{"id":17909,"date":"2018-01-17T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-01-17T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=17909"},"modified":"2021-11-11T12:25:07","modified_gmt":"2021-11-11T12:25:07","slug":"2018-01-17-land-off-or-not","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/2018-01-17-land-off-or-not\/","title":{"rendered":"Land Off \u2013 or Not?!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Should I land off ? … or try to make it back to the DZ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The answer to this question can be difference between a safe landing and a trip to the hospital…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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You’re at 2,000 feet not sure you’ll make it back to the DZ, what do you do?…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Scenario:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re under a good canopy at 2,000 feet. You are downwind of the drop zone and aren\u2019t sure you can make it to the landing area. Between you and the drop zone are trees, brush, power lines, and likely all manner of unpleasant critters. Behind you is a wide open field.<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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What do you do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1) Get on your rear risers<\/strong> or toggles, trim out your canopy for a flat glide, pull up your knees to reduce drag, and try to clear the obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Start looking for an alternate landing area<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Aim for the center of the biggest tree<\/strong> so you can grab onto it when you land there and not fall out of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) Transfer your landing pattern<\/strong> to the open field behind you and aim for the center of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember back to your student training\u2026 at what altitude were you taught to select a suitable landing area? That\u2019s right \u2013 2,000 feet. Above 2,500 feet you should have done a controllability check and begun evaluating potential landing areas (free of hazards) nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Landing safely in a wide open field is preferable to dodging hazards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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So let\u2019s look at the possible answers…<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1) Get on your rear risers or toggles, trim out your canopy for a flat glide, pull up your knees to reduce drag, and try to clear the obstacles.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good answer \u2013 if you were well above 2,000 feet, not AT 2,000 feet. By 2,000 feet, you should have already selected an easily reachable, safe landing area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Start looking for an alternate landing area.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 2,000 feet, you should have already done this so you can make a choice with sufficient altitude to achieve a good pattern starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Aim for the center of the biggest tree so you can grab onto it when you land there.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is only a good plan if you have failed to select an appropriate landing area in time to reach it. It\u2019s an emergency technique, not a plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aim for the center of the biggest tree?! \ud83d\ude09 NOT!
Image by Erik Aasberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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4) Transfer your landing pattern to the open field behind you and aim for the center of it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

YES, YES, YES! By 2,000 feet, you should have decided on a safe area to land, whether that is on the drop zone or not. Don\u2019t get fixated on the drop zone landing area; be realistic about whether you are certain<\/em> you can make that area. If not, look all around you. Like they\u2019re always telling us on commercial airline flights, the safest emergency plan may be behind you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Select a suitable area, transfer your pattern to that area, and land just as if you would if you were \u201chome.\u201d On the way down, take a quick look around for the easiest way to walk to the drop zone or the nearest road for a pickup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking your phone when jumping (with the DZ number saved in it) can help you get a ride and communicate with the DZ that you’re ok. If it’s a Burble DZ they have a cool feature in the Burble App that lets the DZ know where you are!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Be aware crops may be taller than you think
Image by Craig Poxon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Be aware even if an open field, your alternate landing area is likely to have a few hazards. It\u2019s important to be aware of these, but don\u2019t get target fixation and accidentally steer towards them. Remember to PLF if you can\u2019t see the ground properly (e.g. in crops or vegetation) as it could be further than you think \u2013 nobody\u2019s there to see your cool running landing so stay safe and take a roll!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safe landings and blue skies!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Selfie” by Ewan Cowie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Article originally on Skydive Spaceland Houston’s website<\/em> here,<\/em> <\/a>reprinted with permission.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Further safety articles:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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