Breakoff Altitudes

[bps 0]

Ok, so last weekend was my first flights. Today, Spizzarko, Chad, and I flocked together for the first time. (we all 3 just got our suits)

Holy cow! The fact that "relativity" was on a horizontal level rather than a vertical level really blew my mind. On my first 2 way with Chad, we were able to dock with our hands and it flew really smooth. However, when we tried it agin on a 3-way flock on our next jump...we started waffling pretty bad once we docked...so we released and just started flying up and over each other.

Another funny thing to me was our breakoff. We each wanted to pull at 4000ft since we still only have a few flights each...so we decided to break off at 5,500ft.

So there we were, cruising along and when I tapped my legs together at 5,500ft, I continued forward as the other 2 peeled off to the left and the right. We had forgotten to take into fact that our fall rate was so slow. By the time each of us pulled at 4000ft, we had *tons* of separation. It seems that we could break off 1,000ft above our pull altitude and still have plenty of time for good separation.

How about you? In the 2 to 3-way range, how high above your pull altitude are you breaking off?

Long Soars,

Bryan

[encinoadam 0]

I just have about ten or eleven jumps on a Classic. Admittedly, this might be a bit on the conservative side: I deployed at 5,000 on my first 8-9 jumps (though I wasn't jumping with other people). On the last jump or two, I started jumping with other birdmen, separating at 5,000 but deploying at 4,000. My perspective is that you should do what feels comfortable. I'm sure in another dozen jumps or so, I will start separation at 4,000 to 4,500 and pulling at 3,000 to 3,500. We'll see. It also depends on how many people are on the jump, but with the increased horizontal speed and the decreased vertical speed, you have more time to play with, while separating much quicker than on a regular skydive. Just my thoughts.

[LouDiamond 1]

I suggest you read Skymonkeyones description of his recent mal and my take on it from above. Had he choosen to deploy at a lower altitude he wouldn't be here today. There is a very good reason why you should have your shit out at 4k IMO. Take it for what it's worth and live to fly another day.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[ManBird 0]

I was just thinking about this, this last weekend. I lost my Pro-Track (found it at the end of the day), and it gave me some perspective. Often times, it won't even trigger, but when it does, I find that I waste a good 20+ seconds just watching my altimeter, getting ready to open.

It was great jumping without it, and not waiting for any tone at all, because A) I have better altitude awareness, and B), I've found that breaking off even 300 feet above pull altitude with one other decent skyflyer gives a ton of separation, and really lets you fly out those last couple thousand feet.

I'd say for the sake of those under canopy, it'd be good to really watch where you're going and be ready to take off once you hit the 5k mark.

Personally, I pull around 3,000 feet, give or take 500 feet . I don't endorse my habits whatsoever. I should be opening higher. I fly a somwhat conservative canopy that has always flown straight in twists (Sabre 120, loaded at 1.5). But, uh... if Dwayne can open under 2k in a ws, I can, too, right? Oh, wait... no...

"¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯"

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[SkymonkeyONE 4]

I will generally break-off at 4,500 and pull at 4,000 no matter how big a flock I am in. I can get a LONG way away in that distance. It must be noted that I generally never pull below 4k in a wingsuit.

Chuck

[ManBird 0]

Especially as you get lower. Air density is, of course, much greater at lower altitudes. That last 500 feet can feel more like 1,500. Especially if you've been flying hard all day and the shoulders are beginning to give.

"¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯"

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