The Hill

[mofo554 0]

What is "the hill"?

[jlmiracle 7]

okay, i'll take a crack at trying to explain this one.

When you exit an airplane say with a 4-way, the formation does not immediately fly flat. It "slides down a "hill". the air on the "hill" is a little "softer" (you are not at terminal yet) before the formation settle's out (everyone on same level).

If you get a chance to watch any Airspeed video's or really any RW formation compeition video's you will see them turn points on the "hill".

I'm not sure if I explained this very well, you may want to direct it to the RW section for a better explanation.

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

[BenGriffiths 0]

I've never heard it called the hill before, but anyway.

I've seen a fair few RW videos. Turning the first point(s) before the formation levelled out didn't seem too extrordinary, howver sinsce I've qualified and started doing RW myslef - it brings a whole new level of respect for some of the top RW teams

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Ben G
Still Sinking :-(

[Watcher 0]

The Hill is basically the transition period of the relative wind from exit to terminal. When you exit the plane the relative wind is coming from nose of the plane towards the tail (thats the direction you are moving). You then accelerate downwards but it does not happen instantly so you start out steep then as you approach terminal you are leveling off.

For RW work this is a whole different enviroment (is for Freeflyers too). The airspeed is significantly slower which produces a mushy feeling or slower response. This is most noticable when you are transition to your second or third point while still on the hill, or most noticeable doing Block moves.

If you think the Hill is a piece of cake you must be far ahead of the curve (in response to another post) because the Hill is the most crucial time during a skydive, its the period most easy to funnel the exit, and in competition is often where it can be won or lost. Top teams do entire camps just working on the exit and the Hill, and some teams (Norgies) did ~40 exits in one day this year just to try to get better at the Hill.

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Jonathan Bartlett
D-24876
AFF-I

[PhreeZone 20]

Here is a pic of a 5 way on the hill out of a Skyvan, see what angle the relative wind is hitting them at? The hill is what happens when the relative wind is still coming more forwards (from the motion of the plane) and not from under them (gravity). You will "slide" down the hill as your forward motion due to the plane throw slows.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

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[jumperconway 0]

Team "Random 4Nication" "on the hill"