How to Learn to Skydive

Wanting to leap from an airplane and plummet toward the Earth at ridiculously excessive speeds is a perfectly natural way to spend a Saturday afternoon whether you’re an action hero or just a weekend warrior. Of course, to do so you’ll need a bit of training to keep from splattering like Wile E. Coyote in an episode of "Roadrunner."

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Ensure you are medically able to skydive. If you have a heart condition or suffer frequent blackouts, consider a different form of recreation. Beyond this, you’ll be required to pass basic written, oral and reaction-time tests before you’re allowed to jump. Remember that there’s an age limit of 18 years, although 16-year olds may jump with a parent’s written consent.

2. Determine how you will train. The simplest way to jump with minimal training is to do a tandem jump in which you’re attached to an instructor that does all the work. If you want to jump on your own, you’ll have to complete either Static Line or Accelerated Free Fall training, both of which require hours of extensive preparation.

3. Pick a place to plunge, known as a "Drop Zone" or DZ for short. A list of DZs can be found on the Dropzone Database online, or you could try your local Yellow Pages, which typically include a listing as well. Whatever the case, make sure the drop zone is reputable and safe. If it’s not affiliated with the United States Parachute Association (USPA), pass, find another that is.

4. Skip that stuff and opt for an indoor skydiving stint. Inside a vertical wind tunnel, you will experience the feeling of flight with an instructor at your side. No training is required and the cost is significantly lower than that of traditional skydiving. Flips, tumbles, mid-air cartwheels, all are available for your weightless pleasure, and with absolutely no risk of landing on the interstate.