Editing Drop zone (section)

{{Short description|Designated site for manned or unmanned parachute landings}}
{{about|the parachuting dropzone}}

[[Image:Empuriabrava DZ.jpeg|thumb|right|214x214px|Drop zone in [[Skydive Empuriabrava]], Catalonia, Spain]]

A '''drop zone''' ('''DZ''') is a place where [[Parachuting|parachutists]] or [[parachute]]d supplies [[Parachute landing fall|land]]. It can be an area targeted for landing by [[paratrooper]]s and [[airborne forces]],<ref>The Handbook Of The SAS And Elite Forces. How The Professionals Fight And Win. Edited by Jon E. Lewis. p.289-Tactics And Techniques, Landings And Raids On Enemy Territory. Robinson Publishing Ltd 1997. ISBN 1-85487-675-9</ref> or a base from which recreational parachutists and skydivers take off in aircraft and land under [[parachute]]s. In the latter case, it is often beside a small airport, frequently sharing the facility with other [[general aviation]].

At recreational drop zones, an area is generally set side for [[Parachute landing fall|parachute landings]]. Personnel at the site may include a drop zone operator or owner (DZO), manifestors (who maintain the flight manifest documents defining who flies and when), pilots, instructors or coaches, camera operators, parachute packers and riggers, and other general staff.