flocking and multiple groups

[Bowie 0]

Hi i was just wondering what is your experience with large flocks and multiple groups when flying WS.
I guess the organizing is just like a track jump on the large flocks. But what about large flocks and multiple groups. Does each group have its own opening spot, or is the flight plan arranged on the ground. witch safety issues is there to be aware about what is the maximum nr. of groups in one lift.

Bs Bo

Bo Wienberg

vimeo.com/bowienberg

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

When possible, we fly opposite patterns when we have more than one large group. One exits left, then left; the other right, then right. So long as everyone knows to stay on one side of an easily recognizable ground reference, you ought not have any crossing at the bottom. I have been scared before when things did not end up as planned due to the actions of a lone individual.

[Bowie 0]

We are beginning to be many birds in DK and wee all try to get together at the big events. So i just want to be ahead of things so all info and experience is welcome

Bo Wienberg

vimeo.com/bowienberg

[LouDiamond 1]

Quote

or is the flight plan arranged on the ground.

A large flocking dive needs to be treated just lke any other "big" way would be handled. Otherwise the potential for something to go wrong increases exponentially. Just like you see those people who like to form big circles in the sky do, Birdmen flocks do a dirt dive from the exit to the forming of the group, flight plan and the subsequent break off. Since I guarentee you that there will be people there who have never been in the sky with more than 2-3 people before or are from 182-206 Dzs, the whole safety aspect of the flight needs to be covered in detail so you don't have chaos in the sky and people flying into one another. Like Chuck, I too have seen scary incidents in the sky caused by an individual(s) that could of wound up with either serious injuries or deaths. Big flocks are not the place to pop hard, do over unders or fly laterally aggressively. People have a tendancy to get base fixation and not clear their airspace before moving.It's like people all of a sudden forget their head turns left and right. The added difficulties of big flocks is that you have people spread across the sky on 3 dimensions and some at different levels within the formation at any given time in the flock.

For multiple groups the important thing is to have a plan arranged before your all standing on the ramp/door as to which way each group will go. One also has to consider who is in those groups and who needs to go first or in which direction. It is a good idea to let First flights and low # flight birds out first as they will not be able to fly as far as more experienced birds and it will give the experienced birds more distance to cover by their staying in the plane longer. Regardless of the skill abilities involved, multiple groups should alternate flight plan direction to avoid groups catching up to one another and to ensure the air space is clear come pull time. This can be accomplished by having the first group fly a left hand pattern out the door and the second group a right hand pattern until all birds are out. Check out the attached pdf file for further explanation on groups and boogie considerations.

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[VectorBoy 0]

Excellent questions.

When the size of the formation gets big you want to have the leader(s) perform shallow gradual turns. Think of it as a large RW type base that shouldn't really be zig zagging back and forth across the sky.

The leader should exit and fly along the line of flight for as long as it takes for everyone to exit. Everyone should do there part and come out as quick as they can. Like in CReW and big way RW they are part of one formation. If the leader takes off in a sharp angle away from the aircraft it just spreads flockers out as this spread is growing wider as the craft continues away from the direction of the flock. Its very dangerous for stragglers to be zooming in on a formation from behind as nearby flyers are settling into their slots.
If you get left behind don't sit there and do over unders with other straggler buddies. You need to keep your eyes on the main formation:
1 You can rejoin it by leading it or cutting the corner of their turn back to the DZ and gracefully taking your place in the slow wing.
2 If the main formation is near breakoff there may be flockers in the wings that will be compelled to do not just a 90 degree but a full 180 and come back and head in your direction thinking they are headed for clean air. Have you ever witnessed closing speeds of two wingsuits in a max track, gnarley!

There is no place for 180s on flocking or tracking jumps, This is dangerous. Fan out, maximum 90 degrees, if need be carve a second 90 after you have flown along for a while. If its a big way you should have a higher breakoff altitude not extreme maneuvering at the very end with no time left.

The ultimate wingsuit big way would be one that carves a very shallow but constant ARC back to the wingsuit operating area of the DZ. This allows the newer or not as efficint flockers to stay on the inside wing but yet be very much in the formation. With the more experienced faster gliding flockers on the outside flying faster more comfortably. It would have very little vertical development and hopefully very few stragglers. You could look left or right up the echelon and see your buddies.

[kansasskydiver 0]

Lou, thanks for that article. I've been looking for something to present to our exec board, s&ta and pilots about before we start flying at our dz.

mucho obrigado

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