How to Avoid Having a Skydiver for a Hood Ornament

Pilots are often nervous about flying into or around airports with skydiving operations. There's really no need to be, as Paul Bertorelli explains in this AVweb video. Just avoid the airport by three or four miles on the downwind side when transitioning and don't overfly a dropzone airport if you're landing there. Just fly a normal (not too tight) pattern.

[ejl]

Luckily, as a helicopter pilot, I’ve got a clever system that keeps them off my windshields.

[cuteswan]

Paul, I love your informational videos enough, but I freakin' love the humorous tidbits in your animation. Best wishes for many more years of safe flying whether in a plane or not.

[sethfreedman]

As a skydive jump pilot, this cideo does a great job of unraveling what seems to be a mystery for most regular pilots. One thing that was slightly missed is that some skydive operations have slightly different departure procedures than the standard traffic pattern, and also that at times will be entering the traffic pattern at higher speeds then is normal for the aircraft they are flying (traffic permitting of course). Another thing to note is that we are always willing to be corteous and give way to other aircraft, but if you are not in a rush it's polite to allow the jump plane to go ahead of you because we are almost always in a rush and typically get paid per jump so by holding us up you are effectively making our hourly rate lower. We typically also fly very short approaches to get down as quick as possible, in addition to having very high decent rates from altitude (it can be in excess of 3000 ft per minute). So make sure to look out for the skydive plane and they will be looking out for you!

[peterallen]

I can say from personal experience that when I jumped (admittedly 25+years ago) in NE Pennsylvania, it was a high wind day and we dropped much more than 2 miles from the airport and drifted/backed into the airport. A couple of later jumpers missed the airport entirely and ended up in the auxiliary drop zone which was the jump school owner's back yard a few miles beyond the airport. We were briefed this "auxiliary" as a possibility the day before and were given the impression that it was not uncommon for jumpers to end up there on windier days. Otherwise, good info as usual.

[joetroyner]

Learned how to Fly by dodging skydivers all day at Cross Keys (17N). They have a really good system to keep everyone separated, but sometimes you'll get a jumper crossing the runway at midfield while landing and taking off. Love seeing you mention my little home airport..

[theflyingfool]

AvWeb is home to a national treasure... his elegant sense of humour and South Park graphics are second to none.

[Salty-De]

Thank you Paul, another good one! Regarding the Mooney, if you're going to get hit you might as well get it over with quickly rather than dragging it out with a Cirrus.

[AlecThilenius]

I love your humor and no-BS info so much, it's a joy to watch and learn from.

[richardseton]

Highly valuable safety operational information, sucintly and comprehensively articulated, to the point with all with the best humor and graphics. Thank you Paul, every time you present a topic there are more memorable valuable take aways than any official law, rule or guideline.

[jpfurnari]

13, 000+ skydives, 16, 000 loads of skydivers flown. This is fantastic. In a nutshell, don’t be NORDO around dropzones, if possible avoid overflight by 3 miles when possible. Simple things that can keep everyone safe.

[NathanBallardSaferFlying]

Always love Paul's commentary, keeping it REAL!

[kiltedpiper]

Good info. Love the humor throughout all of it. Almost didn’t recognize you without the mustache.

[timspangler]

As a current pilot and skydiver this is a fantastic video. Thank you.

[WilliamsWings]

Was just flying around skydiving operations today so this was perfect timing thank you!

[omegacage]

I did some of my training at KAVQ. The pilots for the jump aircraft always included “do not overfly the field” with their calls leading up to the jump.

[healerf]

Pansy here and proud of it! Won't catch me jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. :) That said, not being a skydiver I had no concept of skydiving operations. This was very helpful. As always, Paul is the very best!

[leximattick]

Fantastic video as always! I'm not a huge youtube watcher but I always look forward to AVweb's content.

[tracyhardy]

Paul, Thank you for doing this video. I fly a lot in southern AZ, around many airports that host skydiving. Frankly I didn't know diddly. I am a relatively short time pilot with a little more than 500 hours in 3 years, frankly it amazes me that they let us have our licence without knowing more of this stuff! I guess it really is a licence to learn. Hey, maybe that could be the subject for a new video, "Stuff you need to know that wasn't on the test" or "now you know just enough to be dangerous" I am always looking for "engine out energy management" videos/instruction. Ill buy the gas and put up the airplane to do a video on that one! Thanks again and keep up the comedic sarcasm!

[milk-it]

As a pilot, I always have concerns when flying around danger areas with noted parachute operations. I always maintain radio contact with pilots on the local CTAF, that way I always ensure I'm clear of parachute operations, glider operations etc. Great video.

[MrxEVILCRAZYx]

The bloopers were a hilarious and awesome touch, thank you chief