Flight angle

[DBCOOPER 5]

Have 4 flights on my GTI and am noticing an head down angle that sort of startles me a bit.Trying to find the magic position and when the angle increases, seem to potato chip,probably a lot of tension.Fall rates average about 88.Did 74 on a classic on my first try.Do cover a lot of ground.Any advice?

Replying to: Re: Stall On Jump Run Emergency Procedure? by billvon

If the plane is unrecoverable then exiting is a very very good idea.

[The111 1]

My first few flights on my GTi were faster vertically than my first and only Classic flight. I also felt very headlow, and I also felt potato-chippy when I tried to max out. With practice I got slower fall rates and smoother flights. Can't really tell you exactly what I did. I think in general you will be more headlow than a Classic, but will get used to it.

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[bodypilot1 0]

With only 4 jumps on it I wouldnt worry about trying to max the suit out just yet.
As you start to fly the suit, dont extend your legs out too fast and cause the feeling of head down angle. Start by rolling your shoulders forward, bring your elbows out away from your body until you have tension on the wings, then bring you hands out with palms facing your sides.
Many people think just by pulling out on the thumb loops, it will be the best wing shape for flight but it's not. The loops are only for unzipping the arms after your canopy is open.
You have to form the leading edge from your shoulders and elblows to the wrist, to make it fly the best.
If you want better control and lift by simply making adjustments with your hands, the try these.

After you achieve good arm position, start extending the legs, making the leg wing tight by pushing your heels outward and pointing your toes.

After your stable with this, push your bum into the air abit and look forward it your direction of flight.

If you start to wobble alittle just relax and try not to be so stiff.

Hope this helps.

Be safe.
Ed

www.WestCoastWingsuits.com
www.PrecisionSkydiving.com

[Kevin116 0]

Having experienced pitching head down attitude also after trying to minimize vertical speed, the solution I've found is to increase forward speed with more leg effort. I get a pitch down as things get quieter (slower forward speed). In flat flying, with a more head down attitude easing legs would return to level flight but in wing suit flight slowing to minimize vertical speed (getting quieter) we're loosing forward speed thus decreasing arm wing power. The legs then out balance the arms and your more head down. Increasing forward speed with legs and keeping a good arm position (see Ed's post) results in more arm lift and return to a more level attitude.

I've also found that by keeping the leg wing taught with heels but un-pointing toes a bit aids in directional stability. Think of your feet and the suits bootie effect as your vertical stabilizer (think airplane vertical tail surface). Add just enough to stop yaw instability.

I found my GTI was less stable and more prone to potato chipping than my S-3. I got to fly the GTI smoothly after a bit by relaxing more but to max the suit it was a fine line between performance and squirrely. My S-3 on the other hand has been great right out of the box with a much larger performance range than the GTI. The S-3 legs are more powerful than the GTI resulting in more natural forward speed. I feel the S-3 is the much better balanced suit for me (my $.02)

Fly safe - Kevin Morris

[bodypilot1 0]

Good input Kevin.
I also got your email.
I'll see you in Lodi for the Wingsuit Weekend in May.


Be safe.
Ed

www.WestCoastWingsuits.com
www.PrecisionSkydiving.com

[Martini 0]

Interesting that you found the GTI less stable than the S-3, I have found the opposite to be true, the general opinion is that the S-3 is much twitchier than the GTI. One guy I know is planning on selling his S-3 and returning to a GTI because he had fun on his GTI and hates his S-3. I'm still struggling with my S-3 after having a blast on my GTI, I hope to get it together soon though.

Sometimes you eat the bear..............

[leroydb 0]

I think alot of that deals with your body type, and flying style.

In experimenting with my S3, I find certain flying styles effect the "stability" of that suit. I think the key is to relax, yet stay stiff at the same time...

flexibility the word...?

And I believe that to apply to any flying wing. Just like 2 different airplane pilots that can fly the same aircraft very differently....

my $2 bill...

Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...