There are three parachute training methods to choose from: tandem, static line and accelerated free-fall (AFF). Each of these training methods has their benefits and drawbacks. Finding a skydiving school with a good reputation should be a priority task on your list, after deciding which training method you want to pursue. This is not a hard thing to do with the internet, telephone book and local airports within easy reach. The next point to consider is cost because skydiving is one of the most expensive sports to learn. You will begin learning about skydiving in the classroom, and then when you are ready, you will go up in the plane.

The most popular parachute training method is probably the tandem jump because it is the quickest way to get you in the air. Skydiving in tandem with your instructor is perfect for first time jumpers because they can experience the thrill of skydiving without all the anxiety and danger of more intensive jumps. The training on the ground lasts around thirty minutes.

During a tandem jump, you will be harnessed with an instructor who is certified to train you. Your instructor will have the extra parachutes and equipment needed to help both of you safely land after your free-fall. If you’re short on time, then this parachute jump only takes an hour or so, and is that fastest way to skydive for beginners who just want to get an idea of what it’s all about.

When taking up an extreme sport like skydiving, you must consider your health and safety. Always understand the risks involved with anything before you get involved. Whether you are skydiving in California or New York, during your free-fall you can and will reach speeds of up to two hundred fifty feet per second or more. That is roughly one hundred and ten mph.

As long as you listen to your instructors, understand your equipment and never assume you know how to do something, skydiving in safety is a great possibility.

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In its basic sense, a parachute is neither made for travel and sports, it was created to increase safety while descending from a certain altitude. It is a medium to delay the pull of gravity from earth when deployed form higher altitude.

In short, it makes the dropping of an item, a person or equipment vertically or diagonally slower by reducing the amount of dragging force while maintaining a balance so that the item would remain safe until it reaches the ground. Early physicists have made use of this principle and newer develops in parachuting technology led to the creation of various types of parachutes.

Early types of parachutes

Parasol type- Though not strictly called parachutes, the parasols were commonly used by performers in China to create a slow falling effect onstage.

Conical parachute – Possibly the earliest form of parachute is the conical shaped-parachute which appeared during 1470s in Italy preceding the design conceptualized by Leonardo da Vinci. As an escape device, this type of parachute was intended to allow people to get safely on the ground from burning buildings. However, there are no written records whether this parachute was ever used for that purpose.

Pyramid Parachute – Another design by Leonardo da Vinci, this parachute was conceptualized in Milan during the early part of 1480. It was a canopy that is supported by light wood held by a square bottom frame.

Pack-style parachute – This is the predecessor of all parachutes that are stored in casings these days.

Round parachutes – A basic drag device, round parachute is used in various settings like medical missions, cargo applications and military operations. While being described commonly as round in shape, the parachute actually resembles a dome or a jellyfish. This has been among the most popular type however; present-day parachutists don’t normally use this kind of parachute.

The earliest round parachutes were circulars with flat surfaces that made them unstable, thus causing a number of deaths and injuries on parachutists. To add more stability, military round parachutes were made parabolic or conical in shape.

There are two types of round parachutes- steerable and non-steerable. Like ram-air parachutes, non-steerable parachutes can’t be maneuvered to intended direction thus this type glides only to the direction of the wind lending no control to the parachutists. However, steering is provided through cutting large holes in the edges giving relatively partial forward speed.

Square parachutes – The cruciform design helps reduce oscillation. It is commonly used today by sport skydivers.

Ram-air parachutes – For better control of speed and direction, ram-air parachutes allow the canopies to self-inflate.  Like standard paragliders, ram-air parachutes are designed to hold, spread and lessen the tension of parachute deployment on terminal velocity.

Ribbon/Ring Parachute – Specifically designed for supersonic speeds where ordinary parachutes would break down, this type often has a hole in the middle of the canopy to lessen the pressure as the parachute reaches the ground.

On some designs, the ring of the canopy is broken into a number of ribbons that are connected by ropes so as to allow more air to pass. The leaks in between the ribbons will diminish the pressure on the parachute so that breaking or shredding of the canopy is prevented.

These various types of parachutes are made according to the use they have and some are according to the technology the inventors had during their time.

Parachutes are a good way to learn about physics and aerodynamics. They are also fairly easy to make with the right materials. The materials can be made out of plastic bags, nylon fabrics from discarded tents, strings and an object that will serve as the payload.

The instructions are very easy and there many resources that you can find in the internet. This is why parachutes are common science projects.

There are many variations that can be done with a parachute. You can make different designs and make a few variations with your over all design to yield different results.

Parachute Projects

Parachutes work by slowing down the descent of a person or object in the atmosphere. They create drag or air resistance that slows down the descent while being pulled down by gravity. You can experiment with different designs but the easiest to make would be round shaped parachutes.

When an object falls down it has to push air molecules away. This causes the drag or air resistance that inflates parachutes. The amount of drag can be measured through the cross sectional area of the object. The canopy of a parachute has a large cross sectional area which results to more drag. This is what makes the falling object with a parachute slow down.

To be able to make a falling object have a soft landing, it must reach a terminal velocity. This is accomplished when the weight of the object is equal to the drag or air resistance. To be able to get the right drag you must have a chute with the right size. The size of the chute will depend on the payload or your weight. Generally, heavier objects need canopies with bigger radius. There is a formula for a decent speed for payloads that is applied to round parachutes.

The best way to start is to go simple first so that you will have an idea on how it works. Then you can go from there and experiment with different materials and weights. Using sand can be a bit hard to gauge. You can opt to go for large canopies if you want to try heavier weights. There are materials that are air resistant while some are not. Most if the time it will depend on the weight of your materials.

Toy parachutes can be made from plastic bags and strings. Apart from plastic bags you can also use a bandanna, handkerchief, scarf or any lightweight fabric. If fabrics are not available use lightweight paper. You can decide on what object you are going to use for the payload. The simplest payload would be metal washers. It’s preferable to use lightweight strings.

Make small overhand knots at the corners of your cloth. Then tie the string above the knots. Hold the center of your cloth and pull the strings. Tie the ends of your strings with an overhand knot. Lastly tie the strings to the metal washer.  Release the parachute 6 feet high.

It’s more convenient to use a lark’s head knot so that you will able to easily untie your payload. You can add more metal washers if you want to experiment. You can also add suspension lines if you want a different design. There are also other materials that you can use. After you know the basics you can try out nylon fabrics from discarded tents and have heavier weights.