Welcome to the ultimate crash course in skydiving lingo – minus the actual crashing, of course! From AADs to Swooping, we’re unpacking 30 key terms that’ll have you chatting like a true skydiver in no time.
1. AAD (Automatic Activation Device)
A safety device that automatically deploys the reserve parachute at a preset altitude if the skydiver is still in freefall.
2. Altimeter
An instrument that measures altitude, worn by skydivers to know when to deploy their parachute.
3. Arch
The body position adopted during freefall to create stability and control.
4. Booties
Special footwear worn by skydivers to improve stability during freefall.
5. Canopy
The parachute itself, typically referring to the main parachute.
6. Cut-away
The act of releasing the main parachute in an emergency situation.
7. DZ (Drop Zone)
The designated landing area for skydivers.
8. Exit
The moment when a skydiver leaves the aircraft.
9. Flare
The action of pulling down on both steering toggles to slow the canopy for landing.
10. Formation Skydiving
A discipline where multiple skydivers create formations in freefall.
11. Freefall
The portion of a skydive before the parachute is deployed.
12. Ground Rush
The visual effect of the ground appearing to rush towards you as you descend.
13. Harness
The system of straps that connects the skydiver to the parachute.
14. Hook Turn
A sharp turn performed close to the ground to increase speed before landing (considered dangerous for novices).
15. Jump Run
The path the aircraft flies while skydivers exit.
16. Malfunction
Any issue with the deployment or functioning of a parachute.
17. Manifest
The office or person responsible for organising the jumps and aircraft loads.
18. Pack Job
The act of folding and preparing a parachute for use.
19. PLF (Parachute Landing Fall)
A safety technique used to distribute the impact of landing across the body.
20. Pull
The action of deploying the parachute.
21. Reserve
The backup parachute, used if the main parachute fails.
22. Rig
The complete parachute system, including the harness and both canopies.
23. RW (Relative Work)
Another term for formation skydiving.
24. Slider
A device that controls the opening speed of the parachute.
25. Spotting
The process of determining the correct exit point from the aircraft.
26. Stable Freefall Position
The belly-to-earth arched body position used in freefall.
27. Swooping
An advanced landing technique involving a high-speed approach to the landing area.
28. Tandem
A skydive where a student is attached to an instructor.
29. Terminal Velocity
The maximum speed reached during freefall, typically around 200 km/h.
30. Toggles
The steering handles attached to the parachute lines used to control the canopy.
