If you have never been skydiving before, you might look out of the aircraft door at 13,000 feet and wonder:
“How do they know where to jump?”
It is a very good question.
The answer is that skydivers don’t simply wait for a green light and jump out wherever the aircraft happens to be. The exit point is carefully planned and depends on the aircraft’s position, altitude, wind speed and direction, the planned flight path, and where the landing area is located.
This process is called spotting, and it is one of the most important skills in skydiving.
What Is Spotting in Skydiving?
Spotting means determining where the aircraft needs to be before skydivers exit so that they can safely fly their parachutes back toward the designated landing area.
A skydiver isn’t simply trying to jump directly above the drop zone.
Once you leave the aircraft, you are affected by the wind. The parachute is also affected by the wind after deployment. This means the aircraft normally needs to fly upwind of the landing area before the jump.
Think of it like throwing a ball while standing on a moving boat. You have to take the movement of the boat into account if you want the ball to arrive at a particular point.
Skydiving works in a similar way.
Why Can’t You Just Jump Directly Over the Landing Area?
Because the wind moves you.
Imagine that the wind is blowing from north to south.
If you jumped directly above the landing area, the wind could carry you south of it. The stronger the wind, the greater the effect can be.
Instead, the aircraft will generally approach from the appropriate direction and the skydivers will exit at a calculated position that gives them enough time and distance to reach the landing area safely.
This is why the spot is often some distance away from the actual drop zone.
What Does the Skydiver Look For?
Experienced skydivers use several pieces of information when spotting.
1. The Landing Area
The first reference point is the landing area itself.
Skydivers need to know exactly where they are going to land and what features surround it. From altitude, familiar roads, buildings, lakes, coastlines, fields and other landmarks can look very different from the ground.
Experienced jumpers learn to recognise these features from the air.
2. Wind Direction
Wind is one of the most important factors.
Skydivers need to understand both the direction and strength of the wind at different altitudes.
Wind at 13,000 feet can be significantly different from the wind near the ground.
This means the spot cannot simply be based on what the wind is doing at ground level.
3. Aircraft Position
The pilot and skydivers need to know where the aircraft is in relation to the intended exit point.
Modern aircraft can use navigation equipment and GPS to help determine the aircraft’s position, but skydivers also develop strong visual spotting skills.
4. Other Aircraft and Skydivers
A drop zone may have multiple aircraft and groups of skydivers operating at the same time.
Exit order, aircraft separation and the position of other groups are therefore also important considerations.
The jump is part of a much bigger operation rather than an isolated event.
So Does the Pilot Know Where to Fly?
Yes.
The pilot plays an important role in positioning the aircraft for the jump.
The pilot and skydiving team work together to establish the appropriate flight path and exit point.
The aircraft needs to arrive at the correct position and altitude before the jump can take place.
This is particularly important at busy drop zones where aircraft may be flying repeated loads throughout the day.
What About the Green Light?
This is something that surprises many first-time skydivers.
A green light does not simply mean “jump now.”
The green light is one part of the aircraft’s exit system. Skydivers still need to confirm that the conditions are correct and that it is safe for their group to exit.
The person responsible for the jump must consider the aircraft’s position, the spot, the surrounding airspace, other groups and the conditions before leaving the aircraft.
For experienced skydivers, understanding the spot is part of being responsible for your own jump.
That’s why you may hear skydivers say:
“Green doesn’t mean go.”
It means the aircraft has reached the appropriate stage for an exit, but skydivers still need to make the final safety checks before committing to the jump.
How Do Tandem Skydivers Know Where to Jump?
If you’re doing your first tandem skydive, you don’t need to become an expert spotter before you jump.
Your tandem instructor is responsible for managing the jump and making the appropriate decisions about the exit.
Before leaving the aircraft, your instructor will make sure that the group is correctly positioned and that the exit is appropriate.
You may notice your instructor looking carefully out of the aircraft door before the exit.
They’re not just enjoying the view!
They’re assessing the position of the aircraft and making sure the exit is appropriate.
