Canopy Safety
- Wind indicators: Landing direction arrow, flags, wind sock. The landing direction arrow is an air-traffic control device that sets the landing direction on the north side of the runway.
- Know the landing direction before takeoff, and check the landing direction indicator (LDI) north of the runway after you open and check canopy in case winds have changed.
- Follow the landing direction indicator when landing north of the runway. No exceptions even if the wind is light/variable and not in perfect agreement with the LDI at that moment. If you would prefer a different direction, land south of the runway. This keeps all skydivers moving in the same direction, which is better for seeing and avoiding other traffic than mixed landing directions. Think of landing here as landing on a runway at a controlled airport rather than landing in an open field.
- Pattern altitude begins at 1,000 feet.
- Fly left-hand patterns north of the runway unless safety requires otherwise.
- Below pattern altitude, do not fly over primary landing areas (i.e., 1 or 2) where you don’t plan to land. Think of these areas as vertical columns for different jumpers up to 1,000 feet, not just lines on the ground. The point is to keep higher-performance traffic in area 1 completely and safely separated from slower canopies in area 2, so keep your pattern over the area where you intend to land without overlapping other areas.
- No S turns, spiraling, or sashaying to lose altitude in the pattern (below 1,000 feet).
- Tandem instructors always have right of way.
- After landing, remain vigilant for other canopies you may need to dodge by turning around and looking up line of flight and all around until all other canopies have landed.
- Do not kite your canopy while others are landing nearby.
- Please see this map of each drop zone’s landing areas and read their policies.
Runway(s)
- Under canopy, do not fly over the runway or its approaches below 1,000 feet when aircraft are approaching/taking off/taxiing.
- When under canopy, avoid holding off the ends of the runway where aircraft take off and approach.
- When crossing the runway on foot, stop and look both ways first. If an aircraft is on landing approach or taxiing, stop well back from the runway and take a knee or squat down to show the pilot you see him/her. NEVER cross in front of an aircraft on the runway.
- The pavement is not the only runway; we also land on the grass runway next to it. Stay well back from the runway when landing or waiting for an aircraft to pass.