PF Tracking Suit tips...

[MB38 0]

I recently picked up a [1st gen] PF tracking suit and have been tooling around with it a bit. I'm still quite new to it - 5 jumps thus far - so I'm fighting the learning curve. I'm getting fall rate averages in the mid-high 70s, but my tracking is still far from consistent on the jumps. Just looking for a little advice if anybody has some.

The first hurdle was getting enough upper body lift to really get on it with my legs. Raising my shoulders and flattening myself as much as possible helps, but the legs still have most of the lift in the equation. I've been experimenting with knuckles-up and knuckles-down with no real definitive results. I find knuckles-down to be more intuitive, but I've seen top-notch trackers go knuckles-up.

Because I can't quite make enough lift with my upper body, I've been bending my knees just slightly. If I punch my legs straight, I dip into a head-low position [or completely stall]. I have the toe hooks keeping the front surface pretty taut.

As for de-arching, I've been able to fly fairly flat, but there's still some arch to my body position to feel stable. As soon as I flatten out or de-arch, I'll either feel squirrel-y [bobbing forwards/backwards] or completely stall.

Long story short, if I go into the same body position I use in my freefly suit, I can stall. I'm currently using a slightly less aggressive position for stability's sake.

So while I am getting decent results out of it at this point, I'd love pointers if anybody has some to offer. I'll go for outside video when the opportunity presents itself, but I've never seen many tracking suits around Perris and I don't know any of the local wingsuit jumpers.

I really don't know what I'm talking about.

[willh 0]

Try flying steeper; legs wider for stability and look back between your legs. You will feel like you are too steep but go with it. Hug that beach ball...........

[crwper 7]

I just started flying a PF tracking suit this year, so a lot of this is fresh in my mind. The suit is quite leg-dominant, and I think we're all used to flying a little lazy with the legs. The biggest thing that helped for me was to fly with the legs quite wide and toes pointed. This will keep you from developing asymmetry and oscillations through the legs.

Also, as willh said, get used to flying the suit a little head-low. The suit needs forward speed to work, so if you're flying too flat it will be twitchier than usual and your track will suffer.

Michael

[dploi 0]

I generally get the best performance with my legs straight and locked with my feet about 30" from each other and my arms at about a 40° angle from my body. I fly like this palms towards the sky (but it probably doesn't make a huge difference). Overall, I'm pretty flat. Maybe a very slight d-arch. This is for best distance. Fall rate is generally mid-70s.

I get more airtime if I bring my feet about 6" closer together, slightly reduce the angle my arms are from my body, and d-arch a bit more. Think of a plain-clothes "maxtrack" position -- it's a wider version of that. I've noticed that this covers considerably less ground, but yields some impressive freefall times -- 10,000' in 100s+ consistently (high 60s).

I'm 5'10" about 190 out the door (skydiving) and have about 250 PF suit jumps between sky and BASE. Your mileage may vary.

[ScottGray 0]

I have had my PF tracking suit for a couple years now. Yes, if not tuned you will be pushed head low by the strong inflation of the legs.

Agree with the other posts here.

Wide legs for stability, point toes to the rear.

Push hips up slightly. Try to curve your upper body slightly (de-arch). Try sucking your belly in a little, not too much unless you have a very strong core.

Most importantly, create a cavity in the center of your chest by rolling your shoulders forward and in a little. You can also push your chin toward your chest to create more lift.

If you are still going a head low, push down with your hands (cupped with knuckles up), this will increase some drag but will level your flight. Tune till comfortable.

WSI-5 / PFI-51 / EGI-112 / S-Fly
The Brothers Gray Wing Suit Academy
Contact us for first flight and basic flocking courses at your DZ or boogie.
www.thebrothersgray.com

[MB38 0]

You guys rock... I'll try all of these next weekend.

I really don't know what I'm talking about.