AtmoBodyPilot

sounds like you are referring to some shite a handfull of dode gurglers led by an "Artieeste" are pedalling in regards to wingsuit coach rating ATM. In Brugge there is a saying that there is a fine line between an "Artieeste" and a cocke zurker. If it looks like a duck, walks like a penguin and flies like a brick... it's probably a ________. (Side note: I'm actually on a bit of a tear recently about anyone preying on the "dreams" of others, but that has zero to do with this discussion.) So, no. There probably are some specific things about newbies flying wingsuits that could use some coaching. The difference being The same can not be said of modern wingsuit flying; certainly not the elaborate non-sense in the Atmo document. Did you read it? Seriously. You are quire correct about any skydiver coming along on Atmo jump, which is why it is growing steadily in popularity. However, the technique and skills et required to become proficient is very different from a vertical freefall skydive. I invite you to sit on a briefing and do some jumps in order for you to understand just how unique the skill sets required are, albeit easy to learn. Atmo Body Pilot

Hello Crotalus, Initially it was documented in the 90's by Europeans which very shortly after was adopted by some of the top US jumpers (X-Team), it was introduced into the FAI terminolgy in 2003 as Atmonauti and defined as any angle between a track (defined as horizontal torso) and flock (defined as vertical orientation). It is now commonly referred to as Atmo, but also as steep tracking. The USA has always been informally a strong supporter of angled flying (in whatever term of reference) and the objective is to bring the community, including the US, together under one term of reference. As a side note, the US is leading (along with Italy) the drive for the Dubai World Record training events and World Record event in December 2012 (Mike Wittenberg and MArco Tiezzi). In addition, we are in discussions with the USPA to have it adopted as Atmo Body Piloting, a term coined by James Hayhurst, Director Competitions USPA. Atmo Body Pilot

