Docking

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    Docking techniques vary depending on what type of formation you are joining, the flying characteristics of the formation, and the flying characteristics of the parachutist making the dock. There are many ways of docking. We will be discussing each type of dock and its technique in this section. The two main categories of docking are vertical and offset docks. 

Vertical

    Vertical formations occur when the grips are on the centre cell or centre A lines. The main types are:

  • stack
  • plane
    • line
    • riser

Offset docking occurs when some or all of the grips are on the end cells. The main categories are:

  • stair-step
    • wing docks
    • close off
  • diamond

    Offset formation docks require greater skill and experience than vertical /centre docks because their margin for error is less and the consequence is greater. Hence, they should be taught later.


  • Line skill should include foot first grips when appropriate, not pinching off upward momentum, collecting in "bad docks" and making them work. Being comfortable with "line or slider" docks.
  • Have good echelon discipline. Know when to plug a gap if needed and when NOT to plug a gap.
  • Be able to explain the use of basic maneuvers to a novice (when to sashay vs. when to spiral, etc.).
  • Be able to set up and dock in a timely fashion on any size vertical. Never off-center or off-angle (sideways).
  • Be able to make timely lockup docks without much side-to-side motion behind the formation.
  • Dock and fly 2 and 3-wide wing slots with fairly good success (75%).
  • Have high base-pin success with other intermediate flyers. Have medium success with a novice.
  • Be able to properly pilot any vertical. In the latter stages, be able to pilot diamonds.
  • Be able to fly pieces relative (end cell bump with bi-planes). 
  •  
  •  
    • Teach basic CRW to novices.
    • Have high success with any base-pin combination.
    • All docks should be smooth, quick (small split) no momentum, on target, no angle into any vertical or lockup slot.
    • Have very high success with 2 and 3 wide wings. Fine tuning skills on all lower wings.
    • Have high degree of control over the canopy. A measure of this is being able to "park" in a slot or alongside a formation.
    • Echelon discipline should be outstanding and very tight.
    • Be able to design basic canopy combinations for successful formations.
    • Pilot open tops on offset formations.
    Top docks and piece flying with good success.

     

 

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