Editing Drop zone (section)

== Recreational drop zone ==
[[Image:PepFromAir.jpg|thumb|right|233x233px|Drop zone in Pepperell, MA (USA), seen from the air]]

The earliest recreational parachuting jumps were made from balloons, and the first successful parachute descent was performed in 1797 over Paris. Free-falling jumps were not possible until 1908 Contests began in the US in 1926, and the first world championship was held in Yugoslavia in 1951. Competitors normally used aircraft to carry them to about 3600 m, and parachutes are usually opened at about 760 m. In skydiving parachutists compete in 4 world championship areas: free-fall individual style manoeuvres, combined with precision accuracy landing; 4 and 8-person group free-fall, with recreational jumping in groups of 2 to 100; open parachute formations and para-ski .

Skydiving in sport is practiced at a drop zone, a facility with authorization for parachute jumps.<ref name=":0" /> In some instances, first aid may be available at the DZ, but one study noted that injuries sustained only amounted to around 0.2% of all the skydives.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Barrows|first1=Thomas H.|last2=Mills|first2=Trevor J.|last3=Kassing|first3=Scott D.|date=January 2005|title=The epidemiology of skydiving injuries: World freefall convention, 2000-2001|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15657007/|journal=The Journal of Emergency Medicine|volume=28|issue=1|pages=63–68|doi=10.1016/j.jemermed.2004.07.008|issn=0736-4679|pmid=15657007}}</ref> Furthermore, the modern framework for skydiving drop zones is established in the official policy documents such as ''Parachute Descents Authorisation and Specification 2020'', which defines DZs clearly in the civilian context.{{Citation needed|reason=the Australian document mentioned, [https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2005B02749/ CASA 263/02 - Parachute Descents - Authorisation and specification], appears to be from much earlier than 2020|date=February 2021}}

In addition to regular jumps, many skydivers attend events called “boogies.” Boogies are special events hosted by one DZ to draw jumpers from surrounding DZs for jumping and partying.<ref name=":0" /> So, the purpose of a DZ is not only to facilitate recreational parachuting but also to bring people together in a community.