requirements above 15k some DZ's also consider turn around time for exit altitudes.

for example;
a DZ with a 182 that takes about 40min. to get 4 jumpers to 10K...well do the math, not very profitable to the DZO at that altitude much less any higher, or longer time wise. normally a tandem onboard makes it cost effective, leaving only two slots for up jumpers or only one slot if the tandem has a video, or none if two tandems. this type of operation is commonly referred to as a tandem factory. simply does not have the resources to support a higher altitude or up jumper crowd.

another example:
a DZ has a super twin otter that can bring 22 jumpers to 14k in about 10 min. all day long, the extra altitude is not that much of a problem. even with 4 tandems onboard still got room for 12-14 jumpers. everybody is happy.


so your main limiting factors are aircraft/resources, and elevation (MSL) due to O2 requirements.

exit altitude at our DZ is 14k were at sea level.highest 16.5k occassional 15k's which is not uncommon for DZ's in this area. with a plane that can hang of course.

if you want a friend feed any animal
Perry Farrell

[popsjumper 2]

Blassiter,
Please get yourself a SIM and read it. Knowledge is power.

WRTO high-altitude:
SIM 2007 Section 6-7
SIM 2007 Section 9-2 E-4
FAR 91.211

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[gemini 0]

Mullins put me and a friend out over the WFFC one sunny morning at 30.5k and -41F at altitude. Military helmet, full face mask for O2, googles very similar to ski goggles, hi-altimeter, and pony bottles in freefall.

Blue skies,

Jim

[yeyo 1]

My first wingsuit solo went to 16000' agl and the DZ was 1000' above sea level. No oxigen, but if i knew 3 girls where gonna flash the pilot, I would've jump with gloves. Looong ride with the wingsuit and it was dam cold on my hands.


ps. thanks pink mafia for the xtra altitude

HISPA #93
DS #419.5