As a military instructor pilot, I can identify with Joshuas concerns for finding an unmarked drop zone from 2000 feet. Aerial observation is a skill that is trained for years to be of any use to a helicopter pilot attempting to find an unfamiliar target location. If the ground location is new to the skydiver, I sure it would take several jumps to properly i.d. and then land at the correct location. Josh is a friend of mine, and one of the most level headed and safety conscious persons I know. Perhaps the fault lies with the instruction at TSC. I've learned from years of instructing, that it's often not what the motivated student does wrong that must be corrected, but rather the direction and technique that the instructor uses to address the issue. I submit that the instruction is inflexible and flawed. I know that airplane fuel is expensive (as is the time for a commerical pilot to be hired), but maybe more aerial familiarization with the landing zone is in order. Aerial photos will be bst utilized to properly verifying the LZ from the aircraft. I am curious as to why the TSC doesn't use panel markers or some other highly visible means to identify the landing area. Looking into similar shaped fields from the air can make each square look the same from higher altitudes. I would look for a place with more professional instruction for my sky diving.
