skydiver
A person who jumps from airplanes using a parachute.
A skydiver is someone who jumps out of an airplane high in the sky and falls through the air before opening a parachute to land safely on the ground. Skydivers typically jump from altitudes of 10,000 to 15,000 feet, which means they're falling from about two to three miles up in the air.
During the freefall, which lasts around a minute, skydivers plummet toward Earth at speeds of over 120 miles per hour. They can steer themselves through the air by changing their body position, and experienced skydivers perform flips, spins, and formations with other jumpers. Eventually, they deploy their parachute, which catches the air and slows their descent dramatically, allowing them to glide to a landing spot.
Some people skydive once as a thrilling adventure, while others become passionate about the sport and jump regularly. Competitive skydivers perform acrobatic maneuvers or try to build complex formations with dozens of other jumpers, all falling together through the sky. The combination of an adrenaline rush, the view from miles above the ground, and the unique sensation of flying through the air makes skydiving an unforgettable experience for many people.