Where to find aircraft spotting in SIM

[albatross2 0]

Having hell of a time finding out information on how to spot for aircraft, using winds aloft etc.. to determine opening point and the like.

Guys at the DZ are helpful but want me to learn on my own (for good reason) then come back to them for final teachings.

So where in the SIM does one learn about aircraft spotting procedures? the stuff I've seen just explains what it is and why it is important...and some stuff about drift calculations but nothing about bringing it all together.

[JohnMitchell 14]

3 steps to spotting.

First step starts before you even get on the plane. From winds aloft readouts, asking other jumpers, looking at the clouds and the windsock, determine where the spot actually IS.
So now you know where above the DZ you want to open your parachute. Second step is to guide the jump plane on a jumprun that will pass over your opening point. Usually the pilot will fly a jumprun into the wind. You need to get the door open and your head outside early enough to see if you're on the right ground track to overfly your opening point.

Make sure you look at the horizon in front of the plane and mentally draw a perpendicular line down from it. This will show you your path over the ground, regardless of how much the plane may be banked left or right. Call for course corrections if the plane is not on the ground track you need.

Then, looking towards the horizon to the side of the plane, mentally draw another perpendicular line down from the horizon. That line will show you where you are along your ground track towards the opening point.

Now, you'll need to allow for climbout time, about 100-150 feet per second, and allow maybe 300-400 feet for forward throw after exit. Typically you need to call for the cut and climb out 1000' early of your opening points. Very strong winds will reduce this distance.

Spotting is a learned skill, nothing mysterious. Ask an old fart for more instruction. Many of us have literally 1000s of spots we've done.

[ufk22 32]

If you can't find it in the SIM, you aren't reading the ISP.
It's spread across different catagories.
Start from the ground and work your way up.
landing spot, landing pattern based on the surface winds, pattern entry to deployment point, deployment point to exit point (that STUFF about drift calculations), exit point determins plane heading.
This should all be taught to you by your instructors, not "learn on your own". They teach you the techniques (proper presentation), you show them you understand it (proper repetition), THEN go practice it and come back and do it on your own.

This is the paradox of skydiving. We do something very dangerous, expose ourselves to a totally unnecesary risk, and then spend our time trying to make it safer.

[airdvr 200]

JohnMitchell

Spotting is a learned skill, nothing mysterious. Ask an old fart for more instruction. Many of us have literally 1000s of spots we've done.

A couple of 'em actually landed at the DZ too

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[jonstark 8]

What type of aircraft are you going to be spotting?
How high are you expecting to spot from?
Solo jump?
How tight a landing area?
Any nearby places you absolutely shouldn't land in?

These are a few questions to answer.

For a novice spotter it would be a good start to be told by someone exactly where on the ground you should exit over. In the old days a spot was often as particular as a specific tree or house or intersection. Nowadays with square reserves it's less critical but good spotting lands cutaways closer to home.

Understand that it is best to fly DIRECTLY into the wind on jump run. Learning how to look straight down is essential too. Get these and you're home free.

Spotting is practically a lost art with GPS spotting but a good spotter is still highly regarded.

Jon

[JohnMitchell 14]

airdvr

***
Spotting is a learned skill, nothing mysterious. Ask an old fart for more instruction. Many of us have literally 1000s of spots we've done.

A couple of 'em actually landed at the DZ too

I actually learned to spot jumping Double L rounds. You learn in a hurry to get it dialed in.

[airdvr 200]

JohnMitchell

******
Spotting is a learned skill, nothing mysterious. Ask an old fart for more instruction. Many of us have literally 1000s of spots we've done.

A couple of 'em actually landed at the DZ too

I actually learned to spot jumping Double L rounds. You learn in a hurry to get it dialed in.

Yep. Big day in the progression at Cleveland Sport was called "spot and bomb the door". First spot, first PC jump, first non-poised exit. Spotting skills were a must in the days of rounds. Now you just dial in the GPS and go.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne