Skydiving When It Is Hot

If you ask any skydiver, they’ll tell you there’s no better time to jump out of an airplane than in the Summer. It’s the best time to skydive for so many weather-related reasons, but skydiving when it is hot also poses some challenges. A few of the best Summer skydiving tips include what to wear skydiving in the Summer, and understanding the effects of heat on skydiving will make your experience even better. 

But can it be too hot to skydive? As long as proper considerations are taken, skydiving in hot weather can be a wonderful time. Read on to find out why most people’s answer to the question, “Is it better to skydive in the Summer?” is a hearty, yes! 

Does Temperature Affect Skydiving?

Hot weather doesn’t just affect the way our bodies feel and function. There are also actual scientific impacts of heat on skydiving operations. Just like how our bodies have a harder time doing certain things in the heat, airplanes need a little extra TLC on hot days.

Skydiving aircraft work extra hard in the Summer to haul skydivers to exit altitude. Engines already run hot, and the added heat affects the way the aircraft performs. It can take a little longer to get to altitude, and the dropzone staff has to put more thought into organizing loads to balance this out.

Hot air also interacts with parachutes differently than cooler air. A skydiver may find themselves in the air longer, catching some hang time on rising hot air, called thermals. They can even sometimes feel the change in flight when flying over different surfaces: black asphalt gives off more heat than a grassy field.

Any machine or body that takes to the air on a Summer day knows that hot air makes a difference! 

Preparing for Your Jump in Hot Weather

A successful skydive is all about being prepared. And that’s even more true for jumping in the hotter months. Here are some of the main considerations when planning to jump in hot weather:

What to Wear

Breathable, light, athletic clothing that’s suitable for both the heat on the ground and cooler temperatures at altitude. Bringing layers is always a safe bet. 

Hydration, Hydration, Hydration

Make sure you regularly drink water, ideally with electrolytes. Avoid drinks that cause dehydration like coffee and alcohol (alcohol isn’t allowed while jumping anyway!).

Nutrition

Eat a balanced meal before heading to the dropzone. Pack snacks for throughout the day that help maintain energy and hydration without being too heavy, like fruit.

Sun Protection

Wear sunblock, like your Mama said! Stay out of the sun when possible and bring sunglasses and a hat for time spent on the ground. 

Symptoms of Heat Illness

It’s also important to keep an eye out for heat illness symptoms. It’s easy to get distracted by all the excitement and ignore your body’s needs. Some things to watch out for include:

Timing Your Skydive

Something else you can do to alleviate some of the challenges of the Summer heat is to schedule your jump for the cooler periods of the day. Early morning is usually the best time to schedule a skydive. It hasn’t gotten hot yet, and any weather that may roll in throughout the day usually hasn’t arrived. And if there is a need to push jumping operations back at all, you’ll be on board once jumping resumes.

The other option is later in the day, but those slots run more risk of being rescheduled in the event of a weather issue. No matter what time of day you schedule your jump, it’s a good idea to be prepared for weather delays or cancellations. We won’t get into the air unless it’s absolutely prime conditions to do so, and that may mean waiting until a safer time to jump. But don’t worry – we’ll communicate what’s going on and work with you to find a better time that works for you! 

Are you ready to beat the heat with the natural air conditioning thousands of feet in the sky? Book your jump today and make this Summer one to remember!