Yes, it is illegal to skydive through a cloud right here in the United States. Well, that seems like a super-specific thing to be made illegal by the law, but that’s how it is. And it is not a rare thing that a lot of people out there want to try this, but it is the law that prohibits them from doing so. Let’s get to know a bit more about that here.
What Does the FAA Actually Say?
Well, the particular rules regarding this can be found in the Federal Aviation Regulations, also called FARs. The most important one for this case is FAR Part 105.17, which is phrased as:
“No person may conduct a parachute operation into or through a cloud.”
That’s all there is to it. Quite simple. Like, you must not thought that there would be a law or rule that specifically states that, but here it is. If a jump is made under a situation where clouds are covering the view, the skydiver, the pilot, or even the whole dropzone might be subjected to severe fines or other such punishments.
Why This Rule Exists
It might sound like an oddly specific thing or rule to be there, but essentially, this regulation comes down to one thing: skydivers have to be able to see all the things around them. Without a single doubt, being able to see well is absolutely necessary, particularly when you are in free-fall. It is indispensable that you can see not only the place where you are going to land but also the other skydivers and even the plane from which you have just gotten out.
Going down within this a bit more, see, if , by chance, you find yourself enveloped in a cloud, it would be similar to falling through a dense fog but at a very high speed. Visibility of the ground, people, or objects around you is zero, and you cannot even control the direction in which you are moving. As a result, it can cause a collision with another aircraft, take a route that is very different from the one intended, and land in places that may be dangerous.
How Dangerous Can It Get?
From a distance, clouds seem to be very calm and peaceful; however, if you are inside one, the visibility is almost zero. In case two skydivers happen to be in the same cloud, they can crash into each other without giving a single indication. That’s rare but definitely a possibility. Alternatively, they might not be able to find the landing zone at all and subsequently end up in a hazardous place such as a forest, power lines, or water.
Every reputable dropzone is aware of this, hence they will delay or cancel jumps if the cloud cover is too low or too dense. It’s not a matter of being overly careful, rather it is about preventing mishaps that can occur within a matter of seconds.
What It Actually Feels Like
From the early ages, every human believes that clouds are these soft, cushy, and fluffy things, but to be honest, it is far from that, actually. Like, the experience of passing through is not what you think. The sensation is cold, wet, and it resembles a sudden shower falling on you, rather than anything else.
What Happens If Someone Breaks the Rule
It is true that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is known to impose heavy penalties if a skydiver or pilot decides to ignore the cloud rule. Just so you know, the penalties can be a fine, a license suspension, or even a temporary closure of the dropzone. Besides, the scary thing for the skydiver is not the punishment but rather the risk of a serious injury or death.
