{"id":16950,"date":"2015-06-09T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-06-09T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=16950"},"modified":"2021-07-06T07:37:23","modified_gmt":"2021-07-06T07:37:23","slug":"2015-06-10-8way-on-the-hill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/2015-06-10-8way-on-the-hill\/","title":{"rendered":"8-Way On the Hill"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Deep breath… Ready… Set… GO! Your 8-way formation steps off the plane and presents to the relative wind… <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"GK
Golden Knights exit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The initial period of the jump when the team has horizontal momentum from the forward speed of the aircraft, is transitioning from subterminal to terminal velocity and has yet to reach a parallel to earth orientation is commonly referred to as, ‘the hill’.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Getting Technical<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Positioning on the hill as the team transitions through the first few points is very critical and is where the pace of the jump is set.  There are a few key factors to understand and plan for with your team prior to every jump. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These factors are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Relative Wind Orientation<\/li>
  • Line of Flight Orientation<\/li>
  • Maintaining a Horizontal Plane<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The initial exit frame, or exit formation, should be presented to the wind relative to the forward throw of the aircraft at a downward angle of approximately 45 degrees from Point to Tail (front to back).  The flyers’ bellies should be exposed to the relative wind and the formation should not have any roll or rotation around the front to back axis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"GK
    Relative Wind Orientation <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    On GK8 [Golden Knights 8-way team], we keep the grip line of our exit frame to within a few degrees of the aircraft’s line of flight.  Using the Twin Otter as our exit platform, our standard exit has five Floaters on the outside and three Divers on the inside of the aircraft.  This results in our exit frame having more flyers on the left side from a Tail to Point perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Transitioning
    Line of Flight Orientation <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Transitioning from our exit frame to the first point, we generally keep our formations in line with the line of flight.  However, to maximize efficiency, we sometimes change the heading of the first formation as much as 45 degrees off the line of flight.  An example of this is Block 20 – Cat Diamond – Cat Accordion [shown in photos].  Because we have more flyers on the left side of our formation, we’ve found it beneficial to build the formation 45 degrees off the line of flight counter clockwise from the Tail’s perspective. When executed correctly, the benefits are twofold.  It allows for an evenly distributed shift for all flyers and sets the stage for a faster transition to the second point of the block, enabling the back piece to drive diagonally up the hill.  If this formation were to build in line with the line of flight, the inside and back pieces would have to make a large shift down the hill. This would cause the back piece to create additional momentum downward which would compound an already difficult move back up the hill. All of this would be happening with the clock ticking and the air thickening but is avoidable with proper line of flight orientation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Block
    Maintaining a Horizontal Plane<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Flying on a horizontal plane using your teammates as reference is not be confused with flying in a horizontal or parallel orientation with the earth’s surface.  Because of the unnatural spacial orientation of flying on the hill, it is common to subconsciously want to orient yourself to a belly to earth attitude.  Attempting to achieve that attitude prematurely is counterproductive.  If one flyer or piece (the front piece, for example) begins to flatten or level out while the rest of the formation is on a different horizontal plane, it can cause the top side of the piece to be exposed to the relative wind causing it to lose altitude at a faster rate than the rest of the formation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Because of the unnatural spacial orientation of flying on the hill, it is common to subconsciously want to orient yourself to a belly to earth attitude”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n


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