What is the best method to prepare for landing a canopy using the rear risers?

Practicing with rear-riser flares at altitude is essential for preparing to land a canopy using the rear risers because it allows a skydiver to develop muscle memory and gain real-time experience with the nuances of this technique. This practice involves maintaining control of the canopy while learning how to effectively use the rear risers to enhance the landing approach. By executing rear-riser flares at altitude, a skydiver can understand how the canopy responds to these controls during descent, which is crucial for a safe and effective landing. This method gives the student the familiarity and confidence they need to handle the canopy during the final approach and landing phase.

The other choices do not provide the hands-on experience necessary for proficiency. Downloading a manual for riser techniques may offer valuable theoretical knowledge, but it lacks the practical application that comes from real flight experience. Disregarding landing techniques to focus solely on freefall could lead to serious safety issues when approaching the ground, as landing is a critical phase of the jump. Lastly, executing landings from the ground first does not translate the skills effectively; skydivers need to experience the dynamics and effects of airborne maneuvers in a real canopy flight to properly prepare for landings.