iFLY Lesson 6 - Flight 4: Docking Maneuvers (FULL Lesson)

#iflywestchester #indoorskydiving #tunnelflight

Here is the full video from my 6th lesson. Flight 4... First time practicing docking maneuvers. It was difficult. When you get close to another flyer, the air flowing around them is pushing against you. So, you have to compensate by straightening your legs to give you more forward momentum. And when you reach out to touch them, you have to arch a bit more with your head up.

I couldn't figure out why it was so hard for me until afterwards when the instructor who was "driving" the wind tunnel explained that my legs weren't extended enough. He told me what to concentrate on. And when I finally had a chance to review the footage later, I could definitely see what he was talking about.

When you are flying in the wind tunnel, you can't see your legs most of the time. So, you have to grow in your awareness of where your entire body is in 3-dimensional space. To do that, you have to concentrate on being sensitive to small and large inputs as you move. It is a learning process. My primary instructor told me how I can also change my chest/stomach positions to help provide more lift so I can be free to move my arms more. And the second instructor (who was in the tunnel overseeing) explained how it's important to keep my eyes on my partner at all times in order to move in sync and avoid accidents. I am definitely doing better now than when I began, but there is so much more to learn!

I love the fact that the instructors @iFLYWESTCHESTER all work together to help the student. I get excellent teaching from my main instructor, as well as from my secondary one. And if any others (whether they are in the tunnel or watching from outside) see something that will help me, they volunteer the information.Here, it's all about enjoying the process of learning how to fly and sharing that excitement with each other! I can feel the sense of community that's built around a love for flight which is common in many people, no matter their background.

If you've ever wondered what it would feel like to fly. Go to your nearest iFLY and find out. :-)