Why Does the View Look So Different From 13,000 Feet?
One of the challenges of spotting is that everything looks different from altitude.
A road that looks huge from the ground can appear incredibly small from 13,000 feet.
Buildings become tiny.
Fields can look almost identical.
Even familiar landmarks can be difficult to recognise from above.
This is why skydivers develop the ability to recognise patterns and landmarks from altitude, rather than relying on one individual object.
Why Wind at Different Altitudes Matters
One of the most interesting parts of skydiving is that the air can behave differently at different altitudes.
There can be one wind direction near the ground and another direction higher up.
There may also be differences in wind speed.
Skydivers therefore need to understand the wind throughout the jump rather than simply looking at a windsock on the ground.
This information helps determine where the aircraft should position itself and how the jump should be planned.
What Happens If the Spot Isn’t Right?
Skydivers don’t have to jump simply because the aircraft has reached a particular altitude.
If the conditions aren’t suitable, the jump can be delayed, the aircraft can reposition, or the load can be landed without jumping.
Safety comes before completing the jump.
This is particularly important when weather conditions are changing.
A professional skydiving operation constantly monitors the conditions and adjusts its operation when necessary.
How Far Can You See From 13,000 Feet?
From 13,000 feet, you can see an enormous area of the surrounding landscape.
On a clear day, you may be able to see coastlines, mountains, cities, roads and large bodies of water many kilometres away.
But seeing the landscape is not the same as automatically knowing where you are.
Skydivers learn to combine what they see with their knowledge of the drop zone, aircraft position, wind and planned jump.
That combination allows them to determine the correct exit point.
Spotting Is a Skill
For experienced skydivers, spotting becomes second nature, but it is a skill that requires training and practice.
Skydivers learn how to:
- Read the wind
- Recognise landmarks
- Understand aircraft position
- Calculate an appropriate exit point
- Account for drift
- Maintain awareness of other groups
- Communicate with the pilot and other jumpers
- Make decisions when conditions change
This is one reason skydiving involves much more than simply jumping out of an airplane.
There is a significant amount of knowledge and decision-making involved before the aircraft door even opens.
So How Does the Instructor Know Where to Jump?
The simple answer is:
They don’t just guess.
The exit point is determined using a combination of wind information, aircraft position, altitude, visual landmarks, navigation information, the planned jump and experience.
Your tandem instructor then makes sure the exit is appropriate before you leave the aircraft.
So when you are sitting at the aircraft door at 13,000 feet, looking down at the landscape below, remember that the small fields, roads and buildings aren’t random.
Your instructor knows what they’re looking for.
And once the conditions and position are right, it’s time to enjoy the most exciting part:
the exit, the freefall and the view of Thailand from above.
Ready to Experience Skydiving in Thailand?
If you’ve never tried skydiving before, you don’t need to know how to spot the aircraft or calculate the exit point yourself.
At Thai Sky Adventures, tandem skydives are conducted with an experienced tandem instructor who handles the technical aspects of the jump while you experience the freefall and enjoy the view.
You can learn more about our tandem skydiving experience and book your skydive with Thai Sky Adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do skydivers jump directly over the drop zone?
Not necessarily. The aircraft’s exit position is determined by factors including wind, aircraft position, altitude and the planned flight path.
How do skydivers know where they are?
They use visual landmarks, navigation information, aircraft position and their knowledge of the drop zone and surrounding area.
Does the green light mean you have to jump?
No. Skydivers still need to ensure that the exit is appropriate and safe. The green light is an important part of the aircraft’s exit procedure, but it isn’t a substitute for good spotting and situational awareness.
Does a tandem passenger need to know how to spot?
No. Your tandem instructor handles the technical aspects of the jump, including determining the appropriate exit.
Can the wind change the exit point?
Yes. Changes in wind speed and direction can affect the planned spot, which is why conditions are monitored throughout the operation.
Why don’t skydivers just jump straight above the landing area?
Because wind affects the movement of both the skydiver and parachute. The aircraft normally needs to position the group appropriately relative to the landing area and the prevailing winds.