Pilots flying jump planes in the area communicate with air traffic control. About one minute before jumpers are released the pilot will tell ATC he is one minute prior to release of jumpers. After all the parachutes have landed the pilot will tell ATC that all jumpers are on the ground. During the period of communication and radar contact with ATC the controllers will offer traffic advisories on a workload-permitting basis. When jumps are made from above 10,000 MSL, the pilot may be handed off to a center controller, usually Cleveland Center on 127.47.
All parachutists plan to exit the aircraft upwind of the intended landing point.
Both surface wind and winds aloft are factored into determining the exit point. Therefore, although there is not a large number of airplane operations at these airports, there is a significant opportunity for mid-air collisions. A local drop zone owner has a suggestion for pilots who intend to land at a public airport with parachute operations. Do not overfly the airport above pattern altitude as is recommended for other noncontrolled airports. Enter a rectangular pattern at pattern altitude and continue a rectangular pattern while checking windsock, etc. to determine which direction to land.