🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1993Jan20.170229.20516@engage.pko.dec.com> koning@koning.enet.dec.com writes:
>
>I've seen the DZ symbol on FAA maps... after looking REALLY hard, knowing
>where I was supposed to look.  Those things are printed in grayish blue on
>a similar color background; the contrast ratio may be 10% on good days.
>In bright sun if you know where to look you MAY see it; otherwise, no chance.
>
>Apart from that, active DZ doesn't mean that airplanes are told to stay
>away.  It means they're expected to watch out for skydivers.  Likewise,
>skydivers are expected to watch out for planes, since the air above the
>DZ is NOT exclusively ours.  We're operating VFR -- see and avoid, remember?
>
>(I WOULD expect any IFR flights to be routed around DZs, but VFR flights can
>go anywhere other than restricted airspace... and a civilian DZ isn't
>restricted airspace.)


Paul makes an excellent point about airspace.  Many DZ's are located at 
uncontrolled airports or airstrips.  Pilots at uncontrolled airports are not
required to have a radio.  Many pilots flying locally under VFR conditions
don't call for a weather briefing and notams.  Many sectional charts don't 
indicate parachute jumping areas correctly.  My point about the A-7's under
our 5-way during clear sky conditions was that there shouldn't be any 
expectations!  Yes, SEE AND AVOID! (and talk to other aircraft on common
traffic advisory and approach freq's if applicable)

Now that I am a pilot as well as a skydiver, I have an entirely different
view of jumping through clouds.  My escapade of jumping through a fully
obscured sky (above 5,000 AGL) 12 years ago now seems irresponsible.  It 
would make for a pretty scary IFR flight if you happen to hear someone above
you announce, "jumpers away!"

Rick J. "Rocket J." Valles
PP-ASEL-Body!

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