Definition
A parachute jump is the intentional descent of a person from an aircraft in flight using a parachute. In U.S. regulation, parachute jumping operations are governed by 14 CFR Part 105, which sets requirements for permission, equipment, notification to ATC, and where jumps may legally take place — including restrictions over congested areas, in controlled airspace, and near airports.
Plain English
Someone deliberately leaves an aircraft in flight and uses a parachute to come down. The FAA has rules about when, where, and how this can be done, and the pilot of the jump aircraft has to follow them.
Context Anchor
Seen in preflight planning, chart review, notices to pilots, airport operations, and radio calls near areas where parachute activity is taking place.
Derivation
Parachute comes from French: para means to protect against, and chute means fall. The word literally points to a device that protects a person during a fall, which fits its aviation use.
Why Pilots Care
Awareness prevents conflicts with jump aircraft and descending parachutists in shared airspace.
Intuition Check
Do not think of parachute jumps only as a sport happening far away from normal flying. For a pilot, parachute jumps mean active airspace where people may be descending through the same sky you are using.
Example Sentence 1
Before the parachute jumps began, the pilot contacted ATC to provide the required notification.
Example Sentence 2
A NOTAM warned of parachute jumps near the practice area during the afternoon.