Dunkeswell Formation Skydiving System Coaching Jumps
Copyright: Pete Stone 2008

The purpose of this document is to supplement the content of the BPA ‘Formation Skydiving Progression Manual’ into a series of practical exercises than can be completed in stages. The up-to-date techniques (mantis position etc.) set out in the FSPM should be followed and the skydiver should read the FSPM as part of preparation for coached jumps. As each jump is signed off as completed successfully, subsequent coaches can see, by referring to the log book and this document, what the skydiver has achieved in his or her progression towards FS1. Depending upon the skydiver’s ability the coaching may be adjusted to repeat jumps as necessary or omit them if the skills already exist. Coaching skydives may be modified by the coach to suit the training needs of the skydiver.

During the jumps the skydiver must demonstrate overall awareness by appropriate altitude and heading checks and positive response to in-air coaching signals.

4 way over Dunkeswell

Jump 1 BALANCE

The neutral position, forward movement and track off.

1. Linked exit, student chooses exit position, initiates the count.
2. Coach releases student.
3. Student practises neutral position for 5 seconds.
4. Coach backs away, signals student to move forward to dock.
5. Repeat exercises 2,3 &4 until:
6. 5,000 ft. wave off.
7. Student turns 180 deg., Tracks 5 to 7 seconds, waves off and deploys at 3,500ft
The absolute requirement for good, safe tracking will be covered in the briefing for this first dive and covered again, and in greater detail as necessary, in each subsequent dive. The coach will observe the student’s track on each dive and provide input on tracking performance as part of each dive’s debriefing.


Jump 2 BALANCE & MOBILITY

The neutral position, fast fall, & slow fall

1. Linked exit, student chooses exit position, initiates the count.
2. Coach releases student.
3. Student practices neutral position.
4. Coach backs off 6 feet turns 90 deg. and demonstrates fast fall.
5. On signal from coach student fast falls to coach’s level.
6. Coach demonstrates slow fall.
7. On signal from coach student slow falls to rise to coach’s level.
8. Student moves forward to dock with coach.
9. Repeat exercises 2 to 8 until:
10. 5,000 ft. wave off.
11. Student turns 180 deg., tracks, waves off and deploys at 3,500ft.


Jump 3 BALANCE & MOBILITY

The neutral position, 360 deg. turns left and right

1. Linked exit, student diving, coach initiates the count.
2. Coach releases student.
3. Student practices neutral position.
4. On signal from coach, student performs 360 deg right turn, stopping on original heading.
5. On signal from coach, student performs 360 deg left turn stopping on heading before docking on coach.
6. Repeat exercises 2 to 5 until:
7. 5.000 ft. wave off.
8. Student turns 180 deg., tracks off, waves off and deploys at 3.500ft.

Jump 4 MOBILITY & TRACKING

Side-ins, left & right, side sliding

1. Linked exit with student as centre-float, student initiates the count.
2. Coach releases student.
3. Student practices neutral position.
4. Coach demonstrates a side-slide.
5. On coach’s signal student side-slides to face coach.
6. Coach demonstrates a side-in on student, student catches and releases coach.
7. On signal from coach student completes a side in, coach catches and releases student.
8. Student turns back to face coach, then repeats exercise in other direction.
9. Student docks on coach.
10. 4,500 ft. wave off.
11. Student turns 180 deg., tracks off, waves off and deploys at 3.000 ft


Jump 5 MOBILITY & TRACKING

Back-ins, left and right

1. Linked exit with the student rear floating, coach centre floating, coach initiates the count.
2. Coach releases student.
3. Coach demonstrates a back in, student should catch and release.
4. On coach’s signal student completes a back-in, coach to catch and release.
5. Student turns back to face coach.
6. On coach’s signal student performs back-in in opposite direction to 4, coach to catch and release.
7. Student turns back to face and pin coach.:
8. 4,500 ft. wave off.
9. Student turns 180 deg., tracks off, waves off and deploys at 3.000ft.


Jump 6 MOBILITY & TRACKING

Swoop to dock, practising diving, slow- and fast-fall techniques

1. Free flown exit with coach in centre float position, initiating the count and student diving.
2. Student dives after coach then uses dive, fast and slow fall techniques to set up in neutral position in front of coach.
3. Coach signals student to approach and dock.
4. Coach releases student and uses radical fast fall technique, or turns and dives, to set up 50 to 100 feet in front of and below student. Aim for a 30deg approach angle.
5. Coach signals student to dive, approach, stop, then dock.
6. 4,500ft. wave off.
7. Student turns 180 deg., tracks off, waves off and deploys at 3.000ft.


Jump 7 BALANCE, MOBILITY & TRACKING putting it all together

Left and right side-in, left and right back-in

1. Linked exit (stair step) coach and student both diving.
2. Student releases grip on coach’s leg, flies around to face off and dock on coach.

3. On coach’s signal student is released and completes a side in, coach releases student and student returns to dock on coach.
4. Repeat in other direction.
5. On coach’s signal student is released and completes a back in, coach releases student and student continues around to dock on coach.
6. Repeat in other direction.
7. 4,000 ft. wave off.
8. Student turns180 deg., tracks off, waves off and deploys at 3.000ft.

Jump 8 (optional)

3 point 3-way dive

1. Linked exit, coach (‘outside centre’) floats, student and 3rd skydiver ‘point’ and ‘inside centre’. Coach initiates count.
2. Complete 3 planned formations (e.g. star, open-accordion, side-bodies).
3. Repeat 2 until:
4. 4000 ft. wave off:
5. All turn 180 deg., track off, wave off and deploy at 3,000ft.


Jump 9 (optional)

5 point 3 way dive

1. Linked exit, student ‘outside centre’ initiates count.
2. Complete 5 planned formations.
3. Repeat 2 until:
4. 4000ft. wave off.
5. All turn180 deg., track off wave off and deploys at 3.000ft.


Jump 10 (FS1 qualifying dive)

6 point 4 way dive (from 14,000+ ft. 8 points should be the aim!)

1. Linked exit (stair-step diamond), skydivers’ exit positions at coach’s discretion.
2. Complete 4 planned formations (stair-step diamond, satellite, star, left-hand donut).
3. Repeat 2 until:
4. 4,000ft. wave off.
5. All turn 180 deg., track off, wave off and deploy at 3.000ft.

Cost of coaching
Each coaching dive will consist of a thorough preparation and briefing, the dive itself and a thorough debrief complete with a review of the video of the dive. Videos will be supplied on CD or DVD.
Student’s slot £21
Coach’s slot £21
Coaching fee £10 (payable directly to the coach, not the DZ)
Total £52
Kit hire is not included in this cost.

Pete Stone
Pete_stone@msn.com
01803 843280
07855 213792

Four Way Formation Skydive Over Dunkeswell

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