Head-Up 201 — Fly head-up in a 2-way

Application

Covers flying head-up relative to one other flyer: exits, approach, levels, slots, docks and breakoff in a 2-way.

Applies to flyers competent in HU 102 (movement and transitions).

Environment: sky, with tunnel drills as preparation.

Supervision: with a coach. The coach flies as the in-air reference at first, then flies passive as the skills consolidate.

Pre-requisite units

FFP-F100, FFP-HU101, FFP-HU102. RPL route: tunnel records (back-fly + sit static) plus one challenge jump against HU 102 criteria.

Elements and performance criteria

1. Plan the jump

1.1

State the jump's single declared objective and success criteria.

1.2

Confirm both flyers' currency and the plan against conditions.

1.3

State breakoff (guides: head-up work 5,500 ft minimum; for freefly groups generally 5,000 ft up to a 4-way, most modern jumpers plan 5,500 ft for any freefly group and will generally not accept 4,500 ft) and deployment altitudes, and the lost-partner plan.

2. Prepare

2.1

Complete a freefly-specific gear check on self and partner (handles, BOC, riser covers, closing loop, helmet, audible set and functioning).

2.2

Brief and dirt-dive the exit and each planned point.

2.3

Confirm exit order and separation with the load.

3. Perform

3.1

Exit and establish a stable sit within 5 seconds of separation from the hill.

3.2

Maintain heading ±45° for 10 seconds in the neutral sit.

3.3

Match the partner's fall rate, holding level (head-height tolerance) for 3 seconds.

3.4

Approach from ~5 m into the slot without overshoot, holding slot 3 seconds before docking.

3.5

Take a hand dock without destabilising the partner.

3.6

Perform a 360° turn in place, returning to heading ±45°.

3.7

Follow the partner through one level change, re-establishing level within 3 seconds.

3.8

Execute the recovery position immediately on any loss of control, re-approaching only when stable.

4. Complete

4.1

Initiate breakoff at the briefed altitude (within −0/+300 ft).

4.2

Transition to a track 90° from jump run, checking airspace.

4.3

Deploy at the planned altitude after clearing airspace.

4.4

Fly the agreed canopy separation plan.

5. Review

5.1

Debrief against the declared objective using video.

5.2

Identify one fault and its correction for the next jump.

5.3

Log the jump with criteria results.

Bold criteria are safety-critical: a coach should not sign the unit off while any bold criterion sits at Not Yet Satisfactory, however good the rest of the flying.

Foundation skills

• Briefing/debriefing communication.
• Altitude and separation numeracy.
• Planning.
• Self-management under stress (recovery discipline).

Performance evidence (suggested sufficiency, adjust locally)

Ability evidenced across at least 6 coached 2-way jumps, across at least two different days/conditions, including at least 2 consecutive jumps meeting all criteria without coach assistance, within a recommended 6-month currency window. Tunnel time may substitute for up to two of the skill-development jumps, but not the assessment jumps.

Knowledge evidence

At this tier the candidate is asked to state, explain, describe and analyse:

• State the breakoff and deployment guides for 2-way freefly.
• Explain corking and the recovery position’s mechanics.
• Explain freefly exit-order and separation logic.
• Describe the freefly gear checklist and why each item matters.
• Analyse own video to diagnose a backsliding or fall-rate fault.

Assessment conditions

Sky jumps from a recommended 10,000 ft minimum. Video is required for a valid assessment (coach-flown or helmet-mounted, candidate identifiable). Required equipment: visual altimeter, functioning audible, freefly-suitable gear. Conditions within the candidate’s cleared limits. Assessor: a freefly coach current in HU coaching, using the published FFP-HU201 checklist (Satisfactory / Not Yet Satisfactory per criterion).

Coaching priorities

Deliver in the project’s priority order: Safety → Fun → Learning. Hold bold safety criteria to the standard above. Design the session to be enjoyable: participants choose this expensive hobby, and enjoyment sustains both the student and the sport. End debriefs on a win with one improvement focus.

RPL evidence set

• Logbook showing equivalent coached 2-way head-up jumps.
• Tunnel records at IBA Static L3 equivalent plus sky validation.
• Video portfolio demonstrating the Perform criteria.
• Or a challenge assessment of two jumps against the full criteria with a qualifying assessor.

Sources