Cessna Twin Piston Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 6; Flight Crew Total 1100; Flight Crew Type 570
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Conflict NMAC; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
I was approaching the airport from the east; an airport unfamiliar to me. There were 3-4 planes in the pattern; a helicopter hovering; and skydiving activity over the airport. I was listening to CTAF and making position reports starting about 10 miles out. The traffic was initially using Runway 24 and changed to [Runway] 36 as I was approaching the airport about 4-5 miles out. I set up for a midfield cross and left downwind approach to runway 36. At 1-2 miles out; I heard on the CTAF that jumpers were [near]; but I could not see them. As I crossed near the approach end of Runway 36 at 1;500 feet to join the downwind for Runway 36; I saw the skydivers at 2 o'clock high. I immediately began a left turn away from the jumpers to join the left downwind to Runway 36; completed the pattern and landed uneventfully. After I landed; 2 members of the jump team pulled me aside and informed me that I was too close to the skydivers. They educated me on how to operate more safely at airports with skydivers; something I had never encountered before. They suggested to not fly over the field when there is jumping activity and keep a wide approach pattern away from the airport until landing and to do the same on takeoff. In retrospect; a right-hand pattern to Runway 36 or a left base to Runway 24 (planned originally) would have kept me safely away from the confines of the airport until on final approach and landing. I will keep these issues in mind and heed their suggestions whenever operating in the vicinity of skydiving operations in the future.
GA pilot entering the traffic pattern at a non-towered airport reported a near miss with skydivers.