handyploy 0 #1 February 19, 2004 what are the basics to learn a safe swoop-move? 90°-turn? riser-input? body-position? or a combination off all? I'm flying a sabre 120 with a wingload of 1.375 and i have 140 jumps. Or should i stay with the straight-in for a while? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vdschoor 0 #2 February 19, 2004 Stick with straight in for a while You can start speeding up your straight in approaches by using front risers. SkyMonkeyOne posted a good instruction post on here last week or the week before. Iwan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrianSGermain 1 #3 February 20, 2004 Some Thoughts on Learning to Swoop Your first steps are up high. Learn your canopy's responses to various maneuvers, and the amount of altitude lost (using your altimeter). This will help you develop the feel for the approach, as well as providing some empirical data that will help you when it is time to try things near the ground. Your first attempts should be nothing more than straight-in front riser dives. Adding the complexity of a changing heading increases the difficulty to two variables at once. Break it down, and learn the final phase of the approach first. Your next set is 45 degree turns, ending in straight-in front risers. This will begin the process of the rotational approach without being too confusing. Remember that it is better to plane-out high than hook in. Use you altimeter to train your eyes for the initiation altitude. Next is 90's, then 135's, then 180's. Take your time with each incremental increase of the turn radius. Skipping steps will only cause bad habits, and could get you severely busted up. Work toward a "carving approach" that includes a slow turn-rate, but a high descent-rate. This involves offset-double-fronts in the last phase of the turn. It is essential that you practice all this way up high, over and over again. If you can, fly with other canopies to work on your reaction skills. You must cultivate your "secondary instincts": the appropriate reactions to the situation at hand. The right choice is rarely what "primary instincts" would dictate. In animal terms, this is: "fight, flight or freezing". Since the first two are not applicable, freezing is often selected by the unconscious. If this happens at the wrong moment, the inappropriate response that was designed by the unconscious mind will in fact kill you. Lastly, realize that there is no need to swoop. It is fun, but not worth dying for. Know when to abort your approach, and when to go for it. This is about controlling your emotional response to the situation, and reacting with logic. Emotion is the horse, and Mind is the Jockey. Keep the Jockey in control. For more on this kind of groovy stuff, look for my upcoming book: The Parachute and its Pilot +Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnny1488 1 #4 February 20, 2004 Quote The Parachute and its Pilot Ahhhhhheeeeemmmmm... The Parachute and HER Pilot thank you very much. Are you coming up to the ranch this year? Ohh, sorry. Try to get a hold of the 6 articles that ran in parachutist called the art of swoop survival. Very informative and gives a good plan for stuff to work on UP HIGH A LOT <---- hint hint. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrianSGermain 1 #5 February 20, 2004 Actually, I live less than an hour from the Ranch right now. I will be traveling most of the season, but will get there whenever I can. "Her" pilot, aye? Interesting. I think I will stick to my androgenous title. Play Up High, Fewer consequences!!Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
