Can You Go Skydiving At Night?

Skydiving at night certainly isn’t for the faint of heart. If you thought exiting an aircraft in flight would get your blood pumping, it doesn’t hold a candle to skydiving at night! Wondering if you can go skydiving at night, or how night jumps even work? We’re so glad you asked! Here’s what you need to know about skydiving at night.

Technically, What Is Skydiving At Night?

According to the governing body of sport skydiving, the USPA (United States Parachute Association), a night skydive is one that occurs in the time between one hour after official sunset and one hour prior to official sunrise. This means that night jumps do not necessarily happen in the dark of night.

However, it is important to note: while the skydive may not occur during the pitch-black night, the risk quotient of skydiving at night is significantly higher than skydiving during the day. Likewise, all skydives that occur within the time range required to be officially considered a night jump have been considered by both the USPA and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to require special considerations and equipment.

Skydiving At Night Requirements: Who Can Skydive at Night?

Night jumps aren’t for everyone. In fact, it requires a significant amount of skydiving experience. 

In order to participate in skydiving at night, you must have earned a USPA B License or higher. The requirements of a B License are:

• Completing a total of 50 solo skydives
• Landing within 33 feet of a target on 10 jumps, demonstrating landing accuracy
• Fulfilling the requirements of the USPA canopy piloting proficiency card
• Successfully demonstrating required freefall maneuvers
• Completing water training and attempting a live /simulated water landing
• Passing a written exam

Even after obtaining a USPA B License, an individual will need to receive a comprehensive night jump briefing prior to skydiving at night.

Special Equipment for Skydiving At Night

Skydiving at night also requires special equipment. Before participating in a night jump, you will need the following equipment:

• A light that is visible for a minimum of three statute miles 
• Analog altimeter with glow-in-the-dark face or digital altimeter with electroluminescent backlight
• A whistle for warning other jumpers while under canopy, as well as upon landing to signal to other jumpers
• Flashlight to illuminate and check the parachute
• Chemlights (essentially extra-strong glow sticks)
• Ensure that the AAD has been cycled so that it is within time-frame operational limits

It is important to note that road flares and other pyrotechnics are extremely hazardous and should NOT be used for lighting while skydiving at night.

Can You Go Tandem Skydiving At Night?

Can you go skydiving at night as a tandem student?? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Although your instructor will have exceeded the requirements for night jumps (tandem instructors have a minimum of 500 jumps and a USPA D License), you – the tandem student – have not.

Safety is the primary reason that tandem skydiving at night is not allowed in the United States. Our sport is all about risk mitigation. Because night jumps introduce a host of complications from a limited field of vision to environmental changes/differences, tandem skydiving at night is not offered in the US.

Although we know this news may be disappointing, consider this … it’s pretty much impossible to take great skydiving photos at night. Particularly if it’s your first time skydiving, you’ll want to capture each and every moment! And, in order to do that, you’ll need the best lighting possible! We’ve even written an article all about the best time of day to skydive!

Interested In Skydiving At Night?

Every journey begins with one step. While you may not be ready for skydiving at night just yet, you can always take that first step with a tandem jump! Before you know it, you’ll be a licensed skydiver prepping for your first night-time skydiving adventure!

Until then, call (920) 568-1700 or click to schedule a skydive with Wisconsin Skydiving Center today! Blue skies!