After months of training and countless jumps, Friday, August 24th, 2024, became the day I officially earned my skydiving license in Hohenems, Austria. It was a day full of milestones and excitement, marking the culmination of hard work and dedication. From jumps to parachute packing, it was a complete experience—and now, I can proudly say I’m a certified skydiver!
The 1000m Jump: Three Weeks Earlier
The first part of my exam, a 1000m jump, actually took place three weeks earlier. We used the usual Cessna Caravan for that jump, and everything went according to plan—well, almost. As my colleagues later informed me with a grin, I had actually jumped from 800m, not 1000m. But since I wasn’t checking my altimeter after the door opened, I didn’t notice. My focus was entirely on the jump itself.
Once I received the signal to jump, I didn’t hesitate. I exited the plane, stabilizing myself in a perfect arch position, and glanced back at the Caravan as part of the routine. My instructor showed me a number with his hand, and I read it without any issue, maintaining a stable position throughout the freefall. The exit, which I had practiced so many times, felt smooth and controlled.
After around 4 seconds, I opened my parachute. To my surprise, this opening felt completely different from my previous jumps—it was incredibly gentle, like lying down on the softest bed. Normally, the parachute opening can be quite a jolt, but this time, it was almost luxurious. The parachute deployed perfectly, and I stayed facing toward the plane after the opening. Everything went flawlessly.
The Final Exam Jump: 4000m Out of a Pilatus Porter
The final exam jump was from 4000m, and I completed it on Friday, out of a Pilatus Porter instead of our usual Cessna Caravan. The Caravan had been involved in an accident a few weeks earlier, so we had to adapt, and jumping from the Porter was a new experience for me.
Let me tell you, exiting the Porter was a completely different challenge. With the Caravan, nothing happens when the door opens—it’s stable and calm. But with the Porter, as soon as the door opened, the powerful wind hit me, and I felt like I was almost being sucked out of the plane. The downwash at the door was intense, making the exit much more difficult than I anticipated. As you can see in the video below, my exit wasn’t perfectly stable, but that’s part of the learning process when adapting to new aircraft.
Despite the tricky exit, the rest of the jump went smoothly. I pulled the parachute a bit early, at 1300m instead of the planned 1200m, because we were further from the dropzone than expected. Better to be safe than sorry, and the early pull worked out just fine.
Packing Exam: Another Milestone
I also passed my parachute packing exam on the same day. This exam means that from now on, I can pack my parachute without any supervision or checks. It’s a key step in becoming a fully independent skydiver, and having control over your own gear is crucial. Knowing that I can pack my chute correctly and confidently adds another layer of accomplishment to the day.
And Now, I’m a Skydiver!
It’s hard to describe how rewarding it feels to finally hold my skydiving license in my hands. After months of preparation, practice jumps, and training sessions, everything came together perfectly. I’m now officially a licensed skydiver, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Below, you’ll find the video of my final exam jump from 4000m, where you can see the exit and freefall. You’ll also see a photo of my skydiving license and the packing certification. It’s been a whirlwind journey, but one that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Exam Jump Video:
Watch the full video of my 4000m exam jump, including my (slightly wobbly) exit from the Pilatus Porter and the controlled freefall.
Skydiving License & Packing Certification:
Here’s a snapshot of my official skydiving license. It feels great to be fully in control of my jumps!
Thanks for following my skydiving journey! It’s been an unforgettable experience, and this is just the beginning. If you’re interested in skydiving or have any questions about the process, feel free to ask in the comments below!
