General Wingsuit Information
for post WS1 wingsuiters jumping at
Black Knights Parachute Centre
Manifesting a wingsuit jump
Have you checked the ‘run in’, winds strength and direction on the ground, at
5000ft and at 14000ft, if not ask the Pilot, CCI, DZ control or a regular Tandem
Instructor that has jumped that day.
Do you have a flight plan based on the above information; if you’re unsure speak to
the CCI, DZ control or an experienced wingsuiter. Is there a chance your wingsuit
flight plan or canopy flight plan will cross the path of the aircraft, in the air or at take
off / landing?
When you manifest, let manifest know you plan to do a wingsuit jump, they may or
may not need to know this information. Be polite (manifester’s bite), explain it is
useful to know roughly what load you will be on as it takes longer to kit up etc.
Keep a close eye on the weather. Because of the horizontal movement of
wingsuiters there is the potential for weather to cause problems other jumpers may
not experience. If you foresee a problem advise manifest as soon as possible so the
necessary action can be taken.
Gear up
Be ready early, a ten minute call is a five minute call for wingsuiters make sure your
jump buddies know you’ve had a call. Get to ‘flight line check’ in plenty of time.
Phones
Phones should be carried by all wingsuiters on every flight. This should be checked
during ‘flight line check’ and a P noted on the manifest. The number of the DZ
should be stored (BKPC - 01254 791820) in the phone and it is advisable to make
notes of all other jumpers’ numbers on the group to aid in communication in case of
‘off landings’.
Notify DZ control at the earliest convenience if you land off or one of your group
has. Take responsibility for other wingsuiters in your group.
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 1
Who is on the Load?
Take responsibility to find out who is on the load with you even if you are not JM. If
you are nominated JM, are you happy to undertake those responsibilities? Is there
anybody pulling high? Is anybody on the load tracking? Do you need to take into
account Tandem canopy traffic at your planned opening point? Is there a need to
alter your flight plan? Discuss landing patterns, find out who is JM have the
conversation with them.
Do you and your wingsuit group have a boarding / exit order, do you know the
seating plan?
Are there any tasks you need to undertake whilst on the aircraft such as shutting
doors or tightening tandems? Can you manage this in your wingsuit? If not explain
or delegate.
Boarding / Embarkation
Remember you need to be at the boarding area in good time to finish donning your
wingsuit. After all wingsuiters are ‘flight line checked’ notify the JM / DZ Control that
you intend to walk down to the boarding area to get kitted up.
Approaching the aircraft
Approach the aircraft as you would for any jump; are you happy you can / know how
to get up the steps / into the aircraft.
The prop-wash can inflate a wingsuit when approaching the plane (twin engines are
more prone to this), make sure your wings are collapsed and legs together (being
blown onto your ass is not cool).
Notify the pilot of your intentions / flight plan, do you need the ‘nose down’ for exit,
has the pilot understood. If you’re unable to communicate with the pilot directly,
you need to delegate someone close to the pilot to do this. Are you happy they
understand and are they able to communicate all the information correctly? It’s
your life, not theirs!
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 2
In the aircraft / aircraft emergency’s
As the legstraps are covered in a wingsuit it is advised you fit any seatbelts provided
around the chest strap.
Wingsuiters can’t sit and straddle the benches and must sit on the bench with both
their knees facing inwards toward the centre of the plane.
It’s advised that arm wings are left undone during take off to 1000ft as this allows
greater freedom of movement and will aid your exit in an emergency during take
off.
Emergencies
There a two trains of thought with regards to your arm-wings in an emergency
where you would choose to exit in the air, deploying your parachute.
Armwings undone will help whilst moving around in the aircraft during the incident
HOWEVER;
Armwings left undone after exiting in an incident, will create greater instability
especially if combined with an open legwing and will drastically impair you ability to
deploy your main canopy.
All wingsuiters should be AWARE of this issue and give some thought to the pro’s
and con’s, it should also be noted that wingsuiters will have restricted movement
because of the legwing whilst moving around.
Centre of Gravity (CoG)
Various aircraft are susceptible to weight shifts affecting their centre of gravity.
Know the rules for the aircraft you are on. Sit still as the other jumpers/groups are
leaving before moving to the door and completing your final checks.
The Spot
Wingsuiters are generally last to leave the aircraft which means the spot can already
be quite long. Whilst this is less critical to wingsuiters, know where the DZ is before
leaving the plane. Be aware of the run-in light configuration. If you are unhappy with
the spot or conditions stay in the plane and advise the pilot accordingly.
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 3
CARAVAN EXITS (pre WS1)
Caravan Exits are recommended seated exits only for beginners.
Sit on the floor, facing the tail. To exit the wingsuiter will execute a half-roll to the
right, out of the door.
The aim is “roll” without momentum while looking up at the aircraft/prop/door.
Keeping your hands into the chest, your leg wing closed and arching will aid a clean
stable exit.
Once clear of the aircraft and the tail wing has passed overhead, all three wings can
be opened symmetrically.
This offers the best approach to a stable exit from the Caravan for beginners.