But you've completely missed the point. QuoteOnce a gain a very good question, and the answer would be that there is a document produced and developed with the advice and assistance of FAI Judges (FS/AE) which is 15 pages long and is utilized a the judging criteria: 1 ATMO SSA COMPETITION RULES FOR ATMONAUTI SKYDIVING Compiled by SA Judges & Atmonauti Committee - 2009 1. AUTHORITY The competition will be conducted under the authority granted by the Atmonauti Committee of the Sports Skydivers Association. All participants accept these rules and regulations as binding by registering as a competitor for the competition. 2. DEFINITIONS 2.1 Atmonauti Body Position Atmonauti is the term given to the technique that intentionally utilises the torso (as an aerofoil) to generate lift, while ‘diving’ at an angle of between 30deg – 75deg to generate relative wind required for lift. Use of the torso to achieve lift allows freedom of limbs to achieve a range of handgrips and foot docks, essential for the ARW2 and SFIDA competition formats. 2.2 Atmonauti Relative Work 2.2.1 Sequences and Blocks, including transitions and inters, to include Frontmonauti, Backmonauti and Footmonauti positions. 2.2.1.1 Frontmonauti: Head first into relative wind, torso to earth 2.2.1.2 Backmonauti: Head first into relative wind, back to earth 2.2.1.3 Footmonauti: Feet first into relative wind, back to earth 2.3 SFIDA “Challenge” Neutral Navigator sets direction, angle and speed, Competitors compete side by side of the Navigator and aim to score highest points for that jump by virtue of preset docks and grips, to include transitions. 2.4 Team An Atmonauti Relative Work Team will consist of two (2) competitors and a videographer. For SFIDA no team will exist and two (2) competitors will compete against each other navigated by an appointed qualified navigator. The Videographer will be independent from the competitors. Grip and docks 2.4.1 Grip: a recognisable stationary contact of the hand or hands of one competitor on a specified part of the body or harness of the other competitor, executed in a controlled manner. 2 2.4.2 Dock: A recognisable stationary contact of the foot or feet of the one competitor on a specified part of the body or harness of the other competitor, executed in a controlled manner. 2.5 Heading The direction in which the “leading edge” of the performer faces. further defined in terms of Backmonauti and Frontmonauti positions 2.6 Leading edge A specific body part of the performer (either head or feet) which is the first point of contact with the relative wind generated from the angle of attack 2.6.1 Frontmonauti: Head first into relative wind, torso to earth 2.6.2 Backmonauti: Head first into relative wind, back to earth 2.6.3 Footmonauti: Feet first into relative wind, back to earth 2.7 Axis 2.7.1 3 axis – F (flight direction), P (Perpendicular to F) & H (Horizontal) 2.8 Atmonauti position Objective is to achieve head-on relative wind (or a custom “tube”) at an angle of between 30deg – 75deg to the ground, with horizontal movement in relation to the ground, whilst searching for lift with the torso - freeing up the limbs to achieve hand grips and foot docks. 2.9 Move A change in body position, and/or a rotation around one or more of the three body axes or a static pose. 2.10 Navigator Neutral Navigator responsible for setting direction, angle and speed. No eye contact or assistance should be present. 2.11 No Fly Zone Frontmonauti Behind, below, and not on head level during the approach (i.e. must be above, ahead and on head level). 2.12 No Fly Zone Backmonauti Ahead, above, and not on head level during the approach (i.e. must be below, behind and on head level). 3 2.13 Head level The level of the approaches - utilising the head as reference in relation to the angle of attack set by Navigator. 2.14 Total Separation Is when all competitors show at one point in time that they have released all their grips and no part of their arms or body have contact with another body. 2.15 Inter Is an intermediate requirement within a block sequence which must be performed as depicted in the dive pool. 2.16 Sequence Is a series of random formations/free moves and block sequences which are designated to be performed on a specific jump. 2.17 Scoring move/formation Is a move which is correctly completed and clearly presented either as a free move or within a block sequence as depicted in the dive pool, and which, apart from the first move after exit, must be preceded by a correctly completed and clearly presented total separation or inter, as appropriate 2.18 Infringement 2.18.1 An incorrect or incomplete formation which is followed within working time by either 2.18.1.1 Total separation or, 2.18.1.2 An inter, whether correct or not. 2.18.2 A correctly completed formation preceded by an incorrect inter or incorrect total separation 2.18.3 A formation, inter, or total separation not clearly presented 2.18.4 In SFIDA, where one or both competitors cause instability to the navigator, adversely affecting the other competitor on the same jump. 2.19 Omission 2.19.1 A formation or inter missing from the draw sequence 2.19.2 No clear intent to build the correct formation or inter is seen and another formation or inter is presented and there is an advantage to the team resulting from the substitution. 4 2.20 Working Time Is the period of time during which teams are scored on a jump which starts the first moment and competitor (other than the videographer) separates from the aircraft, as determined by the Judges and terminates a number of seconds later as specified in chapter 3. 2.21 NV Moves, inters, or total separations not visible on screen due to meteorological conditions, or factors relating to the videographer's freefall video equipment that cannot be controlled. 2.22 Rounds Minimum 1 round to call the meet. 2.23 Backmonauti The performer will be on heading flying on his back with his back towards the earth. 2.24 Frontmonauti The performer will be on heading flying at the defined angle as per atmonauti definition with his back towards the sky. 2.25 Footmonauti The performer will be on heading feet-first flying at the defined angle as per atmonauti definition with his back towards the ground. 