Atmonauti, unlike traditional free-fall - including tracking and flocking - (that utilises the relative gravitational wind from “below” to achieve a multitude of stable body positions at terminal velocity) is the term given to the technique that intentionally utilises lift to compensate for the effect of gravity, in order to achieve relative wind (or a custom “tube”) at an angle of between 10deg – 65deg, where after the atmonaut (atmosphere navigator) introduces a multitude of three dimensional body positions and transitions, while “falling” at greatly reduced speeds (70mph – 110mph), resulting in extended free-fall time and increased safety.
Atmonauti, due to the reduced air speeds, is a SOCIAL discipline, which is accessible to the masses.
Atmonauti incorporates Frontmonauti, Backmonauti, Footmonauti, and Inverted Footmonauti, with the addition of Gamemonauti, Freestyle and Atmo Relative Work.
The atmonauti instructor is the navigator in the group jumps, is capable of instructing single jumpers and/or groups of jumpers at ground-school level specific to safety, technique, navigation, slot positioning and break-off etc. and is furthermore responsible to fly as base navigator in the formation, while communicating body position improvements and general flight path direction and break-off.
It will be necessary that the instructors are involved in the management of the activity at the centres and be responsible (along with wingsuit instructors) for all activities different from vertical fall, specific to flight planning.
The logical progression of skills is:
1. understanding the concept of flight vs. fall, 2. understanding the concept of no-fly zones and flying on “level”, 3. “flying” the tube (frontmonauti and backmonauti), 4. adjusting speeds, 5. adjusting levels, 6. rotating around two of the three axes, 7. transitions into the various body positions, 8. break-off direction and altitudes.
As soon as a student has successfully completed ISP progression, such a student can choose to progress to Atmonauti.
2 CATEGORY TESTS AND REQUIREMENTS
“A” license jumpers may commence a cat II and cat III atmonauti progression course (including instructional ground schooling) and obtain the brevet (international license) of atmonauti FRONTMONAUTA and BACKMONAUTA with one on one instructionals with a recognised Atmonauti Instructor, where after such brevets will allow the candidate to participate in CAT II and CAT III tests in Atmonauti.
“B”, “C” and “D” license jumpers are free to participate in larger instructional group formations after having received instructional ground schooling from a recognised Atmonauti Instructor, in accordance with their relative experience levels. One on one instructionals are not obligatory but highly recommended.
Atmonauti Qualifications/Licenses will be divided into 4 parts:
1.a Qualification of Frontmonauti (international brevet/license)
- have passed a theory exam on the basic Frontmonauti rules and techniques. - have passed a test that consists of performing a flight with the instructor who, during the flight, will perform changes of speed, of angle and of trajectory. - the candidate will have to demonstrate the ability to always remain at a constant distance in relation to the instructor, and never be in the “no fly zones”.
- have passed practice jumps that consists of being able to synchronize with the formation and remain at a constant distance, and on level with it, for the duration of the flight, while never going into the “no-fly zone”. - have shown the ability to correctly separate in frontmonauti at break off. - to execute the above test correctly on three consecutive flights.
1.b CAT II Qualification
- have successfully passed Frontmonauti brevet/license requirements (see above). - have passed a test of exiting the aircraft 1 second after the instructor, taking a stable dock from the fly-zone within 10 seconds, holding the dock for 5 seconds, releasing and crossing over the instructor to the opposite side, taking a stable dock and holding the dock for 5 seconds.
Once the Atmo CAT II is obtained, the candidate will be free to participate in large atmo groups utilising the Frontmonauti body position exclusively.
2.a Qualification of Backmonauti (international brevet/license)
- have passed a theory exam on the basic Backmonauti rules and techniques. - have passed a test that consists of performing a flight with the instructor who, during the flight, will perform changes of speed, of angle and of trajectory. - the candidate will have to demonstrate the ability to always remain at a constant distance in relation to the instructor, and never be in the “no fly zones”.
- have passed practice jumps that consists of being able to synchronize with the formation and remain at a constant distance, and on level with it, for the duration of the flight, while never going into the “no-fly zone”. - have shown the ability to correctly separate in backmonauti at break off. - to execute the above test correctly on three consecutive flights.
2.b CAT III Qualification
- have successfully passed Backmonauti brevet/license requirements (see above). - have passed a test of exiting the aircraft 1 second prior to the instructor, taking a stable dock from the fly-zone within 10 seconds, holding the dock for 5 seconds, releasing and sliding under the instructor to the opposite side, taking a stable dock and holding the dock for 5 seconds.
Once the Atmo CAT III is obtained, the candidate will be free to participate in large atmo groups utilising the Frontmonauti and Backmonauti body positions, including transitions.
3.a Qualification of Flight Navigator
The navigator qualification allows the navigator to navigate group atmo loads of recognised CAT II and CAT III atmonauts. This qualification is not an Instructor qualification.
- must pass a theory exam on Atmonauti Navigation rules and techniques. - Must exit the aircraft stable, and maintain a stable and consistent frontmonauti body position. - the candidate will have to demonstrate the ability to fly and maintain a safe and correct flight path.
3.b Qualification of INSTRUCTOR / MASTER NAVIGATOR (A.I.R. RATING)
The atmonauti instructor is the navigator on the INSTRUCTIONAL group jumps, and is capable of instructing single jumpers and/or groups of jumpers at ground-school level specific to safety, technique, navigation, slot positioning and break-off etc.
The instructor is qualified of flying as base navigator in Instructional Formations, while communicating body position improvements and general flight path direction.
The candidate should know perfectly all the rules specific to Atmonauti, as well as general club rules, and general knowledge of the MOP’s and above all he should be able to explain them in an easy and correct manner.
