How old do you have to be for skydiving?

Answer 1

That depends on which country you live in. In the United Kingdom, you can skydive from the age of 16 onwards with parental consent. I jump at a place called Skydive Hibaldstow which is a part of the British Parachute Association and a form will need to be signed by your parents or legal guardian.

Now if you live in the USA, I think the age is 18.

Answer 2

In the US the minimum age to make a free fall parachute jump varies depending on which state you live in. Some have set it at 18 - the age of "legal majority" while other states have not set a minimum age. In some places the jump school will have set a minimum age that they are willing to teach people to jump based on what they believe is a reasonable age to make an informed decision about the risks involved. (please see the related link).

In the UK, the minimum age is 16 with the parent/guardians' written consent, but this has often been waived by the British Parachute Association. Usually this has been done for children of experienced skydivers who have spent years on DZs watching one or both parents enjoy themselves.

One young lad made 50 jumps at the World Free Fall Convention and I personally see no reason for a lower age limit, especially for tandem jumpers who are simply there for the ride and have no control over the descent unless the instructor decides to allow it when under the canopy.

Any CCI worth his/her rating would be able to decide within minutes of meeting a potential young skydiver whether or not it would be safe to let them parachute. I would have done it at the age of 10 or 11 if I had been given the opportunity.

Answer 3

18 years old