Opened the Door to Freeflying

[lazerq3 0]

Was out jumping this past weekend and was getting on a load with three other people. What to do what to do... well to of them was going to do a two way sit and they recomended we (myself and the other jumper) do the same. we both kinda looked at each other like uuhhh...ok! Both of us has never tried this before so we thought what the hell what do we have to lose!! So the other two showed us how to exit and get our feet rapped up together quick like and off we went. On the way up I ask my friend what we were going to do when we brake apart (some confidence huh). Anyway get on jump run and out the first two go, give them a 5 count and start our climb out, everything felt good and wayyyyyy we gooo! we got and awsome exit , locked legs right away and started to tumble. It was the coolest feeling looking across and seeing him wooo-hoooing while the world just tumbled by. we held a good sit position even while tumbling. then BAMB...we came right up to a nice sit position (ass to earth) and held it for about 3 sec and then started to tumble agian. about 6000 something went goofy and our legs got all twisted up so we broke loose. This wa by far one of the greatest jumps I've had yet. And what made it even better was that neither of us had ever done anything like it before so we both had a BLAST and learned something new!!!!No I have a problem...I still need a lot of on my RW skills but now I would like to learn the Free fly thing Argh!!!!O'well I guess I have plenty of time to learn both adn I'll need every minute of that time
jason
A-38658

[Aviatrr 0]

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Was out jumping this past weekend and was getting on a load with three other people. What to do what to do... well to of them was going to do a two way sit and they recomended we (myself and the other jumper) do the same. we both kinda looked at each other like uuhhh...ok!

Welcome to the Dark Side.. We have much more fun over here..

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Both of us has never tried this before so we thought what the hell what do we have to lose!!

I highly discourage inexperienced freeflyers from jumping together.. The danger level skyrockets on a freefly jump when things go wrong.. The speeds are much higher than belly flying - I average 150-160 in a sit, 180+ head down - and if somebody corks while below another freeflyer, the impact can be severe.. Also, due to the higher freefall speeds, much greater horizontal speeds can be induced.. Imagine two belly flyers tracking towards each other at full speed.. Now imagine twice the speed - and two inexperienced freeflyers that don't know how to stop..
Mike

[ClayFowler 0]

Not that I have ever done anything so stupid......but now that I am a bit wiser, Take Aviatrr's post to heart. Free Flying is a lot of fun but it's also a whole new world of hazards. Talk with some more experienced folks around your DZ. It can save you a lot of pain and maybe even your life down the road. As always....welcome to the Freak Clan! Happy Head Downs!!!!! BTW...I have executed the exact same jump!!! LOL It was fun.

[freaksister 0]

SOLO TIME! hehehehe Either do solos or jump with an experienced freeflyer.
See you on the darkside, lazer!!
Hugs,
The FREAKsis
"The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it." Oscar Wilde

[lazerq3 0]

Yeah I guess I did rush into that. Thanxs for the words of caution though. Better learn to scoot before I can crawl!
Just outta curiosity we planned that if we broke apart early that we would get to our bellies fly in RW stlye and then try to get back into the sit. WOuld that way be safer than going right into the sit and then coming toward each other?
jason

[ClayFowler 0]

Most likely....The worst thing about learning to Free Fly (not that I am God's gift) is horizontal and vertical control. Both can reach very high speed. Enough to kill you if you hit someone else. Thats why anyone with any sense will tell you to fly with an "expert" that can get out of the way if you try to take him out. Just reference the "Dammitt....You Corked Kenny" T-shirt for an illustration of the danger....LOL

[FreeFlyFreaky 0]

A 4 WAY FREEFLY ON YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT AT A SIT???? WHO THE HELL WOULD INVITE YOU ON SUCH A JUMP?
Man, I had to pipe in....Lazerq3, you really should spend 20 or 30 plus solos or one-on-ones with a coach before you even think of big ways or trying to dock. IMHO Horny gorillas aren't even recommended until you can successfully manage a stable sit, certainly not for two newbie freeflyers. Also stable meaning NOT drifting all over the sky into other peoples air space. And certainly forget going from a sit to belly to sit at this stage of the game...way to many fall rates to be warey of.....our rule for newbies is if you cork and end up on your belly you immediately track away and pull high.... And new people on no more than a 2 way with an experienced jumper......Freefly 2/3/4 ways of inexperienced divers is a recipe for disaster.
Take it slow....please be safe...
Whit

[lazerq3 0]

Hey whit, thanxs for the advivce!! I dont know if this will make ya feel better but it was a TWO way sit , not a four. And yeah we did rush into it thinking "cool". I'm definatly going to start doing some solos on my own. Its kinda like one of those things that you reaaly didnt know what you did until you did it and then saying to your self "boy that could of been bad". lesson learned!!
jason

[FreeFlyFreaky 0]

Hey -- reread the post and saw it was two not four but either way it looked like you were biting off more than you should be chewing and I was actually more upset that other divers would invite you into such a situation and I fired off the post a little fast...
btw...when it comes to freeflying the hardest thing to master at first is control of your drift. Most of us tend to slide either forward or backward when learning...therefore your heading becomes vitally important so that you dont drift into other's air space....keep your headings perpendiclular to the jump run and give at least 8-10 seconds separation...just another tip for ya...
Welcome to freeflying...be safe amigo,
Whit

[lazerq3 0]

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I fired off the post a little fast...