For this reason a JM rating is integral for such an instructor rating.
The Instructor / Master Navigator qualification is obtainable after:
- Having matured his/her experience in atmonauti, and holds a valid PASA CAT II and CAT !!! in Atmonauti. - Having acquired the technique and philosophy of the atmonauti discipline and is capable of communicating such information in a simple and understandable fashion. - Have passed an Atmonauti Instructor Evaluation Test that consists:
ß exiting the plane a second after the instructor ß performing a frontmonauti hand grip on his right within 10 seconds from the exit ß flying the grip perfectly for 5 seconds ß leaving the grip and passing above the instructor at not more than a meter, passing to his left and performing a hand grip on the left hand of the instructor ß flying the grip perfectly for 5 seconds ß leaving the grip and performing a transition to backmonauti ß performing a grip in backmonauti on the left hand of the instructor ß flying it perfectly for 5 seconds ß leaving the grip, while remaining in backmonauti and passing under the instructor to the right side of the instructor, and performing a grip on the right hand of the instructor ß flying the grip perfectly for 5 seconds
- have passed an oral exam on the atmonauti technique, and have the necessary knowledge required for the instructor rating, specific to organising large formations (instructionals, planning the formations, break-off etc)
- have passed an evaluation practice test that consists in organizing an atmonauti group jump including verbal instructionals, preparation on the ground (analysis of the conditions and parameters), flight planning, briefing, and debriefing all the phases of the flight.
Once passed these tests the candidate will receive an Atmonauti Instructor Rating / Atmonauta Master Navigator Rating and can start the activity of Instructor and organizer of instructional flight groups.
It will be necessary that the instructors are involved in the management of the activity at the DZ’s and be responsible (along with wingsuit instructors) for all activities different from vertical fall, specific to flight planning (flight patterns).
4.a Qualification of Footmonauti (international brevet/license)
- have passed a theory exam on the basic Footmonauti rules and techniques. - have passed a test that consists of performing a flight with the instructor who, during the flight, will perform changes of speed, of angle and of trajectory. - the candidate will have to demonstrate the ability to always remain at a constant distance in relation to the instructor, and never be in the “no fly zones”.
- have passed practice jumps that consists of being able to synchronize with the formation and remain at a constant distance, and on level with it, for the duration of the flight, while never going into the “no-fly zone”. - have shown the ability to correctly separate in footmonauti at break off. - to execute the above test correctly on three consecutive flights.
4.b CAT IIII Qualification
- have successfully passed Footmonauti brevet/license requirements (see above). - have passed a test of exiting the aircraft 1 second prior/after the instructor, taking a stable spock from the fly-zone within 10 seconds, holding the spock for 5 seconds, releasing and sliding under/over the instructor to the opposite side, taking a stable spock and holding the spock for 5 seconds.
Once the Atmo CAT IIII is obtained, the candidate will be free to participate in large atmo groups utilising the Frontmonauti, Backmonauti and Footmonauti body positions, including transitions.
3 GROUP LOADS
Groups from 2 – 3 jumpers will break off at an altitude of 4500 feet AGL, in accordance with the break off pattern as briefed by the instructor/navigator.
Groups from 4 – 7 jumpers will break off in two phases, with 4 jumpers breaking off at 5000 feet AGL and the remaining jumpers breaking off at 4500 feet AGL, in accordance with the break off pattern as briefed by the instructor/navigator.
Groups from 8 – 11 jumpers will break off in three phases, with 4 jumpers breaking off at 5500 feet AGL, 4 jumpers breaking off at 5000 feet AGL, and the remaining jumpers breaking off at 4500 feet AGL, in accordance with the break off pattern as briefed by the instructor/navigator.
Groups from 12 – 15 jumpers will break off in four phases, with 4 jumpers breaking off at 6000 feet AGL, 4 jumpers breaking off at 5500 feet AGL, 4 jumpers breaking off at 5000 feet AGL, and the remaining jumpers breaking off at 4500 feet AGL, in accordance with the break off pattern as briefed by the instructor/navigator.
Minimum exit altitude for atmonauti jumps is 7000 feet AGL. Minimum exit altitude for atmonauti groups is 9000 feet AGL.
4 FLIGHT PATTERNS
Flight patterns are in accordance with aircraft exit patterns as briefed by the instructor/senior navigator, but whereby in general it is important to note that experienced navigator groups exit first and whereby inexperienced solo jumpers/groups will exit last (excluding wingsuit jumpers).
In general the atmonauti groups fly at minimum 45 deg to run-in so as to fly away from, and create separation to, freefall jumpers exiting closer to the dz.
In the event that more than one atmo group is present on the aircraft, the first group will exit at 45 deg to right and the second group 45 deg to the left and third group 45 deg to right (as with first group) and so on.
Inexperienced groups exiting last should be aware that a flight pattern of 130 deg might be required in order to avoid flying away from the recommended landing area. Attention should be paid to the direction of the preceding atmo loads to avoid opening close to such preceding groups.
5 EQUIPMENT
As per AE
6 LICENSES
ß Atmonauti B license requirements:
As per Pasa MOP’s (section 2), including CAT II, CATIII and Flight Navigator qualification in Atmonauti - signed off by a recognised Atmonauti Instructor.
ß Atmonauti C license requirements:
As per Pasa MOP’s (section 2), including Instructor/Master Navigator qualification in Atmonauti - signed off by a recognised Atmonauti Instructor.
ß Atmonauti D license requirements:
As per Pasa MOP’s (section 2), including CAT IIII qualification in Atmonauti - signed off by a recognised Atmonauti Instructor.
(This post was edited by mciocca on Mar 1, 2008, 1:19 AM)
