Australian skydiver, Paul Harvell, is set to attempt a record-breaking HALO jump on 14 September 2024. HALO stands for High Altitude, Low Opening - and high altitude, in this case, means 41,000 feet.

Record-Breaking Attempt

Ever wished freefall could last longer? Surely a thought that's gone through every sport skydiver's mind at some point...including Paul Harvell's.

Paul Harvell is an Australian veteran skydiver, who is set to achieve a significant milestone in his adventurous career, by performing a HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) jump from 41,000 feet in Tennessee, USA next month. At 64 years of age, Paul aims to set a new record for the highest civilian jump for an Australian, and this momentous event will be officially accredited by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).

The current Australian High Altitude Record is held by Graham Wain, Dennis Curran, Ojars Silins, William Kenny and Dave Millard, who jumped from a Piper Navajo at 32,250 feet in Pakenham on 26 February 1972.

Paul's Skydiving Journey

Paul began his skydiving journey in May 2010 at The Gap in France, where he completed his Accelerated Freefall training. Despite the language barrier, with instructors teaching him through sign language, Paul completed his mandatory jumps within ten days, igniting his passion for the sport.

After returning home, Paul ordered new gear and committed to skydiving with stints in Perris, where he would stay at the local motel for two weeks at a time, maximising his jumps. His dedication to the sport led him to train in belly flying with Christy Frikken and Dan BC, and later, he mastered wingsuiting at Elsinore.

Paul's home drop zone is Sydney Skydivers, however his adventurous spirit has also taken him to the heights of Mount Everest and the icy waters of Antarctica for scuba diving. He reignited his passion for skydiving during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, thanks to Kate Vaughan. This led him back into 4-way formation skydiving, where he earned a Silver in the E-League in 2020/21 and a Gold in the 4-way Blast in 2021. Paul has an APF Certificate D and a USPA C licence and has just 600 jumps.

In Paul's words, his HALO jump is "Just something on the bucket list, why not go the highest you can?"

What is a HALO Jump?

HALO stands for High Altitude, Low Opening. This type of jump, initially coined by the US Army in 1957, involves a freefall from a high altitude, typically opening the parachute at a low altitude to minimise exposure and enhance the element of surprise, a technique historically used for military operations.

HALO Team at West Tennessee Skydiving

HALO jumps have evolved significantly since their inception, with advancements in technology and equipment making them safer and more accessible to civilian skydivers. The distinction of 'HALO Oxygen Jumps' highlights those jumps that require supplemental oxygen, typically at altitudes of 23,000 feet and above. The equipment used, including specialised helmets and oxygen systems, ensures that jumpers can safely perform these high-altitude descents.

With a love for high-adrenaline activities, Paul has always dreamed of executing a HALO jump.

The Jump

Jumping from 41,000 feet will require the use of specialised oxygen equipment due to the thin atmosphere. Paul will be accompanied by a team of experienced HALO operational staff, including a trained HALO Jumpmaster and an Oxygen Monitor, to oversee all safety protocols and address any issues during the jump.

An exit altitude of 41,000 feet and opening altitude of 3,000 feet will give Paul a total freefall time of approximately 3 minutes 40 seconds.

This extraordinary endeavour will not only fulfil Paul's personal dream, but also aims to set new Australian national altitude records. The 41,000-foot jump will be a notable achievement in the field of civilian skydiving, marking a milestone for the sport in Australia.

HALO TI, Alex Coker, with passenger Tracey, at West Tennessee Skydiving
Image: Tylor Flurry

Jump Details

Date: Saturday 14 September 2024

Location: West Tennessee Skydiving, Tennessee, USA

Aircraft: Cheyenne 400LS (known for being the fastest climbing turboprop aircraft in the world)

Altitude: 41,000 feet

Freefall Duration: Approximately 3 minutes and 40 seconds, with the parachute opening at 3,000 feet

Equipment: Each jumper will be outfitted with a complete high-altitude bailout system, including custom-designed HALO helmets by Bonehead Composites, MBU-20 oxygen masks, A-14 regulators, and lightweight Kevlar oxygen bottles. These systems ensure the safety and functionality of the jumpers throughout the ascent and freefall. Electric under garments will be worn, as the air temperate will be -60c.

West Tennessee Skydiving

West Tennessee Skydiving is renowned for its exceptional skydiving experiences, offering some of the highest civilian jumps in the world. Their Cheyenne 400LS aircraft, equipped with powerful turbine engines, enables rapid ascents to altitudes of 36,000 and 41,000 feet, providing an unparalleled skydiving experience for adventurers and record-setters alike.

Paul's HALO jump promises to be a remarkable event, pushing the boundaries of civilian skydiving and setting new records in the process.

Good luck Paul!

Thank you to Paul Harvell and Michael Mullins for their contributions to this article.

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[Photo Sources: Paul Harvell, West Tennessee Skydiving, Tylor Flurry]