Canopy Relative Work, or CRW, is another form of formation skydiving which takes place under an open parachute. The most basic maneuver (formation) in CRW is the stack. This is accomplished when two or more canopy pilots dock in a vertical formation. A dock is complete when the top pilot of the formation had their legs hooked into the bottom pilot’s lines. Similar to formation skydiving, the grip or dock is the important part of the formation to keep track of with your camera.

 

 


 

There are two major categories of CRW formations:

  1. Vertical formations: Canopies are either stacked one beneath the other. All grips should be on the center cell.
  2. Off-set formations: one or more docks and grips are on end-cells. These formations include diamonds, boxes and stair-steps.

As the videographer, you will be staying behind the formation, so we will not be discussing how to take docks. Although you are not directly connected with the formation, it is still possible for you to collide or become wrapped up with other jumpers. Make sure your canopy flying skills are adequate enough to fly with and avoid other jumpers. Begin learning these skills with a qualified coach. Once a coach thinks you are ready, start out by filming solos and then two way formations.

 

Exit
 

There are a couple of different exits for CRW videographers. Either you leave before or after your group. The important thing is that you film the first person of the group leaving (if it’s you, film your feet leaving the plane). This will tell the judges when to start the clock.

I prefer to leave before the team. I give myself a one to two second delay. As my canopy opens, I focus my sight on the jumpers exiting after me. This lets me know where everybody is and gives me the chance to avoid any off-heading openings. As you start to fly your canopy you will probably want to stow your slider for better flight performance. If you do, make sure you keep everyone in frame while you do (you don’t want to miss any points).

 


 


After the Exit
 

You’ll find that the more canopies become linked together, that the whole formations glide path changes. In addition, larger CRW formations aren’t as mobile as two ways. They have a tendency to fly in a straight line. In order to make it back to the DZ, these larger formations do what is called a “run-back”. This is where the formation releases its grips, flies either a 180 or 360 as individuals, and then regroups heading in a different direction. As the camera flyer, you will have to follow the leader of the formation who can be found at the very top. Knowing that all the other canopy pilots will be re-docking on to the leader, position yourself in a manner that allows them to do so quickly and safely.

Learn how to fly your rear and front risers well. You want to avoid sashaying back and forth. This makes for terrible video which can’t be debriefed. It also hinders other jumpers form reaching their target because you are occupying more space in the sky (like a drunk driver occupying several lanes as they swerve).

 

Break-off
 

Break-off no lower than 2500 feet. If the formation that you are filming has not broken off at 2500 feet, turn away and head to the landing area. Most CRW accidents can be salvaged if you leave enough room for error.

 

Gear
 

The USPA BSRs recommendations on equipment list the following items as essential for safely doing CRW:

  • Hook knife – necessary for resolving entanglements
  • Ankle protection – adequate socks prevent abrasion from canopy lines. If boots are used, cover any exposed metal hooks
  • Short bridle cords – short, single attachment point bridle cords are essential to reduce the danger of entanglement. Retracting bridle pilot chute systems are desirable
  • Cross connectors – are essential for building planes. These should be connected between front and rear risers only.

 

The following items are strongly recommended for safely doing CRW:

  • Altimeter – provides altitude information for dock, abort and entanglement decisions
  • Protective headgear – must allow adequate hearing capability for voice commands, in addition to collision protection
  • Soft toggles – provide less possibility of entanglement than hard toggles and better flight control
  • Trim tabs (go toggles) – helpful for equalizing decent rates and increasing control envelope
  • Cell cross porting (two rows) – is recommended (when done per manufacturer's specs) to minimize the likelihood of canopy collapse
  • Cascades – recommended to be removed from the two center A-lines.

 

Competition
 

Exit altitude is 8000 feet with 60 seconds working time. 8 rounds.