What is a critical factor for the jumper before exiting the aircraft?

The critical factor for the jumper before exiting the aircraft is ensuring that the visibility is adequate. Adequate visibility is essential for a safe jump because it allows the jumper to properly assess the landing area, spot potential hazards, and accurately determine their position relative to the ground and the intended landing zone. Good visibility is necessary to gather environmental information such as wind conditions and the presence of obstacles, which can significantly impact landing safety.

While reviewing emergency landing protocols, checking the parachute pack status, and confirming the jump run altitude are all important steps in the jump preparation process, they are secondary to the need for adequate visibility. Without clear visibility, even the best-prepared jumper may struggle to navigate safely and may face unexpected dangers upon landing. Therefore, ensuring visibility takes precedence in the sequence of checks that a jumper should perform prior to exiting the aircraft.