Head-Down 403

Engineer big-way formations

Engineering the shape itself: lanes, stepping and build order.

What this unit covers

Covers designing the formation a head-down big-way builds: choosing the base shape and size, setting the build order (who stings, who docks onto the presented arms, in what sequence), laying out the wacker lines and the head-level stepping, choosing round versus line shapes, and judging when a build is complete.

This is the shape work behind the organiser's job. FFP-HD401 sizes the group, slots people and designs the breakoff; this unit designs what they build. The base flyers (FFP-HD304) hold the shape; the floats and divers (FFP-HD302, FFP-HD303) build it.

The rest of it

Assumes competence organising single-aircraft big-ways. Environment: sky for the jumps; the design is done on the ground.

What comes before it

Head-Down 401

Screen 2 · What you are watched on

What you are watched on

The same short list a coach ticks, in the same words. Nothing is hidden from you.

1.2

Lay out the formation (round or line, wacker lines, approach lanes) so approach lanes do not cross.

Can you lay out a formation so that approach lanes do not cross?

1.3 Safety critical

Engineer the head-level stepping into the build so the formation absorbs closing stingers as a stepped spiral, matched to the group's skill level.

Can you design the head-level stepping so the formation absorbs closing stingers, matched to the skill level in the group?

2.3 Safety critical

Sequence the build inside-out so no flyer stings an unstable edge.

Do you sequence the build from the inside out, so nobody is asked to sting an unstable edge?

Screen 3 · Safety and altitudes

Safety and altitudes

Everything here is a recommendation with a reason behind it, not a rule. The drop zone you are jumping at, and your own limits on the day, decide what actually happens.

Safety-critical criteria on the short list

1.3

Engineer the head-level stepping into the build so the formation absorbs closing stingers as a stepped spiral, matched to the group's skill level.

Can you design the head-level stepping so the formation absorbs closing stingers, matched to the skill level in the group?

2.3

Sequence the build inside-out so no flyer stings an unstable edge.

Do you sequence the build from the inside out, so nobody is asked to sting an unstable edge?

Everything this unit says about breakoff and deployment

3.3

Confirm the design composes with the breakoff plan (waves match the build's outer-to-inner order).

Altitudes here are the guides this curriculum recommends and argues for. Where the drop zone briefs something different, the drop zone is what you fly.

Screen 4 · After the jump

After the jump

From this unit's own closing element, judge the build.

4.1

Judge from video whether the formation built to the design, and where the shape failed.

4.2

Attribute a failed build to a design cause (base too big, steps too steep, lane crossing, wrong build order) and revise the design.

4.3

Record the design and the result for the next iteration.

One fault, one correction

Before the video, before anyone else speaks: name the single thing that went wrong, and the single thing you will do differently next jump. One of each. A list of six is a list you will not fly.

Write them into your notes at the bottom of this card, and they will be here next time you open it.

Record this jump

Most records are the flyer's own, and that is the point: your own read of your own flying is worth keeping. A record only counts as verified once a coach signs it.

Your notes for this unit

Saved on this device only. Nothing is sent anywhere, there is nowhere for it to go, and no account is involved. They will be here next time you open this card.

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This card is a summary. The full Head-Down 403 unit carries the reasoning, the sources and everything left off here. All briefing cards.