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.

What to do Once You’ve Landed

You may think that once you’ve sailed through the air and are back with both feet planted firmly on the ground that your skydiving experience is finished. Well before you bask in the glorious ride you just had, there are a few things you have to do first.

The first thing is to make sure that you and all of your equipment make it back to the hangar safely. This means looping all of your chains and cords so they don’t become mangled and damaged, packing things such as your ripcord, goggles, and gloves into your helmet and making sure that your canopy doesn’t rip or snag on anything. Be extremely careful with all of the equipment - it is your responsibility until you make it back and any damage could cost you hundreds of dollars!

Once you are out of your gear and have passed off all of the equipment, you want to review the jump thoroughly with an instructor or someone else who was there. This is not only important so that you can take time to review mistakes, focus on what you did well, and allow you a moment of basking, but it’s also necessary if you ever want to earn a license. When you apply for a license, only jumps that have been documented, witnessed, and signed by another party are considered so you may as well start doing it from your very first jump!