VanillaSkyGirl 6 #1 June 17, 2003 I am new to everything related to skydiving, but my question specifically has to do with tracking. I tried a tracking dive, and I ended up floating like crazy. Of course, I don't have this problem in freefall normally, but when I tracked...I kept floating higher & higher. Since I am quite small, I was wondering what I can do? Is this something that can be corrected by positioning my body differently. Later, it was suggested that I should arch more while tracking, so that I wouldn't float so much. I'm confused. I thought that we had to dearch and cup the air by rolling our shoulders inward to track effectively. What should I do? I want to try another tracking dive where I don't have to stop tracking to "get down" closer to the others. HELP! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #2 June 17, 2003 Tracking dives are not like flat tracking. In tracking dives the goal is to stay as close to the leader as possible. If the leader is on his back most tend to be in the 105-110 range, but while flat tracking my Protrack has read in the 90's multiple times. Arching in tracking dives is common and unless the person on their back can really fly, you will need to probally arch to stay down to them.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #3 June 17, 2003 QuoteI tried a tracking dive, and I ended up floating like crazy. As long as you're staying with them horizontally, this isn't a big issue -- as a matter of fact, it's far better than sinking out on them. I can think of at least a few people that would be very envious of your position. You should eventually be able to use that extra altitude to rule the sky.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #4 June 17, 2003 When doing tracking dives I either wear an RW suit or FF pants with lead. If you arch like you need too to stay down with the leader you will get left behind, if you fly like you need too to stay with the pack you will float. So it's like doing RW....dress for success. As for tracking away from a formation....if you are above everyone else you are doing it right. Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #5 June 17, 2003 Arching in tracking dives is common and unless the person on their back can really fly, you will need to probally arch to stay down to them. Phree, where should my arms be when I am tracking in an arch? Do I keep my legs togethr or slightly spread? You should eventually be able to use that extra altitude to rule the sky. Whoa... Thanks for the positive words, Quade. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Albatross 0 #6 June 17, 2003 The answer to all your qestions is yes. You need to adjust all body surfaces to obtain a proper mix of lift and speed. You can arch or dearch to adjust the fall rate and bend knees and spread you legs or arms for forward speed control.Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #7 June 17, 2003 Thanks, Kelli! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites PhreeZone 20 #8 June 17, 2003 Look at this pic or this or even this to see different body positions needed to follow tracking divesYesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites VanillaSkyGirl 6 #9 June 17, 2003 WOW!!! that is sooo cool. Thank you, Phree! I'll experiment while on my next tracking dive. Adjustments will have to be made to follow the leader. I am going to look for more pictures as they really helps me visualize it. This helps to clarify my initial questions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydivelynn 1 #10 June 17, 2003 Funny, I recently had a conversation about this. A lot of (small) girls I know have to wear lead on tracking dives We are gonna do a tracking dive with just us girls and see how slow/flat we can really go! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JamesNahikian 0 #11 June 17, 2003 I'm gonna pile-on to what Albie has said. Raise your arms above your seat (delta position) and cease driving your legs below it so hard. The resulting track should be considerably steeper than what you're experiencing currently, and this should assist you in keeping closer to the pack. D. James Nahikian SKYDIVE CHICAGO STL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Remster 30 #12 June 18, 2003 While I'm no small girl, on my few track dives I ended up in a position much closer to a delta then a track.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites BlueEyedMonster 0 #13 June 18, 2003 Well I'm not a small girl, but I have the floating problem on track dives because I am tall and skinny. I am just learning to keep up. One way I was successful was to wear my tight nylon RW suit, arch and put my arms completely behind me (palms on the bottom of my rig) and steer with my feet. The other way that was suggested by one of my coaches (a light girl) was to put my arms forward and out, then angle my body at 45 deg. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skycat 0 #14 June 18, 2003 QuoteThanks, Kelli! As you learn to fly you probably won't need more than 4-6 lbs for tracking dives, until then you may need more weight something around 8-10. When I was learning to fly flatter rather than hyper arched I used to wear 12-14 lbs, as I learned I needed less and less weight. For quite awhile I wore no lead, then went back to lead (6-8 lbs) so I could fly flatter and still keep up the speed. For tracking dives I only wear 4-6 lbs, if I'm wearing FF clothes, if I'm wearing my RW suit I don't need any. The more tracking dives you do the easier it will be to stay with the group. Don't worry you will get it. To the girl who wants to see how slow they can track. Hooknswoop and I went out and did an I can out track you dive and I averaged under 90 on that one. I probably was going slower most of the time, but I did a real diving exit (you'd think I was chasing a big way) so I had a max speed of 158. Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
PhreeZone 20 #8 June 17, 2003 Look at this pic or this or even this to see different body positions needed to follow tracking divesYesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #9 June 17, 2003 WOW!!! that is sooo cool. Thank you, Phree! I'll experiment while on my next tracking dive. Adjustments will have to be made to follow the leader. I am going to look for more pictures as they really helps me visualize it. This helps to clarify my initial questions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivelynn 1 #10 June 17, 2003 Funny, I recently had a conversation about this. A lot of (small) girls I know have to wear lead on tracking dives We are gonna do a tracking dive with just us girls and see how slow/flat we can really go! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JamesNahikian 0 #11 June 17, 2003 I'm gonna pile-on to what Albie has said. Raise your arms above your seat (delta position) and cease driving your legs below it so hard. The resulting track should be considerably steeper than what you're experiencing currently, and this should assist you in keeping closer to the pack. D. James Nahikian SKYDIVE CHICAGO STL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #12 June 18, 2003 While I'm no small girl, on my few track dives I ended up in a position much closer to a delta then a track.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueEyedMonster 0 #13 June 18, 2003 Well I'm not a small girl, but I have the floating problem on track dives because I am tall and skinny. I am just learning to keep up. One way I was successful was to wear my tight nylon RW suit, arch and put my arms completely behind me (palms on the bottom of my rig) and steer with my feet. The other way that was suggested by one of my coaches (a light girl) was to put my arms forward and out, then angle my body at 45 deg. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #14 June 18, 2003 QuoteThanks, Kelli! As you learn to fly you probably won't need more than 4-6 lbs for tracking dives, until then you may need more weight something around 8-10. When I was learning to fly flatter rather than hyper arched I used to wear 12-14 lbs, as I learned I needed less and less weight. For quite awhile I wore no lead, then went back to lead (6-8 lbs) so I could fly flatter and still keep up the speed. For tracking dives I only wear 4-6 lbs, if I'm wearing FF clothes, if I'm wearing my RW suit I don't need any. The more tracking dives you do the easier it will be to stay with the group. Don't worry you will get it. To the girl who wants to see how slow they can track. Hooknswoop and I went out and did an I can out track you dive and I averaged under 90 on that one. I probably was going slower most of the time, but I did a real diving exit (you'd think I was chasing a big way) so I had a max speed of 158. Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
