Can you go tandem skydiving at 16?

Answer 1

Yes, some drop zones will allow someone who is 16 to jump if they have a note and/or special waiver signed by a parent. A waiver is required by all jumpers, regardless of age.

Yes, but you need to contact the dropzone you plan to jump at to make sure they allow it. Although there are no specific laws that state a minimum age for skydiving, there are other factors that limit age in the United States. As states in the "Skydiver's Information Manual" (SIM), in section 2-1-D - "Basic Safety Requirements", the United States Parachute Association requires the following: "Skydivers are to be at least either:

a. 18 years of age [FB]

b. 16 years of age with notarized parental or guardian consent [FB]"

Also, the manufacturers of the various tandem skydiving systems (which includes the main and reserve parachutes, container, AAD, etc) have minimum ages specified in their operating manual. Depending on the equipment a dropzone owns, this could affect the age requirements at that particular location.

The waiver that the dropzone uses is another limiting factor. Some waivers do not have a provision for skydivers under the age of 18 to use a parental note.

Finally, some dropzone owners, for various reasons, just don't allow skydivers to be under 18. The best way to know is to call the dropzone you want to jump at ahead of time. Depending on where you live, there's probably more than one accessible to you. So, if you're between 16 and 18, and want to jump, you may need to contact several dropzones to find one that will let you jump.

Martin adds:

Everything you say above is correct. Those DZs within the US who do choose to allow anyone under The Age of Contract are essentially operating with no binding participation agreement, the waiver is worthless, no sense in even messing with it.

The tandem equipment used at my DZ has no manufacturer restriction on age, so one less hurdle. Still, I don't let anyone skydive without first filling out the participation agreement, so why would I let kids jump and assuming all liability myself.

My waiver has a provision such that the student can pay $500 (or actually the going rate) per jump, and not forfeit their ability to sue me. I had one guy a year or so who wanted to pay the $500 for his one solo jump. I asked him why, he said that he didn't want to leave his wife with no recourse. I replied "So you'd have no problem leaving my wife and kids with no resources in the event that you kill yourself and your wife takes everything I have, or will ever have?" He decided to assume responsibility for himself and sign the bottom line.

Martin Myrtle

Air Capital Drop Zone

Wichita ks