Freefly Tip Of The Day (27 Nov 2003)

[OzoneJunkie 0]

Sitfly exits facing the tail - learning to fly the hill:

It's common for people to do "train" exits when doing sitfly group jumps. Often, the train ends up with the people in the train flying "butt first" - essentially a leaned back sit position. While train exits are good for keeping a group together, they can enforce this butt first type of exit.

When a group of headdown flyers exit, they tend to lean towards the direction of travel - in other words, since they have forward throw from the forward movement of the plane, they do not fall straight down when leaving the plane. Hence, "the hill".

Sit flyers should strive to match this angle. Leaving with a headdown flyer, and flying butt first, will often present the wrong angle match. This will often result in considerable separation, unless the other person makes an effort to close the gap. With a headdown flyer, it's a bit easier for the other person to adjust, but with a second sit flyer facing you, it's much tougher.

So, when exiting the plane in a sit position, facing the tail, one should actually lean forward, not back. Keeping the upper legs at 90 to the body, and lower legs 90 with the upper legs, tilt the entire body forward (torso and legs). In other words, do NOT just crunch your upper body forward. You need to get your whole body angled. This will have the effect of falling at the proper angle while on the hill.

Initially, it's a hard thing to do, especially if you're used to leaning back while exiting. At first, it may help to exagerate the angle. If you lean too far forward, you can end up on your stoumach. Obvioulsy you've leaned too far. But I find that most, when first trying to master this exit, don't lean forward enough, or only lean from the upper body (they don't angle their legs WITH their torso).

Once you've done a few solo exits like this, try exiting with a friend (this person facing you (facing the prop)). They can leave headdown or sit. Try to match angles and maintain good proximity.

[andy2 0]

thats good advice, I've been working on sit exits facing the tail, I feel like I've got them pretty strong, I only slightly mess up one in about five. I'll try your advice next jump.

Any advice on how to sitfly exiting facing the direction of flight? I asked an experienced freeflyer at my DZ a few dozen jumps ago and he advised work on facing tail first bc facing direction of flight was a bit harder. I'm ready now to mess around with different exits so I'll be ready if a certain jump calls for me sitflying facing a different way than Im used to.

Any advice?
edit- I forgot to add, I think what really helped me learn to get comfortable on the hill was to fly a couple two ways off a cessna. The slower speed and ability to actually get out in the airstream before launching helped me realize what sitflying on the hill was all about. Maybe I'm just a freak though.

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let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[OzoneJunkie 0]

Don't have much time to replay - leaving for mom and dad's for turkey day :)

Anyway, facing the prop, you should again think about the angles. I'll get back to this thread when time permits.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone ! :)

[cutaway1 3]

The easiest thing to remember on a sit exit is to put the soles of your feet into the relative wind. When facing the tail, lean forward, when facing the nose, lean back. Another tip is, do not extent your outside arm out, this will cause you to turn on the hill, because your inside arm is in the burble of the plane, keep your outside arm in a bit when on the hill and maintain your heading.
Good luck, and Big fun.
Tim

SCR-21

[michaelflying 0]

so you are doing a two way sit with the sides of your bodies to the tail you want a similar angle heads leaning towards the tail??

www.skydivekzn.co.za

[grega 0]

I had a similar problem, still do from time to time. What really helped me is exit with closed eyes. Of course those were solo jumps, but it really helps, because you can't see the horizon. You can only feel from which direction air is coming, so it's easier to exit at the right angle.

"George just lucky i guess!"

[freeflybella 0]

To illustrate!
sit_exit: the correct position into the relative wind

badsit_exit: the effect of leaning/crunching forward, and leaning back





edited: also keep in mind if you're laying back (as in the 1st badsit_exit illustration), you will also drop down below anyone you're exiting with - forward motion translates to going low on the hill.

same thing with crunching up (the 2nd badsit_exit illustration), backward motion translates to floating on the hill.

however, knowing this can help you when you're making adjustments to fall rate straight out the door!

Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

[WrongWay 0]

Nice illustrations!! SWEET.

Wrong Way
D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451
The wiser wolf prevails.

[OzoneJunkie 0]

Thanks all for you additional information. Ah, the power of forums - I like it when things come together like this.

Cutaway1 makes a good point about the soles of your feet, and their relativity to the wind.

And thanks for the illustrations, freeflybella - they not only show my original point well, but show the bad side effects of not maintaining a good sit position besides hitting the right angle.

So, to answer:

Quote

so you are doing a two way sit with the sides of your bodies to the tail you want a similar angle heads leaning towards the tail??

Basically, yes. In fact, this general rule of thumb, along with the other stuff discussed here, should allow one to try some exits where your upper body is actually parallel to line of flight (say, you're facing into the plane (not facing the tail or the prop). In this case, again you're shooting for a particular angle, based on the relative wind / the hill. Now, adjustments are often needed for this type of exit, but again, thinking about the angles will get you started in the right direction.

Thanks again all, for the tips/help :)

[andy2 0]

thanks for the tips! May seem like common knowledge to some of you more experienced folks but this kind of stuff really helps me!

---------------------------------------------
let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[dterrick 0]

Nice post! Nice advice! Not much freeflying of any kind goes on at Gimli but I aim to progress... 9500 ft at a time. My sit is quite "decent" already but the diagrams put a few things into very clear focus. The fallrate out the door part is very interesting to me.

Thanks

Dave

Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)