Canopy Formation Flying
Teams exit the aircraft and open their parachutes once they are clear of the plane without having extended free-fall. A videographer records the formations made and the video is given to the judging panel.
Formation:
Two or more jumpers and parachutes linked by grips.
Grip:
A hand hold or a foot hook on the "A" lines or front riser of the parachute system.
Working time:
Begins either 30 seconds after the first team member leaves the plane OR at the separation of their first formation, whichever happens first.
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Official rules: Skydiver's Competition Manual Chapter 10
Canopy Formation Events
4-Way Rotations:
A team of four skydivers and one videographer, build a four-stack formation. Once the initial formation is built, the top jumper rotates to the bottom of the stack to score another point. As soon as the rotating jumper is linked onto the bottom of the stack, the next skydiver on top may commence a rotation to the bottom, thus scoring an additional point. Exit Altitude is 9,000 ft. Above Ground Level (AGL). Working time is 90 seconds.
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4-Way Sequential:
A team of four skydivers and one videographer follow a draw of formations and point is scored for each formation correctly completed. For each competition jump there are either four or five different formations in the sequence, which are repeated during the jump to score as many points as possible. Exit altitude is 10,000 ft. AGL. Working time is 120 secs.There are eight rounds in competition.
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2-Way Sequential:
A team of two skydivers and one videographer, complete a pre-determined series of formations. A point is scored for each formation correctly completed in accordance with a draw made at the start of the event. For each competition jump there are five different formations and the goal is to complete the series as many times as possible during the working time of one min. Exit altitude is 8,000 ft. AGL.
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