Slowing down

[bkoch 0]

Hey folks,

Just wondering - After a freeflying jump; in a sit or head down, how much altitude should I spend slowing down on my belly before I deploy my main. I want to be able to open around 3500 feet, should I allow 1000 feet to slow down or 1500 feet?

Let me know your opinion. Thanks for writing.
Brad

[hookitt 1]

(same answer as in the Repost thread)
Hey Brad, I've been freeflying for quite a while now. The only thing you really need to worry about is just getting away from whoever you're flying with.

If you break off at 4 and pull around 3 ish you "should" be well away from the others so just pull. (oh.. and of course check your air and wave off)

Chances are you're not going much over 150 if that. As soon as you flatten out you slow down very quickly so don't worry too much about how many feet to slow down.

I've often pulled 1/2 second out of a head down and always pull in a full on track. Basically just break at 4 or 5, whatever you decide to break at, and track away, and pull. If for some silly reason you find yourself low, just flatten out and pull immediately.

Ask Cliff what he thinks and I bet he has the think about it before answering.

Hope that helps.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[partyboy 0]

I once was in a head down dive @ 201 mph near 6000 feet, and came out of it by 5000 and was going according to my ProTrack 140mph.

I have the software that shows the graph and stats of a free-fall speed and to answer your question, if I was going that fast in a dive, at regular free-fly speed (150-160 ish), then it would cost you no danger to just begin break-off like normal and you will be more than safe and ready to pull after you feel comfortably seperated from your group. Hope this hepls.

Up High!!

[mfnren 2]

remember to not immediately go flat from a sit or head down when flying with other people. do a more graduall transition to avoid a collision...maybe you already know that..

[apoil 0]

Quote

Ask Cliff what he thinks and I bet he has the think about it before answering.

I was tought something different from what I practice. In practice I often pull rather quickly, but I still remember the occasional slam from not slowing down enough. Depends on your canopy and how well you can be "pull-stable" if you are slightly faster than normal on your belly.

For newer jumpers, I still teach them to take some time to slow down. If it helps them be more disciplined at break-off that's kind of a good thing.