My first course is designed for skydive students to learn good canopy navigation skills. We use virtual reality technology but the course can be completed from just an online PC or MAC in a "one-on-one" format with your instructor.

Eight lessons in a "brief-jump-debrief" format with each level getting progressively more challenging. Each lesson takes approx 15 minutes. Students need to pass each jump before they progress:

  • Intro on how to use the software, steer the parachute, how to “look around”. First jump is in nil winds, most common landing direction, holding area, downwind, base, final. Aircraft & airport operation fundamentals.  
  • Second jump is most common landing direction, ideal to medium winds with good spot
  • Third jump is second most common landing direction, not a good spot, mild winds, holding, crabbing, running, other canopies, intro to flying in brakes and braked turns
  • Fourth jump is most common landing direction, mild or high winds different from forecasted winds, other canopies, consolidation of holding, crabbing, running, braked turns
  • Fifth jump is bad spot, most common landing direction, assess canopy performance to landing area and possible alternate landing points, get back entering the traffic pattern low, other canopies, how to recognize and avoid turbulence due to wind
  • Sixth jump, landing off procedure (nil winds), points to assess for when selecting where to land off
  • Seventh jump, landing off consolidation (variable winds), with other canopies
  • Eighth jump, land off cross-wind setup and approach, avoiding turbulence


      "I was thrilled to learn about skyDiVR and elated to be given an opportunity to train with Ronnie using the software. We scheduled 8 lessons over the time leading up to my first real skydive with each lesson progressively building on and reinforcing the skills from the previous lessons while applying toward learning new skills. The results of the training from my perspective were invaluable".


- Christopher, now with over 100 jumps logged

You need a PC or MAC with a good internet connection.



Your instructor will set up an audio link so you can talk and send you the skydiVR client package. This software allows you to control your virtual parachute.

Before jumping you will know what you need to do to pass this level: plan the dive.


We use the"brief-jump-debrief" format.

Practice your canopy navigation skills under instructor supervision: dive the plan.


Practice collecting relevant info to make wise decisions under canopy. With 2 weeks notice we can produce your DZ in virtual reality.

Hi, I’m Ronnie Hughan and I want to help skydive students everywhere become better canopy pilots. So I founded the team which developed skydiVR: a virtual reality parachute flight simulator.

My quick bio:

30 years skydive instruction and 40 years IT project management experience. USPA# 119449, D-21826. UPT Tandem/Instructor Examiner & AFF Instructor/Evaluator. 5500+ jumps.

Member of the current world record holding team for largest canopy formation (100 canopies).

First jump 17 Dec 1981, Taonui airfield, Fielding, New Zealand.

Fun fact, other parachute flying experience: ridgesoaring.