Trips & Events
NATURE'S OUT THERE. JOIN THE PARTY.
Skydiving (Same Location as Hang Gliding)
|
| Destination: |
Ridgely, MD |
| Travel Time : |
2.5 Hours |
| Departure: |
7:30 am -
Saturday, October 24, 2009
| 38th and Locust, Under the Bridge |
| Return: |
8:00 pm
- Saturday, October 24, 2009 |
| Cost: |
Members: $235 / Non-Members: $250 |
| What's Included : |
The price is all inclusive (Transportation and skydiving costs) |
| Rain Date: |
N/A |
| Skill Level: |
All Levels |
| Physical Activity Level: |
Medium |
| What to wear: |
Warm, loose, athletic clothing. Bring multiple layers in case of unexpected weather. |
| What to bring: |
An official photo ID with your age on it, a lunch (there is no onsite food), cameras, and sunglasses. You can also bring money to purchase a video of yourself skydiving. (Expect to pay around $100). There will also be down-time, so bring work or other things to do while you are waiting. |
| Open to: |
All Penn students and Guests over 18 and under 250 pounds |
| Number of Spots: |
25 |
| Signups Begin: |
Thursday, October 01, 2009 |
| Registration Deadline: |
Friday, October 23, 2009 |
Registration Closed
Email Trip Leader (Jeff Glaser)
|
The
Skydiving and Hang Gliding trips are to the same location. Therefore
if you would like to do both please sign up for the Hang Gliding trip
also.
If you are over 19 with a valid license, please put in the registration comments if you would be willing to drive (Or email me directly at glaserja@sas.upenn.edu) Please include your age in this!! There is a 20% discount on the trip cost for drivers!!
Tandem
is one of the most popular ways of experiencing jumping for first time
skydivers. Upon arrival, there will be a thirty minute classroom
session. During that time, students meet the instructors they will be
jumping with. They also view instructional videos about the jump, go
over safety procedures, and get fitted to the equipment they'll be
using. Additionally, students learn how to leave the aircraft, how to
free fall, and what to do in terms of body position during the landing
cycle.
After the training session, tandem students and
instructors board the plane for the fifteen to twenty minute flight to
the drop zone. While waiting to approach the area where exiting will
take place, instructors make final reviews about procedures with
students. When the time comes, instructors and students leave the plane
at about fourteen thousand feet. Free fall lasts a few minutes, and
once the chute finally opens, the gentle glide back to earth lasts
anywhere from five to ten minutes.
From time to time,
instructors may allow students to help steer the chute to the landing
zone. This helps students get the feel of the chute. It also helps
students who wish to continue their skydiving training and become
certified divers themselves. Skydiving is a fairly dangerous sport.
However, tandem skydiving is a great way for novices to experience the
sport without the worry and danger.
Tandem
skydiving is an excellent way to experience this popular extreme sport.
People, though, have a number of fears about skydiving. One myth is
that you can't breathe while you're free falling. That is certainly not
true, otherwise jumpers wouldn't be conscious when they reached the
ground. Another concern is that your chute won't open. Because student
chutes are typically safer than other chutes, this isn't a realistic
concern. Moreover, most chutes now are rigged with automatic opening
devices, so not opening your chute on time shouldn't really be a worry.
Despite these reassurances, though, people still worry about the safety
of skydiving. To that end, tandem skydiving is an excellent way to
experience the sport without worrying about the nagging doubts that
plague people's minds.
So come out and skydive!
Note that in the event of inclimate weather, we reschedule the skydiving for a later date.
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