In the past few years, many jumpers have become interested in angle-flying, dynamic flying and tracking jumps, known collectively as horizontal jumps. And why not? For many people, experimenting with angles, speeds and body positions is what flying is all about.

But the increase in the discipline’s popularity also brings new challenges that require jumpers to pay special attention to its unique characteristics. Here are a few basics you should consider if you are a part of this growing community:

Know Where You Are Going

Horizontal jumps naturally consume more airspace than other sorts of jumps. When participating in such a jump, your group needs to fly toward clean airspace where you won’t interrupt other groups. You’ll also want to be able to get back to the DZ. Therefore, leaders of horizontal jumps should primarily fly on their bellies so they can see the ground and where they are leading their groups.

Jumpers, like airplanes, need to have flight plans that take into consideration the restrictions of their surroundings. Answering the following questions before you take off will help you create a safe flight plan:

What is the jump run (heading, position and intended path)?

Most jumpers know that they need to fly perpendicularly to jump run to avoid other groups. But you also need to consider how far the jump run is from the DZ and if your group will be able to make it back. If the jump run is curved, you need to make sure to fly on the outside of the curve. Flying toward the inside of the curve, even if you flew perpendicularly to the plane on exit, can put you in danger of colliding with other groups.

At what speed and in what direction are the winds aloft and on the ground blowing?

If the winds are strong and your group is flying downwind, you might find yourself farther away than anticipated. If you are flying upwind, you might not get a lot of penetration and will end up very close to where you started (which also means closer to the groups that exited before and after you). The winds aloft might be different from the winds at deployment altitude and on the ground. A good flight plan takes into account the winds at all altitudes and will allow your group to deploy upwind of the intended DZ, or at least where it can make it back to the DZ, regardless of the prevailing winds at canopy altitudes.

What are the other groups on the plane doing, and at what position and altitude are they pulling?

Different groups have different drift and other flying characteristics. The combination of the groups on the plane will dictate your exit order and flight plan. (Generally speaking, the group with the lowest vertical speed and longest horizontal range will exit first, and groups will exit in order of speed and range from there, with students and those pulling high exiting last.)

What does the landing area look like? Where are the best “outs” (alternative landing zones)?

Since getting back to the main landing area is a high priority, the size and sometimes even the shape of the landing area will be a significant factor in your flight plan. Although you should always plan to land in the main landing area, never underestimate the importance of plan B: your alternate landing zones. Take into account that some places with good topography may have owners who are unappreciative of uninvited guests coming out of the sky. A good flight plan will allow you to land in a safe spot even if your group doesn’t break off where you originally intended.

Are there any considerations unique to the DZ?

Every drop zone is different: Some drop zones run parallel jump runs, some have more airplane traffic than others, and some may have situations you have not even considered. For instance, A DZ may have limited airspace—as small as a one-nautical-mile radius—for skydiving operations according to the notice it provides to the FAA each year. That’s why it’s extremely important to talk to an appropriate DZ representative before doing a horizontal dive. Ask the manifest staff whom the proper person is to consult.

As you can see, leading horizontal jumps requires considerable experience; just because you can fly it doesn’t mean you can lead it. If your goal is to lead these kinds of jumps, get experience by asking the right questions, put together flight plans with experienced leaders and pay more attention when you follow others. If you are about to follow someone on a jump, make sure that the person is qualified and has taken into account all of the factors above.