0
quade

Google Earth Drop Zone Project -- Ideas and Discussion

Recommended Posts

Compilation of all dropzones on Google Earth (as one kml/kmz file) can be downloaded here. Props go to Eule, his posted link is somewhat hidden
The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open.
From the edge you just see more.
... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
The site has been updated. There are 185 dropzones listed.

I added the ones posted by johndyer, Chrisky, and CygnusX-1. Apparently Canada is thawed out enough to jump, because I got several for Alberta in PMs, which I also added. I recently got a new job and had a project with a short deadline, which is why updates have been somewhat slow. The project is done, so I should be able to update the site more often now.

For those of you just tuning in, I am collecting all of the files posted in this thread and putting them online here. At that site, you can also download one file that contains all of the dropzones that have been posted so far.

Keep those cards and letters coming!

Eule
PLF does not stand for Please Land on Face.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I don't know if anyone has seen this, but Google Earth has a Flight Simulator built into it ( version 4.2 ). On the PC, once you are in Google Earth, hold down CTRL and ALT and hit A and it puts you in Sim mode. You can then use your current location and fly an SR22 or an F-16 ( the SR22 seems to replicate a jump run better..LOL ).

You can change the pilot angle and actually watch the ground move like you were spotting from the airplane, just without the winds or the other planes, so I guess it's not like spotting, but it is pretty cool.

Definitely use the help to learn all of what do with it, but I thought it was pretty damn neat to marry what is being done to document DZ's along with the ability to virtually "FLY" over them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

I think this has been a great effort- I would like to see more information about the DZ,
including-jump tickets prices, bunk house prices, rv parking prices...etc

It would be really helpful when planning a cross country trip



Although this would be a nice addition, perhaps not too practical in that prices change all the time. Maybe locating where you want to travel, then checking the DZ's own (updated) web site would be more accurate?

Just a thought.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote



Although this would be a nice addition, perhaps not too practical in that prices change all the time. Maybe locating where you want to travel, then checking the DZ's own (updated) web site would be more accurate?

Just a thought.

ltdiver


Ok, maybe your right on making telephone calls for all the information would get more accurate responses. Although this is alot of work to do-and I am all for less work!

Also, how many DZ's maintain their websites? There are a few of the big DZ's that maintain it pretty well-but what about all those others out there who have not updated their site in years

As for a statistical purposes, it would be cool to have static prices. Say once every other year or so, gather all this information. As it is extremely easy if one person from each dropzone helped out. It could identify trends and would be interesting none the less to analyze.

For example, What are the average altitude that each dropzone flies too- sometimes this cannot be answered by the DZO, but by jumpers that jump their.

How many DZ's have you been too that say they jump at 14500- but normally go to 12500 unless tandems pay for the extra altitude

If you had many years of data, you could compare the economy to altitude, prices, and many other unthinkable reactions of the skydiving community. Their are a lot of different uses this information could prove useful, not just planning road trips.

With a little effort, we could create a simply survey which could be answered, sort of like that Time Tube everyone created and buried in kindergarten. The past only happens once, and how cool would it be to know that for example: in 2006 their were 1000 newly licensed skydivers, and that 78 percent of them lived in the pacific coastal states, or other information could be gathered that 25 percent of pro rated skydivers utilized their pro rating.

All with some simple thinking and creative individuals we could gather a TON of neat info.

It might sound kind of childish, and alot of random information but with more information comes more insight.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Don't have the picture here right now, but Skydive Gananoque (Just north east of Kingston, ON Canada) you can clearly see about ten canopies in the air.

--------------------------------------------------
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey everybody, to help make the collection of worldwide DZs and organization in a single KMZ file easier, here's some simple guidelines to help set up a good placemark of your DZ;

1. Create ONE master placemark on the location where the key facility is. If there are several far apart places (like an off-airport landing area) or you'd like to add area describing polygons for landing areas, obstacles etc, please create a master DZ folder containing these sub-items. The master description with contact info can also be added to the folder descrition. (Right-click on placemark/folder>Properties)

2. Put Name and contact info of the DZ in the description field and include a website link if the DZ has a website. Simple www.whatever.net will be shown as a link by GE.

3. When done, put your DZ in a folder structure such as this: World Region>Country>DZ (or for the US Counrty>State>DZ as there are too many otherwise...)
(World Regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America, Pacific, South America)

4. To export right-click on the topmost folder you created (i.e. your country folder), right-click and select "Save placemark under..." to save that folder/placemark exclusively to a file without exporting all your other places as well.

If you want to change the default placemark icon click on the placemark icon button to the right of the placemark name;

[inline GE.jpg]

Hope that helps! :)
Not sure if Eule is still following this thing; but let's make it easier to integrate!

ETA: I added all DZ that were added since the last "ALL COMPILED IN HERE" post.

The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open.
From the edge you just see more.
... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

0