Big-Way FS Canopy Piloting

Presented by Jules McConnel at Bowen Bigway Boogie 2018

A successful big way formation involves intricate planning and engineering from exiting the plane to track off so that the freefall formations are executed as planned…but what next??? We open, fly ‘predictably’, then land. It is assumed we all have the knowledge to open, fly predictably, then land – but do we? More importantly…do YOU?

Have you ever attended a canopy course?

A canopy course covers the fundamentals that are relevant to every skydive, therefore definitely relevant to big way FS. So if you haven’t been on a canopy course, then do yourself (and everyone else who you are jumping with) a favour and get on one! Meanwhile here’s some information that you will learn on a canopy course which can help you fly safer on your next big way!

Canopy course fundamentals:

– Flight planning
– Priorities under canopy
– Circuits
– Accuracy
– Flare technique

Flight Planning – make a plan before you get in the plane:

– Check wind socks for strength and direction
– Communicate landing pattern
– Know what other jumper’s canopies are in your group

Priorities from track off to landing (T.A.P.S):

– Traffic
– Altitude
– Position
– Socks (windsocks)

Traffic:

– During track off be aware of others in your tracking group so if you open off heading you know if you have a clear space or not
– During opening keep neutral body position and fly the opening. Grab rear risers to steer if necessary
– Monitor traffic throughout the entire canopy flight – look before you turn
– Try to get vertical separation from others – bigger canopies float, fly predictably, no spiraling

Altitude:

– Remain height aware to know how much time you have left during your canopy flight (this may just be taking visual references from the ground – don’t fixate on your altimeter as you may lose sight of other traffic)

Position:

– Know where you are heading while tracking, so when you open after checking traffic, head straight to the landing area
– People with longer tracks can end up further upwind or downwind of the target – proper use of rear risers and body position can assist getting back from a long way out. (If you are upwind of the target in strong winds – applying brakes may help getting back with more altitude available. Always check your groundspeed and altimeter to see what input works best to assist getting back. Make a decision early if you are going to land off to assess your new landing area – no lower than 1000 feet)
– Collapse slider and loosen chest strap (housekeeping) to maximize parachute performance (monitor traffic whilst doing this)

Socks:

– Check the windsock for wind strength and direction to confirm landing direction and pattern

Circuit:

– Continue to fly predictably
– Follow the landing pattern
– Use different controls in the circuit to maintain vertical separation
– On finals:

= If congested you are now in a landing ‘quadrant’ (like approaching the formation) – keep flying straight
= Don’t cross other people’s path to avoid wake turbulence

Flare technique:

– Find a clear pathway in the landing area so your flare isn’t affected by avoiding
other people in the landing area 
– Call out to others on the ground if you are landing close to them
– Finish your flare
– Try leaning forwards at end of flare to maximize flare performance and soften the touchdown
– Avoid reaching for the ground – fly the canopy to a stop, then touch down with your feet
– After landing keep an eye out for others landing after you

A note on Leg straps

One thing I would add to this is how do you do up your leg straps? To look even, or feel even?

Most people aren’t symmetrical in their body due to previous injuries or dominant side of the body we favour using. So if you don’t already, then try doing your leg straps up to feel even and note if there is a difference in length of excess leg strap or not.

If there isn’t then good news – you don’t have to go to a chiropractor! If there is a difference, don’t adjust it to look even, just keep them like that and see if this helps for heading performance on opening.

Opening on Heading

Watch this video by Performance Designs in Skydiving Mag Website: