relative work

[Honeyskies 0]

Hello I am new to skydiving and I've done 6 jumps since a month ago, I love it all but of course as I'm so new I don't know what it is all about I was looking at these forums and wondering what is Relative work, I have heard a lot of guys at the dz talking about it, is it the same as belly flying and how do Ilearn to do it?
Bye
Honey

[Spike 0]

Relative work = formation skydiving = belly flying

Once you are off student status you can start flying with other people, making formations. Solo jumps can be fun, but after a while you'll find jumping with other people to be even better.

Stick with it, lots of people find the hiatus after student status to be a tough time. When you have low experience no one wants to jump with you, and solos start becoming repetitive (aka boring - skydiving & boring in the same sentence ).

Here in the UK we have a coaching programme called WARP which gets newly minted skydivers skills up to a level where they are safe to jump in formation with others. I guess you have something similar in the US, talk to your instructor.

Welcome to our world.

[Honeyskies 0]

I dont think skydiving will ever be boring even solos. NEWLY MINTED SKYDIVERS you say well I dont have very much money thogh so will that be aproblem is it very expensivce to get coaching. I want to be really good at skydiving so maybe I will do some relative work at my home dz then, thanks for the advise

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[Spike 0]

Nope me neither, I've not had a boring jump yet, though lots of frustration, trying to nail one particular skill or another. I've done quite a bit of team training, which can get pressurised, so I find the odd solo serene and calming.

Coaching can be expensive, but if you are friendly and talk to people at your DZ you'll probably find experienced jumpers who will do 2 ways with you. If you don't know many people, talk to your instructor/manifest/dzo to hook you up with a mentor. I like jumping with low timers, being one myself.

A small tip, you will learn more from 20 coached jumps than you will from 60 solos. And the quicker you get your skills up the sooner people will want to jump with you for free. After I got my A licence I did a whole heap of solos. On reflection, I wish I'd started with coaching sooner.

Learn to pack, make yourself usefull, maybe you can trade pack jobs for free coached jumps. The more your face is at the DZ the more you'll get known.

RW rocks, keep at it.

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[mr2mk1g 10]

Relative work is what hardcore skydivers call those anoying weekends where they have to take time to visit the damned relatives

[Nick 0]

My advice would be to start your coaching as soon as possible after you have your A license. Solo's while fun don't allow you to control yourself in the air, you won't be able to tell if your back sliding, if you try side sliding you won't know if you've managed, you won't know hoe good your track really is etc.

The only problem you may have is finding somebody to jump with, ask your instructor, they'll be able to help you out.

Myself, when I'm not doing training etc. I try to jump (not coaching) with people just after completeing AFF (inc. consols), It's good for them, it's great to see their faces and as your their first 2-way they have to buy beer!!!!!

Nick
Gravity- It's not just a good idea, it's the LAW!

[steve1 5]

If you can't afford coaching another option might be to jump at a small cessna type DZ. Lot's of times another jumper is needed to fill out a load. A lot of experienced jumpers will jump with you in that case and give you free advice and help. They'll teach new guys coming up, but if there is a big aircraft and lot's of jumpers, it may be some time before you are asked on those loads. Don't get discouraged and hang in there. Someday you'll be the one organizing the big loads.....Steve1