## How Fast Do You Fall When Skydiving: A Detailed Guide
Skydiving is an exhilarating experience that involves jumping out of an airplane and freefalling towards the ground. The speed at which you fall depends on several factors, including your body position, weight, and the air density.
### Body Position
Your body position plays a significant role in determining your fall speed. The three main body positions used in skydiving are:
– Belly-to-earth (BTE): In this position, you face the ground and keep your body straight. This is the most stable position and provides the highest speeds.
– Sit-fly: You sit upright with your legs extended in front of you. This position offers more control and slower speeds than BTE.
– Head-down (HD): You invert your body with your head pointing towards the ground. This position provides the slowest speeds and allows for precise maneuvers.
### Weight
Your weight also affects your fall speed. Heavier individuals fall faster than lighter individuals due to the increased force of gravity acting on them.
### Air Density
The density of the air affects your fall speed because it provides resistance to your movement. Air density is lower at higher altitudes, which means you will fall faster at higher altitudes than at lower altitudes.
## Fall Speed Calculations
The approximate fall speed for a skydiver in the BTE position can be calculated using the following formula:
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Fall speed (mph) = 120 + (weight in pounds / 3)
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For example, a 180-pound skydiver would have an approximate fall speed of 160 mph in the BTE position at sea level.
## Terminal Velocity
Terminal velocity is the maximum speed that an object can reach when falling through a fluid (in this case, air). It is determined by the balance between gravity and air resistance. For a skydiver in the BTE position, terminal velocity is typically reached after about 10 seconds of freefall.
### Factors Affecting Terminal Velocity
The following factors can affect your terminal velocity:
– Body position: As mentioned earlier, the body position affects your fall speed and thus your terminal velocity.
– Weight: Heavier individuals have a higher terminal velocity than lighter individuals.
– Air density: Lower air density leads to higher terminal velocities.
– Surface area: Objects with a larger surface area experience greater air resistance, resulting in lower terminal velocities.
– Shape: Streamlined objects have lower terminal velocities than irregular-shaped objects.
### Typical Terminal Velocities
The typical terminal velocities for skydivers in different body positions are as follows:
– Belly-to-earth (BTE): 120-140 mph
– Sit-fly: 90-110 mph
– Head-down (HD): 50-70 mph
## Conclusion
The speed at which you fall when skydiving depends on various factors such as your body position, weight, and the air density. In the BTE position, you can reach terminal velocities of around 120-140 mph. However, by adjusting your body position and using techniques like tracking and bodyflight, you can control your fall speed and maneuver through the air.