Because it scares the heck out of the dog.
How does a blind skydiver know when to flare?
The leash goes limp.
Now for the truth. I actually have loaned my rig to a blind skydiver friend many years ago. He had over sixty jumps the last I had heard. I remember how nervous and excited I was about a night 4-way RW dive. Dan wasn't impressed. I also remember him telling of a painful jump he did in SW Pa. where his radio failed and he never flared and landed in full glide. Crash & burn. He said he heard crickets just before he hit. His lesson learned: If you hear crickets, FLARE!!!
Joe
