Halo Jumps - West Tennessee Skydiving

Definition and history of “HALO” & “HALO Oxygen Jumps”

In 1957 the US Army coined the term “HALO”, which is an acronym for “High Altitude, Low Opening”. Any freefall skydive that begins at a reasonably high altitude, say around 10,000’, and opening altitude of around 3,000’, is by definition a “HALO” jump.

The military adopted what civilian skydivers had been doing for some time as it was a useful combat technique to insert small groups of airborne troops without the exposure the aircraft and troops would have on a static line jump from around 800’.

We have adopted the term “HALO Oxygen Jumps” to differentiate those HALO jumps that require supplemental oxygen in freefall, which are typically those jumps made at or above 23,000’. At lower altitudes the jumpers may use oxygen in the aircraft but need not in freefall. For our 36,000’ and 41,000' jumps, each jumper is supplied with an integrated system that supplies oxygen in both the aircraft and freefall and includes helmet, goggles, oxygen mask, regulators, and oxygen bottles. This is what is defined as a complete “high altitude bailout system”.

Altitude & Aircraft

At our location at West Tennessee Skydiving, we offer HALO Oxygen Jumps from altitudes of 36,000' and 41,000' from our Cheyenne 400LS aircraft, the fastest climbing turboprop aircraft in the world, certified by official FAI records. This aircraft is equipped with two 1,645 hp turbine engines.

The Cheyenne 400LS made aviation history on 16 April 1985 by setting two new time-to-climb records for its class (C-1e Group 2, 3000m and 9,000m) and shattering two time-to-climb records for all turboprop classes (6,000m and 12,000m) while being piloted by Gen. Chuck Yeager:

3,000 meters/9843' in 1 minute, 47.6 seconds, average climb rate of 5,467 fpm

6,000 meters/19,685' in 3 minute, 42.0 seconds, average climb rate of 5,320 fpm

9,000 meters/29,527' in 6 minutes, 34.6 seconds, average climb rate of 4,507 fpm

12,000 meters/39,370' in 11 minutes, 8.3 seconds, average climb rate of 3,531 fpm

Our Cheyenne 400LS is the only aircraft in the world available to civilian jumpers that can reach 41,000'. Only West Tennessee Skydiving has this aircraft available for HALO Oxygen jumps. Do not be misled by claims by any others saying that they can reach these altitudes, they cannot. There will be a "disclaimer" stating that the altitude is "weather and Air Traffic Control" dependent. They will take you to a lower altitude and flat out lie to you that you were higher.

Here are the maximum altitudes of other aircraft that are capable of carrying skydivers:
Beechcraft King Air 200 & 300 series:	35,000’
Caravan	25,000' (a few are certified for 30,000')
Dehavilland Twin Otter:	25,000’
PAC 750:	20,000’

Equipment

The West Tennessee Skydiving high altitude bailout systems consist of the latest equipment available.

Our HALO helmets are custom designed for us by Bonehead Composites (a major manufacturer of skydiving helmets). Historically, HALO helmets were simply adaptations of flight helmets and thus were not ideal for the HALO mission. Our helmets are lightweight carbon fiber and allow the user to actually look up and inspect the main canopy after opening. These are a major improvement in anything that was used previously.

We supply all jumpers with a special high-altitude altimeter that will show altitudes over 30,000’ as a typical skydiving altimeter stops recording altitude around 20,000’.

Our oxygen masks are the MBU-20, which are the same masks used by all the frontline fighter aircraft (F-18, F-16, etc) to at least 45,000’, both in the aircraft and in freefall.

Our bailout bottles are current manufacture and will supply freefall oxygen to each jumper for approximately 11 minutes after disconnecting from the aircraft supply.

Our onboard oxygen system, using A-14 regulators and lightweight Kevlar oxygen bottles, is capable of supplying oxygen to 8 jumpers up to 45,000’ for over 2 hours.

Setting new World and National Altitude Records

A jump from 41,000' in any US State (except New Mexico) will set the USPA (United States Parachute Association) record for altitude in that state. To break an altitude record, you must exceed the current record by at least 3%. To break a 41,000' record, you would need to go to at least 42,230'.

Additionally, "Guinness World Records" offers certification of World Records as does the FAI (Federation Aeronautique International), https://www.fai.org. The FAI has categories for altitude and distance for both conventional freefall and wingsuit.

The West Tennessee Skydiving Cheyenne 400LS aircraft is the only aircraft available anywhere to take civilian skydivers to 41,000'. There are no aircraft available to go to 42,230' for civilian skydivers. Whoever sets the first record for a particular state will very probably hold that record forever. Records are available for both licensed and tandem skydivers.

Records are held jointly by all the skydivers on a given record jump.

Our aircraft is available to travel to set the record in your state. Ferry fees to your state will apply and will be computed upon request.