Hey man,, no worries. I would rather have someone tell me how it is right off the get go than pussyfoot with me about something that can really hurt you or worse! Even though we all dont really know everyone here personally its nice to know that everyone still is concerned for every ones saftey here!! Another reaso this sport ROCKS!!!!
jason

[dove 0]

Hey Lazerq3,
I just discovered freeflying recently too. And you thought you were a junkie before!!!!!!! Have fun, but be safe. Solos are an awesome way to play and learn without fearing a collision with another person. When you feel more stable, take an experienced freeflyer out with you and they can tell you if you are sliding and give you tips. Then go back out on your own again. I started freeflying cause I go to the dz on weekdays a lot when I am the only jumper. I found it is a great way to have fun if you have to jump alone. More fun with other, of course - but I still come down from solos shouting and bubbling over. Cheers!
Elisa

[AggieDave 6]

Same thing for me, I just started freeflying last month. I love it, absolutely love it! IMHO solo freeflying is a hell-ova lot more fun, then RW solo. I haven't launched a freefly exit yet, though. I usually go out stable and flip up into a sit then I'll try different stuff like standing or head down. It's kinda hard, though, since at my home DZ there's almost no freefliers, so I've just been learning on my own, trying to do like the pictures off the web, etc. Still fun though. AggieDave '02
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Blue Skies and Gig'em Ags!
BTHO t.u.

[ClayFowler 0]

AggieDave: Define "RW Solo" please.....LOL. Just a tip from a guy who dont know much....The best FF solo exit I have found is going out back to the wind standing up. The wind will take your feet out from under you and almost naturally put you in a HD position. Also keeps you from tracking up the line of flight of the aircraft. Just make sure you then turn 90 Deg from jump run heading to stay safe. Make sure you keep your eyes in the horizon to control backslide. (I used to like to look at the ground...backsliding like crazy!)

[AggieDave 6]

RW Solo: Jumping by your self belly to earth. It is possible to exicute on the upwards of 20 points per dive without having the problems of people falling out of the formation or missing their slots, etc. Remember, when by your self, you *are* the skygod! AggieDave '02
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Blue Skies and Gig'em Ags!
BTHO t.u.

[Aviatrr 0]

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Just outta curiosity we planned that if we broke apart early that we would get to our bellies fly in RW stlye and then try to get back into the sit. WOuld that way be safer than going right into the sit and then coming toward each other?

It's certainly better than trying to sitfly together - for the first time.. While you are docked, it's not such a big deal.. It's kinda like doing a Horny Gorilla or a tube - as long as you get some separation when you break it, it's not really a problem.. Do some solo sitflying, get stable at it, then jump with an experienced freeflyer or coach.. I jump with new freeflyers - but I have no problem getting out of the way.. Trust me, though.. I've seen some incredible speeds built up by guys learning to sit - usually backsliding..
Mike

[Aviatrr 0]

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Just reference the "Dammitt....You Corked Kenny" T-shirt for an illustration of the danger....LOL

Actually, it's "You flat bastard! You corked Kenny!".. I'm wearing it right now.. Mike

[ClayFowler 0]

AggieDave: RW Solo sounds like something Schitzophrenic (spell that 3 times real fast) people do.....You dont happen to talk to your self (and answer) during the skydive do you? Have you ever found yourself under canopy and thought "Wow, how did I get up here?" I dont know Dave. How did we get here Bill? Dont have a clue Phyllis.

[diveout 0]

I recommend doing a couple of two ways with an experienced person for your first handfull of sit jumps. Lots of times experienced freefliers are kind of flattered if you ask them to "take you on a jump" or show you a few things, and if they aren't too busy being skygods or if it's a slow day at the DZ they'd be happy too. They might even be able to shoot video since so many have video setups (it never hurts to offer to buy them a jump if the video you for a jump or two). It helps them improve their video and flying skills, especially if they have to chase you around the sky. Then you have a visual idea of what to work on by yourself -you can also get the ten freefliers at your dropzone to tell you ten different ways to "fix" or establish your sit flying.
Don't get caught up in dozens upon dozens of solos because you may have a serious backsliding issue or other problem and never know about it with no one else to check on your progress. Two way is definitely the best way to learn to freefly. Don't forget to jump with someone safe and stable enough to see what you're doing without worrying about themselves. However, they needn't be someone from a team who has five thousand jumps and is charging you $65 for their services. If you can afford these types of skydives regularly and have access to them, great -you're flying will be that much better. But when you're starting a head's up experinced freeflier should be able to help you out.
Once you can hold your place in the sky and do some simple transitions (turns and cartwheels and such) you can turn the world upside down, then it gets really fun and really fast. You'll love it.
-Diveout Dan

[chicagoskydiver 0]

I have a couple questions on this topic. I've been thinking about working on my sit and I was wondering what I should wear since I don't have a freefly suit. I was thinking of wearing shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt. Anyone have any better suggestions? Also, where can I get that "you corked kenny" t-shirt? That's hilarious!
Hackey

[ClayFowler 0]

Excellent choice of clothing for begining sit flying. It'll make it easy to get stable. Just make sure that your legs are parallel with the ground and dont fly "ass first" as this produces a high speed backslide. Have fun and see if you can find someone experienced to video you. This will make the learning curve very steep!