clouddancerss 0 #1 November 23, 2003 Ok, this is sort of a dumb question, but here goes.I've only made a tandem jump, but I now I couldn't find the landing area very well.My question is, how in the hell do you learn where and how to land?I know you fly a pattern like a plane, but how do you learn where to start this pattern and how to do it? Thanks for the help!Quote Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites cindee 0 #2 November 23, 2003 Ground school will clear up a lot of these questions. They will show you an aerial view of the DZ and show you where you need to fly and hang around there until you are at 1000 ft. Then you start your landing pattern which is explained in detail in school. Also, you will be wearing a radio which will assist with the pattern and flare...__________________________________________________ "If happy little bluebirds fly above the rainbow, why oh why can't I?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites tombuch 0 #3 November 23, 2003 Think big to small. Let me take you away from the drop zone for a minute. Imagine you are looking at a map of the United States and you need to find the tiny town of Driggs Idaho. You would start by knowing Idaho is along the Rocky Mountains, so you would begin by finding that part of the country on the map, then find Idaho, then look in the general area where Driggs should be (alongside Wyoming). Try the same process when looking for your drop zone from the air. Look for a really big landmark like a special shaped lake, a mountain, river, odd farmers field, etc., then follow that to smaller landmarks until you find your landing area. At my current DZ I start by finding a river, use that to find a baseball field, then trace that back to the landing area. At a previous drop zone I looked for a square wooded area with a notch that was big enough to see and unique, then looked to the right of that for the tiny grass runway. Your local instructors will help you identify the big stuff and then route your eyes to the little things. It's not usually difficult, but it takes some training in local landmarks and a bit of practice. Tom Buchanan Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and EasyTom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites clouddancerss 0 #4 November 23, 2003 Thanks, that certainly puts it in a different perspective! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Kdsosso 0 #5 November 23, 2003 Go for a plane ride as a passenger and have someone point out the landing area to you. This way you'll be able to see what you'll be looking for (the landing area) at the exit altitude. I have done this in areas that I was unsure of landing in several times, and it has helped to alieve my anxiety......don't worry you'll get it. It does get better! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Kat1221 0 #6 November 24, 2003 On your first tandem you were probably too excited etc. to even notice where you were! Don't worry about it - the DZ should have aerial photos for you to look at, and will probably go over it well in the FJ course. Plus, for your first few solo/AFF jumps you will be on radio. You shouldn't rely on the radio, but it will help you out the first few times. Make sure you check out the view from the plane, and look for landmarks like posted earlier, and you will be fine! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
cindee 0 #2 November 23, 2003 Ground school will clear up a lot of these questions. They will show you an aerial view of the DZ and show you where you need to fly and hang around there until you are at 1000 ft. Then you start your landing pattern which is explained in detail in school. Also, you will be wearing a radio which will assist with the pattern and flare...__________________________________________________ "If happy little bluebirds fly above the rainbow, why oh why can't I?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tombuch 0 #3 November 23, 2003 Think big to small. Let me take you away from the drop zone for a minute. Imagine you are looking at a map of the United States and you need to find the tiny town of Driggs Idaho. You would start by knowing Idaho is along the Rocky Mountains, so you would begin by finding that part of the country on the map, then find Idaho, then look in the general area where Driggs should be (alongside Wyoming). Try the same process when looking for your drop zone from the air. Look for a really big landmark like a special shaped lake, a mountain, river, odd farmers field, etc., then follow that to smaller landmarks until you find your landing area. At my current DZ I start by finding a river, use that to find a baseball field, then trace that back to the landing area. At a previous drop zone I looked for a square wooded area with a notch that was big enough to see and unique, then looked to the right of that for the tiny grass runway. Your local instructors will help you identify the big stuff and then route your eyes to the little things. It's not usually difficult, but it takes some training in local landmarks and a bit of practice. Tom Buchanan Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and EasyTom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clouddancerss 0 #4 November 23, 2003 Thanks, that certainly puts it in a different perspective! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kdsosso 0 #5 November 23, 2003 Go for a plane ride as a passenger and have someone point out the landing area to you. This way you'll be able to see what you'll be looking for (the landing area) at the exit altitude. I have done this in areas that I was unsure of landing in several times, and it has helped to alieve my anxiety......don't worry you'll get it. It does get better! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kat1221 0 #6 November 24, 2003 On your first tandem you were probably too excited etc. to even notice where you were! Don't worry about it - the DZ should have aerial photos for you to look at, and will probably go over it well in the FJ course. Plus, for your first few solo/AFF jumps you will be on radio. You shouldn't rely on the radio, but it will help you out the first few times. Make sure you check out the view from the plane, and look for landmarks like posted earlier, and you will be fine! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
