Huge fan of flat tracking. Most of my jumps are from a 182 and I prefer rear diving exits so I'm pretty adjust to that head down feeling when subterminal. Once I plane out I occasionally get this rocking feeling. I stay stable but feel like I'm rocking back and forth. Thought maybe I wasnt keeping my toes pointed but that's not the case according to video. Any pointers?
Hey Josh, there are a couple of things that could be happening. The first is that you might be too rigid and stiff like a statue. Check out our video titled: "How to relax, Maybe not what you think" You need to engage your muscles and control your body but not be stiff. The second possibility is that you could be pushing "down" into the wind too much. There is a temptation to push down to increase lift/speed but it can cause instability (rocking) and undesired drag actually slowing you down and causing you to have a steeper glide ratio. You are tracking parallel to the surface of the ground so as you push your hands toward the ground eventually they will end up below your body. As you do this you are raising your center of gravity. The higher your center of gravity, the less stable you will be; thus, rocking. Your hands should be in line with your hips with your pinky fingers essentially resting on the outside of your thighs. The third possibility is what is called PIO Pilot Induced Oscillations. In an effort to correct or stop the rocking you could be making it worse with your hands, feet/legs, head or all three. Learning how to relax correctly will also help with this. Try to imagine yourself flying through a wave of oscillations or rocking motions; relaxing and extending your body as you "punch" through the wave. And lastly, it could be a combination of all three. :) Hope this helps and please let us know how it goes.
Great tips and explained more clearly than I've ever heard. I'm definitely going to try this next time I'm up - thanks!
Thanks so much for the feedback and glad to know it helped. :)
Huge fan of flat tracking. Most of my jumps are from a 182 and I prefer rear diving exits so I'm pretty adjust to that head down feeling when subterminal. Once I plane out I occasionally get this rocking feeling. I stay stable but feel like I'm rocking back and forth. Thought maybe I wasnt keeping my toes pointed but that's not the case according to video. Any pointers?
Hey Josh, there are a couple of things that could be happening. The first is that you might be too rigid and stiff like a statue. Check out our video titled: "How to relax, Maybe not what you think" You need to engage your muscles and control your body but not be stiff. The second possibility is that you could be pushing "down" into the wind too much. There is a temptation to push down to increase lift/speed but it can cause instability (rocking) and undesired drag actually slowing you down and causing you to have a steeper glide ratio. You are tracking parallel to the surface of the ground so as you push your hands toward the ground eventually they will end up below your body. As you do this you are raising your center of gravity. The higher your center of gravity, the less stable you will be; thus, rocking. Your hands should be in line with your hips with your pinky fingers essentially resting on the outside of your thighs. The third possibility is what is called PIO Pilot Induced Oscillations. In an effort to correct or stop the rocking you could be making it worse with your hands, feet/legs, head or all three. Learning how to relax correctly will also help with this. Try to imagine yourself flying through a wave of oscillations or rocking motions; relaxing and extending your body as you "punch" through the wave. And lastly, it could be a combination of all three. :) Hope this helps and please let us know how it goes.
@@Kravtofly it was definitely being too rigid. I relaxed more and no rocking with awesome tracks today! Thanks for the advice!
@@joshmowery1100 that's awesome, man! Thanks for sharing and glad it helped.
Massive underrated content, Mate. Thanks for sharing #blueskies
Thanks, brother. Glad to know you are enjoying the content and getting some value. Blue skies!