The111 1 #1 November 24, 2004 I have an S3 coming in very soon and figured I should try some acrobatics in my GTI since that's about the only aspect of it I haven't tried yet. I figured I should experience instability in my GTI before unexpectedly experiencing it in a much bigger suit. Front flip - easy, first try. Barrel rolls - a few went as planned, a few I ended up spinning on my back but got out of it within a few seconds. Back flying - I must be doing something wrong. I only tried this on one jump but I felt like I was head down and SCREAMING (Neptune said 140mph later for that part of the jump, and my arms zippers were half undone when I opened). I kept thinking to myself that if I was head down then I must need to extend my arm wings more but I swear they were out as far as I could get them. It was not fun at all, the material in the wings was flapping like MAD and I started feeling sick from all the lurching (I didn't get very stable). I don't really have an urge to try backflying again, but I'm curious - is it something I should consider a prerequisite before moving onto the S3? Keep in mind that while I didn't find a good backflying position, I seem to be able to get OUT of any position, even what seemed like a moderate spin on my back, pretty easily... I noticed in another thread that one person found his S3 much easier to backfly than his Classic (saying the Classic wanted to dive, which is what I think I am experiencing)... while another person said exactly the opposite (Classic easier than S3). Couldn't find any references to a GTI.www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #2 November 24, 2004 Matt, backflying is much easier to maintain if you are holding your wingtips and pushing down toward the ground. "Piking" in the air (dearching) will definitely cause you to come out of the sky like a bomb, so be very flat across the body and arch your upper body. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #3 November 24, 2004 Don't get bummed out or give up on backflying, some are able to do it right away and others need to work at it before they find the sweet spot. Your discription is a common problem and can be easily fixed. What is happening is your leg wing is catching more air than your arms and you are not using your legs enough to achieve level flight. You really need to push down hard with your legs against the leg wing and lift your hips up as much as possible while pushing down as hard as you can on your arm wings. If I was to lie a person on the floor on their back and put them into an ideal position the only portions of their body that would be touching the ground would be their heels, hands and back of head. Understand this is a slight exageration of the position but if you attempt to achieve it you will quickly find the ideal spot for you. You also need to think of trying to have your arm wings actually below you, not even with you. When you do this in the air the outcome will be an ideal position. You can lean your head back as well or maintain it level with your spine. Any looking toward your feet will cause you to pivot at the hip and loose your efficiency, this happens often when trying to film others. The S3 has a lot of wing so you really need to be on your game to keep the wings actually in the ideal position and providing lift. The same technique can be used on the GTI and Classic"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ikenever 1 #4 November 25, 2004 The111, good questions and concerns, Skymonkeyone and LouDiamond good information. How about you two get together and make an instructional video for wing suit basics and advanced flying. I challenged the suit manufactures to do so but haven't received any response or comments. Dead end? Is there a secret project in the works? Do we grow like a weed or a tree? Which is best? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #5 November 25, 2004 I have written several articles in what could be called an instructional manual of sorts. However, I am not entirely happy with it at the moment as I think it could be better.I am working on illustrations both actual photos and drawings/computer generated figures to accompany the text. I am also looking for a friendly/interested publisher to help me do it professionally. Until then, I will continue to post answers to questions here and run skills camps."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #6 November 25, 2004 Not everybody that flys an S-3 is into aerobatics. Some just fly Phat smooth and stable and they do a good job of it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