2.26 Formation A record attempt formation is considered as built when two or more competitors fly on heading with a predefined dock or grip held for minimum 3 seconds, and is the basis for the Atmonauti Linked National/World Records. A free move formation, however, is merely a recognisable stationary contact of the hand/hands or foot/feet – and does not require to be held for 3 seconds as per record attempts. 3. ROUTINES 3.1 The discipline is comprised of SFIDA and Atmonauti Relative Work. 3.2 Number of rounds: a. SFIDA: a total of 4 competition rounds will be completed with a minimum of one round to be completed before a meet can be called. b. ARW: a total of 5 competition rounds will be completed with a minimum of one round to be completed before a meet can be called. 3.3 All SFIDA competitions will be judged by an elimination process where the two highest scoring competitors in any given round will compete against each other in 5 the following round and the second and third ranking competitors will compete against each other and so forth. 3.4 In the case of a tie for a specific round, the previous total points are added to identify the highest total average per competitor. 3.5 Should a tie persist, a one jump tie breaker will be performed with the highest scoring competitor moving to the next round. 3.6 A tie breaker may also be required for placing 1st, 2nd, 3rd. 4. THE EVENTS 4.1 The discipline will be comprised of the following events: 4.1.1 ARW Events: Exit altitude is 11 000 feet AGL; working time is 40 seconds. 4.1.2 SFIDA Events: Exit altitude is 11 000 feet AGL; working time is 40 seconds. 4.1.3 For meteorological reasons only, and with the consent of both the Event and Chief Judge, the Meet Director might change the exit altitude and/or working time and continue the competition. In this case the following conditions will apply: 4.1.3.1 The working time will be: a. 20 or 40 seconds for the ARW Events b. 20 or 40 seconds for the SFIDA Events. The reduced working time must be used if the exit altitude is lowered (ref 4.1.1 and 4.1.2). The next round must commence if working time is changed and all competitors will be scored on the same working time for a specific round. 4.1.3.2 The minimum exit altitude will be: a. 7 000 feet AGL for the ARW Events b. 7 000 feet AGL for the SFIDA Events. The maximum exit altitude will be 13 000 feet AGL for all events. 4.2 Objective of the Event 4.2.1 The objective of the event is for the a team (ARW) or single competitor (SFIDA) to complete as many scoring moves as possible within the given working time, while correctly following the sequence for the specific round. 4.2.2 The accumulated total of all rounds completed is used to determine the placing of teams for ARW and the process of elimination as defined in 6 chapter 3 is applied to determine the placing of individual SFIDA competitors. 4.2.2.1 For ARW if two or more teams have equal scores the following order of procedures will be applied: 4.2.2.1.1 For determining final standings: a. the highest score in any completed round; b. the highest score starting with the last completed round and continuing in reverse order, round by round until the tie is broken, c. the fastest time (measured to hundredths of a second) to the last common scoring move in the last completed round. d. one tie break round if possible (for the first three placings only). 4.3 Performance Requirements 4.3.1 Each round consists of a sequence of formations depicted in the dive pools of the appropriate annexes, as determined by the draw. 4.3.2 It is the responsibility of the team or individual competitor to clearly present the start of working time, correct scoring moves, inters and total separation to the judges. 4.3.3 Scoring moves need not to be perfectly symmetrical, but they must be performed in a controlled manner. Mirror images of moves and whole block sequences are not permitted. 4.3.4 In sequences, total separation is required between block sequences, between free or random moves, and between block sequences and free moves. 4.3.5 Where degrees are shown (180, 270, 360, 540) this indicates the approximate degrees and direction of turn required to complete the inter as intended. The degrees shown are approximately that amount of the circumference of the subgroup's centre point to be presented to the centre point(s) of the other subgroup(s). For judging purposes, the approximate degrees and direction of turn of subgroups centrepoints will be assessed using only the two dimensional video evidence as presented. 4.3.6 Contact or grips are allowed between subgroups during execution of the inter. 4.3.7 Where subgroups are shown, they must remain intact as a subgroup with only the depicted grips. 7 4.3.8 Assisting handholds on other jumpers or their equipment within a subgroup/competitor or a scoring formation are permitted. 5. GENERAL RULES 5.1 Teams may consist of competitors of either or both sexes, except in the female event where (except for the videographer) all competitors must be female. 5.2 The Draw 5.2.1 The draw of the sequences will be supervised by the Chief Judge. Teams will be given not less than two hours knowledge of the results of the draw before the competition starts. 5.2.2 Event Draws: All the «Block sequences» (numerically numbered) and the «Free moves»(alphabetically marked) shown in the appropriate annex will be singularly placed in one container. Individual withdrawal from the container, (without replacement) will determine the sequences to be jumped in each round. Each round will be drawn so as to consist of three or four scoring formations, whichever number is reached first. Alternatively this draw can be done on a Recognised electronic scoring/judging system as approved by the Meet Director and Chief Judge. 5.2.3 Use of Dive Pool: Each block or formation will be drawn only once for the scheduled rounds of each competition. In the event that additional rounds are necessary, due to the tie-breaking jump-off, the dive pool for this round will consist of the blocks and free moves which were not drawn for the scheduled rounds. In the event that all of the remaining blocks and formations do not complete the tie breaking round, the draw will continue from an entire original dive pool in that event, excluding any blocks or formations which have already been drawn for that round. 