Sebastian XL Skills

February 2001

  

Sebastian XL, the current British 4-way team have been consistently fourth in the world. They are a full time professional team, training constantly.

They have written a skills series on various aspects of 4-way, sharing their substantial experience and knowledge. 

Each team member shares their own thoughts in their own words. 

Different approaches work for different people, maybe something here will open a door for you...


Exits - the top priorities
  • balance
  • timing
  • presentation
Think of the space you need, the space your team-mates need and exactly where you want to be on the moment of exit. If you're doing the count, make sure everyone is still and use a standby shake to help key the team into the count.

Pete Allum, for instance, is usually at the front of the door and inside the plane for most exits. He is usually aiming to be the highest person on the launch. He sets up balanced in the very front of the door. Eye contact is with the tail and, as they leave the plane, Pete goes with the outside centre, placing his body above him and looking towards the tail. Pete says: "You don't need much space, so leave the back of the door free for the inside centre. Keep the relative wind in mind. Arch out of the door and be strong to stop the group from folding."

Toby Stafford says "In the door, whenever possible have a solid wide stance with your weight over your feet. This will help give balance and power to launch through the door. We use movement to communicate the exit and everyone looks for this. Always know what angle, relative to the line of flight, you will need to present to. This will help you visualise and successfully present to the relative wind."

John McIver says "Regardless of your angle in the door, always remember to put your belly/chest on to the relative wind. Have a clear snapshot picture in your head of the particular exit you are about to launch."

Steve Hamilton, as outside centre, says he normally needs to push away from the aircraft to leave space for the inside jumpers. "Quite often I try to rotate around my centrepoint out of the door to get a head-low attitude. Everyone should try to put some clockwise input into the exit (left hand door) to counteract the natural rotation down the hill."

Cameraman Rob Stevenson says leaving too early means the formation is flat and non-judgeable. Too late and you are above the formation, again with a flat picture - or landing on your team-mates. "After seeing a few exit counts you begin to find that sweet spot keeping the whole formation in frame. For easier exits be as far away as is safely possible from the team."



Safety
We all know this stuff, but cannot be reminded too often. The team says: know your drills, check your gear, keep alert, be ready to act and always remember you have a cameraman above you.
Pete Allum

"For me, safety is understanding and being ready for an incident at any time. Under canopy, fly defensively and get into the logical traffic pattern. Once you've landed, watch out for other canopies. If someone is heading for you, stay still and be ready to duck."
John McIver

"Wear a hard hat to protect you in a collision. Don't rely on altimeters and beepers. Change your closing loop on a regular basis. Learn how to track fast and flat for good separation. Be alert during deployment and be ready for avoiding action. On larger loads, avoid spirals and, if you are above everyone stay there. If you are below, fly on full drive and stay down."
Toby Stafford
"Everyone is responsible for safety. If you see something that looks wrong, don't be shy to ask"

Rob Stevenson, cameraman says: "Cameraflyers, use a canopy you are familiar with and which gives consistent openings. Your vision may be restricted by your ring sight, be extra aware whilst under canopy. Use an audible altimeter, be aware of break-off altitudes, have a plan to either track with everyone or to pull when the formation splits or you reach your opening altitude".

"Don't be left in the basement just because your subject pulls low."

 
Steve Hamilton
"Don't be scared to stand down from a load if the conditions aren't right just because other people are still jumping. Make a decision based on your skill and experience."

Article by: Sebastian XL and Jo Malone

Photos: Ian Brown, Mick Hall and Simon Ward

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