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Skydiver
Qualifications
Skydivers become qualified to jump
after graduating from an extensive course of instruction developed by the U.S.
Parachute Association. Throughout the course they are under direct
instructor supervision. Instruction covers many aspects including
indoctrination on how aircraft use airports. Skydivers gain a healthy
respect for aircraft and pilots.
Drop
Zone
A drop zone is a designated
landing area clear of obstacles, and usually marked with a brightly colored
wind sock. Drop zone operators, jump pilots, airport management and
aviation officials meet and agree upon key safety concerns and practical issues
of sharing airports and the surrounding airspace. Some drop zones located
beneath complex airspace have a letter of agreement with the appropriate FAA
air traffic control facility to address site-specific issues and
concerns.
Each day before the jumping
begins, the drop zone operator contacts the Flight Service Station for the
latest weather forecast and winds aloft forecast. The jump pilot files a
NOTAM at least one hour prior to the first drop. Skydiving operations
with continuous activity may file a permanent NOTAM. These areas are
often, but not always, depicted on aeronautical charts with a parachute symbol
and are listed in the Airport Facility Directory. The actual location of
parachute symbols on the chart do not represent the precise location of drop
zones. The symbol on the chart may be in the only free spot that is clear
of other markings. Another reason to make sure you look for these symbols
is because the FSS will NOT normally identify these permanent NOTAMs during a
preflight briefing, unless specifically requested to do so.
Takeoff and
Climb
During jump operations, the jump
pilot follows procedures covered by the general operating and flight rules of
part 91 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. The jump pilot is also
required to follow part 105, which includes special provisions unique to
parachute operations.
Prior to takeoff, the skydivers
load up and secure themselves with seat belts. The pilot assures that the
aircraft's weight and balance parameters are not exceeded.
A typical climb pattern
has the jump aircraft quickly leaving the airport traffic pattern and climbing
to the jump altitude which generally ranges from 10,000 to 15,000 feet
AGL. The location of aircraft climb and descent areas are determined by
several factors, including: Winds aloft, Proximity to airways, Population
density, and Air traffic control. Specific procedures may vary by
airport.
Jump
Run
The jump run typically takes place
over the designated landing area and usually into the wind. A few minutes
prior to the drop, the jump pilot contacts ATC, advising jump altitude and exit
time. ATC then advises of any aircraft or unsafe conditions in the
area. Before the drop, the jump pilot may make a blind call on UNICOM as
an additional alert to aircraft in the vicinity of the drop zone.
Exit
From typical jump altitudes of
10,000 to 15,000 feet, it takes just over one minute to free fall to parachute
opening altitudes of 4,000 feet to 2,000 feet AGL. The jump pilot
ensures that all jumpers have exited, and advises ATC that jumpers are
away.
Descent
Even with a minimum parachute
opening altitude of 2,000 feet AGL, skydivers are well above the normal
aircraft traffic pattern altitude. Under a parachute, the rate of descent
slows to about 1,000 feet per minute. Skydiver landing patterns at
airports are generally contained well within aircraft traffic patterns.
Except in rare cases, skydivers open their parachutes upwind of the intended
landing area, then land into the wind to minimize speed and maximize
flare.
Pilot Safety
Concerns and Responsibilities
Skydiving ends when the jump pilot
verifies all skydivers are down, and advises ATC that all have landed.
The jump pilot then makes a quick descent to the airport - continually scanning
for other air traffic. Specific procedures may vary by airport. To
learn more about parachuting procedures, pilots can turn to the documents
listed above under Regulations and Related Information. Additionally,
pilots should check:
NOTAMs
Airport Facility Directory
Sectional
Charts
Pilots and skydivers need to be
alert and follow the rules. It is the responsibility of everyone to watch for
and avoid each other. Because skydivers free fall at a speed of 120
m.p.h. or more, they are extremely difficult to spot from other
aircraft. |
