Bender Tunnel Training
03.18Formations

3-Way Formations

Fly with two other people while maintaining control and visual awareness, then complete predetermined formations and selections from the three-way dive pool.

Prerequisite: 2-Way Flying.

Desired outcome: Fly with two other people while maintaining control and visual awareness, then complete predetermined formations and selections from the three-way dive pool.

Reference material: IBA Flight Tutorial #12.

Key points:

  • Begin with basic formations, small movements, and easy transitions.
  • Maintain visual contact and stop in a neutral body position before starting the next movement.
  • Coordinate vertical exercises with clear timing and visual references.
  • Enter into assigned slots and increase complexity only after the group can maintain level, heading, and control.

Coaching and safety: Use three qualified flyers or an appropriate flyer-and-coach combination. Brief slots, entrances, transitions, recovery, and separation; if one flyer becomes unstable, that flyer waits for the instructor while stable flyers move low and away.

Manual source: Formation Skydiving Coach Manual, Lesson Plan #9.

Resources: