Section 7: Establishments organising parachuting or wind tunnel freefall activities

The minimum age required to practise sport parachuting is fifteen. With the exception of licence-holders of federations with parachuting delegations, parachutists must present, at the time of registration, a medical certificate stating that they are not contraindicated in the practice of parachuting, as mentioned in article L. 231-2-3. Parachutists who are minors must also present written authorisation from their legal representatives.

The organisation of jumping sessions takes into account the aerological and meteorological conditions. If changes in these conditions are likely to jeopardise the safety and health of jumpers, the person in charge of the jumping session will adapt or cancel it.

Jumps by beginners are preceded by compulsory training, adapted to the nature of the jump. The only jumps that beginners may make on their first jump are the following 1° An automatic opening jump using a “full back” type parachute whose main container is opened by a strap connected to the aircraft. It is performed from a minimum height of one thousand metres; 2° A controlled opening jump, where the…

All the jumps made are recorded in a specific logbook, held by the student, on which the instructors certify the skills acquired: 1° Apart from the accompanied progression in the chute, the students first carry out jumps in automatic opening which enable them to demonstrate their ability to make stable exits and to simulate the action of opening. They must make a minimum of four automatic opening jumps before entering…

Self-sufficient skydivers in an establishment keep a record of their jumps in a special logbook that is regularly stamped by an instructor with the necessary qualifications. They must have a minimum of one hundred jumps and have demonstrated the following skills: -be able to take part in an autonomous practice session ; -be capable of ensuring the safety of the release during an autonomous practice session; master free-fall ; -be…

The jumps referred to in this article are not authorised for the pupils referred to in article A. 322-150 and in progression referred to in article A. 322-151. They are organised according to the following characteristics: 1° Water jumps : -Participants must have a good command of swimming. They are equipped with a buoyancy aid and receive specific training; -the recovery of parachutists and their equipment is ensured by a…

With the exceptions provided for in article A. 322-150, 1° and article A. 322-151, the minimum height of the main canopy extractor jet is 850 metres. Depending on the characteristics of the drop zone and the aerological conditions, the maximum wind speed on the ground may not exceed that set by the parachuting federation. In all cases, it may not exceed eleven metres per second.