kids encyclopedia robot

Formation skydiving facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Skydiving 4 way
4-way FS (Formation Skydiving)
Skydive runaway
Breaking off from a formation before parachute deployment.
DC-3 loading; plus dirt diving
DC-3 loading; plus 'dirt diving'; 1977

Formation skydiving is a skydiving event where multiple skydivers attach themselves to one another by grabbing each other's limbs or by the use of "grippers" on their jumpsuit while free falling through the sky. The goal of this skydiving program is to build a formation of multiple divers arranged in a geometric pattern.

Sub-categories

Formation skydiving can be further divided into several sub-categories, so named for the number of members in a team:

  • 4-way sequential
  • 4-way vertical sequential (VFS, Vertical Formation Skydiving)
  • 8-way sequential
  • 16-way sequential
  • 10-way speed
  • Large formations (Big-ways)

Competitive format

A competition in 4-way formation skydiving (FS-4) takes place like this:

There are two kinds of formations, called randoms and blocks. The randoms are singular formations with full separation of all grips both before and after building the formation. The blocks are double formations with a special designated movement pattern in between, called an inter. The start formation may, or may not be similar to the ending formation. The inters are differently performed. Here are some examples:

Inter 1: The grips are released between some of the flyers, so they become two pieces of two team members. they both do a 270 degree turn, and reconnect to a different formation

Inter 2: Three people stay connected, and do a 360 turn, while the last person, flies alone.

Inter 15: All grips are released and everyone does a 360 turn back to the original formation.

Blocks are designated by numbers, while randoms got letters. Blocks are worth one point for each correct formation, that makes 2 points, and randoms count as 1 point. There are 22 blocks and 16 randoms.

competition consists of up to 10 rounds, and each round consists of 5 or 6 points, which the teams are to repeat as many times as they can within the working time of 35 seconds. The score judging are based on the videographers material.

A competition draw may look like this:

  • 1: C-E-B-13
  • 2: 14-20-8
  • 3: 15-16-H
  • 4: J-O-1-D
  • 5: 6-18-19
  • 6: 5-F-21
  • 7: 10-K-G-M
  • 8: 22-3-P
  • 9: 12-9-4
  • 10:11-17-Q

The winning team will be the team that has collected most points, by completing the most correct formations within time after the final round is ended. In case of weather or technical problems, or other causes, a competition will be valid as long as all teams has completed at least one round.

A recent sub-category of formation skydiving is vertical formation skydiving (VFS). Skydivers build formations using higher-speed body positions normally associated with freeflying, such as head down and sitflying.

World Record

  • BIG-WAY:

The current FAI world record for largest free-fall formation is a 400-way, set on February 8, 2006, in Udon Thani, Thailand by the World Team. It was held for 4.3 seconds. With the support of the Thai government, they used five C-130 Hercules airplanes and exited from an altitude of 25,400 feet. In April 2013 the World Team tried to break the record for the largest 2-point formation dive in skydiving history. All 222 members came together and made a formation, broke apart, and then reformed to make a completely different formation. The team attempted the jump many times and came very close to breaking the record, but were unsuccessful each time. The World Team has not made anymore official statements about attempting the record again.

Longest sequence in one round:

  • 4-Way

Set by the Belgian team(NMP-PCH Hayabusa), at the World Meet 2018 in round 6, where they posted 62 points in working time (35 seconds)

  • 8-Way

Set by the U.S. (Golden Knights) national team, at the "5th Dubai International Parachute Championship" in 2015, in round 2, where they posted 33 points in working time (50 seconds)

