Right turn challenged

[phatcat 0]

Okay the FJC redo is coming up and I’ve been looking through my old logbook. To clarify, I did AFF 2 years ago and repeated lev. 4 five times before becoming frustrated and giving up. Now I’m doing it again from the beginning and from seeing my logbook I remember that I seem to have this automatic left turn. Of course I’ll tell my JM’s about it but I’d just like to throw this out there for some extra opinions. I know I definitely had a problem relaxing, so it’s probably just as simple as that. I’ve heard of heel clicks, but I don’t remember exactly what the purpose for them was. Is that relevant in my case? Maybe I’m getting a little ahead of myself but I’m just curious what anybody has to say.
Josh
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar" - Helen Keller

[skymedic 0]

Theres no place like home, theres no place like home, theres no place like home....
sorry man, just relax( i know tough to do when you are jumping out of a plane) but it really worked for me, I tended to have a built in turn too. For me it was because I was to tense, I also didnt have my legs out far enough, and my knees were too close together.....hope this helps...good luck and keep us updated...
Marc
Because I fly, I envy no man on earth

[Aviatrr 0]

Quote

I’ve heard of heel clicks, but I don’t remember exactly what the purpose for them was. Is that relevant in my case?

Definitely relevant.. Toe taps(or heel clicks, same effect) will tell you if your legs are doing what they should be.. If you try to tap your heels or toes together, and you miss, you know that one leg is more extended than the other - which will cause a turn.. If your right leg is straighter than the left, you will turn left.. If your left leg is straighter than the right, you will turn right..
Keep in mind, however, that it may not be your legs.. The legs are often the culprit(since you can't see them, you don't know what they're doing), but not always.. It could be arm position, or even a twist in your body causing the turn.. Get video - it should help you identify the problem if it still exists.. Good luck..
Mike

[chicagoskydiver 0]

I had a persistent right turn which caused me to have to repeat my AFP level four twice. This is what stopped it...LEGS OUT!!! I mean OUT! And relax, arch at the hips, you'll be fine. Been there, done that, wanted to quit because of it. Once you get it, you won't spin ever again, or at least you shouldn't.
Hackey

[billvon 2,991]

>Now I’m doing it again from the beginning and from seeing my logbook I remember that I seem
>to have this automatic left turn.
90% of the time, it turns out to be your legs. There are three ways to stop this, in terms of effort:
1. Make sure your legs are out and equal. This is difficult for many people, especially if they have broken a bone in their leg, or have some other reason to favor one leg over the other.
2. Do those toe taps (or heel taps, depending on DZ) to ensure your legs are in the right position.
3. If all else fails, learn leg turns. Lie on a creeper, lay your feet on a couch, and 'push off' on the couch to turn yourself right and left. The leg motions are the same you use in freefall to turn yourself. My theory on this is that if you're going to use your legs anyway to turn yourself, you might as well be using them the right way.
This is background only. As always, your JM's/I should be your first source of info.
-bill von