Head-Down 405

Fly sequentials and hybrid formations

Sequentials and hybrids, where orientations are mixed inside one formation.

What the course is about

You'll learn to fly freefly sequentials and hybrid formations, which mix orientations in one formation. Head-Down 305 comes first, with the head-down group and big-way courses, because on these jumps you change orientation next to other people.

In Australia, head-down and mixed-orientation formation jumps of more than 3 people need a Freefly Crest (Head-Down), and more than 10 need a Star Crest.

What comes before it

Head-Down 305

Screen 2 · What you are watched on

What you are watched on

The same short list a coach ticks, in the same words. Nothing is hidden from you.

3.2 Safety critical

Transition between points by holding position, releasing, manoeuvring to the new slot and re-docking at low relative speed, not by tracking away and not by staging an orientation change over another flyer.

Do you move between points by holding, releasing, flying to the new slot and re-docking slowly, rather than tracking away or turning over another flyer?

3.3

Match fall rate across mixed orientations, bridging the gap with body position rather than forcing the grip.

Can you bridge a fall-rate gap between orientations with your body position rather than by pulling on the grip?

3.5 Safety critical

Release on the agreed trigger and fly to a stable solo position on any lost formation or spin.

On a lost formation or a spin, do you release on the agreed trigger and fly to a stable solo position?

Screen 3 · Safety and altitudes

Safety and altitudes

Everything here is a recommendation with a reason behind it. The drop zone you are jumping at, and your own limits on the day, decide what happens.

Safety-critical items on the short list

3.2

Do you move between points by holding, releasing, flying to the new slot and re-docking slowly, rather than tracking away or turning over another flyer?

3.5

Release on the agreed trigger and fly to a stable solo position on any lost formation or spin.

On a lost formation or a spin, do you release on the agreed trigger and fly to a stable solo position?

Everything this course says about breakoff and deployment

1.3

State breakoff and deployment altitudes and the abort-altitude commitment; sequential and hybrid personal minimums run higher than solo freefly because a formation breakup is more complex.

4.1

Initiate breakoff at the briefed altitude (within −0/+300 ft), with each flyer tracking in their own orientation before flattening.

4.2

Check airspace and deploy at the planned altitude.

The altitudes here are the guides this site recommends, with the reasons on the full course page. Where the drop zone briefs something different, fly what the drop zone briefs.

Screen 4 · After the jump

After the jump

From the course's closing section, review.

5.1

Debrief the sequence against video, locating dropped points, timing errors and any burble or fall-rate mismatch.

5.2

Identify one correction to train next.

5.3

Log the jump naming the unit, the formations flown and the next focus.

One fault, one correction

Before the video, and before anyone else speaks, name the one fault from the jump and the one thing you will change on the next jump. Keep it to one of each, so you have one clear thing to fly.

Write them into your notes at the bottom of this card, and they will be here next time you open it.

Record this jump

You can record the jump yourself, because your own read of your flying is worth keeping. A record counts as verified once a coach signs it.

Your notes for this course

Saved on this device only, with no account. They will be here next time you open this card.

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This card is a summary. The full Head-Down 405 course page carries the reasoning, the sources and everything left off here. All briefing cards.