5.3 Competitors are not allowed to use a wind tunnel (freefall simulator) after the draw has been made. 5.4 Jump Order 5.4.1 Determined by a draw. 5.4.2 Should conditions or availability not allow for Jump Order to be executed as per draw, Competitors ready and present shall be given first option to continue with the rounds. 5.5 Video Transmission and Recording 5.5.1 Each team shall provide the video evidence required to judge each round. Each freefall Videographer must use the video transmission system if provided by the Organiser. 5.5.2 For the purpose of these rules, «freefall video equipment» shall consist of the complete video system(s) used to record the video evidence of the team’s freefall performance, including the camera(s), video media, tape 8 recorder(s), and battery(ies). All freefall video equipment must be able to deliver a PAL digital signal through an IEEE 1395 compatible connection (Firewire) or composite video compatible connection. 5.5.3 As soon as possible after each jump is completed, the freefall videographer must deliver the freefall video equipment (including the tape(s) used to record that jump) for dubbing at the designated dubbing station. 5.5.4 Only one video recording will be dubbed and judged. Secondary video recordings may only be used in NV situations. 5.5.5 The dubbing station will be as close to the landing area as possible. 5.5.6 A Video Controller will be appointed by the Chief Judge prior to the start of the Judges’ Conference. The Video Controller may inspect a team’s freefall video equipment to verify that it meets the performance requirements as determined by him/her. Inspections may be made at any time during the competition which do not interfere with a team’s performance, as determined by the Event Judge. If any freefall video equipment does not meet the performance requirements as determined by the Video Controller, this equipment will be deemed to be unusable for the competition. 5.5.7 A Video Review Panel will be established prior to the start of the official training jumps, consisting of the Chief Judge, the President of the Jury, and the Chairman, or acting Chairman, of the Atmonauti SSA Committee. Decisions rendered by the Video Review Panel shall be final and shall not be subject to protest or review by the Jury. 5.5.8 If the Video Review Panel determines that the freefall video equipment has been deliberately tampered with, the team will receive no points for all competition rounds involved with this tampering. 5.6 Exit Procedure 5.6.1 Exit first (prior to FS, AE, Wingsuiting on the same jump run) at altitude. There are no limitations on the exit other than those imposed by the JM for safety reasons. 5.6.2 The exit will be controlled by the Navigator in SFIDA and Team Principle in ARW2. Exit commands will be made using an appropriate signal system, and should be discussed prior to boarding with the pilot. 5.6.3 Atmo groups will be required to fly minimum 45 degrees off jump run in order to create horizontal separation to freefall groups exiting after atmonauti group. 9 5.7 Scoring 5.7.1 A team will score one point for each scoring move performed in the sequence within the allotted Working Time of each round. Teams may continue scoring by continually repeating the sequence. 5.7.2 For each omission two points will be deducted. If both the inter and the second move in a block sequence are omitted, this will be considered as only one omission. 5.7.3 If an infringement in the scoring move of a block sequence is carried into the inter (ref. 2.8), this will be considered as one infringement only, provided that the intent of the inter requirements for the next formation is clearly presented and no other infringement occurs in the inter. 5.7.4 The minimum score for any round is zero points, except where zero points have been awarded and penalty/ies imposed. 5.8 Rejumps 5.8.1 In a NV situation, the video evidence will be considered insufficient for judging purposes, and the Video Review Panel will assess the conditions and circumstances surrounding that occurrence. In this case a rejump will be given unless the Video Review Panel determines that there has been an intentional abuse of the rules by the team, in which case no rejump will be granted and the team’s score for that jump will be zero. 5.8.2 Contact or other means of interference between competitors in a team and/or their Videographer shall not be grounds for the team to request a rejump with regards to ARW. In the case of the SFIDA category adverse whether conditions such as bad visibility (in cloud), any contact or other means of interference between the navigator and competitiors and/or between the Videographer shall be grounds for the individual competitors to request a rejump – granted at the sole discretion of the Atmonauti Event Judge. 5.8.3 Adverse weather conditions during a jump are no grounds for protest. However, a rejump may be granted due to adverse weather conditions, at the discretion of the Chief Judge. 5.8.4 Problems with a competitor’s equipment (excluding freefall video equipment) shall not be grounds for the team to request a rejump. 5.9 Training Jumps 5.9.1 Each team in each event will be given the option of one official training jump before the draw is made. 5.9.2 The aircraft type and configuration, plus the judging and scoring systems to be used in the competition will be used for the official training jump. 10 5.9.3 Two sequences will be created by the Chief Judge. Only teams performing one of these sequences will receive an evaluation and posted score. 6. JUDGING 6.1 The official training jump and competition jumps will be judged as the Videographer provides the video evidence. The Chief Judge may modify this procedure with the consent of the FAI Controller. 6.2 The judging will, as far as practical circumstances allow (landings out, rejumps etc), be judged in the reverse order of placing. 6.3 Three Judges must evaluate each team’s performance. 