Cross Post....Exit Help Needed

[Zoter 0]

have recently started filming 4 way RW.
I'm still having a little difficulty getting the exit 'just right'
I am using a pretty baggy freefly suit at the mo whilst I wait to get some wings.....but I think its not all about that....sometimes I get it perfect, but I am lacking consistancy .

As a person who learns more effectively by visual means.....I would appreciate it if anybody out there can point me towards some links for outside video and piccies of the cameramans exit, good or bad....so I can study how they exit

Thanks

• Quote

[AndyMan 7]

Start by reading every article on Quade's website: http://www.futurecam.com/skydive.html

When you've got more specific questions, you'll get more specifit answers.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[quade 4]

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I'm still having a little difficulty getting the exit 'just right'.

This will always be the case.

After years and thousands of 4-way camera jumps you'll probably still have a few that get away. This is not to be used as an excuse, but rather just know that sometimes it happens to even the best.

If you want to see the variations in exits by the best, go to http://skyleague.com and watch the competition videos from various camera flyers.

The "pretty baggy freefly suit" probably isn't your friend in doing exits.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Zoter 0]

I have read Quades great articles
More specifically...
On a leading exit......I'm interested to hear some views on ýour'exit techniques....for a left rear door plane..( eg Dornier G92, Otter, Caravan,)
ie...do you 'float' your left or right leg
Do you slide down the fusalage of the plane or jump into clear air
Do you jump...'forwards'...'backwards'....'sideways' or 'fall off'
and whats the best body position to leave with.....flattish or arched...
These are the kina questions I'm looking to answer

Thanks again

[Zoter 0]

Quote

The "pretty baggy freefly suit" probably isn't your friend in doing exits.

Could you elaborate on that a little?

I'm quite big....and I thought the extra drag off the suit would have been beneficial on exit....ie i drop a bit slower than the 4way so I at least am able to get above them quickly whilst still being out of the way on exit.....
Thats just my thoughts....

Why would a less baggy suit be better?

[HSPScott 0]

If you try leading them and they level off fast you get screwed. Without wings it takes longer to recover. With my team this year, I found that if I Do a semi-peel with my head following the common space between inside and outside center while dragging my hand down the side of the plane, it puts in pretty good position. When I set up: left foot on the step, all the way back. I hold the handle wiwith my right hand, and use my left against fusalage.I switched from a bootie camera suit to a ff style camera suit, and it takes a while to be able to sit really steep. Wings are a must, especially if you are a little bigger. Another tip is to what the dirt dives and have a general idea of what is going on. If they are launhing all exits, you will not only have to get the timing down, but also how long or compact it will be.

Good Luck,

Scott

PS: Don't let it get to you, it takes time to get the hang of it.

[AndyMan 7]

The drag of the baggy suit is hurting you on exit, since the relative wind will blow you backwards faster.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[quade 4]

Quote

Quote

The "pretty baggy freefly suit" probably isn't your friend in doing exits.

Could you elaborate on that a little?

The only time you need extra drag is when you need extra drag. For example, to stop.

This is something that most people who don't fly camera don't understand about the camera suit. The wings are NOT there to create -constant- drag, they are there to create -instant- drag. They are brakes. Sometimes you have to ride them a bit, but hopefully not so much.

What you really want is a suit that will allow you to have the widest range of speeds while belly-to-earth. In flat, belly to earth, my suit allows me to have pretty good control from 105 to 135 and even a marginal amount of control beyond that. Yes, I've flown 4-way with groups at both ends of the spectrum.

Further, a freefly suit, while cool as all get out, doesn't have the amount of control and drive that booties can give you. Drive is -extremely- important if you mistime a leading exit and end up low.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[quade 4]

Quote

On a leading exit......I'm interested to hear some views on ýour'exit techniques....for a left rear door plane..( eg Dornier G92, Otter, Caravan,)
ie...do you 'float' your left or right leg
Do you slide down the fusalage of the plane or jump into clear air
Do you jump...'forwards'...'backwards'....'sideways' or 'fall off'
and whats the best body position to leave with.....flattish or arched...
These are the kina questions I'm looking to answer

Thanks again

On the Twin Otters at Perris (and this is where I have 95% of my jumps) I hold on to the post with both hands, stand on the left leg and trail the right.

As for -specific- exit technique, it depends on -exactly- which formation the team is exiting.

Generally speaking for the roundish formations (Stair-step, Meeker, stuff like that) it's a slight push back with both the hands and the foot while sliding back and with any luck slightly inward toward the center of the plane. At least that's the thought, because of my position on the step, I can't actually do it, but at least I can usually feel the side of the plane with my right hand as I slide back.

For longish formations it's a much harder push back and as early as I dare. Usually longish formations have the tail flyer leaving early. Pretty much you want to be off the plane before he is otherwise he'll steal your clean air and it won't be pretty. Some coaches have the tail flyer leave -extremely- early which does some really crappy things for you like swinging them under the plane (exactly where -you're- trying to be).

Pray.

Or peel.

But even then, pray, because if he leaves -way- early, the formation is going to go flat from your perspective pretty much no matter where you are. Unless you've crashed into them.

What can I say? If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.

As for flat or arched or whatever, I'd say slightly arched but don't dwell on it . . . you're not going to stay in any position for more than a fraction of a second anyway because you're going to have to -instantly- adjust for whatever the heck the team has done.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[ltdiver 3]

Nice response, quade.

Zoter...add to this excellent information the idea that you should take copious notes on what works for you on each and every exit. You'll create a journal of exits and techniques that will help you grow in ability very well.

However, be aware that every team can be different in their exit and flying technique. Your 'exit rules' can vary, but the pattern will maintain relatively the same.

Have fun. Stay safe. And don't beat yourself up if you hit the team a few times during your learning. :^)

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[Zoter 0]

Thanks for the advice.....sounds very helpful.
Its quite hard sometimes...even with video to see how it worked...or went wrong.
Getting the next groups cam person to pop his head out after exit sure helps......but thats often a luxery.

I'll keep hammering away at it....and get wings