Starting freeflying...

[Chrisu 0]

Hi everybody... Im just starting freeflying but never had a chance to ask 20 questions about it so, what should i start with. Maybe a stupid question but how will i easily get on the top of my head and keep it stable.
Thanks

[matttrudeau 0]

You should learn some other positions first before the head-down. Sit, stand, back track etc. Once you have complete control in all those positions, then learn head-down. Have coach jumps would be the best way to learn how to get stable.

[rapper4mpi 0]

This coming from the experts like Mike Swanson and Brian Germain, I recommend the following. Put on something baggy, something that you will eventually go head down in. But first learn to "feet" fly. This is your basic sit or standing position. Do about 10 solos until you fell stable, then ask someone knowing to jump with you and crtique your jump, get video if possible. Also watch other videos and study body positions. Don't make the mistake that many people do, and that is rush into going headdown. Today the best flyers are equally adept on their feet as they are on their head. Then put a hundred or so of these jumps under your belt before really focusing on head down. Every once in a while go on your head to mix it up, but you should be able to more forward, backwards, sideways, and do all transitions on your feet, Learn to walk before you run! Good Luck!
-Rap

[3fLiEr 0]

This might help - its BPA guide lines on progressing to the CAT8 equivalent of FFly
GUIDELINES FOR OBTAINING
FREESTYLE/ FREEFLYING GRADE 1 (FF1)
1. Introduction
Freestyle/ Freeflying Grade 1 (FF1) is designed to teach parachutists all the necessary skills for flying in a controlled “head up” body orientation, alone and with other parachutists.
2. Eligibility
Parachutists must have completed at least a-e of the Formation Skydiving (FS) requirements. Whilst Formation Skydiving Grade 1 (FS1) is not a requirement it is certainly desirable. Appropriate and safe parachuting equipment should be used during all FF descents.
3. FF1 Requirements
In order to obtain Grade 1 in Freestyle/ Freeflying (FF1) the parachutist must be introduced to FF by a CCI nominated FF2 Grade parachutist or equivalent of proven FF instructional ability, received a full safety brief and demonstrated the ability to:-
a) Fly in a controlled sit/ stand position
b) Control fall rate in a sit/ stand position
b) Control forward and backward movement in a sit/ stand position
c) Control turns in both directions in a sit/ stand position
d) Fly relative to others in a sit/ stand position
4. The Ten Suggested Levels
a) Introduction. A novice to freestyle/ freeflying should gain experience of the relative wind striking their body in different places other than on their belly. It is useful to experiment aerial movement through several of the body’s axes, thus dives spent performing front and back loops and/ or barrel rolls starting and returning to a familiar “belly to earth” position are a good starting point for a FF novice. Particular attention should be paid to altitude awareness whilst performing these manoeuvres.
b) After familiarising themselves with different basic aerial movements the FF novice should learn to fly in a controlled back to earth position. This will become a possible recovery position when later learning basic sit flying. Attention should be paid to heading awareness in addition to altitude awareness. Controlled 360 degree turns in a back to earth position will further demonstrate proficiency.
c) The novice FF parachutist is now ready to attempt flying in a sit flying position. This should be done from a back flying position developed in earlier jumps. The parachutist should pay particular attention to the angles of their limbs and back. Heading awareness should also be practised. A novice falling out of their sit position should return to a back flying position, regain control and then attempt sitting again.
d) It is recommended that the novice FF parachutist learns to perform controlled 360 degree turns after achieving a basic sit fly position. The novice may find it useful to initiate such movements by pressing down slightly with one arm rather than trying to turn with the legs.
e) Controlling fall rate is an essential skill for the novice FF parachutist to learn. Fast fall from a sit flying position is achieved by extending the legs in a downward manner, whilst slow fall is initiated by relaxing into a more “back to earth” body position.
Form 188 (i) (Issue 2, Feb 2000)
f) Working with controlling fall rate the novice FF parachutist might want to experiment learning to fall at the more extreme ends of both slow and fast fall. This can be done by either extending the arms above the head in a stand up position or performing a hard de-arch position in the “back to earth” position.
g) Forward and backward movement is achieved in head up flight by pushing the hips forward or backward in relation to the upper torso. Hips forward creates a forward movement and vice versa. Attention should be paid to working on levels when moving in a horizontal direction.
h) Forward movement can be further practised by performing this skill with another parachutist. Approaching the target and stopping in a controlled manner is a highly desirable skill to possess in freeflying.
i) The final requirement for Freestyle/ Freeflying Grade 1 is to demonstrate good control whilst flying relative to others in a sit/ stand position. An appropriate dive may include some 360 degree turns, some gentle knee docks and some changes in fall rate.
Notes:- It is highly recommended that the following guidelines are adhered to whilst working toward and beyond your FF Grade 1:-
· extra attention is paid to altitude awareness and a higher break off altitude is used to help compensate for the faster air speeds achieved in these disciplines.
· an audible altimeter is used, in addition to a visual altimeter.
· a novice FF parachutist’s equipment is deemed suitable for higher speed descents by a suitably experienced, CCI nominated person.
· no leg strap throw-away pilot chutes are used for freestyle/ freeflying jumps.
· a novice freestyle/ freeflying parachutist does not partake in jumping with groups larger than a two way until after they have achieved a minimum of their FF1.
4. Exit Altitudes
