Hybrid Breakoffs & Tracking

[tbrown 26]

Anyone with a lot of hybrid experience have some advice on tracking after breakoff ? I've been on a few hybrids and know that the stingers & hangars leave first, with the base usually hanging in there a bit before they breakoff and track. But I as I'm in the base I usually find it rather unnerving to see so many freeflyers tracking so far below me. The problem is they haven't really made much progress leaving the area and since they're low, they have right of way. It's an uneasy feeling because it's like trying to track through a minefield with so many people so far below. Whereas on belly loads the altitude separation, while it exists, is not so extreme.

Should the base breakoff, track 5 seconds and dump high, or what ? I've done some searching in the forums but can't seem to find anything specific on this issue.

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

[Brains 2]

I don't know if it is "right" or "wrong" but this is how we do it.Four way base and up to four hangers/stingers:

Hangers/Stingers drop off and track like hell at 5K, deploy no higher than 3K.

Base stays together till 4K, short track (there are only 4 of them) and deploy by 2.5 or 3 wherever they are comfortable.

Camera (if present) takes the center no matter what.

The key for us has been to use freeflyers that know how to track for survival, not just for tracking dives

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.

[bob.dino 1]

That sounds about right. I've done hybrids with up to 16 people around, and if the freeflyers don't track, the base are screwed.

[Remster 30]

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and deploy by 2.5 or 3 wherever they are comfortable.

We re not talking big ways or really long tracking times, but, I would rather the outside people tracking to a lower alti then the inside/base people. Less chance of any catching up happening.

Remster

[Samurai136 0]

How many freeflyers (total hangers/stingers) do you have on your hybrid jumps?

An equal balance of 4&4 is a good mix. Your description makes it sound like there are 8+ freeflyers below and ahead of you throwing PC's.

I've never had a problem with standard big-way tracking rules on a hybrid dive.
Break-off altitude; turn 180 and track to pull altitude. By limiting the size of the hybrid jump you've also limited the number of possible people below belly flyers during track off.

If you get a good group of 8 together who are pulling off some good formations you can try some other interesting things... like turning pieces with orbiting stingers.

The temptation is to allow "anyone" to join in on the skydive. Hybrid skydives are really the same as big-way freefly jumps. The same rules apply. Corking is really bad. Be certain of the skill level of the people you are jumping with. Stingers dock with minimal (zero) momentum and do not load grips.

Organize (dirt dive) the skydive. This allows everyone to know what the plan is, where their slot is, and keeps it from being less of a "zoo" skydive.

Have fun but have a plan and stay safe.

Ken

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[diablopilot 2]

The Stinges should leave first closly followed by the hangers. ONLY allow hangers that have decent tracking abilities.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[tbrown 26]

Hangers/Stingers drop off and track like hell at 5K, deploy no higher than 3K.
Base stays together till 4K, short track (there are only 4 of them) and deploy by 2.5 or 3 wherever they are comfortable.
Camera (if present) takes the center no matter what.

[HydroGuy 0]

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Hangers/Stingers drop off and track like hell at 5K, deploy no higher than 3K.
Base stays together till 4K, short track (there are only 4 of them) and deploy by 2.5 or 3 wherever they are comfortable.

Thats how the ones I've been around are run.

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including one joker who was lying on his back with a big shit eating grin.

Get in - Get off - Get away....repeat as neccessary

[br0k3n 0]

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That sounds about right. I've done hybrids with up to 16 people around, and if the freeflyers don't track, the base are screwed.

oh thats right..blame it on the "freeflyers"

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--+ There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't.. --+

[Samurai136 0]

Never blame the freeflyers. They are my friends.

I'm not too worried about break off. I can generally out track most people on my radial away from a formation. The ones I can't beat aren't a problem...

Ken

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[livenletfly 0]

bingo!!!

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