What is the PI for a PE drop during the night?

The correct answer is 350 yards from the lead edge. When calculating the Point of Impact (PI) for a personnel extraction (PE) drop during nighttime operations, pilots and jumpmasters take into account various factors such as wind drift, deployment altitude, and the specific dynamics involved with nighttime jumps.

During darkness, visibility conditions are typically reduced, making the calculation for the PI more critical to ensure that personnel land within an optimal area for safety and operational effectiveness.

The standard distance for the PI for a PE drop at night is established to account for the additional uncertainty in depth perception and navigation faced by jumpers and ground personnel in low-light conditions. Therefore, the 350-yard distance provides a balanced approach between safety and operational requirements, ensuring that jumpers land within the designated area while minimizing the risk associated with potential drift or error due to darkness.

This standardized distance is consistent with operational guidelines and experiences drawn from previous jumps. Hence, it's crucial for jumpmasters to adhere to this established PI when planning and executing nighttime jumps.