Where am I

[dmeyer@ti-csl]

/* ---------- "Way off" ---------- */
> This past weekend, on the occasion of my 4th static line, I had the
> wonderful experience of landing about half a mile from the DZ. Seemed
> to arise from a combination of the winds being in the opposite direction
> at 4000' as they were on the ground, a slow exit, and my complete
> inability to spot the DZ from the air (although I had a radio). Anyway,
> I'm still really confused as to how I had so much difficulty orienting--
> after all, it WAS a pretty panoramic view and it isn't THAT hard to spot
> an airport! Does anybody have some perspective into why this happens?
> (I hope experience improves :-) ) Any anecdotes regarding major quality
> misses would be appreciated.

> Mark Papamarcos
> ..hplabs!pesnta!valid!markp
> /* End of text from ti-csl:net.rec.skydive */

So, is everyone tired of reading this message 4 times? Ok, so I'm still
trying to figure out how to use this SOB. The last 3 copies were a result
of me trying to compose a response to this, while being thrown into an
unknow editor. I think I have it now. Sorry.

Now, lets see ... what was I going to say ... oh yeah ...

I think that you have experienced now what ALL of us have experienced
from time to time -- a lousy spot. Skydiving just wouldn't be the fun
that it is without those long walks back to the DZ. I have just recently
had this happen on an EXPERIENCED load. I wasn't real familiar with the
area and our spotter must have been sniffing glue. Since I was in the
rear of the airplane, I didn't notice where we were until after openning.
I could not see the airport because it was about a mile away. Luckily
the other guys on the load saw the DZ and I was able to follow them --
we still were about a half mile away when we got down.

But as a student, what can you do to minimize getting lost up there?

1) It is the responsibility of your Jumpmaster to give you a reasonable
spot. The winds changing directions is not a valid excuse - he
should know better. Tell him so.

2) You should look down and locate the landing area on jump run to see
where you are before you jump. If you can't see it, ask your JM
to point it out. The plane should be flying into the wind -- and
the winds aloft usually are the same as those on the ground. If the
winds are screwy, your JM should have told you about them. So, when
you open your canopy and locate the airport, you should be flying
DOWNWIND right toward the airport.

3) It is a very good idea to spend some of your time during the ride up
to study the area. Find some unmistakable landmarks that will help
you find the DZ. Don't restrict them to being closeby. You will
need them most when you are far away. If you do this regularily,
you will find yourself pretty knowledgable about your location,
regardless of your openning point.

4) Learn to be a GOOD spotter yourself. If someone spotting YOUR load
does a poor job, teach him how to spot too. These days, square
canopies have made spotting a joke. Folks under a round canopy
NEED those good spots (remember your reserve!). Maybe you ought
to recommend that your JM make a few jumps under a round canopy
to rediscover his spotting skills.

=========================================================================

Dane Meyer Texas Instruments

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