Canopy Formation

Canopy Formation (CF) or CReW (from the older 'canopy relative work') is visually impressive discipline involving intentional controlled collisions, or docking, of canopies. CF jumpers, often known as 'CReW dogs' exit the aircraft and immediately deploy their main canopy. Once under canopy the skydivers fly their canopies into each other and form an array of stacks and formations. CF generally requires specialised kit and so isn't as common as other disciplines and the idea of having someone else's legs wrapped around their lines puts some skydivers off.

Casual CF

CF is not seen as commonly at drop zones as other disciplines such as formation skydiving or freeflying. That said, there are some skydivers who practice it regularly whether preparing for competition or jumping for fun. CF is one of the best ways to increase confidence under canopy and improve canopy flying skills. There are plenty of manoeuvres that have no place in competition but are incredibly exciting to the skydivers and spectacular to spectators.

Competition CF

CF is an intense competition that is entirely down to the skills of canopy control and teamwork. Not only does the skydiver need to have a high degree of skill flying his canopy but he needs to trust his team mates implicitly. Not only will a lack of any of these traits hinder the team's performance but could increase the risk of this breathtaking competition.

2 Way Sequential

There are 3 skydivers in a 2 way sequential team. 2 CF jumpers and 1 camera-flyer. The CF jumpers exit the aircraft followed by the camera-flyer and deploy their canopies. The camera-flier films the competitions and this film is used by the judges to score the jump. They dock their canopies and then release each other. The skydivers then dock in different ways making new formations following a pre-defined sequence for the competition. When the skydivers complete the sequence they start from the beginning again trying to make as many good docks in the allotted competition time.

4 Way Sequential

This competition is similar to 2 way sequential except there are 4 CF skydivers. With 4 canopies there is much more variety in the formations that can be made.

4 Way Rotations

As with the sequential there are 4 CF skydivers and a camera-flier. The skydivers exit the aircraft and dock with each other to form a single straight stack. When the stack is formed the skydiver on top lets go of the stack and dives to the bottom where he docks to make the full stack again. That is one complete rotation. Every-time a skydiver docks onto the bottom of the stack the next skydiver at the top starts the cycle again. The aim is to complete as many rotations as possible in the allotted time.

8 Way Speed

In this competition 8 CF skydivers exit the aircraft followed by their camera-flier. The aim of the competition is to simply form a stack of 8 canopies as quickly as possible. The clock stops as soon as the last skydiver docks with the formation.