6.4 The Judges will watch the video evidence of each jump to a maximum of three times at normal speed. If, after the viewings are completed, and within fifteen seconds of the knowledge of the result, the Chief Judge, Event Judge or any Judge on the panel considers that an absolutely incorrect assessment has occurred, the Chief Judge or Event Judge will direct that only that part(s) of the jump in question be reviewed. If the review results in a unanimous decision by the Judges on the part(s) of the performance in question, the score for the jump will be adjusted accordingly. Only one review is permitted for each jump. 6.5 The Judges will use the electronic scoring system to record their evaluation of the performance. At the end of working time, freeze frame will be applied on each viewing, based on the timing taken from the first viewing only. The Judges may correct their evaluation record after the jump has been judged. Corrections to the evaluation record can only be made before the Chief Judge signs the score sheet. All individual Judge’s evaluation will be published. 6.6 A majority of Judges must agree in the evaluation in order to; • credit the scoring move, or • assign an omission, or • determine an NV situation. 6.7 The chronometer will be operated by the Judges or by a person(s) appointed by the Chief Judge, and will be started as determined in 2.13. If Judges cannot determine the start of the working time, the following procedure will be followed. Working time will start as the videographer separates from the aircraft and a penalty equal to 20% (rounded down) of the score for that jump will be deducted from the score for that jump. 7. RULES SPECIFIC TO THE COMPETITION 7.1 Title of the Competition: Atmonauti National/World/Continental Championships 7.2 Aims of Atmonauti National/World/Continental Championships 7.2.1 To determine National/World/Continental Champions of Atmonauti in the: 11 • ARW (Atmo Relative Work), • SFIDA “Challenge” 7.2.2 and • To determine the world standings of the competing teams, • To establish Atmonauti formation/distance/other world records, • To promote and develop Atmonauti, • To present a visually attractive image of the competition jumps and standings (scores) for competitors, spectators and media, • To exchange ideas, experience, knowledge and information, and strengthen friendly relations between the sport parachutists, judges, and support personnel of all nations, • To improve judging methods and practices. 7.3 Composition of Delegations: 7.3.1 Each delegation may be comprised of: • One (1) Head of Delegation, • One (1) Team Manager, • Freefall videographers as.7.3.4 and 7.3.2 At a World/Continental Championship: • Two (2) ARW2 teams consisting of up to: Six (6) ARW2 Competitors • One (1) female ARW2 team consisting of up to: Three (3) female ARW2 Competitors • SFIDA contestants consisting of up to: Three (3) Individual Competitors 7.3.3 At a World Cup: • Any number of teams per event (composed as for a World Championship) to be decided by the Organiser and announced in the bulletins. 7.3.4 Videographers must be entered for each team as part of the delegation and must be a member of the Delegation’s NAC. A Videographer may be replaced at any time during the competition, (with the agreement of the FAI 12 Controller). The evaluation process for the video evidence will be the same for any Videographer. Videographers may be one of the following: a. One person in addition to the team composition in 7.3.2. This competitor is to be considered as a team member for the purposes of awards and medals. b. Any other person (ref 7.3.6). This Videographer is eligible to receive awards and medals. This Videographer may jump as a ‘pool’ Videographer and is subject to the same regulations as other competitors on the team. 7.3.5 If any ARW team consists of competitors from the SFIDA, they should be listed separately on the entry form. 7.3.6 Any ARW competitor can only enter in one ARW team as ‘performer’ but may enter as a ‘pool’ Videographer. A competitor in the ARW event cannot also enter in the Female ARW event. 7.4 Program of Events for SFIDA: 7.4.1 The World Championships is comprised of: • Up to 8 rounds considered as selection rounds, and • Final rounds, consisting of 4 quarter finals, two semi finals, one runners up and one finals round. 7.4.2 Time must be reserved before the end of competition to allow for the completion of the semi-final, final and runners up round. 7.4.2.1. The quarter-final rounds will consist of the individuals with the 8 highest scores from the selection rounds. 7.4.2.2. The semi final rounds will consist of the individuals with the 4 highest scores from the quarter-finals. 7.4.2.3. The finals round will consist of the individuals with the 2 highest scores from the semi final rounds. 7.4.2.4. The runners up round will consist of the lowest scores of each of the 2 semi finals rounds. 7.4.3 A selection round left incomplete must be completed as soon as possible, but after the round in progress has been completed. 7.4.4 If all the selection rounds are not completed at the starting time of the quarter-finals, the round in progress will become the semi final or final round as appropriate. Where this is the semi final, the next drawn round will be used for the final round. The following procedures will apply 13 i) The round in progress will be completed if ten or less (in the case of semi finals) or six or less (in the case of finals) teams remain to jump. All scores for this round will count. ii) The round in progress will be performed by only the ten (in the case of semi finals) or six (in the case of finals) highest placed teams if more than ten (in the case of semi finals) or six (in the case of finals) teams remain to jump. The scores of any other teams in this round will be discarded. 7.4.5 The competition will be organised during a maximum time frame of 5 competition days. Exceptions may be made where a bid is received for multiple FCE competitions at one time. 7.5 Medals and Diplomas are awarded as follows: • All team members (ARW) and individuals (SFIDA) in the events will be awarded medals if placed First, Second or Third. • Certificates are awarded to all competitors that are placed First to Tenth. 8. DEFINITIONS OF SYMBOLS 8.1 Coding in the Dive Pool annexes is as follows: 8.1.1 Indicates Move by the competitor: 8.1.2 Indicates transition on “defined’ axis by competitor in either direction: 14 8.2 Visualisation for dock/grip positions, (Ref: 2.5) HAND GRIP FRONT: HAND GRIP COMBO: ARM GRIP FRONT: ARM GRIP COMBO: FOOT GRIP FRONT: FOOT GRIP COMBO: 15 LEG GRIP FRONT: LEG GRIP COMBO: HARNESS FOOT DOCK: CHEST FOOT DOCK: HEAD FOOT DOCK: DOUBLE HAND GRIP: Compiled by SA Judges & Atmonauti Committee - 2009 Atmo Body Pilot

