Exit Altitudes and World Records

[MakeItHappen 15]

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Again, I am NOT arguing about what the largest formation record is or how amazing of an accomplishment it is. I am just curious what people think about the differences in difficulty of setting records from varying exit altitudes.
I agree, but a 400-way from 15,000 is vitually impossible, so they offset.

People used to say the same thing about 100-ways from 15k. We've been able to do 40 second hundred ways since at least 1996. THe 96-way base of the 300-way was built in 43 seconds at the AZ Challenge. On the 300-way dives it took 50+ seconds on every dive.

Personally, I think the 'difficulty' in making these big-ways is getting the 'best' talent.
If you could get the top 400 jumpers on a load, you may be able to build a 400 way from 15k today.

The thing is that not all the best jumpers are on the load.

Instead you have to use the people that have the money, time and political connections, and maybe not quite as much skill (yet still adequate skill level), to do the job. That is still an accomplishment, but still short of getting all the best jumpers on the load to do the biggest load from the lowest altitude.

If there was a way to fully sponsor these jumps, you'd have a 400-way from 15k.

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Parachute History
DiveMaker

[ccowden 0]

That is why I said "virtually impossible."

[JohnMitchell 16]

I don't think there should be any category or altitude restrictions. The bigways are more than just a test of skydiver skill, they are a test of organizational ability and teamwork, and the ability to scam big airplanes. Although it requires skillful skydiving, bigways are not the most demanding skydives around. So don't try to quantify which is harder or what one is tougher. Let's just keep the category "Unlimited" and enjoy what the organizers put together.

[GQ_jumper 4]

33,000ft MSL and above:
You get into the zone of Positive Presure breathign systems Presure Suits (above 40K)... etc. IMO, sport jumps from this altitude are unlikely.

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If I remember correctly the last time I was in the chamber we switched to positive pressure at around 26K. just throwin that out there

History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
--Dwight D. Eisenhower

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[Taylor610 0]

More altitude = less air
Less air = oxygen issue, higher fall rates, etc...

Now add the fact that the last jumpers from the planes will have to catch up to an already fast moving target with less control (less air for the jumper to use to fly).

I was once told by a reliable source that when they attempted big ways (~100) if they went to 20k it would fumble by 18k, but when they started lower it was better.

I dont think being "higher" makes it any easier but actually complicates it even more.
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I am assuming by your experience level that you are using your knowledge of altitude/air density for your statements. I would also like to share with you that I was in the 232-way attempts in '94 and also the 259-way and the 246-way world record in '98. I can only assure you that ... more altitude = more time, therefore making the opportunity for success not only much easier, but also more likely. I can also add that the faster fall rates are better in these situations.

I can also add that Darkwing maybe able to correct me from a physics stand point, but your thought that air at say 25,000 feet would be so thin that a jumper would have problems with "control" is completely wrong. I've been a couple of times, and I found no problems...I think maybe your reliable source may have misled you.