4-7: Spotting

A. Why Spotting is Important

Choosing the correct exit point and guiding the pilot to it (spotting) helps fulfill each skydiver’s responsibility to land in an appropriate clear area. Jumpers must demonstrate basic spotting abilities prior to obtaining the USPA A license. Spotting in more difficult circumstances requires continued practice and study. In addition to considerations for getting one jumper or group out of the aircraft at the correct point, spotters must consider the correct exit points for multiple individuals or groups on the same pass from a larger aircraft.

B. Priorities

Be familiar with the DZ and surrounding area, including exit and opening points. Jumpers should observe and talk to those on previous jumps to help determine the correct jump-run direction and exit and opening point. The Standard Operating Procedure sections of Categories D, E, and F of the Integrated Student Program explain the methods for estimating the exit and opening point based on winds-aloft forecasts.

Calculation of the spot using the winds-aloft report has replaced the use of wind-drift indicators (WDI) for most routine drop zone operations. However, use of WDIs can also be effective for determining drift under canopy. Jumpers aboard the aircraft observe the drift of a piece of weighted crepe paper released at canopy opening altitude over an observed position (or at half of the opening altitude with ground travel doubled for the jump) to determine the distance and direction of the best opening point upwind of the target. Jumpers are responsible for wind drift indicators after they land.

To spot, look out the open door of the aircraft for traffic and clouds below, and identify the DZ, the climb-out point, and the exit point. Category D of the ISP discusses techniques for determining the point straight below the aircraft.

Jumpers can use the mnemonic SPACE to quickly remember the items they need to check while spotting:

• Skydivers
• Planes
• Airport
• Clouds
• Exit light

Make sure you have enough separation between the skydivers in front of you and your group. According to FAR 105.5, the jumper and the pilot are jointly responsible for making sure plane traffic is clear before jumping. You should be at a distance and direction from the airport that allows you to make it back to the drop zone given the winds for that day. According to FAR 105.17, the jumper and pilot are jointly responsible for staying the appropriate distance clear of clouds. The pilot communicates the final OK for exit either with a light system or verbally.

C. Exit Separation on Jump Run

Slower-falling jumpers and groups have a longer exposure to upper headwinds, which blow them farther downwind than faster-falling jumpers and groups. Slower-falling groups should exit before faster-falling groups when jump run is into the wind.

On days with strong upper headwinds, allow more time between groups on the same pass to get sufficient horizontal separation over the ground. Provide at least 1,000 feet of ground separation between individuals jumping solo. Provide at least 1,500 feet of ground separation between small groups, adding more as the size of the groups increase.

Once your parachute opens, delay flying up or down the line of flight until any jumpers in a slower-falling group that exited before you have opened their parachutes and turned toward the landing area, and members of the group exiting after have completed their freefall and opened.

Flying jump run across the upper winds (crosswind) helps achieve separation between groups. Whether flying one or more aircraft, each pass should allow enough time for jumpers on a previous pass to descend to a safe altitude before dropping jumpers from the next pass.

D. Exit and Flight-Plan Considerations for Different Disciplines

Larger jump aircraft may include several different groups of skydivers performing different disciplines, some of which use more airspace than others. The following exit order is a general guide, but drop zones may adjust the order based on local considerations such as prevailing upper winds, the terrain, other disciplines on the load, weather conditions, and skill level of jumpers or group leaders.

1. Movement group 1 (angle, tracking, etc.)
2. Formation skydivers falling in a belly-to-earth orientation (largest to smallest)
3. Freefly groups falling in head-down, standing or sitting positions (largest to smallest)
4. Movement group 2 (angle, tracking, etc.)
5. Freefall students with instructors
6. Tandem students and instructors
7. High-pulls
8. Wingsuit flyers

Some of these groups—formation skydivers, freeflyers, solo students and tandem students—tend to fall straight down after exit, drifting horizontally with the effects of wind but otherwise not moving much in the airspace. They gain adequate separation from one another by exiting in groups largest to smallest per discipline and waiting the appropriate length of time between groups before exiting the airplane.

Other groups—movement groups (angle, tracking, etc.), canopy formation jumpers, and wingsuit flyers—cover large horizontal distances that you must take into account when planning a descent strategy. These groups must fly a specific flight path that they plan before boarding the aircraft. The jumper leading this type of group must keep the group flying the planned path the entire freefall. This plan may include turning downwind after sufficient lateral distance and flying parallel to groups that exited earlier. The breakoff point must be far enough laterally to allow for the jumpers to gain horizontal separation from each other, as well as any of the groups that exited the airplane earlier.

Wingsuit flyers should exit last, as they typically follow the plane along jump run after exit, while high pullers tend to fly back through the jump-run path. There are possible exceptions to this generalization, such as a canopy formation team exiting with a major offset, e.g. greater than one mile past the last wingsuit flyer exiting. Airplane loads that include more than one wingsuit group add complexity to determining the airspace necessary to allow each group to open in a clear area.

Loads that include more than two movement groups require greater planning to determine exit order. Generally, no movement group should exit immediately after another. Immediately after exit, a movement group must fly perpendicular to jump run to provide lateral separation from the other groups that have exited or will exit the aircraft. After gaining sufficient lateral distance, the group may then turn downwind, flying parallel to groups that exited earlier. A second movement group on the same load should fly the opposite direction of the first, while still flying perpendicular to jump run, to allow for greater separation.

Depending on the situation, it may be safer to restrict each airplane load to no more than two movement groups and one wingsuit group.