Backfly body-position in Tunnel Vs Sky

[skydonkey 0]

I've been on my back in the tunnel and am trying to fly using my lower arms as little as possible, i.e. trying to De-Arch neck and upper back for lift rather than pushing my arms out over my head, so that it will be easier to take grips. I'm also only using my legs to turn (bad idea?).

However, if you practice this style in the tunnel, how easy is it to fly like this in Free-fall? Surely having a rig on your back will make it much much harder to De-arch you back?

How much do you then have to re-adapt / re-learn your position?

[Bowen 0]

try a dummy rig on in the tunnel and see what you think. You just have to be about a expert back flyer to do this. the rig has to be super tight on you other wise it will shift and launch you into the wall. I have seen good back flyers get torn up with a rig on.

Good luck and make sure it is really, really tight. And wear pads.

-Bowen

Retired Tunnel Instructor, Sky/Tunnel Coach

Former dealer for 2k Composites, Skysystems, Alti-2, Wings

[Paige 0]

If you have a good tunnel coach, they should be able to work on a bodyposition that translates to the sky. I know Ari and I coach our back fly the way we do specifically for that reason, not everyone is a tunnel rat and just about everyone translates their skills to the sky.

Get w. a coach in the tunnel and have them work on a backfly position that will be beneficial to your sky transition. ANYONE at SVO can help you do this. I'm sure other instructors at different tunnels are just as capable, I simply have no experience to speak from.

Edited to add: try turning w. your arms, it gives you another wing to work with and another skill to improve. It's not tough, get in there, try it out. Add another tool to your tool box!

Tunnel Pink Mafia Delegate
www.TunnelPinkMafia.com

[diablopilot 2]

Make sure you're turning with your legs and not shifting your hips or torso. The rig will reverse the effect of leaning your torso to one side or the other, and produce the opposite motion. After a jump or two you'll translate your learning in the tunnel just fine. The hardest thing will then be staying on level when you pick up grips.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[nigelh 0]

I tried the Dummy rig here at Bedford,
I have done about 3 hours of back flying now, so thought i'd give it a go, i put it on nice and tight but as soon as i went in on my back, it slipped to the side and i went straight into the wall sideways, very very frustrating!

Gonna try it in the sky with my own rig as soon as i am brave enough to jump in the cold!

Nigel

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Sponored by NZ Aerosports, CYPRES 2, Tonfly & L&B

Team Dirty Sanchez #232

[diablopilot 2]

What have they got as a dummy rig? Shouldn't be too much trouble. My infinity in the sky stays put, no worries about shifting on my back. My mirage shifts a bit, even though it fits fine. Might have to do with the harness geometry or the chest rings, I haven't decided which. I can back fly fine in both of them (Well, at least well enough to dock on an 8way) Just really focus on keeping the hips square.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[Ron 10]

Quote

try a dummy rig on in the tunnel and see what you think. You just have to be about a expert back flyer to do this. the rig has to be super tight on you other wise it will shift and launch you into the wall. I have seen good back flyers get torn up with a rig on.

Yeah, did some back fly with my rig on at Bragg....Almost flew right out of the cone as soon as I flipped over on my back. Took some getting used to, but it was not that hard...It was very different and not nearly as fast to move. I felt the entire time I had to almost fight the rig.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334