Flight Club - you can hear the difference
We have been dreaming about this for a long time and now it is real. In air communication systems, allowing us to talk and communicate in freefall, in the wind tunnel and under canopy. An ideal tool for instruction, but not limited to only just that.
Flight Club is now using the in air communication systems acquired from RareDynamic.com.
The in flight systems arrived just in time, on the second to last day of a Freefly skills camp with the Golden Knights Tandem Team. The Golden Knights chose to receive coaching from Flight Club and improve their Freefly skills to become better all around skydivers. They were the
perfect group to introduce this technology to. The results were incredible. Both Flight Club instructors and The Golden Knights witnessed and experienced a much faster learning curve. The Knights produced positive results including faster reaction time and better understanding of what the instructors wanted from them.
Other students agreed with the Knights. Diane Oelschlager (1202 jumps) said: "Absolutely kick ass technology! Hearing your instructor's calm soothing voice, instantly relaxes you and lets perform at your best." Cheri Johnson (130 jumps) added: " Not only did I see my instructor but I actually got to hear him. Even on landing! When the winds seriously picked up to he point where my canopy was almost flying backwards, it was comforting to hear a voice confirming my actions and guiding me down safely."
Instructors agreed that when the student hears the command, there is a faster reaction time compared to making the association and translation of hand signals. The instructor can also give more elaborate instructions. In comparison, hand signals, are somewhat limiting; one could command “legs out”, however, how do you give someone the sign for a more complex message? It is simple, now with the air-to-air communication system you can clearly communicate in detail.
This helps to avoid miscommunication and decrease anxiety and apprehension with students by helping to manage arousal levels through for example breathing. Instructors can continue to use hand signals as a secondary form of communication.
"This system is totally off the hook", says Benjamin Forde (520 jumps). "I could not believe how clear it was. Imagine having Omar chatting with you and pointing out the kinks, real time, crystal clear, no more guessing, no more trying to remember the 20 things that happened during the jump once on the ground. I get it! I will get the learning equivalent of 3-5 traditional coach jumps for every one I do with this system and these guys... and under canopy, its awesome, swoop training anyone? You are no longer alone—it's THE absolute revolution in coaching."
Flight Club offers in flight communication to all students for all disciplines. Visit their web site for more information on their courses.
Flight Club