{"id":61950,"date":"2026-04-21T23:07:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T23:07:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=61950"},"modified":"2026-04-21T23:07:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T23:07:13","slug":"new-dropzone-what-to-check-before-you-jump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/new-dropzone-what-to-check-before-you-jump\/","title":{"rendered":"New Dropzone? What to Check Before You Jump"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you’re the visiting jumper wanting to hit the ground running or the instructor tasked with keeping everyone safe, this checklist covers everything that should happen before you leave the ground<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Travelling the world and jumping into new DZs is one of the things that makes our sport as great as it is. Jumping at a new and unfamiliar location doesn’t have to be stressful or risky if you take the time to prepare and arm yourself with knowledge of the area before your first few jumps. On the other hand, you may be the instructor or DZ operator required to impart knowledge onto visiting jumpers to keep them safe and make them feel confident during their initial jumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having often found myself on both sides, either visiting a new DZ and feeling like I want more information from the brief, or being tasked with delivering a brief to jumpers about to jump onto an unfamiliar LZ for the first time, I have compiled a list of headings which sits in my phone’s notes to ensure I have thought of everything before my first jump, or to ensure I haven’t missed anything when briefing others. This article is drawn from that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting Your Bearings: Centre Orientation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Of course, learning the location of the facilities at your centre is important to begin with, such as: reception, manifest, toilets, cafe\/food\/shop, flight line, classrooms\/training facilities and packing area. But it shouldn’t end there. There are many more things to consider before your first jump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Raymond Adams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Know Where You’re Landing: Landing Area Overview<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Some DZs are very easy to identify immediately on opening and from the plane while spotting, while others require using large identifying features around the area to then draw the eye over to the landing area. The locals usually have useful and creative ways to do this. Once you’ve identified the landing area, ensure you know which parts are usable and permissible to land in, including dimensions and designations such as areas assigned to students, licensed jumpers and swooping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every DZ will have their own conventions of indicators and markings informing traffic management, DZ rules and landing directions. Ensure you know these and what they mean. Identify the wind indicators at your DZ so you can pick them out from the air easily and quickly. Knowing which areas serve as good overshoots or options for out-landings makes such a landing less stressful if you are faced with one. Sometimes an area looks like a good place for an out-landing from the air when in fact it is full of hazards which only become apparent when it is much too late to avoid them or select an alternate. Every DZ should have a way to communicate the current winds aloft, run-in, spot and exit separation to jumpers, so make sure you know where that information is published.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Raymond Adams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Runway Rules<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Whether you’re jumping at a busy airport with multiple runways or a quiet airstrip with a grass runway, everywhere will have its own way of managing the area. Know which runways are active and inactive. Check what the rules are regarding overflying runways and any specific rules if you need to cross a runway on foot once you’ve landed. There may be designated crossing points. Know the location of emplaning points and the procedure, including whether there are steps to operate. Recovery off the DZ could be as simple as walking back to the packing hall, or you may need to board transport to get back. Some DZs require jumpers to check in once safely on the ground to account for everyone on a load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazards On and Around the DZ<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ensure you know about any hazards on or around the landing area and the overshoots which surround it. A DZ orientation brief should include all known hazards in the vicinity. A lot of DZs now have aerial photos with these marked on them, which is a great idea. Hazards can generally be categorised as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n