Flocking Formations Guide

[bdrake529 0]

In preparation for the wingsuit boogie at Cal City next weekend, I decided to create a simple "flocking formations guide" to assist individual flock leaders in designing the flights. It is also my hope that if things are going well, some groups will attempt sequential flocks and this guide can provide a foundation for that.

I've only scoped out 3-5 ways so far. To avoid redundancy, I've only listed each formation concept once since most can be scaled. For example, "flying V" is only listed on the 3-way page since the shape can be simply adjusted to accommodate an indefinite number of flockers. The diamond only appears on the 4-way page since this is the smallest group size that can form this shape, though obviously much larger groups can fly it too. And so on...

It's by no means exhaustive, even with the simple group sizes I've begun with. But I think its a good start and is enough to keep most flocks busy for a while.

I've attached version 1 to share, and to solicit evaluation and critique. In lieu of an official resource of this kind, it would be great to see this manual develop as a collaborative effort for the benefit of all. In other words, "open source" flight planning.

Blues,

Brian

Brian Drake

[The111 1]

Good idea. Scott Bland hands out documents like this at Flock & Dock usually.

BTW, that image looks familiar. I can always recognize that kind of stuff. I'm sure Ryan will be happy to know he's been made into a model flocker. Once there was an ad in Parachutist for a boogie at Eloy and they had this little small solid black wingsuit graphic. I know without a doubt it was sourced from this image, because of several very identifiable things about the profile. Foot position, arm position, and a photographic memory.

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[bdrake529 0]

Matt, you caught me... guilty as charged.

It's a testament to your work that when I needed a good shot of a wingsuit in flight, I didn't even think twice about where to get it.
I'm curious as to what other people have done along these lines. I kind of guessed the FnD events (and other large wingsuit gatherings) use something like this but other times I've seen organizers just rely on their own mental playbook.

Brian Drake

[LouDiamond 1]

Nice Brian. I have been using similar pictures using a 3D program as has Jarno. It comes in quite handy when you start moving into vertical formations or formations on different levels as people can see exactly where they need to be and visulize the seperation within the flock. I have a whole series of formations laid out like the attached example in the 2nd edition of my book(minus the monkey heads) as well as in the presentation I gave at PIA. Jarno has some really cool stuff as well that realy helps with formations...even his cardboard cut outs work great for impromptu formation building.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[The111 1]

Haha, it's planet of the ape-birds! They look just like you Scott.

How's the 2nd edition of the book coming, btw?

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[bdrake529 0]

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How's the 2nd edition of the book coming, btw?

Ditto.

Brian Drake

[IslandGuy 0]

Brian,
Looks good, I like it.

Just one comment - in a couple of the formations, it shows the base in a position where others in the formation can't see him. (Vertical V and Vertical X).

It would work of course if the guys below were on their backs, or just make one of the bottom guys base.

I've put together my own book of formations - not nearly as fancy as yours though. I find that by using models that are proportionally correct, you get a much better idea of how the formation is going to look and if it is even possible to do.

I've seen too many times, people trying to put together a formation that is impossible to fly because of wing-wing interference. Sounds good when you talk about it and seems ok in your mind, but when you lay it out with silhouettes on paper - it just doesn't work.

Keep up the good work.

-Mike

Play like your life depends on it.

[bdrake529 0]

Mike,

Thanks for the feedback.

For those formations you refer to, I would think the base could be visible, even without those on bottom back-flying since the base is 45° above and one could simply fly with their head slightly turned to keep the base in their peripheral vision. Kind of like the "turn 90°" trick they teach belly flyers when they go low on a formation (rather than looking up and spilling air).

But as you point out, somethings work better on paper. I'll have to see on these and as you mentioned, the easy solution is to just place the base at a different position.

I'm curious what you mean by "wing-wing interference". Are you referring to burble issues or something else?

Brian Drake

[IslandGuy 0]

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I would think the base could be visible, even without those on bottom back-flying since the base is 45° above and one could simply fly with their head slightly turned to keep the base in their peripheral vision.

Don't know why you'd want to do that. Flying with my head turned just doesn't seem comfortable. Like you said, most of these formations are built of smaller pieces. To me, these are simply 2-man lines with people flying above them.

Also, when flying base, the more solid you are the better everyone can form up on you and the better the formation. I've seen it with myself, and others much better than I, that when flying base and the cameraman or someone else gets under me, my natural reaction to try to stay with them (or avoid them) instead of concentrating on flying rock solid. So now, everyone above is trying to stay with the moving base. Not bad with just a couple folks, but if you have a stack, all those little movements get amplified.

A classic example of the interference thing is when the organizer says, we're going to make a double row V and they want to fly it "tight" and they want your head at the guys foot/calf/knees.

You can visualize the problem this creates if you take a double row line keep the middle 2 guys fixed (base), and move each side back making an increasingly more pointed V. At some point the folks in the second row have no room left. It doesn't take as much angle as you think for that to start happening.

Exercise for the reader - figure out that angle.

Play like your life depends on it.

[bdrake529 0]

Mike,

Valid points. Thanks.

Brian

Brian Drake

[LouDiamond 1]

Quote

How's the 2nd edition of the book coming, btw?

It's pretty much been done for awhile now. I am just waiting for everyone with a sewing machine to finalize their product lines and/or provide pictures of their new creations ( remember the trigger from pressurized that appeared for about 5 minutes before disappearing off of the web?). I've added about a 100 +/- more pages of information/photos and continue to add to it as technology/equipment also continues to expand.As of right now,I don't have a projected release date for it.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[mccordia 74]

Nice guide..I think people will appreachiate this. Especialy on smaller dropzones where there is no real guidence as to what to do and fly.

Its going to take me a few more days to finalise it.
But shortly, I'll be putting a free 20 page page pdf online at www.flylikebrick.com

Together with Costyn and Alexandro we've been doing a lot of load organising and coaching the past two years.
I decided to take what we're teaching and write it down for those interested.

Its a big article with a lot of information on all stages of a jump. From exit, base exit positions, freefall speeds, approach to flying a slot, seperation and things to practice and long term goals etc.

Its by no means ment as an 'ultimate guide to', and also not backed or payed for by any manufacturer or anything, its merely my personal views on where things are at, and where things are going to.

Ive had quite a few 'big players' in the field read it and comment on the content. From well known load organisers, flyers to freefly coaches (and wingsuit instructors) from Babylon (Empuria Brava).

Ill yell when its done and online, and am currious to hear peoples thoughts and comments.

*small addition* Id be interested in someone being able to help me with a french and/or german translation to also put online. If you can (and are willing to put in some extra time, please shoot me a PM)

and Im always looking for input. If there's anything you feel should be sayd or mentioned about flocking, flying or the current state of the dicipline and where it needs to go. Please say hi on MSN and lets talk (PM me for my MSN details)

JC
FlyLikeBrick
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