most efficient skyflyer position???

[Fordy 0]

Hey all... I have 120+ descents on my classic birdman suit and 120 on my Skyflyer... i am still trying to find the "sweetspot" on the skyflyer..... I have recorded 31, 32 and a couple of 34mph descent rates but i am consistently in the 50's and 55's..
I fly with a rigid leading edge, hands pushed back to tighten the wing, slightly cupped at the shoulders and sucked in stomach, legs straight , Pressing the shins against the airflow, toes pointed.... some time dropping the knees to slow and gain lift... any tips from the top would be appreciated.
It seemed easier to get the classic over 2, 15 than the skyflyer...
Thanks for any advice
Fordy

[ChrisG 0]

Fordy,
If you have 240 wingsuit jumps you are already near the top.
I have owned all 3 suits. Classic, GTI and skyflier.
I have to say that 50 to 55 fall rate is pretty good,
depending on your height and weight.
I am 5'10 175 lbs. and 50 to 55 is the best I can do.
And thats on a very good day.
I have gotten slower, but then I stall out.
You may already have found the sweet spot.
It sounds like you have the perfect body position.
You might try grabbing the tips of the wings, that
slows your fallrate, but its harder to control.
Also I have found that I cannot get 20% better
with my skyflier than the classic. 10% is closer.
(according to my Pro-trak which I carry near my ankle)
I did worse with the GTI, dont know why, but it
may have been the fit.
I spent a lot of time trying to decrease my fallrate,
but finially said fuck it. Thats too much like work.
Besides that , When jumping with other bird-men
the fallrate is always faster.
Some people seem to think the slower you fall, the better flier you are, but its more a matter of height to weight to wingsize ratio. You could be an excellent flier, and still not be able to reach the speeds that some tall skinny person could achieve on thier first jump.
Chris
wingsuit nut

[SkymonkeyONE 3]

Chris is right on target here. We discussed this in one of Craig's threads and I said then that to me it was all about the flock! I care less how slow I can get, just so long as I can stay on the same level with my buddies (which I always can). Still, some people DO have great luck in slowing their vertical speed to incredible averages without seeming to really try. Yes, I believe body type has a lot to do with it.
Chuck
My webpage HERE