From arrival to landing: the 6 stages of your tandem jump so nothing catches you off guard. Plus age, weight, cost and freefall time explained plainly.
The honest answer to "how does this actually work?": calmer and more structured than you think. A tandem jump consists of six clear stages — arrival, briefing, gearing up, climb, freefall, canopy flight and landing. The actual freefall from around 4,000 metres lasts only about 50 to 60 seconds, followed by roughly five minutes of relaxed canopy flight. Everything before and after is organisation your tandem master takes care of.
The tandem jump is deliberately low-threshold: no course, just a short briefing, and you're firmly attached to an experienced tandem master. That's exactly why in the US it can even count as the first of the 25 jumps toward a license. When you know what's coming, the nerves shrink to a good, exciting buzz.
For a tandem jump you need to bring almost nothing — the dropzone provides the gear. Sensible to have: Firm, closed shoes (no sandals, no tall boots). Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing; a jumpsuit is often provided. Being well-rested and sober — no alcohol the night before. A time buffer: weather can delay jumps, plan for half a day. * Optional add-on: a video/photo package (in Germany usually 70 to 90 euros extra).
### 1. Arrival, registration and briefing You check in, sign the usual forms and get a short briefing. Here you meet your tandem master and learn the two or three things you do on exit and landing — you need no more theory than that.
### 2. Gearing up You're fitted with a harness and connected to the tandem master. He checks every carabiner multiple times. This harness system is built to carry both your weights many times over.
### 3. The climb The plane takes you up to around 4,000 metres. Depending on the aircraft this takes 15 to 25 minutes — the phase most people find most nerve-racking. Use it to breathe calmly; your body will sound the alarm, and that's normal.
### 4. Exit and freefall The door opens, you tip out — and then you fall for around 50 to 60 seconds in freefall. It doesn't feel like falling, but more like lying on a firm cushion of air (we explain why in the freefall guide). On a tandem, a small drag chute, the drogue, often keeps your combined fall rate under control — otherwise the two of you would fall noticeably faster than a single person. Your only job in this phase: head back, legs slightly raised, and enjoy the insane view. The tandem master handles everything else.
### 5. Canopy opening and flight At a safe altitude the tandem master deploys the main canopy. The jolt is brief, then it goes instantly quiet and slow — the roar of freefall falls silent and you glide along quietly. Now you float over the landscape for around five minutes; often you even get to pull the control lines briefly yourself and feel how directly the canopy responds. For many this phase is the surprisingly finest part: no more falling, but real, calm flying with a panoramic view.
### 6. The landing At the end the tandem master pulls both brakes (the flare), the canopy slows, and you touch down softly — usually sliding or with a few steps. Lift your legs on his command, he does the rest.
All safety-critical actions — exit timing, opening, steering, landing — are handled by your trained tandem master. This website explains the process but doesn't replace an on-site briefing. Book only with licensed operators, and if you have health concerns (heart, back, circulation), raise them with the dropzone beforehand.
Book your jump as early in the day as possible and on a weekday. Mornings often have calmer air, shorter queues, and if the weather turns in the afternoon you've long since flown. And if you're unsure whether you want the video package: take it. Nobody regrets the 70 to 90 euros — the one jump without footage that you then have to describe forever, they do.
### What's the minimum age for a tandem jump? With most German operators the minimum age is 14, then with written consent from a legal guardian. The exact limit, and whether an upper age limit applies, depends on the operator — when in doubt, ask your dropzone directly.
### Is there a weight limit for a tandem jump? Yes. A common cap is around 90 kg, often with a surcharge up to roughly 105 kg; height should usually be above 140 cm. The exact figures vary by gear and operator, because harness and canopy are rated for a maximum weight.
### How much does a tandem jump cost in Germany? A tandem jump in Germany costs roughly 190 to 250 euros, with a video or photo package usually 70 to 90 euros extra. Prices are operator-dependent and vary seasonally — check your dropzone's current offer.
### What altitude do you jump from and how long is the freefall? Standard for tandem is around 4,000 metres, giving about 50 to 60 seconds of freefall, followed by around five minutes of canopy flight. Need a medical certificate? Not for tandem — a certificate is only required for solo-jumper training.
Overcoming the fear before the jump