## How Fast Are You Going While Skydiving?
Skydiving is an exhilarating and adrenaline-pumping experience that involves jumping from a plane at a high altitude and freefalling towards the ground. One of the most common questions asked by first-time skydivers is: how fast will I be going?
### Factors Affecting Skydiving Speed
The speed at which you travel during a skydive is determined by several factors, including:
Body position: Your body position greatly influences your speed. Assuming a streamlined, head-down posture will minimize air resistance and allow you to accelerate more quickly. Conversely, a spread-eagle or belly-to-earth position will create more drag and slow you down.
Altitude: The higher the altitude from which you jump, the greater your potential speed. This is because you have more time and space to accelerate before reaching terminal velocity.
Weight: Heavier skydivers fall faster than lighter skydivers due to a higher force of gravity acting on them. However, weight alone is not the only determining factor.
Air density: The density of the air also affects your speed. Colder and denser air at higher altitudes provides more resistance, slowing you down.
Wind speed and direction: Strong winds can significantly impact your speed and trajectory. Tailwinds (winds blowing in the same direction as your jump) can accelerate you, while headwinds (winds opposing your jump) can slow you down.
### Terminal Velocity
Terminal velocity is the constant speed reached when the force of gravity acting on a body equals the force of air resistance acting against it. In other words, it is the maximum speed you will achieve during a skydive without using any additional propulsion or devices.
For most skydivers, terminal velocity is between 110 and 125 miles per hour (177-201 kilometers per hour). However, experienced skydivers who adopt an extremely streamlined position can reach speeds of up to 180 miles per hour (290 kilometers per hour).
### Speed During Freefall
The initial freefall portion of a skydive is the most exhilarating and fastest part of the experience. During this period, you will accelerate rapidly until reaching terminal velocity. The typical freefall duration is around 45 to 60 seconds, depending on the altitude and your body position.
### Speed Under Parachute
Once you deploy your parachute, your speed will decrease dramatically. The parachute creates drag and slows you down to a safe landing speed. The average landing speed for a skydiver is around 10 to 15 miles per hour (16-24 kilometers per hour).
### Conclusion
The speed at which you travel during a skydive varies depending on a number of factors. However, most skydivers can expect to reach a terminal velocity of approximately 115 miles per hour (185 kilometers per hour) during freefall. Under parachute, your speed will slow down significantly to a safe landing speed of around 12 miles per hour (19 kilometers per hour).
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