The Technological Aspects of Freefalling from Great Heights

In the thrilling world of skydiving, technology and passion collide to create extraordinary experiences for adrenaline junkies.

One such innovation is the FLYSIGHT, a GPS receiver designed specifically for swooping and wing suiting disciplines in skydiving. This device tracks a skydiver's glide ratio, horizontal speed, or vertical speed during a jump, providing valuable data for analysis after the jump.

Another groundbreaking development is the Burble Software system. This unique booking software and manifest system allows licensed skydivers to reserve slots on the aircraft for themselves and their friends using a phone application. Moreover, it includes a GPS tracking feature that allows skydivers to notify the drop zone of their exact coordinates and location in case of an alternate landing area.

Safety is paramount in skydiving, and innovations such as the CYbernetic Parachute RElease System (CYPRES) Automatic Activation Device have revolutionized the sport. Conceived by the engineer Otto Pflanze, this system ensures a reliable deployment of the parachute in case of an emergency.

To help skydivers stay aware of their altitude, especially in distracting or potentially dangerous situations, audible altimeters provide aural cues. Humans respond quickly to aural cues, making these devices helpful in maintaining altitude awareness. The third alarm on most audible altimeters is a high-pitched siren that indicates an altitude where immediate action is required.

In addition to audible altimeters, there are visual aids like the peripheral vision LED skydiving altimeter. This recent innovation provides continuous and immediate feedback of altitude via the hue of a light in a skydiver's peripheral vision. The color of the LED light indicates the skydiver's altitude, offering a quick and convenient way to monitor altitude.

After a jump, skydivers can review the data captured by the FLYSIGHT and view a graph with plots between various parameters. This data analysis can help improve performance and provide valuable insights for future jumps.

Skydive Orange, operating a gear shop since October 11, 2018, is one of the many places where these innovations can be found. The shop offers a wide range of skydiving equipment, including the durable nylon material that withstands being tossed to the winds at 120mph.

The Burble Software system also allows skydivers to attach a message letting the drop zone know if they are okay, need a ride, or are close enough to walk back. This feature ensures smooth communication and organisation at the drop zone.

Innovation is the lifeblood of the skydiving industry, and the passion of engineers and skydivers alike continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in this exhilarating sport.