The recommended exit altitude while demonstrating the ten suggested exercise levels are upwards of 10,000 ft.. Different drop zones may have different policies on when FF parachutists should exit, thus check with the appropriate centre on their applicable exit order patterns.
GUIDELINES FOR OBTAINING - FREESTYLE/ FREEFLYING GRADE 2 (FF2)
1. Introduction
Freestyle/ Freeflying Grade 1 (FF1) is designed to teach parachutists all the necessary skills for flying in a controlled “head down” body orientation, alone and with other parachutists.
2. Eligibility
Parachutists must have completed at least a-e of the Formation Skydiving (FS) requirements and must have obtained FF1 (Freestyle/ Freeflying Grade 1). Whilst Formation Skydiving Grade 1 (FS1) is not a requirement it is certainly desirable. Appropriate and safe parachuting equipment should be used during all FF descents.
3. FF2 Requirements
In order to obtain Grade 2 in Freestyle/ Freeflying (FF2) the parachutist must be Grade 1 in FF (FF1) introduced to FF2 by a CCI nominated FF2 Grade parachutist or equivalent of proven FF instructional ability, received a full safety brief and demonstrated the ability to:-
a) Fly in a controlled head down position
b) Control fall rate in a head down position
c) Control turns in both directions in a head down position
Form 188 (ii) (Issue 2, Feb 2000)
d) Fly relative to others in a head down position
e) Display independent body movement in a head down position, e.g. hand claps.
4. The Ten Suggested Levels
a) Introduction. It is particularly important that a novice in head down flight is competent at flying in a head up body position. The sit position is a the starting point for learning head down flight. A novice should practice transitions from a sit position to a head down position by preferably performing a half cartwheel and then opening out into a “legs wide” head down position. This position should only be held for a few seconds before returning back to a sit position. This exercise should be practised until the transition is smooth and consistent. As with all FF skydives particular attention should be paid to altitude awareness.
b) After familiarising themselves with the basic transition to and from a head down position the FF novice should learn to spend longer durations in a controlled head down position. Attention should be paid to heading awareness and any possible horizontal movements. It is during this time that a competent aerial coach becomes especially important so they can act as a good point of reference and assist in correcting any unneccesary body movement.
c) Once a novice FF parachutist has acquired a good head down body position with an absence of unnecessary horizontal movement it is pertinent that they learn to fly it in an assortment of directions. Controlled 360 degree turns are a good starting point.
d) Once 360 degree turns are mastered it is recommended that the novice FF parachutist learns to control fall rate, practicising faster fall with a more streamlined body position and slower fall in a wider, more open head down position.
e) As with the FF1 suggested criteria, the novice FF parachutist might want to experiment learning to fall at the more extreme ends of both slow and fast fall. Extreme caution should be exercised with regard to altitude awareness whilst practising these type of skills.
f) After learning fall rate changes in head down flight the next important skill to learn is forward and backward movement. This can be achieved by moving the hips forward or backward in relation to the upper torso. Hips forward can create a backward movement and vice versa. Attention should be paid to working on levels when moving in a horizontal direction.
g) Forward movement should be practised by performing this skill with another parachutist. Approaching the target and stopping in a controlled manner is a highly desirable skill to possess in freeflying.
h) One of the requirements of FF2 is the demonstration of flying in good control relative to others whilst in a head down position. An appropriate dive may include some 360 degree turns, some transitions to and from a head up position and some changes in fall rate.
i) The final requirement for FF2 is to display independent body movement, in essence demonstrating that the FF parachutist can move their arms independently of their legs. This can be done by taking hand grips whilst flying head down, by performing hand claps or flying with the arms in a folded position.
Notes:- It is highly recommended that the following guidelines are adhered to whilst working toward and beyond your FF Grades:-
· extra attention is paid to altitude awareness and a higher break off altitude is used to help compensate for the faster air speeds achieved in these disciplines.
· an audible altimeter is used, in addition to a visual altimeter.
· a FF parachutist’s equipment is deemed suitable for higher speed descents by a suitably experienced, CCI nominated person.
· no leg strap throw-away pilot chutes are used for freestyle/ freeflying jumps.
· a newly qualified FF2 parachutist does not partake in jumping with larger groups until they have relevant experience jumping with smaller (2-3 way) groups.
Form 188 (iii) (Issue 2, Feb 2000)
4. Exit Altitudes
The recommended exit altitude while demonstrating the ten suggested exercise levels are upwards of 10,000 ft.. Different drop zones may have different policies on when FF parachutists should exit, thus check with the appropriate centre on their applicable exit order patterns.
"In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

[FreakOnALeash 0]

hi *,
beeing in the same state of knowledge, just about to try sitfly for the first time this weekend, i appreciated reading your comments.
can you propose a website where training ff-newbie-skills are described in detail for those who start with ff and do not have the possibility to get in touch with experienced ff-ers, as at my home dz the majority of skydivers are heavily envolved into rw and crw.
blues,
hans

[skygeek 0]

Take a look at the heads up flying article on www.skydivemag.com.. Just do a search for heads up flying. Pretty long but very good.

[nacmacfeegle 0]

"get in touch with experienced ff-ers, "
You already found it!.
Seriously tho, check out Giles Fabris' articles on the site noted above, and seek out "VRW, the art of freefly" by Pat Works, its a video/book package that helped me .
An intro is here...
http://www.works-words.com
Welcome to the dark side
D
It aint what you fly, its how you fly it!