Wingsuit Formations: Progress & Evolution

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Wingsuit Formations: Progress &

Evolution

USPA Board Meeting

February 2010, Phoenix, Arizona

Presented by Taya Weiss


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at

ionReco

rds PART I: PROGRESS

In July 2009, the USPA began recognizing a

new record category:

WINGSUIT, LARGEST FORMATION

WingsuitFor


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ica

lDefinitions Current Wingsuit Formation Records

1. All record participants wear a wingsuit.

2. A pre-declared, 2-dimensional, un-gripped

formation is presented to the judges.

REVIEW:

Techn

3. The pre-declared dive plan is performed.

4. A standard grid is overlaid on a stillphotograph. When all participants are flying

within their slot according to the rules,

judges declare the record a success.


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dgingTool

The grid is a digital file. It is easy to

superimpose over photographs using

free photo editing software on bothMac and PC.

The grid is scalable to judge any size

and shape of a 2-dimensional formation.

An les are defined at 90 de rees to allow

Wing

suitJ

Overlapping lines allow for additional margins

of movement for each wingsuit flyer. The lines

overlap by 13.5 percent, creating approximately

33 percent more flying area for each participant

than a single-line grid. This approximates the

movement inherent in all large formations.

formations to be compared.


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at

ion

Establish a basis on which wingsuit

skydivers can train for and achieve

measurable, common goals

USPA took this step forward in order to:

Moti Begin a process of interaction with USPA as

the discipline progresses

Create the possibility for record events that

bring sponsorship and outside media

coverage to the sport of skydiving


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rd

Progress Within 5 months of USPA recognition:

2 National Records

25-way & 68-way

WingsuitReco

4 State Records

Illinois (25-way)

Michigan (4-way)Delaware (5-way)

Massachusetts (25-way)


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rd

Progress

South Africa and Australia have adopted the samestandards for Wingsuit Formation Records

Wingsuit Formation Records have attracted major

sponsorship, including Starbucks Coffee

WingsuitReco

79 people have received

recognition for achieving

a USPA State or NationalRecord


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dgingTool

The First US National Wingsuit Record July 2009

WingsuitJ


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dgingTool

The First US National Wingsuit Record July 2009

WingsuitJ


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Record-68

Standing US National Record:

November 11th 2009

USNa

tional


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Record-68

USNa

tional


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Coverage

TVMedia


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C

overage

PrintMedi


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TION

Whats Next?

How can we improve upon

PART II: EVOLUTION

EVOL t e ru es

What role can USPA play in

moderating new ideas?


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TION

1. We ask that the current system be kept in place, with

improvements outlined below.

2. We support and encourage the development of new

systems for testing.

3. We want open, moderated dialogue with all interested

Whats Next?

EVOL

parties.

4. We support and encourage the future recognition of

further record categories, such as docked formations;3-dimensional formations; and individual time and

distance.

5. We believe the USPA must play the role of a neutral,

objective arbiter of ideas.


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Evolution

1. Objectively judged: Binary response forperformance success (yes or no)

2. Comparable: Records of different sizes can be

compared with the same set of rules

5 Characteristics of a Record:

Too

lsfor

.

multiple judges

4. Challenging but achievable: Rules reflect some

aspect of currently provable performance whileencouraging scalable growth to break records

5. Safety Conscious: Rules promote safety with

increasing size/performance


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Evolution

1. Objectively judged: Binary response for

performance success (yes or no)

2. Comparable: Records of different sizes can be

compared with the same set of rules

Do Formation Records Stand Up?

Too

lsfor .

multiple judges

4. Challenging but achievable: Rules reflect some

aspect of currently provable performance while

encouraging scalable growth to break records

5. Safety Conscious: Rules promote safety with

increasing size/performance


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judgingto

ol?

1. Simplicity of concept: Easy to explainconcept for both skydivers and non-

skydivers/media

2. Ease of use: Minimal training required,

4 Properties of a Good Judging Tool:

Whatde

fines

equipment

3. Efficiency: Fast judging process/outcome

4. Adaptability: Capable of evolving easily as

rules require


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ardGrid

1. Simplicity of concept: Easy to explainconcept for both skydivers and non-

skydivers/media 10

2. Ease of use: Minimal training required,

How Does the Grid Score? (1-10)

TheStan

compati e wit a common y use

equipment 8

3. Efficiency: Fast judging process/outcome 8

4. Adaptability: Capable of evolving easily as

rules require 9


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le

Change

sRULE CHANGE 1: Margin of Error

Current rule:

12-3.2.E.e To be judged successfully within

their grid space, some partof the wingsuit

flyer must be visible inside a line

Propo

sedR

e ineating t eir space

New Proposed Rule:

To be judged successfully within their grid

space, no partof the flyer must be visible

outside the line delineating their space


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le

Change

sRULE CHANGE 1: Margin of Error

Currently Accepted Ideal Placement

Propo

sedR

Accepted With New Rule Not Accepted With New Rule


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le

Change

sRULE CHANGE 2: Scalability

Current Rule: There is no constraint onthe ratio of the wingsuit flyer to the grid

square.

New Proposed Rule:

Propo

sedR

The height of the base flyer, measured

from head to feet, must exceed 25 percent

of the height of the designated flyingspace (as indicated on the standard grid).


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le

Change

sStandard Grid with 25% Marks

Propo

sedR


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le

Change

sStandard Grid with 25% Marks

Propo

sedR

Scale NOT Accepted


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THAN

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Wingsuit Formations: Progress & Evolution