World Championship

Year Venue Airplane 4-Way Champion Points (avg) 8-Way Champion Points (avg) 4-Way Female Champion Points (avg) 4-Way Vertical Formation Points (avg)
1975 Germany West Germany
Warendorf
United States United States 40/49.92* United States United States 100/163.85* Not Held Not Held
1977 Australia Australia
Gatton, Queensland
Canada Canada 73 (7.3) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States United States
Silver medal world centered-2.svgGermany West Germany
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
42 (4.2) Not Held Not Held
1979 France France
Châteauroux
Canada Canada 82 (8.2) United States United States 66 (6.6) Not Held Not Held
1981 United States United States
Zephyrhills, Florida
United States United States 116 (11.6) United States United States 83 (8.3) Not Held Not Held
1983 South Africa South Africa
Sun City, North West
Switzerland Switzerland 115 (11.5) United States United States 102 (10.2) Not Held Not Held
1985 Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Yugoslavia
Mali Lošinj
Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgCanada Canada
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
118 (11.8) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgCanada Canada
120 (12.0) Not Held Not Held
1987 Brazil Brazil
Foz do Iguacu
Gold medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgAustriaAustria
134 (13.4) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgSoviet Union USSR
119 (13.2) (9 rd) Not Held Not Held
1989 Spain Spain
Gerona
Gold medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Silver medal world centered-2.svgSoviet Union USSR
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
152 (15.2) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgSoviet Union USSR
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
138 (13.8) Not Held Not Held
1991 Czech Republic Czechoslovakia
Lučenec
Mil Mi-8 Gold medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svg Italy Italy
171 (17.1) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svg Soviet Union USSR
181 (18.1) Not Held Not Held
1993 United States United States
Eloy, Arizona
DHC-6 Twin Otter Gold medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgDenmark Denmark
195 (19.5) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svg Russia Russia
169 (16.9) Not Held Not Held
1995 France France
Gap, Hautes-Alpes
Pilatus PC-6 Porter Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgDenmark Denmark
207 (20.7) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svg Russia Russia
195 (19.5) Not Held Not Held
1997 Turkey Turkey
Efes
CASA C-212 Aviocar Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgSouth AfricaSouth Africa
210 (21.0) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgRussia Russia
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
224 (22.4) Not Held Not Held
1999 Australia Australia
Corowa
DHC-6 Twin Otter Gold medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgNorway Norway
208 (20.8) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgRussia Russia
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
211 (21.1) Not Held Not Held
2001 Spain Spain
Granada
CASA C-212 Aviocar Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgNorway Norway
214 (21.4) Gold medal world centered-2.svgRussiaRussia
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
193 (19.3) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgNorway Norway
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgSweden Sweden
147 (14.7) Not Held
2003 France France
Gap, Hautes-Alpes
Pilatus PC-6 Porter Gold medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgNorway Norway
229 (22.9) Gold medal world centered-2.svgRussiaRussia
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
221 (20.9) (11 rd) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited Kingdom Great Britain
Silver medal world centered-2.svgNorway Norway
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
165 (16.5) Not Held
2004 Croatia Croatia
Rijeka
Mil Mi-8 Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgRussia Russia
227 (22.7) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgRussia Russia
172 (19.1) (9 rd) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgRussia Russia
169 (16.9) Not Held
2006 Germany Germany
Gera
DHC-6 Twin Otter Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgItaly Italy
117 (23.4) (5 rd) Gold medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgRussia Russia
123 (20.5) (6 rd) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited Kingdom Great Britain
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgRussia Russia
95 (19.0) (5 rd) Not Held
2008 France France
Maubeuge
Pilatus PC-6 Porter Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgBelgiumBelgium
195 (24.4) (8 rd) Gold medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgItaly Italy
151 (21.6) (7 rd) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited Kingdom Great Britain
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
120 (20.0) (6 rd) Not Held
2010 Russia Russia
Menzelinsk
L-410 Turbolet Gold medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgRussia Russia
277 (27.7) Gold medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgRussia Russia
203 (20.3) Gold medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited Kingdom Great Britain
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
236 (23.6) Not Held
2012 United Arab Emirates UAE
Dubai
DHC-6 Twin Otter Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited StatesUSA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgBelgiumBelgium
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
279 (27.9) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited StatesUSA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgRussiaRussia
229 (22.9) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited StatesUSA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgNorwayNorway
207 (20.7) Gold medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited Arab Emirates UAE
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgUnited StatesUSA
185 (23,1) (8 rd)
2014 Czech Republic Czech Republic
Prostějov
L-410 Turbolet Gold medal world centered-2.svgBelgium Belgium
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgCanada Canada
264 (26.4) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited StatesUSA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgRussiaRussia
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
216 (21.6) Gold medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited StatesUSA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgUnited KingdomGreat Britain
214 (21.4) Gold medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited StatesUSA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgCanadaCanada
179 (22,4) (8 rd)
2016 United States United States
Chicago
DHC-6 Twin Otter Gold medal world centered-2.svgBelgiumBelgium
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited StatesUSA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
262 (26.2) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited StatesUSA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgRussiaRussia
239 (23.9) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited StatesUSA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgUnited KingdomGreat Britain
224 (22.4) Gold medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
Silver medal world centered-2.svgCanadaCanada
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgUnited StatesUSA
168 (22.4) (8 rd)
2018 Australia Australia
Gold Coast, Queensland
Cessna 208 Caravan Gold medal world centered-2.svgBelgiumBelgium
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited StatesUSA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
279 (27.9) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgRussia Russia
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgQatar Qatar
224 (22,4) Gold medal world centered-2.svgFranceFrance
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited KingdomGreat Britain
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgSwedenSweden
257 (25,7) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited StatesUSA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgCanadaCanada
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgAustraliaAustralia
217 (21,7)
2020
(2021)
Russia Russia
Kemerovo region
L-410 Turbolet Gold medal world centered-2.svgBelgium Belgium
Silver medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgQatar Qatar
193 (32,2) (6 rd) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgRPF
166 (23,7) (7 rd) Gold medal world centered-2.svgRPF
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgPolandPolen
150 (25,0) (6 rd) Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgRPF
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgItalyItaly
143 (20,4) (7 rd)
2022 United States United States
Eloy, Arizona
DHC-6 Twin Otter Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgBelgium Belgium
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgQatar Qata
261
228
219
Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgQatar Qatar
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgGermany Germany
205
164
131
Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited Kingdom Great Britain
Silver medal world centered-2.svgFrance France
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
200
189
184
Gold medal world centered-2.svgUnited States USA
Silver medal world centered-2.svgAustralia Australia
Bronze medal world centered-2.svgNorway Norway
212
190
140

See also

  • Canopy formation
kids search engine
Formation skydiving Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.