5
Opening Technique
Wingsuits can fly at airspeeds equivalent to head-down freeflying (200mph), and as low as 0mph
vertical speed and 40mph forward speed. This is an incredible range of possible airspeeds, and the
ideal airspeed for a reliable parachute deployment is comparatively narrow.
Most wingsuit instructors counsel a deceleration, symmetrical deployment, and closed leg wing
(knees bent, and heels to butt). By bending knees to butt and closing the leg wing almost entirely, a
large part of the wake turbulence and body-spin causes are eliminated. Consult with your instructor
regarding proper wingsuit deployment techniques, which may vary based on your wingsuit type,
experience, and other equipment.
Opening Inconsistencies
Line Twists
Wingsuits add a great deal of complexity to skydiving, particularly during the deployment and
canopy piloting phases. When wingsuiting, one of the most common issues during deployment is
“line twists,” which sometimes occur between d-bag deployment and canopy inflation. There are
many factors involved, including symmetrical body position through the entire deployment sequence,
correct body positioning, and proper packing techniques. Reaching for risers asymmetrically, twisting
your body during deployment, flying your leg wing asymmetrically, or not flying your heading until
the canopy is fully inflated will all contribute to degraded opening performance.
One of the most common moments that line twists occur is at or immediately after line stretch, prior
to pack job expansion and inflation.
The common packing method of “rolling the tail” around the
pack job and lines encourages line twists during a wingsuit deployment
.
During wingsuit parachute deployment, the chain of equipment is spread more horizontally than it
is during a typical non-wingsuit skydive deployment. In addition to that, the wingsuit creates a large
“burble” or area of wake turbulence, which degrades opening performance. These two factors must
be understood and accounted for when skydiving a wingsuit.
The more horizontal nature of a parachute deployment from wingsuit flight means that the pilot chute,
bridle, pack job, and canopy lines can all be stretched out to an almost 180 degree plane during
deployment, and at a lower airspeed than a typical skydive opening. At this stage, the pack job is
more susceptible to rotation and off-heading openings. If the tail is rolled tightly around the lines and
the pack job, then the time during which the pack job is allowed to rotate at the end of the line-stretch
phase is increased.
By rolling the tail together less, or not at all (SEE PACKING PHOTOS), the pack job will begin
expansion sooner and have less time to rotate or turn at the end of the line-stretch phase. The less time
your pack job spends being buffeted around in wingsuit wake turbulence, the less chance there is of
line twists or a more serious malfunction. We recommend not rolling the tail around the lines at the
trailing edge of the pack job. It is best to only lightly fold the tail together, starting at least 10” below
the lines, so that airflow can enter the pack job to allow expansion and inflation. The trailing edge
(tail) of the canopy should be so loosely wrapped around the lines that a “hole” approximately the
width of the warning label is apparent when the packjob is set down on the ground to be reduced
into the d-bag.
