Please don't hit skydivers

[bkthomps]

jumpers should aim for the tail of a plane, insures they never hit it

the guys in that video didn't have a clue what to do from the look of it

[BASE1127]

Originally Posted by Bdalporto

I always thought that the little jump symbols on the chart were not quite good enough. Jumper's always have a defined landing area and the chart should have some type of marking showing the area that jumpers could be in around that point. If it were more obvious I think pilots would fly around that area even if they are not listening to their radio and every body would be happier.

Just remember that skydivers will almost always be within three miles (usually less) of that little parachute symbol and they will usually be found upwind. Avoiding these areas is a very small inconvenience in exchange for assurance that there's no chance of a collision. As others have stated, the jump plane will make radio calls before and during jump run as skydivers are exiting. These calls will be repeated to all aircraft by Center and Approach controllers in the area.

Avoid these very small areas during the few minutes between the time that skydivers exit the airplane and land. This is very simple, please don't make it any more complicated than need be. The last thing anybody needs is more regulations.

[BJohnson]

I suspect that amoung the various pilot communities, the Experimental sector has a larger percentage of past or present skydivers, with a higher tolerance for risk.

Besides, the ultimate experimental aircraft is the human body itself, and the feeling of flight and freedom is life changing. Letting go of any aircraft from any altitude, be it 3,000 ft or 14,500 ft stands out more prominantly in my memory than my solo in a 152, even though it was over 20 years since my last jump.

Both jumpers and pilots need to work together to keep both safe.

[Danger Will Robinson]

Originally Posted by LifeofReiley

Anyone that would jump out of a perfectly good flying airplane...

Holy glass houses Batman!

This reminds me of how I sometimes have to defend those general aviation private pilots that are looking for an airliner to run into or are going to crash into someones house.

We are all aviation enthusiasts.

[Danny7]

Originally Posted by BASE1127

Just remember that skydivers will almost always be within three miles (usually less) of that little parachute symbol and they will usually be found upwind. Avoiding these areas is a very small inconvenience in exchange for assurance that there's no chance of a collision. As others have stated, the jump plane will make radio calls before and during jump run as skydivers are exiting. These calls will be repeated to all aircraft by Center and Approach controllers in the area.

Avoid these very small areas during the few minutes between the time that skydivers exit the airplane and land. This is very simple, please don't make it any more complicated than need be. The last thing anybody needs is more regulations.

Sometimes it is wisdom to voluntarily not do something on a certain day. I am not saying anything should be legally prohibited, but It seems similar to going to the grocery store the day before thanksgiving and complaining about the lines. As a pilot i stay away from drop zones. I don't really feel like i can comment as a jumper because i don't do it regularly, but i have done it. As a jumper (i'll say it anyhow) I would think it is foolish to go jumping the same day a close by airport has a major fly in. I mean sun and fun is one of the top three fly ins? it just seems a little foolish to want to jump that weekend

edit hows this sound "avoid jumping near this small airport during the weekend of sun and fun, the airspace is extraordinarily crowded. all other 51 weekends are fine and all weekdays"

[Danger Will Robinson]

Originally Posted by Danny7

hows this sound "avoid jumping near this small airport during the weekend of sun and fun, the airspace is extraordinarily crowded. all other 51 weekends are fine and all weekdays"

How's this sound? "Avoid flying over Drop Zones during jump activities. The airspace is extraordinarily crowded. All other airspace is fine, even P56."

[Danny7]

Originally Posted by Danger Will Robinson

How's this sound? Avoid flying over Drop Zones during jump activities. The airspace is extraordinarily crowded. All other airspace is fine, even P56.

I certainly will stay away from drop zones. I was using the guys statement that i quoted at the end to show how sun and fun happens once a year, rational thought would be more for jumpers to exercise some common sense and pick another weekend.

hey, i am in oregon, not going to FL. I'm not advocating for any regulations. I thought it was a simple observation that air traffic would be vastly increased the weekend of SNF, and it just might be wiser to avoid jumping that weekend. Yes pilots should be aware of drop zones. If something happens because a pilot didn't notice will that help anyone that is impacted? anyhow, i think i've said my point of view, i'm going to work so:

pilots look out for drop zones!

[jmbaute]

Originally Posted by Danny7

I certainly will stay away from drop zones. I was using the guys statement that i quoted at the end to show how sun and fun happens once a year, rational thought would be more for jumpers to exercise some common sense and pick another weekend.

The thing about a lot of Florida DZs is that jumpers are traveling there from Europe and all over the world. Not likely they would even know about SnF. This time of year, in Florida the drop zones are 7 day a week operations (and pretty big businesses, especially Zhills). No way the DZ operators are going to take a week off!

[Danny7]

Originally Posted by jmbaute

The thing about a lot of Florida DZs is that jumpers are traveling there from Europe and all over the world. Not likely they would even know about SnF. This time of year, in Florida the drop zones are 7 day a week operations (and pretty big businesses, especially Zhills). No way the DZ operators are going to take a week off!

just a quick note, i was saying the individuals might choose a different weekend, not the business closing down.

although.... the businesses close down during bad weather right?

[Dmadd]

Understood. Thanks for the reminder. ;-)

DM
ex DZ pilot.

Originally Posted by Danger Will Robinson

For years I have watched conflicts between aircraft and skydivers increase at Zephyrhills FL during Sun N Fun.

Be advised that KZPH is home of Skydive city http://www.skydivecity.com one of the largest Drop Zones in the country.

It is also just outside the eastern edge of the Tampa class B airspace.

This year due to an early Easter the winter season is winding down but their is still plenty of jumping activity going on, especially on weekends.

The Sun N Fun notam advises to use caution for parachute jumping at Zephyrhills and Lakeland South. But what is cautious?

If you are not talking to Tampa approach on 119.9 I recommend transitioning aircraft give the SouthEast corner of ZPH a 1.5 mile berth. Here's a pic

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25314173@N08/?saved=1

To understand how see and avoid between Jumpers and A/C is so difficult here's a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu3nA...eature=related

Fly Safe and See you at Sun N Fun