Heya tjm, my point exactly is that there are 3 official terms of reference outlined under Diagonal Orientations in the FAI, and these are tracking, flocking and Atmonauti, where only Atmo Body Piloting has anything to do with angles between the vertical flock and horizontal track (as defined). Part of the discussion at the IPC is to bring together all the communities who fly on angle (and refer to it as steep tracking, tracing, atmo etc), under one common definition, with comp rules and formats. Cheers, M.

Oh, and regarding your comment about the Competitions and Rules (which is a very good argument), I would like to invite you to take a look at the Comp Rules, and formats which you can pick up under Safety and Training section. I would appreciate your constructive feedback once you have had a read through if you have any... later.

Hi Quade, compared to Freeflying for example - where you would expet one on one coaching plus fees - Atmo Body Piloting (in SA) is free of charge. Indeed, because of the large group coaching events, the coaches slot is split amongst 10 - 12 students, which makes it the least expensive form of coaching there is. You are invited to join.. Atmo Body Pilot

Heya sundevil, Im not concerend with who discovered atmo, what is highly important however is that there is a very well established community that enjoys angle flying / atmo body piloting. There is a clear definition in the FAI which Im surprised so many of you are not aware of, which deals precisely with terminology. I honestly dont care for individuals who seek glory. However those who are serious skydivers and who train and compete Atmo Body Piloting are the drive behind IPC and FAI recognition. Atmo Body Pilot

