How Long Does a Skydive Last? Freefall Time, Parachute Ride & Full Experience

Key Takeaways
Planning a tandem skydive is easier when you know what to expect. While the jump itself happens quickly, the overall experience includes training, the ride to altitude, freefall, canopy flight, and time at the dropzone, making it an immersive experience that typically lasts several hours. Higher jump altitudes also provide significantly more freefall time, giving first-time skydivers more opportunity to enjoy the sensation and scenery.

A tandem skydive happens surprisingly fast, but the full experience takes a bit longer than most people expect. While freefall typically lasts anywhere from 20 to 60 seconds, you should plan to spend about 3 to 4 hours at the dropzone for the full experience. At Parachute Ottawa, your day includes check-in, training, the plane ride to altitude, your skydive, and time afterward to soak it all in.

So, how long does skydiving last? Let’s break it down.

• Plane ride to altitude: Approximately 20 minutes
• Freefall: Approximately 20-60 seconds
• Parachute ride: Approximately 5-7 minutes
• Total experience at the dropzone: Approximately 3-4 hours

How Long Is Freefall?

How long does a skydive take? The freefall portion of a tandem skydive typically lasts anywhere from 20 to 60 seconds.

Freefall is the portion of the skydive most people think about when they picture skydiving. After exiting the aircraft, you and your instructor begin accelerating toward the ground in a stable belly-to-earth position. 

Tandem skydives typically reach speeds of around 120 mph, although this can vary. Do heavier people fall faster while skydiving? Slightly – but in tandem skydiving, it’s the combined weight of both the instructor and student that matters most, not just the passenger alone.

While weight can slightly affect freefall speed and descent rate, the biggest factor determining how long a skydive lasts is altitude. The higher you jump from, the longer you’ll spend in freefall.

9,000 Feet vs. 12,500 Feet: What’s the Difference?

How high is a beginner skydive? At Parachute Ottawa, we offer multiple jump altitudes, and this is the biggest factor affecting how long your skydive lasts.

A tandem skydive from 9,000 feet typically gives you around 20 seconds of freefall. Your instructor exits the aircraft, stabilizes the tandem pair, deploys the drogue, and opens the main parachute around 5,500 feet.

If you choose the 12,500-foot option, you can expect closer to 40–50 seconds of freefall. That extra altitude gives you significantly more time to settle into the experience, enjoy the sensation of flying, and take in the views before the parachute opens.

If freefall is what excites you most about skydiving, our 12,500-foot option is usually the better value simply because you get much more time in the air.

How Long Is the Parachute Ride?

Once the parachute opens, the entire experience changes. The noise and intensity of freefall are replaced by a slow, controlled descent back toward the landing area. 

Most tandem parachute rides last about 5 to 7 minutes, although this can vary slightly depending on weather conditions, the size and type of parachute being flown, and the combined weight of the tandem pair. Lighter tandem pairs may stay in the air a bit longer.

This is often people’s favorite part of the jump. You’ll have panoramic views of the Ottawa and Madawaska rivers, the surrounding countryside, and a perspective very few people ever get to experience.

It’s quiet, peaceful, and calm enough to have a conversation with your instructor on the way back down.

How Long Is A Skydiving Plane Ride?

The plane ride to altitude varies from dropzone to dropzone, depending on the type of aircraft being used. At Parachute Ottawa, we fly a Cessna Grand Caravan named Bruce, which can carry up to 16 passengers and typically reaches a higher altitude in only 20 short minutes.

You’ll sit next to your instructor during the climb, enjoy incredible views out of the windows, and have time to mentally prepare for your jump. Depending on the weather and temperature, the aircraft door may even be opened during the climb to altitude, giving you an even more immersive experience before it’s time to jump.

For many people, the anticipation during the ride to altitude becomes one of the most memorable parts of the entire experience. You’ll watch the landscape get smaller beneath you, feel the excitement build inside the aircraft, and realize you’re about to do something most people only dream about.

How Much Time Should You Plan for Skydiving?

Even though the actual skydive itself only lasts a few minutes, you should plan to spend about 3 to 4 hours at the dropzone for the full experience.

Skydiving operations are dynamic and weather-dependent, so timing can vary slightly throughout the day. We do our best to keep things moving efficiently, but this isn’t like showing up for a roller coaster ride. You’re participating in a real aviation activity, and part of the fun is being immersed in the atmosphere of the dropzone.

Your experience will typically include:

• Checking in and completing paperwork (~15-30 minutes)
• Getting geared up and trained for your skydive (~15-20 minutes)
• Waiting for your aircraft load
• The plane ride to altitude (~20 minutes)
• Your skydive and parachute ride (~5-7 minutes)
• Watching your video and celebrating afterward

Instead of trying to squeeze skydiving into a tiny time slot, block off part of your day and enjoy the experience. Watch nervous first-timers become completely hooked on the sport, soak in the atmosphere, and make a day of it.

Ready to Experience It for Yourself?

Skydiving is one of those experiences that’s difficult to fully understand until you do it yourself. Ready to make your first jump? Book your tandem skydive with Parachute Ottawa today, or surprise someone with a gift certificate they’ll never forget!