Do Jumpers scare you?

I think the problem is most pilots don't understand jumpers and drop zone operations. As a jump pilot who doesn't jump I have had to deal with all types of pilots flying around not knowing what is going on. I thankfully fly out of a private airport which is mainly a Drop Zone (DZ) operation and most aircraft flying in there know whats going on. We still get the weekend warriors who fly low with no radio communication and those you always have to watch out for. And there is a public airport about 10 miles away. Best way is to keep a permanent NOTAM, keep on with center and CTAF.

If you are a pilot who doesn't understand jumper operations go out to a local DZ some weekend and talk with some of the pilots or send me a PM and I would be happy to talk with you about it.
 
I know its not funny at all, But when I hear that a skydiver took out an entire plane full of people and only broke his ankle its kinda funny. HUMAN MISSILE:crazy:
 
I'm a low time pilot so I avoid a lot of things, but jumpers don't scare me too much. I mainly don't want to get in their way, they are operating a business and I'm just a lowly hobbyist.

If the guy wants to drive traffic I have one suggestion - lower fuel costs. Lower it a few cents and people will fly through hell to get to it.
 
belleauwoodsman said:
Lake Elsinore in SoCal is does jumps 7 days a week and I've had no problems flying right through their jump zone. I learned that it's always a good idea to monitor approach though. One time I was flying from north to south over the lake and SoCal cancelled my flight following because they usually can't maintain radar coverage at that alt. (I think I was around 2500ft), but I was still monitoring approach. Coincedentially there happened to be a Twin Otter about 10000ft over my head waiting to drop their jumpers. Luckily I'm a nice guy and I deviated a few miles off course to get clear of them. Finally SoCal gave them the go ahead to jump and I looked to my right and saw half a dozen chutes open up not more than a couple miles away. I don't know how other places operate but I've seen that the skydivers there are very mindful of aircraft in the area and they won't just push guys out with out when you're underneath them. That being said, I feel fairly comfortable flying around skydivers, as long as both sides take precautions to avoid a "human/airplane conflict".
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Just thought I would chime in since I work at the DZ mentioned. It's a big sky out there and we all have to share it. A couple miles off your course to avoid the big parachute symbol on your chart not only helps us safety wise, but also business wise. You would be surprised at how much 3-5 minutes of delay can add up when it happens over and over. And also as you mentioned, they lack radar coverage below about 3000, and if you aren't talking on CTAF and come shooting through the DZ, that is a serious safety concern with 23 bodies in the sky around about a mile radius of the field. I can't see straight down, ATC can't see ya, and the jumpers can't always spot you down there as well. Just some food for thought. Fly safe.

-Jason
 
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