Please read up and accustomize yourself with the FAI definitions, under section B6, diagonal orientations. Let me know once you've read it... Its very clear about the terms of reference i.e. tracking, flocking, and atmonauti. Each is very different, and the aim is to avoid confusion by using the incorrect references and to bring a community together that is intent on competing and setting records. Atmo Body Pilot

PASA working document since 2008, as established by the Atmo Sport Skydivers Association and NSTO, for use in South Africa. Presented to the IPC Delegates at the 2012 IPC Meeting in Buenos Aires. Atmo Body Pilot

Point taken.... If you have the time and patience, please visit: www.para.co.za /documents/ssa documents Atmo Rles, Annexures etc /manualof procedures Atmo Draft MOPS Please read thru and let me know if its something you think may have some following over at your local dz.. Atmo Body Pilot

Yeah good point, well, in terms of why there should be comps, its rally down to the number of jumpers who want the comps and records and who support comp events and compete. In South Africa we are about to hold the 5th official Atmo South African National Championships, since atmo is indeed a formal constitutional discipline here. Instructionals for Atmo here are free, and indeed coaching jumps are cheaper than most since an 8 way or 12 way group coaching load splits my slot amongst them, so it works out really cost effective (one of the reasons we do so many). Ultimately even if it isnt new, which it isnt, its about the willingness to compete, and the structure of the competitions. FAI judges advice and assisted with the development and testing of the atmo comp rules, and judging criteria - which have been well received since 2008. Ultimately, if there is a community that wants to compete, and there is a growing trend in angle flying, I say, it benefits the skydiving community as a whole to endorse it, and join in. There will always be those who want to incorporate all forms of techniques and disciplines into one jump (I am one of those), but there is a lot to be said for focussed competition...

Sounds like serious fun times!!! I do some 'hybrid' skydiving myself, and its awesome fun. When it comes to comps and records though, I would propose that it is important to distinguish, which is why our judges are kept so busy. Atmo Body Piloting has had very strict rules to govern comps and records since 2008, and it was these that we presented to the IPC in Buenos Aires... Atmo Body Pilot

Some well know groups refer to (the FAI reference of) atmo as tracing, others as steep tracking. The most common term though is atmo, and the FAI official reference for angle flying (any angel between a track and a flock) as Atmonauti. Basically, the petition to be presented next year at the IPC and this year to the USPA is to bring angle flying or body piloting under one term of reference. At the moment the FAI preferred reference is Atmo since it is already in the FAI rules documents since 2003. Ultimately, the objective is for the body piloting community to come together under one reference...and to promote safe angle flying, records and competitions... Atmo Body Pilot

Hi Dave, The description in the FAI rules, is that Atmonauti is any angle between a track (horizontal) and a flock (vertical) so the angles are varied, but preferred to be around 45 degress. The way the judges are helped in terms of judging criteria is that many moves, docks, transitions in competition are designed to set you up above and below your team mate, where one would expect a burble zone. These moves are only achievable when flying on angle as the burble is behind and away from direction of flight. Im looking forward to the US skydivers participating at record events such as the ones planned for Dubai this year. It would be great to have you on board with us. Later, M. Atmo Body Pilot

Yeah, Actually what was presented at the IPC was Judging Criteria, Rules Documentation and Competition formars which were developed with the help of FAI FS and AE Judges. These have been used at Atmo comps since 2008, where ARW2 (2 way sequentials or relative work) is the primary comp format. The USPA members at the IPC were very impressed and have asked to sit on a working group to establish more formal competition in the US and North America. One primary problem is the various references used, which is why one term of reference would be important. Please visit www.para.co.za/documents/ssadiscipline docs If you have the time or interest you can check out the Atmo Manual of Procedures and also the comp docs... Thanks for your input! Chat to you soon. M