Standard Rodeo Trick

The rodeo trick is a great trick for beginners to attempt when they are trying to gain experience and confidence (or just when they really want to have some fun!) It can be done at any skydiving level and is a wonderful way to explore the great things that skydiving has to offer. The rodeo requires at least two divers, although three can be even more fun. One diver will play the part of the horse and one the part of the cowboy. 

The trick can begin in the plane with the cowboy climbing onto the back of the horse just before or shortly after leaving the plane. However, the horse can be mounted during flight as well if the cowboy glides up along the side of the horse and then gets on as he would if the horse were standing up. Once on, the trick has been accomplished and not only have you just completed a trick but you’ve also experienced a little bit of fun flying!

The ABC’s of Skydiving: K & L

Key - This is a signal that the jumpmaster or instructor will give to divers to indicate that it’s time to move on to the next step.

King Air - This is an aircraft that’s been designed by the manufacturer Beechcraft. It’s most commonly found in medium-sized drop zones.

Line of Flight - This is the imaginary line that the aircraft will use on its flight path. Knowing the line of flight is very useful when doing formation diving and when there are multiple divers, they will be dropped off along strategic points of the line of flight.

Log Book - Just as it’s common to log flights and and on ships, many skydivers will keep a log book. This is especially useful for logging your achievements and your goals. It’s also just a nice way to record your skydiving experiences.

LORAN - This is a navigational system that can be compared to today’s GPS. It works on ground transmitters and is mostly obsolete.

How to Land on Target

After making sure that you are going to make your landing safely, the next thing you need to check is that you are going to land where you want to. This will usually be a predetermined location but if you are approaching 1,000 feet and determine that you cannot make the predetermined landing spot, you must find another area to land. Any place that you will not face any obstacles such as trees or traffic, will do but you must find a place to land before you get to 1,000 feet above ground and make sure that you are above the site.

Once you are above the site, you should try to gauge your ground speed while turning into the wind. This becomes of particular importance on days that carry a very high wind. It’s important to know that the more wind speed there is, the less ground speed you will have and if you are running with the wind, your ground speed will also be faster. Once you are properly turned towards the wind, estimate how far vertically you are from your target (i.e. 250 feet.) Imagine an invisible line going straight down between you and your target and follow along it until you get to about 300 feet. Turn towards the target but don’t be alarmed if you are overshooting it - this is what’s supposed to happen. 

Complete a small “S” turn, which consists of turning 90 degrees one way and then 180 degrees the other, and do this until you are nicely aligned over your target. Assuming you have left yourself lots of time, you can continue to do this S-turn until you are in a good position to land.

The ABC’s of Skydiving: J

Jump run - The path that the jump plane will take to position the skydivers over the airport.

Jumpsuit - A suit that skydivers wear for certain types of jumping, such as freestyle, FS, and accuracy.

Jumpmaster - This is someone who can train other skydivers and who has successfully passed a USPA Jumpaster Certification Course. They are different from instructors in that they cannot oversee a first jump course, oversee a student’s program without the supervision of an instructor, or sign off licenses.