5 Things You Can Do Today To Become A Better Canopy Pilot
If you want to be the best skydiver you can be, you have to focus on your canopy skills. Once the canopy is fully functioning is when the true challenge of skydiving begins. And becoming a better canopy pilot is an ongoing battle that even the most talented skydivers are constantly fighting.
The good news is there are a number of skydiving tricks you can put to use immediately to start becoming a better canopy pilot. Here are 5 quick tips.
Make sure to video your landings – The only surefire way to know what you’re doing right and wrong is to see it for yourself from an outside perspective. Have someone film your landings so you can go back and study them. Watch the videos carefully to see how you can improve your technique to become a better canopy pilot. Keep filming on future jumps so you can monitor your progress and avoid developing any bad skydiving habits.
Seek professional instruction – No matter how many jumps you’ve made, there will always be someone out there who is a better canopy pilot than you are. And you can learn from them. Look for local instructors and canopy pilots who can help you refine your skills. Don’t know where to find a good canopy coach? Start your search online, and talk to some of your friends who are also into skydiving to see if they have any recommendations. Hiring an instructor might cost a little money, but it’s totally worth it.
Keep practicing – There’s no way you can become a better canopy pilot if you don’t practice. That’s all there is to it. The longer you go without jumping, the more prone you become to making mistakes. You have to jump often so that you stay current and keep your skills sharp. If you take a long break from jumping, work your way back into it slowly to avoid any serious injuries.
Get better at your PLFs – Practicing your parachute landing falls (PLF) is essential for helping you avoid injuries during a bad landing. You need to work on your PLFs on a regular basis so that you know what to do when it comes time for a roll in the dirt. To perform a proper PLF, keep your arms to the sides, with your hands in front of your hips while flaring the canopy to land. Your feet and knees should be together with your knees slightly bending right before you land. Keep your chin tucked down at your chest. Whenever your feet hit the ground, lean to either side to roll down your body. Your feet should hit the ground first, then the thigh and hip of one side of your body. Roll down your side and diagonally across your back to absorb the landing.
Focus on accuracy – Keep practicing the same jumps over and over to work on your accuracy. The more you practice, the better you’ll know how your canopy acts in various situations.
Use these 5 tips to become a better canopy pilot today!
