Transitions

[skybytch 273]

Now that I can hold a sit/stand for the whole skydive, move forward and backward and turn in a sit/stand and can hold head down (legs spread, not daffy) without spinning or corking.... I went up yesterday and did a solo working on transitioning from sit to head down and back.
Started in a sit and tried to cartwheel to head down. Ended up over rotating. Started head down and couldn't figure out how to cartwheel out of it! Ended up doing a half a loop back to sit, which worked great but won't do me much good when I'm flying with someone else....
So, any tips on making clean and efficient transitions?
pull and flare,
lisa
--
What would Scooby Doo?

[3fLiEr 0]

Sit to Head - Really Bang out your legs to stop the rotation... be agressive in stopping it.........
bsbd
"In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

[Zennie 0]

Quote

Started head down and couldn't figure out how to cartwheel out of it!

Heh. I'm in the same boat. I started working on the drills that I did for sit stand in my head down: left 360, right 360, left cartwheel, right cartwheel, forward flip, backflip.
360s I'm starting to do well, and I can pretty much stop a spin, though I'm finding that I'm still getting used to visually finding headings upside down. Cartwheels in a HD ... um... well.... OK let's try flips! . Foward flip went OK but the backflip... nope.
As far cartwheeling into the HD, yeah what 3flier says... really explode the legs out & hold them. I'm still a little wobbly on the forward/backward plane when I get there, but the cartwheel stops.
"Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

[neural9 0]

I find that whacking my legs out induces some instability for me. Maybe I'm doing it too hard! I would suggest transitioning slowly - you'll "pop" into a head down if you simply take the position.
When you transition, you move from a stable position (with your arms) to a stable position with your legs, you don't have to lock them out, just give them more drag than your head. Another suggestion would be to lower your arms into a V so that you create that arrow profile, and then move them into place after transitioning. Try to do everything real smooth and things shouldn't go wrong for long.
If you haven't already, get your coach to take you head down out of the plane and at least experience the feel for it - stop bad habits before they start and all that.
hth,
n9

[freeflir29 0]

First of all....when you transition make sure that you are getting your body "clean" Bring in your arms, put your feet together (Only one foot causing drag...not two) You want to make the transition happen with your body only...not limbs flailing causing over rotation. Try to put your head on your hip. As you get to the head down bang your legs out but put your arms down at your sides and relax your upper body. You have to do this to dissipate the transition energy and get you stable. Once you feel stable, then put your arms out and start to fly. If someone is coaching you make sure they know what they are doing and are able to get out of the way. I know I have a tendency to zoom forward a little after a transition. Also...make sure your upper body is vertical when you start. That will help to minimize any zooming. The one thing in HD flying to remember is....if you relax you will fall straight down. If you are tense....you will be all over the sky! Be careful...have fun. "I only have 133 jumps, so I don't know shit..right?"-Clay