FEEDBACK (FREEFLY TEACHER #2; AD A#352)
Profile
· FreeFly Teacher
· Tandem Pilot
· Load Organizer (Boogies and Events)
· CSPA Coach
· IAD Instructor
· Packer
· Video Flyer
Work experience:
Load Organizer and FreeFly Coach
“Headdown over Europe”, Romania 2005
“Headdown over Spa”, Belgium 2005
“ Marl” , Germany 2005
“Jump for Life Xmas Boogie”, Gran Canaria, Spain 2004 - 2005
“Jump for Life Dropzone”, Gran Canaria, Spain 2004 - 2005
“Body Fly University”, Italy 2004
“2fly”, Austria 2003
Tandem Instructor and Video Flyer
“Jump for Life Dropzone”, Gran Canaria, Spain 2004-2005
“Body Fly University”, Italy 2004
“Byron Bay Skydivers”, Australia 2003 – 2004
“2fly”, Austria 2003
“Fallschirmschule.at”, Austria 2003
IAD Instructor and CSPA Coach
“Waterville Dropzone”, Canada 2000 – 2003
Videoflyer for Tandem, AFF, RW Teams, FreeFly Teams, Space Games Competitor
10 way skills Camp participant with Olav Zipser
Thesis Statement of The First School Of Modern Skyflying Teachers’ Course
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Flight once was a dream, and is now a progression. The First School of Modern Skyflying is pushing the evolution of human flight. The aerodynamic principles are being applied to the human body.
First School teachers practice and teach a philosophy created by Olav Zipser. The overall idea in my distorted realm is to open up some more awareness in the minds of our students, while helping them develop safe flying skills. The school representative is responsible to lead by example and prove through demonstration, informing on theories of stable, unstable and harmonic aerodynamics…keeping it short and simple is key, often using comparison of everyday life to the theories and rules that they apply to their flights. I feel our students will never forget the necessary five rules taught and demonstrated to them, and will remain with them throughout their flying career. We present and practice technical knowledge of our sport in entirety to stay safe and aware in our environment, by calculating the risks involved.
Flying for folks
Aerodynamics in combination with the laws of physics has developed a formula for flight. Olav has combined and found comparisons of these laws and applied them to the human body. The physics of stable aerodynamics remain the same, the application to the human body and the relative wind is where we get imaginative.
We find many ways to explain the arrow and how it is guided through the air. We use the gravitational pull to center our balance while we guide our mass through the relative wind, spilling and catching the air with our arms and legs, while hanging our mass under the trailing wings, evenly distributing air friction, our center of gravity remains low and stable (like a boxer’s stance). We then utilize our leading wing for balance, surface area and smaller adjustments. Flying is easy by applying appropriate amounts of pressure to the air force, without wasting energy.
Fight or flight
Life is a balance, there is a thin line between yin and yang- this harmony is attainable in our environment. To become one with the element, we must strategically combine, obey and accept the laws of physics and balance of nature and human instincts. We must be aware of the mental state in the element in which we place our physical selves, which results in a chemical reaction in our brains, increasing the production of adrenaline, dopamine and endorphins.
The First School demonstrates tactics and provides clear signs to try and guide souls to neutralize themselves and be in the center of their range during flight, follow the path of least resistance. We are dealing with huge forces- there’s no need to fight it, the choice is yours-fight or flight. I can not emphasize enough- “Let it flow,”; flying is in our nature.
Folks flocking
5 rules to fly by
These are the strategic path that allows flights to come together with ease, students will be taught to practice these in their order, it is the teacher’s responsibility to assure that the rules plus video are accomplished during the flights with students regardless of the situation.
1)Eye contact
…visual contact with your base or flying partners of course is first. Visual input allows us to analyze the situation, decide which response is needed and react upon the action.
2)Level control
…is constant adjustments to remain at the same speed as the others, normally referring to head levels resulting in easier eye contact and a safer approach to…
3)Distance control
Proximity is a respectful distance according to your base and that moment of your flight. Closing distance once on level is more controlled, safer and less disturbing to others.
4)Conscious breathing
…during flight opens up the ability to think- being conscious of your actions, reactions, exercises and resetting capabilities is quieting and calming during our reassessments to our ever-changing situations. After all, it’s natural and as always- breathing IS important
5)Communication
…allows us to respond with our base, referring to the eyes or expressions of others, hand signals, body language, actions and movements.
The importance of always maintaining these five rules before and during the introduction of any other task is not to be forgotten. Appropriate application of the five rules in unison with the aerodynamic theories is what I believe to be the harmony of freefly.
Technical knowledge
This is an important margin to assure that we are prepared and have calculated any risks that may be encountered. Therefore, after introductions, gear checks, evaluation of skill level, aerial views and dropzone rules are established, the First School representative should brief safety, behavior, emergency procedures and mental rehearsals for the following; on ground, in plane flight, entrance, freeflight and separation, canopy control and landings.
In conclusion, as a First School of Modern Skyflying teacher, I am to present and explain the theories for clearer understanding of my terminology used, apply and practice the rules, being creative as to when to use or emphasize on a subject for best consumption, as everyone learns differently. We must be versatile and creative at opening the students’ imaginations and fulfilling positive feedback.
I personally strive to help guide individuals in their development in human flight, through the sharing of my knowledge, experience and collective information I have acquired in the sport.
Rob Heron, AD A#352
FreeFly Teacher # 2
