How do higher wind speeds influence the planned landing pattern?

Higher wind speeds significantly affect the planned landing pattern, particularly by lengthening the downwind leg while shortening the final approach. When jumping with higher winds, the parachutist experiences increased ground speed. This means that while flying downwind—where the wind is at their back—parachutists cover more distance than they would in calmer conditions. As a result, the downwind leg must be longer to account for this increased speed, allowing the parachutist to maintain control and properly align for landing.

On the other hand, the final approach, which is the leg where the parachutist transitions from horizontal flight to vertical descent before landing, becomes shorter because they are moving faster over the ground. The parachutist must also adjust their entry into the landing pattern to ensure safe descent and landing, taking into account both their speed and height above ground. This adjustment is vital for maintaining a safe and accurate landing.

Overall, higher wind speeds necessitate changes in the landing pattern to adapt to the variations in ground speed and ensure a safe landing approach, which makes the correct answer comprehensive and applicable to real-world scenarios in skydiving.