billvon 3,006 #26 December 8, 2003 >Ok, so question: This past weekend, we had a 2-way belly go out in >front of our 4-way, because we were going to pull at 3500, and they > were pulling at 3000. How significant is the drift difference acheived > by a 2-way and a 4-way? There should be no significant difference in drift between a 2-way and a 4-way, all other things being equal (fall rate etc.) >Should we have done this? Nothing that says you shouldn't. Normally large groups go first because they take a long time in the door, and thus the spotter can factor that in to the spot. If a 2-way goes first and an 18-way gets out next, they may have trouble with the spot due to the long time it takes them to get ready. Note, though, that that's a spotting issue, not a separation issue - the 18 way will typically have plenty of separation since they take a long time in the door. >Also, I was told that if you are in a 4-way, 3-way, whatever, the "turn > 180 degrees and track your ass off" rule applies moreso than > the "don't track up the line of flight" rule. Is that correct? Yes; the priority in a 4-way is to get separation from the other people on your jump, since they are a far greater risk of collision at opening than someone from the next group. This means turning 180 from the _center_ of the formation (not turning 180 from where you happen to be facing at breakoff) and tracking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #27 December 8, 2003 Quote> This means turning 180 from the _center_ of the formation (not turning 180 from where you happen to be facing at breakoff) and tracking. A brief aside on this point: - 2 years ago (and more) the USPA Competition Manual specified that the individuals in FS competition should turn 180 and track at the designated breakoff altitude. I wrote to the committee pointing out the anomaly, and the next edition specified that the turn was from the center of the formation. Someone at USPA listens.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #28 December 8, 2003 Thank you so much! I will keep all of that in mind! I often get conflicting answers, but those make sense to me! Kelly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
