Exit   Exit   Exit British 4-way team Sebastian XL share the secrets of a good 4-way exit, using a meeker as an example (pictured to right). Each team member describes their own approach.   General Exit Tips Have a picture in your mind of what you want to look like and where you want to be on the slipstream. Then place yourself into that frame on exit (use your own videos or those of other teams to help get this picture in your mind). On exit, keep a certain amount of strength in your body to keep the formation rigid and presented, this can sometimes save a launch from poor timing or presentation. It's never too late to get presented; if you leave in a poor position, immediately get into the right position and box it out. Some people say that certain exit positions make or break an exit. In fact, any position can make or funnel any exit, but if you do your job 100% you can help an otherwise ropey launch.

photo by Ian Brow

Meeker Exit From A Left Hand Door Outside Centre (Mr Green) As outside centre on a meeker exit, I get balanced in the centre of the door, my left hand gripping the bar, directly above my right foot, with my left leg trailing, my right hand grips the rear float's leg (Mr Blue). I keep my hips and head close to the plane, this keeps my centre of gravity over my feet, making it easier for me to stay balanced and get a better launch. I aim to never put my weight on anyone else. I used to give the exit count (we have recently changed due to competition training). I recommend that most groups still have the outside centre give the count, as it is very easy to see and read. I would first ensure that I am calm and ready, then check that my team mates are ready (not shuffling around to get into position or take grips). Then I give a small shake on the grip to let them know the count is coming and with a steady rhythm I pulse Up, Down and Out, trying to place myself parallel with the wing and presented into the relative wind. Because of the grips I have I will get rotated a further 45° downwards. Initially this seems like an aggressive exit but with only a small amount of practice it becomes a matter of balance and timing; the rotation of the right shoulder down and the left knee up, allows you to be presented. Pete Allum pete_allum@compuserve.com

Tail (Mr Blue)
As tail, stand at the rear of the door, shoulders square on to the aircraft. Place your right foot approx. 12" from the back of the door and then jam your head inside the aircraft.

Now offer your left leg grip to the outside centre, making sure they can reach the grip easily.Take a grip on the inside centre at the knee, then finally and most importantly, pick up eye contact with point, as this is when your referencing should start.

When you leave, kick your legs out and away from the aircraft, drop your right shoulder and put your belly to the relative wind. Make yourself the lowest person on the exit with your body parallel to the wing.

John McIver
mrblueXL@aol.com

Point (Mr Yellow)
As point in the 4-way, 70% of all exits are done from the front dive exit very similar to the meeker exit. Here are some tips on doing your job in the meeker exit:

When moving into the door, pick the grip up (left hand onto outside centre's left leg) and lower your left shoulder so as to be presented square on with the relative wind. The right hand can be placed inside the door to hold there or, if you find you're balanced all right and not moving, then you can have it up ready in position for the exit move. Have no tension on the grip you're holding as the person you're on will only be hindered by your pushing or pulling grip. Look in the direction that the count is coming from and, as you leave, scan straight through the formation to the tail person so that good communication is established instantly.

It is often thought as a front diver you have to 'dive out'. If you dive or jump out onto the air you will create momentum and could cause the formation to turn (sound familiar?). Try to imagine the air which is there for you to use. It's the same stuff when you're in freefall. It's like a wind tunnel outside the aircraft. So as the exit count comes and you see the outside centre starting to leave the plane, there will be a space for you created straight away, just simply 'place' yourself parallel to the wing in this space.

Lee Love
leelove1@compuserve.com

Inside Centre (Mr Purple)
The inside centre's job is predominantly aggressive on the exit timing. The aim is to arrive in the slipstream at the same time as the floaters are dropping off, otherwise a common problem like counter-clockwise rotation of the formation can happen. To achieve this timing I find it important to give myself adequate room in the door, if I crowd the door I have no distance to build momentum - plus, I end up stepping all over my team mates! So, aim to be comfortable with a solid stance. Most of the time your left foot will be near the door-sill, right leg will be a couple of feet back inside the aircraft; remember it is the right leg that the push power will come from.

Presentation angle depends on the formation, but a good 75% of my inside exit slots require me to be 45° up line of flight, as in a meeker. For this formation I already have the 45 degree angle inside the plane, with my left foot near the sill and upwind of my right a few inches. My shoulders also are at this angle, with my right shoulder slightly higher, my focus through the exit is to place my torso (right shoulder high) to the relative wind.

The secret tip of the day is this; as you push hard with your right foot, lift up and step through the door with the left, this ensures that your centre-point travels down and through the door. A very common problem is pushing off with the left foot, this causes your lower body to be poorly presented and the last thing to exit which causes a counter clockwise rotation of the formation.

You can practice this slot on your own on a low cloud-base day. Set yourself the objective of exiting with this 45 degree angle and maintaining it neutral and relaxed through the next 5 or 6 seconds of the flyaway. As you master this, move on to 90 degrees across line of flight. Just allow yourself to relax further on exit from the 45 degree to the 90 degree picture staying neutral throughout, don't forget the presentation (right side up) to the relative wind!!!
Toby Stafford
tobystafford@compuserve.com

Notes:
A Meeker is one of the formations in the dive pool used for 4-way FS, shown in the photo.
Mr Green (Outside Centre) and Mr Blue (Tail) are floaters, they hang outside the aircraft before exit. Mr Purple (Inside Centre) and Mr Yellow (Point) leave from inside. Mr Green, Mr Blue, etc, refer to their helmet colours. Taking grips as described and adopting the correct presentation on exit ensures the formation flies as a whole rather than funnelling, ie collapsing in on itself.

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