Navigation rules and canopy collisions

[peek 21]

This is only one of many similar resources available online:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/rotr_online.htm

I suggest that if skydivers were to follow these guidelines that we wold not be needing to endlessly argue about collisions under canopy.

For those of you that think that navigation rules as related to boating or shipping are not relevent to skydiving, well...

Think again, and read up on them.

They are so succinct, so well written, that they don't even seem like "rules", but instead, like "common knowledge" that you would be crazy not to follow.

Notice the section on "Safe Speed", which is not often discussed as related to parachutes. (Yes you can!)

[ChrisL 2]

I think its even simpler than that.

I think everyone agree's that someone right to swing their fist ends if it might intersect with my nose.

Same thing should apply to canopy navigation.

Someones right to do a 270 and swoop ends if it might intersect at high speed with my conservative, straight in approach.

I just dont see how anyone could see it differently.

__

My mighty steed

[billvon 3,107]

>Someones right to do a 270 and swoop ends if it might intersect at
>high speed with my conservative, straight in approach.

Agreed. Unfortunately, after it happens, it's too late to discuss the issue. And beforehand, the issue often devolves to:

"Look, dude, I have 5000 jumps, and more swoops than you have jumps total. You don't know what you're talking about. You just keep jumping your big canopy, and I'll keep clearing my airspace, doing 270's and landing safely."

[kallend 2,146]

Here are the relevant aviation rules (FAR part 91). I have highlighted the ones that would be relevant to canopy traffic:


Sec. 91.113 - Right-of-way rules: Except water operations.

(a) Inapplicability. This section does not apply to the operation of an aircraft on water.

(b) General. When weather conditions permit, regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft. When a rule of this section gives another aircraft the right-of-way, the pilot shall give way to that aircraft and may not pass over, under, or ahead of it unless well clear.

(c) In distress. An aircraft in distress has the right-of-way over all other air traffic.

(d) Converging. When aircraft of the same category are converging at approximately the same altitude (except head-on, or nearly so), the aircraft to the other's right has the right-of-way. If the aircraft are of different categories --

(1) A balloon has the right-of-way over any other category of aircraft;

(2) A glider has the right-of-way over an airship, airplane, or rotorcraft; and

(3) An airship has the right-of-way over an airplane or rotorcraft.

However, an aircraft towing or refueling other aircraft has the right-of-way over all other engine-driven aircraft.

(e) Approaching head-on. When aircraft are approaching each other head-on, or nearly so, each pilot of each aircraft shall alter course to the right.

(f) Overtaking. Each aircraft that is being overtaken has the right-of-way and each pilot of an overtaking aircraft shall alter course to the right to pass well clear.

(g) Landing. Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface, except that they shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircraft off the runway surface which has already landed and is attempting to make way for an aircraft on final approach. When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[tombuch 0]

I'll add another good resource that I authored at: http://theblueskyranch.com/STA.php. See "Article 12-Landing Direction Defined."

This is a feature in the S&TA section of The Ranch web site that defines first how we select the landing direction (prior to boarding), but then spells out some near-collision conflicts/solutions with graphics. It's worth a read for beginners who are thinking about how to avoid collisions in the landing area. Even if your DZ uses another way to select the landing direction (perhaps first person down), the graphics should help to better illustrate how to fly defensively to prevent collisions.

Tom Buchanan
Instructor Emeritus
Comm Pilot MSEL,G
Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

[dharma1976 0]

Quote

I'll add another good resource that I authored at: http://theblueskyranch.com/STA.php. See "Article 12-Landing Direction Defined."

This is a feature in the S&TA section of The Ranch web site that defines first how we select the landing direction (prior to boarding), but then spells out some near-collision conflicts/solutions with graphics. It's worth a read for beginners who are thinking about how to avoid collisions in the landing area. Even if your DZ uses another way to select the landing direction (perhaps first person down), the graphics should help to better illustrate how to fly defensively to prevent collisions.

my favorite line from this tom

7. If you are doing "hook turns" or other advanced maneuvers you should yield to slower parachutes, and to those flying conventional approaches. A canopy pilot with the skill to make aggressive landings should also have the skill and wisdom to fly conservatively when in a group approach.

http://www.skyjunky.com

CSpenceFLY - I can't believe the number of people willing to bet their life on someone else doing the right thing.

[UDSkyJunkie 0]

Quote

Agreed. Unfortunately, after it happens, it's too late to discuss the issue. And beforehand, the issue often devolves to:

"Look, dude, I have 5000 jumps, and more swoops than you have jumps total. You don't know what you're talking about. You just keep jumping your big canopy, and I'll keep clearing my airspace, doing 270's and landing safely."

Obviously you are quite correct. I am reminded of a pilot mantra that all those who think they're better than everyone else ought to remember, but inevitably won't:

"A superior pilot uses his superior judgement to avoid situations which require his superior skill"

"Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

[loudtom 5]

Thanks Gary and John and everyone else I don't know who posted.
I am going to put up this thread on our website so all of our jumpers can benefit.
lt

tom #90 #54 #08 and now #5 with a Bronze :-)