Procedures for Licensed Skydivers (for Tandem Skydivers, including 1st Time Tandem Skydiver, please scroll down)

For licensed skydivers, we offer the 36,000’ and 41,000' HALO Oxygen Jump on most any Friday, with an arrival time at our facilities of 9 AM. Jump time is planned for 3:00 PM, with the following Saturday and Sunday as weather days. We can arrange other days.

Each jumper will then be completely briefed on all procedures, fitted with the oxygen equipment, and allowed to practice breathe on the ground with both the aircraft onboard system and the bailout system. Onboard on all jumps will be our trained HALO Jumpmaster and Oxygen monitor to handle any problems.

Freefall time on the 41,000' HALO Oxygen jump is approximately 3min, 40 seconds with a 3,000' opening. Freefall on the 36,000’ HALO Oxygen jump is approximately 3 minutes,12 seconds. For Wingsuit pilots, who knows?

Our Cheyenne 400LS jump aircraft in skydiving operations can climb to 36,000' in approximately 13 minutes and to 41,000' in approximately 17 minutes.

IMPORTANT: Non-resident foreign jumpers who bring their own parachute are required to comply with the FAA regulation concerning such gear. If both your reserve parachute and harness/container assembly have US FAA TSO approval then your reserve MUST have been packed by an FAA rigger. No exceptions. If either your reserve or harness/container assembly is not FAA TSO approved then your reserve need only to be packed by the rules of the country you normally jump in or reside in.

Your rig must be equipped with either a Vigil, Cypres, or MarS AAD and be in compliance with the manufacturer’s maintenance program. If it is a Vigil, make sure the high-altitude service bulletin has been complied with. No other AAD brands are acceptable.

If you do not wish to bring your own rig, or cannot comply with the above, we have a wide range of rental rigs. Aerodyne Icons with Vigil AAD and Skyhook, available for $30.00 per jump.

Must be at least 18 years old. As the oxygen masks need a good seal, no beards allowed. A moderate moustache is OK.

Pricing for Licensed Skydivers (for Tandem Skydivers, including 1st Time Tandem Skydivers, please scroll down)

36,000'
We will fly with a single jumper, group rates apply when the group books and pays together, we can fly a maximum of 6 jumpers.
1 jumper	$19,000
2 jumper	$17,000
3 jumper	$15,000
4 jumper	$13,000
5 jumper	$11,000
6 jumper	$9,000

41,000'
We will fly with a single jumper, group rates apply when the group books and pays together, we can fly a maximum of 6 jumpers.
1 jumper	$24,000
2 jumper	$20,000
3 jumper	$15,000
4 jumper	$14,000
5 jumper	$12,000
6 jumper	$11,000

Why is this so expensive? It is this expensive as the aircraft and oxygen system was very expensive to purchase, modify, and maintain. Along with all normal aircraft maintenance, we must also maintain the jumper oxygen system, and we must maintain the aircraft to the FAA RSVM standards (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums) that allows us access to the airspace above 28,000'. The aircraft is also used only for HALO Oxygen jumps so there is no other revenue to offset all the associated costs.

Jumps are made at our private airport, Wings Field (2TN2), owned and operated by West Tennessee Skydiving, near Memphis, TN. Nearest large airport with passenger service: Memphis International Airport (KMEM)

West Tennessee Skydiving
Wings Field
985 Laverne Davis Rd
Whiteville, TN 38075
USA

To make your reservation, or for more information, contact Michael Mullins:
michaelmullins@skydivekingair.com
or, 901-355-2629

Tandem 41,000’ and 36,000' HALO Oxygen Skydive, including 1st Time Tandem Skydivers

A Tandem Skydive is a training skydive where you will experience all aspects of skydiving with little training or time required. You will jump with a parachute harness that attaches to your instructor's harness. It is similar to taking flying lessons, as the instructor is along to give you hands-on experience before solo. Our instructors average well over 1,000 jumps and have completed certification courses in the use of the Tandem Parachute System.

A Tandem 41,000/36,000’ HALO Oxygen Skydive is a Tandem Skydive taking to the extreme. Along with the normal training for a Tandem Skydive, you will receive specific high-altitude training with our state-of-the-art HALO Oxygen gear.

You may make an appointment for this jump for most any Friday with an arrival time of 9:00 AM. You will then be fitted with all the oxygen equipment and gear needed to make this extreme skydive, including practice breathing with the onboard and freefall oxygen systems. Jump time is planned for 3:00 PM, with the following Saturday and Sunday as weather days. We can arrange other days.

Our equipment, along with being the latest available, includes a unique communication system that allows voice communication with you and your instructor at all times, including freefall. It is voice activated and requires nothing more than to speak into your oxygen mask.

You and your instructor will exit the aircraft at 41,000' for a freefall of approximately 3 minutes and 20 seconds, from 36,000' approximately 2 minutes and 50 seconds. These are the longest freefall tandem skydives available anywhere on earth, period. Do not be misled by claims by any others saying that they can reach these altitudes, they cannot. There will be a "disclaimer" stating that the altitude is "weather and Air Traffic Control" dependent. They will take you to a lower altitude and flat out lie to you that you were higher.