Tunnel Training

[maestropaolo 0]

I'm flying out to LA this coming weekend for the purpose of sky tunnel training in Perris. I was on the phone with a trainer and she told me that I may not be allowed to do backflips since it's a potentially dangerous move. I'm going there specifically for that purpose because I'm stuck on AFF 6, and I'm going to do 15 mins of tunnel time. Has anyone trained in the sky tunnel doing advanced moves like front- and backflips, barrel rolls, turns etc.? Also, can you tell me how helpful the training was? Thanks.

[billvon 2,994]

>Has anyone trained in the sky tunnel doing advanced moves like
>front- and backflips, barrel rolls, turns etc.?

You won't be allowed to do this until you can demonstrate proficiency in backflying, launches, landing on the net etc. And that takes a lot more than 15 minutes. I'd take the time to work on basics like turns and forward motion.

[robertmicp 0]

I was there about a month ago. Told me the same thing. Because of the motion, you could hit a wall or something. You will see the tunnel guys run up the sides and backflip.

I felt the time (15min) in the tunnel was great to fine tune my body flight and control. Depending on your coach, you can do some basic RW.

Flying into Ontario Airport, the drive is only 30 min to Perris.

Have fun

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying who shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I, send me."

[vibeke 0]

"In the ongoing battle between tunnel walls and man, walls has yet to loose"
Point ? When you get inside the tunnel, you will instinctively know why you are not allowed to do the front/back loops in there.

The purpose of the loop exercise if often discussed, but the main purpose remains only to effectively make you unstable, and for you to prove able to quickly return to stability.

Dont think about comparing to the tunnel rats!
They will do unbelievable things.

In feburary I went to my first tunnelcamp.As we started, we wasn't even allowed to walk on the net or turn ourselves if we flipped over to our back. (yeah I admit it happened on a few ocations during the wrestling drills) Awkward situation waiting to be "turned over" by the tunnel rat...
Eventually as you progress and become familiar with the tunnel, the tunnel rats will relax and let you do what you want in there. But the first few *hours* they really have to be on their toes and they WILL step into the tunnel and take charge when ever they feel, that the task you´ve put yourself up to, is too challenging for your current level.

And a coach will NEVER ask of you, to perform a loop in the tunnel.
Untill you have your skills tuned, the sky if the only proper place for loops. You will have all the space you may end up needing. No banging into the walls is a good thing!!

Have fun in the tunnel!! You will love it!

[maestropaolo 0]

Wow, that's awful news considering I'm going to Perris (from NYC) to learn backflips and advanced maneuvers that will enable me to finally finish AFF. These flips are keeping me back in a big way and I don't know how many more hundreds of $ I'll have to spend to get level 6 right.

[pilotdave 0]

What's the exact reason you keep failing? I had a friend that kept failing because his flips were sloppy...falling off to the side half way through. I always thought that was so silly. The whole reason we learn flips is to get unstable so we can prove that we can get stable again. If that's the case for you, maybe go finish AFF at a different DZ that isn't trying to suck all the money out of your wallet. (huddles in the corner waiting to get beaten by an AFF instructor)

But don't worry. A trip to the tunnel isn't going to be a waste! You'll learn PLENTY that will help you get your A license.

Dave

[robertmicp 0]

Quote

These flips are keeping me back in a big way and I don't know how many more hundreds of $ I'll have to spend to get level 6 right.

Im curious, what does your instructor say about your progress? I too had to do level 6 a few times, but my instructor and I sat down and talked out the whole dive before we went up. After my second level 6 dive, I got stable on exit (13,000), checked where I was, alitude, check with my instructor, started to pull my head up, tucked knees and Whoa!!! I was over!! Then I was thinking, what now?? Oh yeah, ARCH!! and I was on my back, quick shoulder roll and was on my belly looking at my instructor, check altitude...11,500'. Happened very fast. I did a few more on that dive till 5,000', checked with my instructor, tracked off. Was a great dive. Now I flip on every dive!!

Just my 2 cents with my very limited experance.

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying who shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I, send me."

[Albatross 0]

I have TONS of time in the tunnel on my belly and I have done front flips on the net and back flips too. But if you think that it is good for a student to try it would be VERY painful. Moving 3 feet doing a flip is not much and the walls do hurt. Come and work on stability with a coach but not by doing flips. I LOVE the tunnel but "practicing" back flips would not be a good use of it.

Chris

[billvon 2,994]

>Wow, that's awful news considering I'm going to Perris (from NYC) to learn
>backflips and advanced maneuvers that will enable me to finally finish AFF.

Did you talk to someone at the tunnel before you decided to come out? Give them a call and ask them what your options are. Also might want to give the Perris school (or the Jim Wallace school, same DZ) and ask if you can do an AFF there. It might help.

Keep in mind that if you do a backflip in freefall, and fall on your head for 5 seconds, no big deal. If that happens in the tunnel you could be looking at a broken neck.

[Scrumpot 1]

The tunnel is just NOT the place, plain & simple for this excercise AT ALL. If you had asked the proper questions, and advised clearly of your intent, you should have been (and I can not imagine you having NOT have been) told this in the very 1st place!

That being said, still partaking in the tunnel for stability training is probably still appropriate, and will NOT be an entire waste of your time (or $$) either.

Best of luck & wishes in conquering your current progression blocks!
Blue Skies,
-Grant

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[mattjw916 2]

I'm willing to bet that your ability to get through level 6 has less to do with being able to figure out how to do a backflip properly and more to do with being a little overwhelmed and tense still.

I doubt, other than giving you more confidence in your own abilities, that the tunnel is the real answer. For me, my "level 6" jump was the most stressful... and it really had nothing to do with any of the skills I had to demonstrate in freefall.

The more you jump... the more confident you get...

NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

[Shark 0]

Have you discussed this with your instructors?

I wouldn't be too concerned with my student doing a perfect back-loop, front-loop, or barrel roll. Having my student be able to get stable from an unstable position/maneuver and the ability to pull on their own is more critical. Check out our website under "Jump Start." It was some animated training features that may be helpful to you.

...and talk with your instructors.

Shark
AFF-I
Skydive Elsinore