Determining wind direction under canopy

[nigel99 501]

Thought I would share some insight that I got this evening.

You pick a straight line under canopy and observe which direction you are crabbing. You then turn to face into the direction of the crab and repeat. You very quickly determine which way is downwind/upwind. It also very neatly fits into flying a correct pattern as you can use the same observations to safely ensure you are flying into the wind.

It is pretty obvious and something that I have been told before, however the I have never had it described so clearly before. Just think about what we are all taught for spotting and apply it to landing.

Anyway the above is why I love hanging out with older skydivers/jump pilots. I went out to Jumping for Fun in Kentucky to hopefully get an evening hop and pop in from a Cessna but unfortunately it was only me and the DZO Bill. It was also fascinating to talk flying skydivers and the FAR's makes it easier to remember when you have stories that apply.

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

[labrys 0]

Look down.

Do a 360

Look down.

You drifted the direction the wind is blowing.

Owned by Remi #?

[nebug 0]

Back when everyone was jumping rounds, that technique of zeroing the drift was so obvious that it practically wasn't even mentioned among jumpers. It's not so obvious on squares but it still works.

[riggerrob 643]

Great theory!

Unfortunately, winds blow from different directions at different altitudes.

That is why wise jump-pilots and jump-masters always consult the "winds aloft" forecast before dropping students.
Then they watch where the first student landed (Hah! Hah!) and adjust the "spot."

[popsjumper 2]

Quote

Great theory!

Unfortunately, winds blow from different directions at different altitudes.

That is why wise jump-pilots and jump-masters always consult the "winds aloft" forecast before dropping students.
Then they watch where the first student landed (Hah! Hah!) and adjust the "spot."

...and wise canopy pilots want to know what the winds are actually doing so they can adjust their landing "spot" on the fly. That's why wise canopy pilots under canopy check winds more than once...at different altitudes.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[nigel99 501]

I think that one aspect to remember is that when we are flying our pattern observing the behaviour of this method it will really help you to understand the winds and compensate accordingly.

So you don't need to fly a truly "square" pattern if turning 70 or 110 degrees places you in a better position.

I realise that this is stating the obvious, but for me it was a slight aha moment. I have been using the pattern to check for hazards (on the ground) and because I have been told to fly a pattern. I now have a better grasp of the benefits of a pattern.

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.