Hands on floor or float bar will often lead to an asymmetrical exit, resulting in a
tumble/instability.
The following exit applies to almost all jump aircraft
Step / Hop out, arms crossed in front of chest DO NOT JUMP UP!
Present chest & hips into relative wind with legs together (try not to step out
because this opens the leg wing).
Arch.
Look up at the aircraft to help hold a heading on the line of flight and to clear the
aircraft's tail “jump one‐thousand/fly one‐thousand”
Open all 3 wings symmetrically.
If a loss of heading or instability occurs on exit (botched exit) arch, relax, recover,
check heading / spot, open wings and fly back on the original flight path.
Exiting with arms by side & hands on base of container is not recommended as this
can cause ‘cupping’ which may cause instant lift when hitting the airflow causing a
‘tail strike’!
Failure to keep wings closed could potentially result in death and a destroyed
aircraft!
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 4
Correct Exit Methods
Good Exit - Arms across chest, legs together, visual on plane and a good arch
Both jumpers have dropped away from the plane, presenting into wind holding a good arch with wings closed and
heads up!
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 5
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 6
Other Exit Methods
For the described exits below it is recommended that the Pilot places the aircraft in
a ‘Nose Down’ position. This position will cause a quicker loss of altitude but will
keep the tail higher.
OTTER/CARAVAN Exits
Wingsuiters should be briefed to never jump up on any exit. Wings must be kept
closed regardless of exit style.
Front Float Exit (TBC with Pilot and CCI)
Key points for this exit:
‐There is no ‘jump’ from the aircraft; it is merely a transfer of weight from the balls
of the foot to the heel of the foot.
When the “jump one‐thousand/fly one‐thousand” exit method
is observed, the relative wind will turn the wingsuiter towards the line of flight and
put them on their belly.
‐Look up towards the prop or door of the aircraft for stability.
Running/Pivot Exit (Otter only)
The Running/Pivot exit is valuable for rapidly clearing an Otter or other large‐door
aircraft. The objective is to manoeuvre upward and downward with control.
Key points for this exit:
‐The right foot must be on the edge of the door frame for proper launch.
The wingsuiter should look at the prop/door of the aircraft on exit while keeping
wings closed for 2 seconds
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 7
Tail strikes can occur regardless of experience. Proper exit / launch practices can
prevent tail strikes. Pictured below is a high risk exit. Diving exits, open wing exits is
cause for grounding wingsuiters. If you see this, pull the offender aside and have
conversation with them. If that person has a bad attitude or don’t change their exit
style notify the CCI or Instructor.
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 8
Wingsuit / Aircraft Impact Statistics
Note; Caravans are the most commonly used jumpship in the skydiving community however all skydivers / wingsuiters
should give some thought to these statistics! DO NOT JUMP UP ON EXIT KEEP YOUR WINGSCLOSED!!!!
Recommended safe flight plans to avoid possible tandem /
wingsuit conflicts.
Standard Flight Plan
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 9
After the last tandem has exited, the pilot makes a 90 degree turn to the right; the
wingsuiters should now be stood in the door looking down the original line of flight.
WS then exit using the agreed plan (please make sure you have arranged a ‘Nose
Down’ aircraft position, depending on your chosen exit).
The first to exit (usually base) immediately turns 90 degrees to the left and
continues up the original jump run.
At about 9000ft (depending on upper winds or other navigational issues) the WS
makes either a long slow sweeping turn left or right /or replace with two 90s back
towards the PLA, opening between 5000 to 3500ft depending on experience.
The reason for the 90 degree right turn in the plane is to give tandems time to get
clear and to stop wingsuiters stacking vertically above each other in case of an
unstable exit, avoiding a possible collision. It is also easier to get the suits flying
straight away as you’re above and behind the leading WS.
Care must be taken that the sweeping turn / two 90s is not over exaggerated this
which may put the flock in a potential collision with any straggling WS and place
them closer to the tandem holding area.
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 10
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 11
For Larger Flocks
After last Tandem has exited the aircraft the pilot should continue up the line of
flight for approximately ½ a kilometre then turn 90 degrees to the left (if left hand
door).
The wingsuiters should now be looking at the DZ / PLA whilst stood in the door.
Wingsuiters should exit using the agreed exit method, flying straight back towards
the DZ /PLA taking into account strength of wind and any other navigational
hazards.
This method allows an ‘offset’ or gap between tandem canopy flight and wingsuit
canopy deployment area. (note; this flight plan should only be used when the jump run does
not head out to sea or exceeds the regulatory 1.5 miles radius).
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 12
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 13
For Multiple Flocks
Suitable flight plans must be agreed upon in the event of multiple flocks on the
same load.
This may mean one group turns right and the other left, or one group makes a much
longer upwind or base leg.
Discuss and agree upon this on the ground and advise any Tandem Instructors or
conflict traffic of your flight plans and intended opening points.
References:
Wingsuit Coach Flight Manual Skydive Elsinore, 2012 DSE / Skydive Elsinore
British Parachute Association WING SUIT (WS) TRAINING (FIRST FLIGHT) MANUAL
Steve Searle & Marvin Lloyd
Page 14