Drop Zones
Skydiving takes place into Drop Zones (DZs), radius 1.5 or 2nm up to FL150, as marked on a chart and listed in the UK AIP.
Please note that skydivers usually drop directly upwind of the DZ and routinely descend through cloud.
The ANO 240 notes that ‘a person must not recklessly or negligently act in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft, or any person in an aircraft’. The ANO 241 notes ‘that a person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property’.
When in-flight, the local ATC unit should be able to say if a DZ is likely to be active. By talking directly to the DZ, a pilot may decide that it is safe to cross. In the event of receiving a nil response from the DZ frequency, the glider pilot should act on the information given by the ATC unit and if in any doubt remain clear of the DZ.
Be aware that drop-planes operate outside as well as inside a DZ to position themselves for the drop. They often manoeuvre sharply with steep descents. The major sites at Langar, Peterborough Sibson, and Hinton-in-the Hedges are very busy. The Weston on the Green military DZ is located within a Danger Area (D129). Temporary DZ sites (notified by NOTAM) can be particularly difficult to identify.
A pilot may see other flying activity within a DZ. Local flying activity within a DZ is subject to local safety protocols – do not assume that any aircraft can fly within an active DZ.
A pilot will not see a free-falling parachutist in time to avoid a collision. If in doubt, stay out.
Current parachute DZ information can be found in the UK AIP under ENR 5.5.
British Skydiving publishes this online map.
Read more about maintaining safe airspace here.
