Joeburnie

Measuring the wind speed under canopy with something like an anemometer wouldn't work, since airspeed is constant no matter what direction you're facing relative to the wind. So you would have to use GPS and calculate wind speed as a function of how fast you're moving across the ground. And that would have to take into account the canopy speed. I.E. ground speed minus canopy speed = wind speed. And that would apply only if you're running downwind. If you're facing into the wind, then ground speed PLUS canopy speed = wind speed. So now you've got to have both a GPS and an anemometer, coupled together with some electronics. And determing wind direction would require that you turn a 360-degree circle so it can calculate which way produces the fastest ground speed, in order to know the wind direction. Gonna be complicated... There is another, far simpler way around the problem. However to take the idea any further I need to know that the issue I'm talking about is a genuine problem or even just a nuisance to other parachutists - not just myself! Thanks, Joe.

Regardless of how the system would work (let me worry about that) do you think a product which informed the parachutist of ground wind speed and wind direction, when at height, would be useful? This is the type of product I had in mind but I'm trying to identify the problem before I come up with the solution. Cheers again, Joe.

I've heard of tetrahedrons and also I've heard of airfields manually setting out big arrows pointing in the landing direction. One criticism from an experienced jumper I spoke to was exactly that - people got confused about whether they were "eating the carrot" or "following the arrow" and some ended up "following the carrot" and "eating the arrow!"... Although I'm sure a proper brief before jumping would alleviate the problem. Some skydivers have started using GPS on their jumps now, am I right to assume the GPS is built into their altimeters? What if the wind speed and direction was displayed either on the altimeter itself or on a separate device on the skydiver's person? Thanks again, Joe.

Hi all, I am a recently qualified skydiver and also a final year Product Design and Technology student. I have recently been trying to identify various problem areas for my final year project. Something I have been thinking about is a device which would make it clearer to a skydiver as to what the ground winds are doing so they can set up for landing properly. The problem being that the ground wind direction can change when the load is in the air and the upper winds can be different to the lower winds. At the airfield I jump at the landing pattern starts at 1500ft and the downwind leg begins at 1000ft even from a height of 1000ft it is difficult to see the wind socks. The potential product would make it clear to the parachutist which direction the ground winds are blowing meaning it would be clear in which direction the landing pattern should be started. I've spoke to some experienced jumpers at my DZ and they were sceptical of the idea but I'm not quite ready to put it to bed yet! I'm looking for some feedback / comments off other skydivers and possibly some instructors opinions on whether it is a good idea to use for students? All comments welcome but you must understand that they may be used in my final year project which may be on public display, although you will not be identified in any way. Thanks, Joe.